Since the first online casino software’s inception in the 1990s, the world of online casinos has seen drastic changes and shifts throughout the years, resulting in an ever-changing landscape that constantly changes. Throughout the years, different developers have plied their practices in this sector, resulting in a host of new technologies and mechanics finding their way onto the market. Consequently, players have been exposed to numerous titles and games, each offering unique gameplay experiences.
In the last 12 months, this was no exception, as the online casino industry only continued to grow and expand. Several different features debuted, taking players by storm, and the online casinos’ functionality only continued to improve. Overall, there are a number of different takeaways from this year, some of which we will be detailing to understand their importance on the sector as a whole.
What saw an increase in popularity at Online Casinos?
Since the breakout of the global pandemic in 2019, online casinos have only been on the rise since. Due to many traditional casinos having to close their doors, frequent players flocked to online casino sites in order to get the same gameplay experiences, just instead from the comfort of their own homes, which so many of us were confined to. Since then, online slots have seen the biggest rise in player counts, with 2022 being one of the biggest yet for these styles of games. Throughout the year, some of the biggest developers continued to pump out their newest and best releases, updating their slots with new and exciting bonuses, features and general mechanics.
One of these you may have stumbled across is the Megaways mechanic, which has seen an immense rise in popularity in 2022. In the simplest of terms, this feature helps to completely transform a regular slot title, injecting their formula, which adds a significant number of paylines whilst also shifting the play grid at hand to become dynamic, with the number of symbol segments shifting with each and every spin. This mechanic was created by online casino giants Big Time Gaming. However, since then, numerous other developers have taken their formula and integrated it into their games. Subsequently, some of the biggest franchises have since had Megaways variations released due to this becoming a fan favourite amongst players. Seemingly, each and every branch of games soon had its own Megaways instalments, only asserting the popularity of this mechanic in the slot world.
What was the Most Popular Casino Game of 2022?
Despite this being the breakout year for Megaways titles, it wasn’t actually a slot game that holds the accolade for the most popular casino game of 2022. Instead, this goes to the well-known and more traditional table game of Roulette. More than ever, online casino players staked their chips on different numbers and colours and waited for the metal ball to spin on the rotating wheel. One of the main factors for this is the general simplicity of Roulette as a whole, offering players an easy-to-understand gameplay experience without too many rules or integrated nuances.
Should you want to find out what the most popular slot game is, we have you covered. Gonzos Quest can take this title, with the little conquistador having more players visit its reels than any other. Surprisingly, this game actually isn’t a Megaways title, likely attracting players due to its unique setting and thematics, placing players deep within the jungles of South America and allowing players to explore the forgotten Inca and Aztec temples that are scattered across the land. In addition to this, Gonzos Quest also has the added benefits of a regular wild symbol and a free spin bonus round, and even has a VR version that players could test out should they want to completely immerse themselves!
What saw a drop in casino players in 2022?
On the other hand, there were a number of behaviours which saw a decrease in popularity during 2022, the biggest of these being the continued shift away from the traditional brick-and-mortar casino establishments. As a result of the rising convenience of online slots, players can now readily access them, and fewer and fewer people travel to venues in order to play their favourite games. Moreover, the increased optimisation of titles across numerous devices only asserted this shift, with online gaming becoming easier than ever during 2022.
The previous shift of HTML-5 has only allowed online casino games to flourish, with more and more titles having innovative breakthroughs due to the coding capabilities on offer. Similarly, the collections offered by online casino sites only continue to grow as there are no restrictions in place regarding the number of titles they can contain.
Summary
As a result of 2022 being one of the biggest years in the online casino sphere to date, there has been a number of focal points and other aspects which we can take away from proceedings. One of the biggest elements to keep an eye out for in the coming year is the various Megaways titles that are likely to continue hitting the market, which is sure to attract a number of players due to the multitude of paylines they inject into any regular slot game.
However, as the landscape of online casinos is constantly evolving and changing, we can expect to cover numerous other technologies and trends this year. The fast-paced nature of casinos often results in practices and behaviours shifting on a regular basis, and who knows, maybe even brick-and-mortar casinos may see a resurgence in popularity. It is quite unclear what the future actually holds, but we hope this breakdown of 2022 will give at least some insight into what we could potentially expect this year.
Although the casino industry continues to shift and change, one thing that remains fixed is the real risk that is involved with gambling. Due to play involving real money, it is vital to remember to gamble responsibly and only play with funds you can afford to potentially lose.
