The online casino and esports industries may seem like totally different entertainment offerings, but they do share many similarities. In recent years, as competitive gaming has blown up, online casino developers have clearly realized that the sector is hard to ignore.
There are now more esports elements emerging at online casinos, and this trend could be set to grow in the future. Indeed, esports and online casinos may one day be completely intertwined.
Live Casino Gaming Has Esports-Inspired Aspects
The major difference between esports and online casino games is the fact that the former predominantly relies on skill, while the latter is based on luck. Players choose to play online casino for real money because they want to spin the reels on slot games like King Kong Cash Go Bananas and play table offerings like Paddy Power Premium Roulette. However, in recent times, there has been an emerging trend focused on the spectacle of online casino games. This is something that could have been inspired by esports, where a big part of the industry is people viewing the games.
Live streaming has brought about this new era of the online casino industry, where sites are now putting a heavy focus on their live offerings. Aside from traditional table games, there are game shows like Crazy Time and Spin a Win. Players can take part in them and feel like they’ve been transported onto a television set, or they can watch and enjoy the show without investing any of their own money. This mirrors the esports industry in that some people want to play the games and win, while others simply want to experience watching someone else take part.
Esports and Casinos Could Become More Closely Linked in the Future
The esports and online casino industries are continuing to expand rapidly alongside each other, and it makes sense for operators to think of ways that they can become more intertwined. At many land-based gambling houses, there are now connected esports arenas, especially in places like Macao and Las Vegas. This highlights how the two sectors attract a similar demographic, and it’s something that online casinos could capitalize on soon when virtual reality becomes mainstream.
Some analysts expect virtual reality to be an everyday household item by 2030. It’s at this point that it’s highly likely to be ingrained in the online casino experience. Internet-based sites will most likely mirror physical casinos at this point, and players will be able to walk around exploring the virtual world. Some operators could choose to do what casinos in Vegas have done and involve esports stadiums in their virtual offerings. This would enable them to host competitive gaming events and attract a wider audience to the site. They may then be tempted to explore further and play some casino games.
The lines between esports and online casinos are becoming increasingly blurred. In the future, it’s highly likely that there will be an even stronger connection between the two offshoots of gaming.