Online casinos, popularly known as Internet or virtual casinos are the online versions of land-based or “brick and mortar” (traditional) casinos. These casinos allow the gamblers to play as well as wager on casino games via the Internet. It is an extensive form of online gambling.
Online casinos provide odds as well as payback percentages to the players which are bit higher than most of the land-based casinos. Few online casinos boast the fact that they provide higher payback percentages for their slot machine games while few of them publish player’s payout percentage audits on the websites. If we assume that online casinos are properly programmed random number generator as well as table games such as blackjack, they have established house edge. The payout percentage on various games they have are based on the rules of the games.
Online Casino game industry has flourished over the years. Looking at prospective future of this industry, we will surely see new additions in the year 2018. But first, we need to explore various kinds of online casinos that are available and how they are shaping this industry.
Most of these online casinos have different interfaces. Based on that we can classify them as follows:
1. Web-based online casinos
These online casinos or flash casinos are websites where the players can play casino games without any requirement of downloading the software on to their computer. These games are generally represented in the browser plugins such as Java, Macromedia Shockwave, etc. and they require browser support. Since all the graphics, sounds, as well as animations, need to be loaded via the web through the plugin, it requires bandwidth. Few online casinos also allow the gameplay via HTML interface. However, Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, etc. can’t play Flash games since the inherent technology is not supported. These games have gained popularity in recent years and will continue to flourish in the year 2018
2. Download-based online casinos
These online casinos require the user to download the software client to play as well as wager on the casino games that are offered. The software connects to the provider of casino service and handles the contact without any requirement of browser support. Download-based online casinos are faster than web-based ones as the graphics, and the sound programs are properly cached by the software instead of them to load from the Internet. However, these online casinos require an initial download as well as installation. Like any download from the Internet, they do have the inherent risk of the software containing virus and malware.
3. Virtual casino games
In this kind of casino games, the game outcomes is dependent on the data which is produced by a PRNG, short form for pseudorandom number generator. PNRG determines the orders of the card in case of card games, while in case of dice throw it determines the outcome. In spinning of a slot machine, the results is determined by this generator. PRNGs utilizes algorithms which are mathematical instructions in order to generate a long stream of numbers which give the sense of true randomness. However, it is not same as true random number generation since computers are not capable to do so without any source of external input, it does provide results which satisfy almost all stringent requirements associated with true randomness.
If implemented correctly, a PRNG algorithm will make sure that games are not only fair but also unpredictable. However, the players need to trust the software that it is not rigged to increase the house edge since the inner working of the games is invisible to the user. Online casinos which are properly regulated are audited externally by independent regulators to make sure that the win percentages of the players are in line with the described and stated odds. This offers assurance to the players that the gamers are balanced and fair with an assumption that the players trust the regulators.
4. Live dealer casino games
In this form of online casinos, the game is run by a human dealer in real time from a casino gaming table that can be seen through a live streaming video link. Players can then make betting decisions through a console on their computer screen and also communicate with the dealer through text chat function.
The physical transaction results by the dealer like roulette wheel spin outcome or dealing of the cards are duly translated into data which is then utilized by the software through optical character recognition technology, also known as OCR. It allows the player to interact within the game similarly like they would in a virtual casino game. However, the results are determined by the real-life actions of the player instead of automated processes.
These types of games are more expensive for websites to host in comparison with virtual games since it involves an extensive investment in technology as well as staffing. A live casino studio generally employs a cameraman, croupiers which run different games, an IT manager to make sure that technical issues are dealt swiftly. A pit boss is also employed which acts as adjudicator whenever there is any dispute between the croupiers and players.
All these aspects make them ideal choice for current players and this will lead to increase in such online casinos in the year 2018.
The Future of Online Casino Games
Looking at future of online casino gaming industries in the year 2018, we need to look at the upcoming online casinos which offer great features, security as well as a plethora of gaming options to the players.
There are online casinos websites like Casumo which provide an attractive layout which is not only easier to navigate but also supports desktop as well as mobile users. They place huge stress on security and customer support for the players who register on these sites so that they can enjoy hundreds of games developed by the online casino gaming industry developers.
They offer benefits from a longlist of game suppliers, some of which are leading developers of highly-rated casino games. The games on these online casinos can easily be accessed after registering an account through a web-browser which allows the players using desktops to play the games. These online casinos have a great array of slots as well as table and card games along with specialty games. They also have live dealer casino games too such as Live Casino Hold Em, Live Blackjack, Live Ultimate Texas Hold EM and even Live Roulette from Evolution gaming.
These online casinos provide top-rated security whenever the players are playing any real money game and offer the most trusted payment methods available online. These payment modes enable fast and secure transactions.
Online casino gaming industry is undergoing huge transformation, and in the year 2018, we will see new dimensions and features added to online games.