The massive growth in the casino industry is being experienced globally, and Africa is no exception. According to reports, at least 30% of the African population is involved in one form of online gambling or the other. The teeming young population of the continent and the widespread adoption of technology are the main factors responsible for this.
However, the growth and popularity of gambling in Africa have led to many casinos —some genuine and others fake. That is why it has become imperative to read independent online reviews such as Takeaway Slots Casino review about a casino before signing up.
This article aims to highlight the technologies that are powering the growth of the casino industry in Africa. These technologies have completely changed how people gamble and will undoubtedly play a part in the future of gambling on the African continent.
Mobile gaming
Ever since smartphones became affordable and accessible to most Africans, the rate of mobile gaming has considerably increased. Casino companies have exploited the surge in mobile gaming by making their websites mobile-friendly and developing mobile applications to enable gambling on the go.
This is probably one of the most significant technological advancements that have impacted the growth of gambling in Africa. According to Statista, as of 2019, only 7.7% of African households reported having a computer at home. Therefore, most people rely primarily on their phones to gamble online.
Blockchain technology
Cryptocurrencies are an offshoot of blockchain technology, and they are revolutionizing the way people make payments. These days, most casinos have integrated a crypto option for deposits and withdrawals. Some popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin and Ethereum.
There are several benefits to using crypto in online gambling, which is why many gamblers have embraced it. For one, transactions are fast and secure.
Cryptocurrencies also have fewer restrictions than fiat currencies, and people do not have to disclose their personal information to make or receive payments.
2-factor authentication
Online security has always been a big issue and has discouraged people from gambling online. However, with 2/double factor authentication, people feel safer gambling online and less worried about their personal or financial information getting into the wrong hands.
2-factor authentication ensures unauthorized persons do not gain access to a gambler’s account by verifying each login through email, text, push notifications, etc. This means that even if a malicious actor gets hold of a person’s password, it would still be impossible for them to login into their account.
Chatbots
Most casino websites now make use of chatbots. Chatbots are powered by artificial intelligence and designed to assist customers with pretty straightforward issues that do not require complex interactions.
By using chatbots, casino companies deliver efficient customer service and equally reduce the workload on their customer service agents. This speedy resolution of queries and issues, in turn, leads to customer satisfaction and retention.
Virtual reality/augmented reality
Augmented and virtual reality are two technologies used in online casinos to deliver an immersive experience. They provide a simulated or enhanced physical environment that is hyper-realistic.
Although this technology is revolutionary and has been adopted by several casinos, the impact in Africa is not as widespread as it should be due to the cost of VR headsets. With a sizable chunk of its population living in poverty, VR headsets are beyond the reach of the average African.
5G network
The 5G network is the fifth-generation mobile network. With speeds up to 100x faster than 4G, the possibilities are endless with 5G. Gamblers can download applications at super-fast speeds of up to 10GB/sec in countries where it is available.
5G has also reduced annoying prolonged buffering times when gambling online. It has also allowed casinos to offer live dealer games thanks to high-speed streaming.
Big data
Big data is a technological breakthrough that is often overlooked when the growth of the African casino industry is being discussed. However, this very important aspect of technology has made it possible for casino operators to amass and retain customers.
Big data helps casino operators acquire large sets of data about customers and prospective customers to improve their services and create effective marketing campaigns. By collecting information about user behavior, big data allows casino operators to provide a customized experience for each customer.
Secure payment options
Older folks or those skeptical about dipping their toes into the uncertain waters of blockchain technology, they can use many other safe options to deposit and withdraw money from their casino accounts.
Most casinos support debit and credit cards issued by banks and reputable financial institutions. Most also accept payments from well-known third-party payment processors like PayPal and Skrill.
Cloud gaming
Cloud gaming is what most online casinos use to deliver their services to customers. The game data is stored in the cloud, and gamblers do not have to download large data files that take up memory on their devices.
In addition, cloud gaming has eliminated the need for high-end devices before users can enjoy their favorite games. This has made casino games available to a much wider range of audience.
3D graphics
3D graphics takes things a step further from the 2D gambling most people are used to. With 3D graphics, a more realistic representation of slot machines and other casino games gamblers love is recreated.
This increases the excitement that accompanies gambling online and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Encryption technology
Data encryption is vital when it comes to gambling online because it ensures the safe transmission of data between your browser and the server. Reputable casinos employ high-level encryption technology to protect their customers’ information.
The knowledge that their information is safe has made erstwhile skeptic Africans become comfortable with online gambling, leading to a surge in the population of online casino players.
The tremendous growth witnessed by the African casino industry is not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. As newer technologies emerge and older ones are refined, we can only expect exponential growth in the industry. For a truly immersive and enjoyable experience when gambling online, ensure that the casino you choose uses the latest technologies in the industry.