How online casino brands are continuing to grow

Economists and marketing experts will tell you that the brands generally have a certain life cycle. This comes in four distinct phases, introduction, growth, maturity and decline.

In the case of online casinos, many of the leading brands are undoubtedly still firmly in their growth stage, with few signs of the levelling off that maturity brings, let alone their eventual decline.

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Before we take a look at why this sector as a whole is continuing to boom, it’s worth just recapping its history.

Unsurprisingly, this closely follows the evolution of the internet itself. The first few casinos started to appear when more and more people started to go online in the early 1990s. Back then, dial-up modems were the latest tech using speeds at a fraction of those we enjoy today.

Combined with far more primitive computing power, this meant the sites were basic, to say the least. There was only a modest selection of games to play and connection issues meant that there was always a good chance of being cut off at the most important moments in a game.

But, luckily, technology marched on and, along with this, so did the popularity of online casinos. For many it was the novelty of being able to enjoy a whole new kind of entertainment, for others more used to traditional casinos it provided an exciting new alternative way to play the games they loved.

So now we’ve reached a stage where in the UK Gambling Commission figures show that remote betting is the biggest single sector with online casinos being the most popular within it. As of March 2020, these generated a staggering £1.9 billion in gross gambling yield, a 4% increase on the previous year’s figures.

This all points to the fact that the key brand names operating in the sector continue to thrive, and there are many reasons for this.

  • The onward march of tech

As a sector, it has always embraced new technology as it has become available. One major milestone was the introduction of the smartphone in the early 2000s. This meant that an increasing number of people could start to play whenever the wanted, wherever there was access to the internet. Today, the emerging worlds of VR and 5G connectivity are set to be the next game-changer.

  • The live casino experience

One of the biggest boosts that brands have received in the last few years has been the introduction of the live casino, something only made possible by advancing tech. This allows games, run by real dealers, to be live-streamed to players’ PCs or mobile devices. The physical action is digitised to allow online play and the whole experience aims to be as close as possible to being in an actual casino.

  • Ever-increasing game choices

Fans of online casinos such as Virgin Games seem to have an insatiable appetite for new games and experiences. So the leading brands are only too happy to offer them. Once, there was a fairly limited choice of ways to play table games like roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Now there are almost endless variations to cater for every kind of player.

Slots games are the most popular on every site and so there is also a constant drive to add new ones to keep the choice fresh and give players a good reason to keep coming back to check what’s new.

Many brands are also adding whole new types of games ranging from the wheel of fortune to variations on bingo to attract new types of players.

  • Bonuses and offers

As you’d expect from such a vibrant sector, there is huge competition between the different brands to attract new players. A key method that is used is welcome bonuses and other offers.

These can take a number of forms. The most popular is generally to offer to match a player’s initial deposit up to a certain limit. This is closely followed by offering a set number of free spins on selected slots games for new players. One welcome bonus that is a little harder to find these days is the no-deposit bonus – effectively free stake money – but they are still out there if you look around hard enough.

  • Advertising and promotions

With big marketing budgets to play with, it’s not surprising that more and more is being spent on TV advertising by the key names. It’s the same in any competitive sector – once one major brand commits to it, others have to follow unless they want to run the risk of being left behind.

This is just part of the overall marketing mix that the major brands use. Other elements include the extensive use of sponsorship of sports teams and events as well as affiliate marketing via online review sites. Naturally, there is also a great deal of online and social media advertising too.

  • Embracing the metaverse

We’ve all heard a great deal about the metaverse – the world in which our online and real lives are set to merge. It seems like online casino brands are set to exploit this too through more technological advancements like virtual and augmented reality.

So it would seem like there are very exciting times ahead – and ones in which the biggest brands in the online casino universe are set to thrive. Many will be watching with interest to see what exactly will be involved, but we can be sure of one thing – there’s plenty more life in the sector yet.

Disclaimer: Gambling involves an element of financial risk and maybe addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk. Subject to applicable laws.