The iGaming industry is continuing to expand, with more and more states beginning to legalize real-money casino games. This trend is being driven by state lawmakers, who are increasingly receptive to the notion that online gambling isn’t a social ill but can help bring in huge sums of money for state coffers. This shift is also being accelerated by the fact that some major brick-and-mortar casinos are developing their own iGaming brands to cater to the demand.
A great example of this is New Jersey, which legalized iGaming back in 2013 and now boasts one of the country’s most regulated iGaming markets. It is partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry, from Caesars to BetMGM.
Pennsylvania is another state that’s now open to iGaming, after the first wave of operators launched their sites in May of 2019. The launch came just one year after the state passed legislation making it legal to play online sports betting.
Connecticut and Michigan are both ready to welcome iGaming operations, with both states poised to launch in 2023. New York has yet to make iGaming legal, but multiple efforts have been made in recent years to change that. If the Empire State does eventually pass iGaming laws, it’ll be a major player in the iGaming market.
Experts believe that the future of gaming is largely online, with more players gravitating towards mobile and tablet-friendly platforms. The convenience of these formats makes them ideal for many users, who are often on the go or prefer to gamble from home. Moreover, developers are ensuring that online casino games replicate the experience of playing in a physical environment. For instance, slot machines take about seven to eight seconds to complete a spin in their physical form, but this is reduced to just a few seconds in the digital world.
In terms of the future of gaming, experts are optimistic that the trend will continue to grow. It’s expected that the number of online slots will increase, along with the availability of live dealer games and virtual reality. This growth will help generate substantial revenue for casino operators. However, it’s important to note that responsible gambling is key for both the industry and players.
The Deseret News spoke with veteran gaming industry consultant Dennis Conrad, who noted that there was a time when big casino companies shunned online gambling. However, he said that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a growing trend among brick-and-mortar casino operators to add online offerings to their portfolios.
It’s possible that Maine will join the ranks of states that allow online casino games, but the Pine Tree State is more likely to wait and see how its sports betting launch goes before taking the plunge. Meanwhile, West Virginia has already moved forward with legalizing iGaming and has partnerships with several top operators. The next state to watch for in this regard is Rhode Island, which is mulling over the possibility of legalizing iGaming.