Gamification is shaping the online gambling industry

Gamification is one of the terms that give clear hints about its meaning even to those who haven’t heard it before. It is a broad concept that applies to many facets of modern living and not surprisingly, it also affects the online casino & slots industry. It was wholeheartedly embraced by Internet gambling operators, as a useful tool to attract new players and improve customer retention. Gamification turns things that are not necessarily a game into one while tapping into the competitive spirit of participating players.

Engaging Online Players through Gamification

The most popular video and slots games and the ones that have passed the test of time with flying colors are the ones that succeed at engaging players. In addition to being fun, engaging, and providing immediate satisfaction, video games also have the quality of growing on people. Some fear this trait and dismiss it as addiction, as it has players coming back for more over and over again. The system was successfully implemented in other activities and the online casino industry was quick to respond.

In the Internet gambling arena, the additional element of fun is added through Gamification. The concept shouldn’t be confused with the casino & slots games themselves, even though they are at the cornerstone of online casinos. Instead, it refers to the short and long-term rewards that the casino offers to players for being active and performing various tasks on the platform. At some operators, it takes the form of leader boards and loyalty programs, while others tap into its potential through a layered system of bonuses and promos.

Gamification has the advantage of giving people a clear path towards success while making the voyage just as fun as the destination. It provides online casino players with the desire to participate, be successful and improve. By providing people with clear objectives that need to be cleared in a timely fashion, it keeps them motivated to achieve concrete objectives. Depending on the creativity of the casino, it can take the shape of mini-games, such as quizzes, wheels of fortune, and other competitions.

Examples of Gamification at Casinos

Gamification takes different forms in online gambling, but there are a couple of popular concepts that can be found at most casinos and online slots sites. Leaderboard and loyalty programs are at the backbone of many VIP schemes we can find at online casinos. Players are rewarded with points for completing various actions and playing on real money. Such points help them move up the leaderboard and unlock progressively better rewards through the loyalty program.

The use of in-game currency is also regarded as an effective Gamification tool. This type of resource is only valuable on the site, so it has no use outside the platform. At the casino, it helps players keep track of their actions and monitor progress in a simple way. Experience points are also awarded by casinos and can be spent on various rewards, better bonuses, and access to exclusive offers. The use of progress bars and customizable characters is another trait of Gamification inspired by the most immersive video games. 

 

Why online casinos are better than the real thing

When you ask most people to picture a casino in their minds, they imagine a glamorous resort casino like those on the Vegas Strip or in Monte Carlo. These casinos are amazing entertainment palaces, with everything you could imagine in an invigorating and intense atmosphere. The reality in most casinos, though, isn’t quite as exciting. Your local casino just off the freeway isn’t likely to have Britney Spears performing or offer a five-star buffet; there probably won’t be enough space for more than a few different kinds of slot machines and the quality of the dealers can be variable.

In general, an online casino is much better than the real thing. Some online casinos, such as www.skycitycasino.com, actually have brick-and-mortar properties, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds depending on which parts of the casino experience you’re looking for. Most of the time, however, an online casino is better than its land-based counterpart and here’s why:

Comfort

Part of the fun of going to a casino is getting all dressed up but as everyone knows, our fanciest clothes are never the most comfortable. With an online casino, there’s no need to get dressed up (or even to get dressed at all!). You can play from the comfort of home, wearing whatever you like. You can even play in bed in your pajamas, if a few slot machine spins is your preferred way of waking up in the morning.

The laws that many states and countries have passed banning smoking indoors have been an important step in improving air quality and protecting the health of their citizens. They have, however, had an unexpected consequence. Nowadays, instead of just smelling smoke, patrons in casinos, music venues and bars are now often confronted with the smell of stale alcohol and body odor. Online casinos don’t have this stinky problem.

Accessibility

Very few people live near a world-class casino. For the majority of us, a trip to a resort casino has to be a weekend trip or during a long vacation. Even going to a local casino can involve a long drive. Playing at an online casino means that you can play anywhere, at any time. There’s no need to go somewhere to play. If you’re only looking to play a few games in your downtime, it isn’t practical to go all the way to a casino. With an online casino, you can play a game or two whenever you feel like it, without having to invest any other time.

Many casinos also have fairly limited space to move around between the various tables, slot machines and other patrons. This can make it very hard for people with limited mobility to maneuver. Additionally, the bright flashing lights and loud noises can be overwhelming for those with sensory issues. Online casinos make the casino experience accessible to everyone.

No distractions

Casinos are busy places with lots of activity. From all of the different tables with their games and dealers to the sounds of the slot machines and the chatter of other gamblers, there is a lot going on. Some of these distractions are fun, while others can be a bit annoying. Research has shown that being continuously distracted can lead to bad decision making. This might be good for the casino but isn’t great for the gambler. When playing at an online casino, you can control how many distractions there are. For example, you can mute other notifications if you’re playing on your phone, and if you’re playing during your commute, you can pop on some noise cancelling headphones and enjoy your playing time in peace.

Entertainment choice

The main resort casinos book some of the biggest names in entertainment for their shows, and on the floor, most casinos have music playing constantly. While it’s often unobtrusive and enjoyable, you still have no control over what’s playing or the volume. Being able to pick the music you want to listen to while you play is another one of the perks of online casinos. You could even play in total silence if Zen gambling is more your style.

No tipping required

We all know that gambling is most likely going to cost us money in the long run but that doesn’t mean we want to spend more than we have to. Besides paying for valet parking, you are also expected to tip your dealers and those who serve your food and drinks. Playing online casino games means there’s no tipping, which frees up your entire budget for playing the games you want to play.