What’s Behind the Global Success of iGaming?

The gaming industry as a whole has surged in popularity in recent years, and so too has the iGaming vertical. iGaming, which refers to online and mobile poker and casino gaming, as well as sports betting, is now on track to be worth $127.3 billion by 2027.  

iGaming is a market that is growing across the world, not just in the more established territories of Europe and Asia. And over the past 24 months, it’s even been outperforming the land-based casino sector.  

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the key factors that have led to the popularity of iGaming, which includes everything from accessibility to bonus offers.  

iGaming Demographics

Playing casino games is a pastime that appeals to a wide variety of people, and the digitization of such games has opened up their popularity even more. Interestingly, however, there are core demographics that make up the iGaming audience as it stands today.  

According to research published by the UK Gambling Commission, the most active age group when it comes to iGaming is 25 to 34 years. 

Meanwhile, a further 22% of people aged between 35 and 54 years surveyed by the commission also play casino or poker games online on a regular basis.  

iGaming is Accessible

The fundamental difference between online casino gaming and land-based casino gaming is what is driving the popularity of the former. Simply put, online casinos are much more convenient than their brick and mortar counterparts – players can log on any time, any day of the year, and play their favorite casino games.  

Additionally, online casinos are more accessible for gamers in minority demographics and those who simply cannot travel to a land-based venue. The anonymity of playing casino games online makes it a much more accessible space for players who don’t feel comfortable in gaming rooms.  

Bonuses and Promotions

A key factor that has led to iGaming becoming a global phenomenon is the sheer amount of great bonus offers that are available in the digital gaming space. 

In order to stand out in an oversaturated marketplace and ensure long-term consumer loyalty, iGaming platforms are known for providing a host of bonuses and promotions to new and established customers.  

Welcome bonuses, for example, can take the form of no-deposit bonuses, free games, and spins, or even matched deposit bonuses – some of which reward up to 10x a deposit amount.  

Meanwhile, existing customers can access VIP rewards, daily or weekly deals on certain games, and generally be rewarded for their loyalty.  

A Massive Array of Games

Even though land-based casinos are top gaming platforms when it comes to physical space, they’ll never be able to match the sheer variety of games that can be played on just one website.  

Leading gaming platforms offer hundreds of different games, from slots to roulette and blackjack. It’s easier to play different variants of poker online too, and that’s without mentioning the enhanced gaming experiences you’ll find online, such as VR poker and Live Dealer casino games.  

Higher RTPs

RTP stands for Return to Player, and it’s a percentage that represents how much a customer could win on their initial wager. Due to significantly lower operational costs, online casinos can provide a higher RTP on their games than land-based venues can.  

Take online slots, for instance. In the UK alone, average industry standard RTPs for slot machines in a brick and mortar casino range between 70% and 90%. Whereas, for online casinos, the average is a lot higher, at a minimum of 94%.