Modern technology has done more than just provide us with flawless televisions. Thanks to new innovations, we can now place our bets without having to endure long trips to our favourite land-based bookmakers.
The online gambling industry in India is undeniably growing at a fast rate and we’re seeing emerging trends that weren’t there ten years ago. These trends are attracting hundreds of bettors everyday and in a few years, they will be completely immersed in the online gambling industry.
Below we give you a detailed perspective on each and every major trend that’s currently shaking the Indian gambling industry.
Cryptocurrencies
Gambling online with Rupees is experiencing competition from cryptocurrencies. A cryptocurrency is basically a form of currency that’s not regulated by any bank, government or financial authority.
The most popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin with Bitcoin being the oldest and most popular.
Cryptocurrencies are becoming ideal for bettors due to the anonymity and security they provide. Unlike using your regular debit cards or ewallets to bet online, with cryptocurrencies, all you need is to open a wallet and send your crypto with no one abusing your data.
The only downside to using cryptocurrencies to gamble online is the heavy fluctuations they experience. Unlike Rupees and other currencies, Cryptos are decentralized, meaning they often experience sudden fluctuations that can greatly affect your gambling experience.
Mobile gambling
The mobile gambling trend is perhaps the most popular in India. You don’t need a heavy computer on your lap to bet online. Simply take your smartphone, access the internet and choose from the many mobile websites available. With a little bit of good luck, you can also find a bookmaker who offers an iOS and Android application.
Both mobile betting websites and applications are often equipped with the same features and products available on the desktop version. So don’t worry about missing out on any good bonuses when you use your smartphone to place your bets.
The only thing you should be wary about is the number of games you’ll find. The simple nature of the mobile phone does not allow bulky software that some games have. This means you might find some of your favorite games missing.
Virtual and augmented reality
Virtual reality (VR) involves using special headsets to access computer generated environments that contain scenes and objects that appear real.
Virtual reality has been around for a good number of years. However, it recently began growing in popularity among online casinos due to its ability to make users feel completely immersed in their gaming actions.
Some of the main features offered by VR include 3D-avatars, live interactions and gesture imitations. All these features work together to ensure you get a realistic gambling experience from the comfort of your home.
VR is an amazing addition to the world of gambling. However, the headsets are a bit expensive, so try shopping around for discounts first before settling on a pair.
Live casinos
Playing RNG games is easy because it’s all about spinning and waiting. However, these games can become a bit monotonous. That is why apart from Virtual reality, Indian bettors are now turning to live dealer events in the hope of finding an authentic gambling experience.
When playing a live dealer game, you’ll find a real dealer sitted in a real studio with real cards and chips. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing roulette or poker, you’ll have multiple camera angles and HD streaming technology that will ensure you get the best gambling experience.
All you’ll need is a stable internet connection and a working computer or smartphone.
Esports betting
When esports betting was introduced, people were a bit hesitant to try it out. Today, with online streaming services such as YouTube and Twitch, esports have become a solid part of the Indian gambling industry.
Esports or electronic sports is a form of competition that involves video games. Professional players can play individually or compete as teams and bettors are allowed to predict which player or team will win.
Popular esports include Dota, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Overwatch and Street Fighter. These games have all been designed to support professional gaming. Meaning, they have excellent graphics as well as other features such as the Spectator mode which allows bettors to watch the game unfold.
Due to their flexible nature, many people have questioned the integrity of esports betting. However, we believe that there’s ample security that will continue preventing any cheating or corruption from happening.
Betting exchange
Betting exchange is another trend that’s becoming quite popular in the Indian gambling industry.
A betting exchange works slightly different from normal betting in that players are allowed to bet against each other rather than against the bookmaker.
This means players are allowed to set their odds for a certain event or back the odds set by other players. For example, if you think Team A will win and your friend thinks Team B will win, you can both agree to bet ₹200. If team A wins, your friend will pay you ₹200 and if his team wins, you’ll pay him ₹200.
Even though the bookmaker will take a small commission, betting exchange offers great odds and the overall profits are much more than what normal betting offers.
Smartwatches for gambling
You’ve probably heard about watches that can send messages and track your fitness routines. But did you know that watches are now being used for gambling? Gaming software providers such as Playtech have partnered with Apple and other tech companies to create casino games that are compatible with watches.
The games you’ll find in a smartwatch are simplified but offer an exciting gambling experience. Also remember that watches have different manufacturers and designs. Some are round while others have square-shaped screens, so certain gaming elements may not be available.
Still, if you ever find yourself standing in a long queue, simply take out your smartwatch and check whether there are some cool games in there that you can play.
Political and Social events betting
Gambling online used to be all about sports, slots and table games. This isn’t the case today. If you visit a reputable Indian betting site and explore their betting markets, you’ll likely find something involving politics and social events.
For example, you can find a market allowing you to predict who will win a presidential race or a reality show. These markets are becoming quite popular as they don’t require much strategy or skills. Plus, of course they are extremely entertaining and lucrative.
Better responsible Gaming tools
Gambling is fun and exciting. However, it can become addictive and this may result in the financial ruin of a player.
During the Covid-19 pandemic It was found that 48% of individuals maintained or increased gambling activities. This is mainly due to the tight lockdowns and curfews enforced by governments and establishments from all over the world. Covid mainly increased gaming habits of people with access to stable internet and power. In fact in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, the industry witnessed a record-breaking number of jackpot wins.
Online bookmakers are also taking further steps in protecting players by offering betting and time limits. Operators are also using pop-up windows to warn users when they’ve been playing for a long period of time.
Conclusion
The online gambling industry began more than two decades ago and it has experienced many ups and downs. The industry is a popular den for money laundering and unfair gaming practices have also been spotted several times.
Still, having the option of playing casino games without visiting a brick-and-mortar casino is quite attractive. You’ll find amazing slots from top software providers such as Microgaming and you’ll also get to enjoy plenty of bonuses and promotions.
Just don’t forget to be responsible as you play and always set a betting limit to ensure you don’t spend more than you can afford. Do this and you’ll have a smooth gambling experience filled with lots of winning opportunities.