When it comes to technology, standing still = moving backward. The recent meteoric rise of artificial intelligence from companies like OpenAI is a testament to that.
The casino industry is no different. With smartphone penetration at an all-time high, land-based establishments permanently declining, and consumers putting their demand with online entertainment, iGaming is now big business. 
However, fresh tech is key to keeping consumers coming to their virtual casinos and keeping things interesting. These trends are shaping the future, and how the gambling landscape will look in 2025 and beyond.
Live Casinos
The jobs that will be most resistant to the AI revolution have a human interfacing component. Nurses, counselors, trainers, social workers, and waiters.
The reason? At our core, we are social beings. Robots and artificial intelligence do not fill the gap of connection, the human interaction. That’s why land-based casinos are still a thing; people want to be around other people.
The continued implementation of live dealer games at online casinos is an inevitability and will eventually overcome one of the last remaining bastions of old-school ‘real life’ operators.
Live dealer games offer the same charm as being physically present at a casino. You can have banter with the dealer, chat with fellow players, follow and emulate what others are doing, feel the buzz of playing with others.
Streaming technology, gaming integration to improve the immersive experience, and improved sound and video quality will all take live dealer games to the next level.
Cryptocurrencies for Payment (and Playing!)
The last few months we’ve seen yet another bullish push for cryptocurrencies. With the United States now welcoming the technology, rather than taking a more cautious approach under President Biden, prices for a single Bitcoin have reached all-time highs.
Many casinos jumped on the bandwagon a long time ago, with players able to load up their accounts using crypto as a payment method. Whether using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a so-called stablecoin, players can safely use their digital crypto wallets for instant payments.
But there’s more. NFT technology offers other possibilities. For example, they can be used in-game as tools for the gameplay itself. Casinos can gift an NFT as a win or avatar for users, creating unique digital assets for players.
In short, the blockchain is not just about enabling a different type of payment method. The possibilities go far outside of that.
VR, It’s Coming (Yes, Really!)
Every year, we get that hopeful article telling us that virtual reality is coming. But there’s a reason it’s still in the ‘future’ room at Disney’s Carousel of Progress: VR is not yet a household item.
But now, there’s genuine hope that’s going to change. VR already offers fantastic gameplay with the Meta Quest 3S, so Zuckerberg has a win there (even if his metaverse isn’t quite a success yet!). Because it’s always been seen as a bit of a gimmick, the Average Joe may not know that VR is actually good now.
The games are now not the pixelated, clunky mess you used to get. It’s not just a novelty, but a genuine high-quality gaming experience. Games now offer a truly immersive experience, and they’re getting better every day.
Casinos haven’t yet implemented this technology, but there are casino games on Steam that give you a preview of what is possible. Once the costs go down a little bit, and newer more affordable headsets are released, expect online casinos to offer VR games as standard.
Secure Payment and Withdrawal Systems
The battle between hackers and the good guys is a bit of an arms race. It’s like your average antivirus update from Norton; you have to keep updating to the latest version, lest you fall victim to malicious code.
With the online casino industry now worth billions of dollars, hackers are a major worry. Nothing has hit the headlines, and that’s because operators invest significant sums of money to ensure player data and funds are safe.
It’s not the most exciting technological development from a player’s perspective, but it’s crucial. Secure payment and withdrawal systems ensure that all data passed between player and casino is 100% safe. 
Casinos use the latest technology available, making sure they’re never a step behind malicious actors. Whether you’re playing with a small deposit or high roller money, your money is safe (as long as you play with vetted casinos!).
Looking Beyond 2025
Technology does not change in big, giant leaps. It’s not a sprint, but a marathon. Tiny, small innovations by smart people, stacked on top of one another, micro progressions, eventually resulting in that finished product.
As we look ahead to what’s coming beyond 2025, expect AI to play a major role. At first, in subtle ways, under the hood. But before you know it, the leading casino games will be driven by artificial intelligence.
