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The technology behind today’s iGaming experiences

iGaming

The iGaming industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in Africa, if not the world. The African iGaming scene is projected to expand by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.28% between this year and 2028, with the sector driving overall market volumes of $2.36 billion by the end of 2028.

Online casinos are offering a convenient and immersive alternative to land-based, brick-and-mortar casinos. Behind the flashy animations and enticing game selections, a complex web of technology powers the leading iGaming experiences today. Below, we’ll explore the underlying technology turbocharging today’s iGaming platforms.

Secure Payment Systems

Central to the popularity and accessibility of licensed online casinos is the need for secure payment systems and gateways. Players need the reassurance that their deposits and withdrawals are safe and protected by fraud. To achieve this, all regulated operators employ advanced encryption technologies, with Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption the most popular safeguard to ensure sensitive data is only transmitted between the user and the casino’s servers.

In addition, trusted online casinos also partner with popular and reliable payment processors to support a variety of secure payment options, including debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and, in some cases, cryptocurrencies.

Live Dealer Streaming

For those seeking a more interactive iGaming experience, online casinos are increasingly offering live casino games, broadcast in real time to your device. Live dealer games typically have their own category within the homepage of of an online casino, sandwiched between other popular iGaming pursuits such as “Daily Drops” slots, Megaways slots, and classic table games.

High-definition cameras and optical character recognition (OCR) technology help to facilitate these live games, hosted by professional dealers in purpose-built studios or land-based casinos. The OCR technology ensures a swift gameplay flow, as each card dealt is quickly scanned and processed by the OCR software, enabling their hand values to be rapidly relayed to players on-screen. Players can also interact with the dealers and other players using real-time live chat, adding a social element to the live casino experience.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Central to the fairness and integrity of online casino games is the use of RNGs. These are algorithms designed to generate fully random and unpredictable outcomes for games of chance like slots, blackjack, and roulette. Using an RNG ensures the outcome of every spin or deal is free from manipulation or bias.

To maintain transparency and fairness, online casinos often undergo regular audits and testing by independent third-party organizations to verify the integrity of their RNG systems.

HTML5-Powered User Interfaces

With smartphone and tablet use now normalized in Africa, iGaming operators have scrambled to ensure they offer seamless, responsive gaming experiences on any device or screen size. There is a desire for responsive web design templates and online casinos embrace these so their sites can adapt and optimize their layouts and functionality to suit the devices being used.

HTML5 is the driving force behind responsive, mobile-first user experiences and it’s no exception in the world of iGaming. Additionally, many online casinos offer native apps or web-based platforms optimized for mobile devices, ensuring players can enjoy their favourite games their own way, without sacrificing on quality or performance.

Advanced Analytics and Personalization

Industry leading online casinos also leverage state-of-the-art analytics and machine learning algorithms to analyze player behavior and preferences. This data is used to shape bespoke marketing campaigns and promotions, targeted to each player’s individual interests and gaming habits.

By providing personalized experiences, online casinos can enhance player engagement, drive player loyalty and retention, as well as improving the overall gaming environment.

When you combine all five of these technologies under one unique package, it’s easy to see why online casinos can deliver a safe, fair, and immersive gaming experience to rival those offered in land-based establishments.

About the author

Ihesiulo Grace

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