Cutting Edge: A Look at the Newest Casino Trends for US Players

The average virtual casino might not seem like the latest frontier of technological innovation—especially when compared to the traditional video gaming industry. However, casino games are hugely popular worldwide. From São Paulo to Monaco to Bangkok, games like slots and blackjack are easy to find online.

And to keep this global pool of players interested, casino game developers and casino platforms are constantly looking to create the next ‘big thing’. This might be a type of game, like a game show slot (more on this below), or a new feature like live dealer games (more on this below, too). The more a virtual casino has pushed the limits of traditional titles, the more likely they are to capture new players.

After all, it’s easy to attract new players with the latest casino free bets and bonuses from top brands—but keeping these players entertained and intrigued is a much higher charge. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest new innovations that are entering the virtual casino industry, along with new projects that are in the works.

Live Dealers

Live dealer games aren’t quite new to virtual casinos, but in case you haven’t tried them out yet, here’s your sign. Live dealer games replicate the social interactions and atmosphere of a real-life casino by live-streaming a dealer straight to your device.

Though each live dealer experience is slightly different, the goal is to allow players to interact with the dealer as they host the game, enabling them to chat in real-time. In very rare cases, you may also be able to game with specific dealers. This is an emerging trend within the live dealer space, which is once again designed to replicate the experience of a brick-and-mortar casino.

Game Show Games

Similar to live dealer games, game show games are yet another innovation from casino game developers. These titles are a brand-new concept in casino gaming. Most involve a spinning wheel which a live dealer sets into motion. Players simply bet where they think the wheel will land. Depending on the result, players might receive other bonuses, whether side games or multiplier deals.

If you haven’t tried out a game show game, then we highly recommend starting out here in your iGaming journey. These titles combine the short format of slots, but because the wheel offers quite a few different outcomes, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and focused.

VR & AR

For years, casinos have been interested in launching VR and AR features. However, there hasn’t been too much demand from players. In other words, players who don’t have access to VR headsets and setups aren’t interested in acquiring this type of hardware to transform their gaming experience—instead, VR casino games appeal to those who already have the tech at home.

Still, it’s likely that casino game developers will start to incorporate meaningful AR features into top games. These AR features would require some hardware, whether AR-ready smartphones like the Google Pixel or glasses like the Microsoft HoloLens. These games will impose images and text into and around casino games, such as displaying the last jackpot payout.

Social Casinos

Lastly, let’s cover one of the latest trends in the casino gaming industry: social platforms. A social platform isn’t necessarily a feat in terms of technology, as the game developers and virtual casino platforms closely mirror the mainstream experience. Instead, social casinos are free to join and free to play.

Players might pay a small fee to join—but from there, they’ll use the platform’s in-game currency or tokens to play their favorite games without getting real funds involved. Winners can usually cash out their token earnings via vouchers and similar opportunities. For the time being, social casinos are popular in places where real-money casinos aren’t yet regulated and legal. However, these social casinos might be providing a foundation for future crypto-based casinos, as the in-game token system could also be adapted for decentralized finance.