How Streaming Services Are Enabling More Creative Ways of Online Gambling

The online gambling industry is booming.

18:58 27 January 2020

Thanks to the rise of virtual casinos and agile business models, the global market is expected to reach the staggering value of $128.2 billion by the end of 2026. More specifically, the number of people gambling on their smartphones is set to increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 16%. 

These figures show that online casinos aren’t likely to waver in popularity in the near future. But with more and more of us reaching for a flutter on our phones or desktops, how is the industry likely to develop in the next few years? 

The answer is streaming services. Like the Netflix of betting, these are making online gambling more accessible – and more creative – than ever before. 

Direct livestreams from casinos 

Bored of primitive graphics and garish online slot games? Casino livestreams could be the perfect antidote. Live casino games recreate the excitement and glamour of a real-life casino within the comfort of your own home. 

For example, people who sign up with MansionCasino.com and other online casinos are now able to access a huge variety of live dealer games. These include classic favourites such as poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. The game play is streamed from a genuine casino in Riga, Latvia, using Playtech’s sophisticated Euro Live technology – which enables players to ‘sit’ at a table, interact with the dealer or croupier in real-time, and maintain play at a comfortable pace. 

Thanks to HD streaming technology and comprehensive camera angles, once exclusive casinos are no longer just for the rich and well-travelled. We can now all enjoy an authentic gambling experience from our mobile phone, tablet or desktop. 

Livestreaming sports

The sporting world is becoming increasingly linked to online gambling. Recently, the FA Cup came under fire when news broke that seven UK betting companies have bought the rights to livestream matches. Until 2024, customers who are registered with Betfair, Bet365, Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, Paddy Power and Unibet will all be able to watch select FA cup matches live on the bookmakers’ sites. The idea, of course, is that this will encourage people to place a bet. 

The so-called ‘gamblification’ of sports isn’t pleasing everyone. But collaborations between sporting bodies and gambling companies are growing more and more common, with livestreaming deals acting as a creative marketing strategy for both businesses.

Livestreaming eSports

The younger brother of the traditional sports industry, eSports is an online phenomenon in which professional gamers compete in video game tournaments. It might not be Wimbledon, but these tournaments see thousands of people flock to arenas where games are being streamed – and millions more spectators tuning in home. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=box4SFtGvA0

It’s no surprise, then, betting on eSports has become increasingly popular. In fact, 15.4 million people are expected to have placed a wager on a video game by the end of 2020. Call of Duty, FIFA, Battlefield and League of Legends are some of the most popular eSports, with international tournaments and huge amounts of prize money at stake. 

Gone are the days of sports teams having to sit in the same room as their competitors. Livestreaming has not only facilitated the growth of the eSports industry; it’s also enabled unprecedented numbers of people to enjoy betting on its outcomes.