Technology has always been in the background of our everyday lives. It fuels everything that we do. For instance, in days gone by when we wanted to research something – be it a school assignment or a phone number – we would either go to the library or the phone book. Nowadays, these methods of doing research have all but become obsolete. Our first port of call is Google. ‘Googling’ has become such a way of life that even the trusted Yellow Pages has gone online!
In the world of casinos and gambling, technology has had a similar effect. This infiltration of tech was best demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here online casinos became the order of the day. They remain popular even now when gamblers have been let back into land-based casinos.
In this article, we explore how technology is being used by casinos. We also look at how the use of this tech is engaging gamblers the world over.
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Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (or AR for short) combines real-world experiences with computer-generated content. A great example of this is Google Glasses. These glasses would display information about where the wearer was. So, for instance, if you were not sure of how to get to a certain place the glasses would display the directions in your field of vision.
In terms of gambling, some online casinos use AR technology to enhance the visuals on their platform. This is done to create a more life-like experience for their players. AR tech gives online casinos the opportunity to create tutorials that seem as if you’re being taught how to play the games by a real person. Also, you can ask them questions. Some companies have created avatars that look and sound like real people. This means that online casinos can use this technology to create a ‘real’ teacher who players can ask questions of.
Virtual Reality
When people speak about ‘virtual reality’ they are referring to a simulated 3D world that users can interact with via a headset. Think about a computer game. Here instead of fighting the bad guys using a keyboard, mouse and/or joystick, you are part of the game. You’re shooting the bad guys with your very own gun instead of being on the other side of the computer screen!
The casino world has developed virtual casino sites where once you’ve put on your VR headset you feel like you’re sitting at the blackjack table, staring down the other players and playing your cards, rather than from sitting behind your computer.
Artificial Intelligence
Simply put, artificial intelligence (AI) is the use of technology to perform tasks that are usually done by humans. One well-known example of AI tech is ChatGPT. This is a natural language processing tool, that AI drives. It allows you to have human-like conversations with the chatbot.
In both the online and land-based casino world, there is a massive amount of information that is constantly collected. These companies use AI to collect this information so that they are able to add value to their customers. For instance, data about casino players’ behaviour, when playing, to present offers to them. Casino heads design these offers especially for them.
Another way that AI can be used to improve how the casino interacts with their players is in customer service. Chatbots allow players to ask any questions – whether it be day or night – and get the answers that they need.
Machine Learning
Machine learning is all about using and developing computer systems that can learn and adapt without explicit instructions. A common example is Google Maps. As you drive it will suggest a route to get to your destination. However, if you deviate from this route it will quickly adapt and find you a new route based on where you are driving.
As we said previously in this article, casinos generate a massive amount of data. This is useless unless the casino management is able to draw usable insights from it that can benefit their business. Machine learning can be taught how to categorise this data so that it can be quickly analysed going forward.
Other Examples Of Technology’s Role In Casinos
Live Dealer Games
In live dealer games, online players at sites like Casino Grand Bay can play against a real-life dealer via a video feed. This gives players a little taste of a land-based casino while still enjoying the convenience of playing from home.
Improved Graphics And Game Play
Thanks to the constantly evolving nature of technology, displays and the workings behind online casinos are constantly improving. This gives players a smooth and seamless experience.
Mobile Gambling
According to statistics, there are approximately 6.84 billion people all across the world who have smartphones. And the great majority of these people are Millennials who have the major purchasing power. To cater to this trend, app developers have developed mobile gambling apps so that people are able to gamble anywhere that they want. All that they need is their smartphone or tablet and access to the internet.
We are in the throes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres. It is all about how all of these aspects can be integrated in order to help each other. Technology is being implemented in factories to smooth the production process. Business Intelligence is being used in casinos – together with machine learning – to analyse the reams and reams of data that casinos generate to provide insights that management and leadership can use to better the players’ experiences.
Technology will never replace land-based casinos. Dealers and other staff at these establishments don’t need to worry about losing their jobs to a chatbot or a VR avatar. Players want that human connection. They want to look into the eyes of their fellow players to try and gauge who’s bluffing. They want to feel the cards in their hands and the weight of the chips as they fall. Yes, tech has revolutionised the casino world in a good way but there’s space for the real world to co-exist with the online one.
