We are at the closing stages of the year 2022. And while there might be three more months to go before a new year, there’s no reason why we can’t evaluate the previous eight months that have gone by.
Regardless of your viewpoint, one thing is sure; 2022 has been quite remarkable. From Amber vs. Depp to Russia vs. Ukraine, no one can deny how eventful this year has been. However, aside from the conflicts, 2022 has also been a very productive year in some industries, including the iGaming sector.
Based on projections, the iGaming industry is set to break the $100 billion mark by the end of the year. This evidences tremendous growth in the sector. A significant reason for this is the growing acceptance of online wagering worldwide. Currently, online casinos are one of the most lucrative sectors, second only to sports betting.
Online casinos have made a mark in today’s society, and for a good reason. New technology has offered players a convenient, safe, and immersive gaming session. The same applies to one of the most played casino games – poker. All year round, players conveniently play poker at online sites such as 888poker, no download needed!
The development of iGaming is simply noteworthy. Thus, we evaluate the industry’s current status in 2022 compared to previous years. We also highlight some trending online poker rooms today, ranked based on live traffic.
iGaming In 2022
iGaming is one of the most thriving sectors in 2022, and this is primarily due to new technology. Market predictions have forecasted a higher growth in popularity and revenue generation.
Based on last year’s statistics, the global online gambling market generated a revenue of $73.42 billion. Experts have predicted this amount to skyrocket close to $100 billion by the end of 2022.
The growth of iGaming is evident. Yet, it is only possible by new technological innovations and additions. Hence, some crucial features have made iGaming fare very well this year. They Include:
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Payment Gateways
Following the advent of iGaming and as recently as 2021, players in certain locations found it hard to gamble online. This was due to most online operators permitting specific centralized currencies.
Today, operators have included various payment gateways that accept localized currencies. While it wasn’t a new addition this year, it became more widespread. This improved payment process ensures a diverse player base from different countries.
Deposits can be made quickly and safely to any licensed gambling site, regardless of location.
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Wider Acceptance
Over time, players have been known to gamble for fun and the chance to win real money. While this is true, people have been exposed to other layers of social games.
The health and mental benefits of these games are gradually becoming common knowledge. As a result, there is a broader acceptance of these games in society.
New research and studies have confirmed the benefits of social games. Aside from mental and health aspects, these games also develop critical skills for general performance.
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Virtual Space
New technology promoted by platforms such as metaverse has also helped the industry. This trend offers players the opportunity to gamble in a virtual space. Microsoft, Apple, and Meta are just a few organizations promoting this tech.
The option to alter and experience a different reality is a significant factor charging the popularity of iGaming in 2022.
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Mobile Technology
The introduction of IoT completely revolutionized the way things were done. Today, mobile technology has become widespread in the development of smartphones. And just like so many other industries, iGaming has significantly benefited from this invention.
Players can gamble at any time with online websites and applications supported on their mobile phones. This option offers a ton of ease and convenience when wagering online.
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Bigger Player Base
This is a direct result of improved payment gateways. With iGaming sites accepting different localized currencies, there is an increased number of gamers. This is most evident in Africa and other middle eastern countries.
Africa particularly has witnessed astronomical growth in the number of players. Aside from improved payment gateways, other factors have contributed to this. Some of these factors include digitalization and exposure to online wagering.
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The Internet
This is, by far, the most essential determinant of iGaming popularity. In truth, iGaming starts and ends with the internet. Thus, it’s no surprise that extra fast internet speed has contributed to its rise.
Almost every country in the world now has a reliable internet connection in 2022, with some even having a taste of what the 5G internet connection is like. The fast internet speeds these technologies provide have changed how players wager online. It has also allowed operators to implement newer technologies on their sites.
Live dealers, virtual reality, and excellent graphics are some technologies players are exposed to through fast internet speed.
Trending Online Poker Rooms
Online poker has been growing significantly in popularity since 2020. The acceptance of poker can be attributed to the lockdown caused by COVID. Since then till now, online poker players have grown by 255% globally.
With many more players enjoying all the poker game has to offer, here are some of the most popular online poker rooms.
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GGPoker
This is by far the most used poker site worldwide. GGPoker is a preferred choice among players for many reasons. Firstly, they offer a lot of promotions to new and existing players. The site sees average live traffic of 9,122 players at a time.
Another unique feature of this site is the option to remove “save hand” records. With this, different poker tracking software becomes a non-factor.
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PokerStars
PokerStars has solidified its reputation as one of the best online poker sites in the world. It features average live traffic of 4311 players at a time. PokerStars concentrates primarily on improving the quality of its site, casino games, and tourneys.
A rundown of other trending online poker rooms in 2022 include;
- IDNPoker
- iPoker
- PokerStars Europe
- 888Poker
- Pokerdom.
- Unibet
Conclusion
As the iGaming sector grows globally, so does the revenue margin. Considering more new technologies and games on offer, it is bound to grow a lot more. But for now, 2022 has served as a productive year for iGaming and online poker in terms of revenue, popularity, and acceptance.
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