Faster Payments To Continue To Dominate The iGaming Market In 2025
Online casinos are constantly looking for ways to increase player numbers and expenditure. 2024 saw a greater uptake of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, especially for the faster payments they offer, which is widely considered the most important feature when players choose online casinos.
This trend will continue in 2025, especially as cryptocurrency regulation picks up pace, but players can expect other advances in the industry, too.
The iGaming Industry
The gambling industry has seen considerable changes in recent years. Online casinos have become increasingly popular, bringing more iGaming options to more people. And, over the past few years, we have seen a transition from traditional payment methods like bank cards and bank payments, to modern payment solutions including digital wallets and cryptocurrency.
Sites like Megadice Casino can offer access to more games than are available in physical casinos, and thanks to modern technology, they can meet players’ payment processing demands with virtually instant deposits and withdrawals. When we add the crypto elements to this formula - and knowing the recent explicitly supportive atmosphere around Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies - it’s more than obvious that 2025 will be the year of crypto iGaming.
Faster Payments Dominate The Market
Being able to deposit money instantly means players can start playing straight away. Not only is this beneficial because it means less waiting, but it also makes it easier to hit wagering requirements and other betting requirements stipulated by sites.
More important for most players, though, is the fact that instant payments mean instant access to winnings. In some cases, payments can be back in the player’s wallet or account within a few minutes of starting the withdrawal process. Having immediate access to funds is important for a lot of players. According to one survey, in 2021, three-quarters of players consider withdrawal time the most important factor when choosing an iGaming platform.
Faster payments also improve player cash flow, reduce the anxiety that can come from being forced to wait for withdrawals, and generally increase player satisfaction. Because it is considered so important by players, and because online casinos have access to technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency, faster payments will continue to dominate the iGaming market in 2025.
Blockchain Adoption
The trend for faster payments started with the widespread use of digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. However, cryptocurrency took them to the next level. There are barriers to entry with the use of cryptocurrency but improved, modern software is more intuitive and more beneficial. Deposits and withdrawals can be completed in a matter of seconds, thanks to the blockchain technology it is developed on.
Blockchain is seeing considerable growth and will continue to do so in 2025. Online casinos are looking for ways to utilize this innovative technology. We are likely to see more casino games recorded on blockchain, offering transparent financial and gaming records.
And we may see a more widespread use of NFTs, or digital collectibles. These are popular in mainstream video gaming, because they offer ownership of digital assets to players, and they can be traded on open marketplaces. In iGaming, they could be implemented as part of gamification models such as VIP and loyalty programs.
We are also likely to see the introduction of more dedicated iGaming coins. These can provide new and existing casinos with opportunities to raise capital, and, in return, players gain access to generous bonuses and other deals.
Regulatory Changes Afoot
Blockchain and cryptocurrency are seeing increasingly widespread use across a variety of industries. The sector was seen as being key to the US Presidency race last year, and many countries and financial authorities are finally beginning to get to grips with the asset class.
This not only means we will see more companies and services accepting cryptocurrency – it also means we are likely to see regulatory acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Regulations bring additional protections for users while also setting standards that industry figures need to adhere to.
The US is very likely to expand its crypto regulations, while banks and other financial institutions are investigating the use of stablecoins and the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
Easier Access
Online casinos have already made casino games more accessible to players around the world, even those who live miles away from retail casinos. In 2025, we will see the continued widespread introduction of Telegram and Discord casinos. These are apps, or bots, that are installed as mini-apps on communication platforms.
Players can effectively text their chosen bets to the bots, and then sit back and wait for the results. As super apps become more popular, and as we potentially move away from platforms like TikTok and even X, gamers around the world are moving to dedicated apps like Telegram and this will see a greater embrace of accessible casino options.
The Use Of AI
Along with cryptocurrency, AI is one industry that is advancing more quickly than in previous years. The use of generative AI has been hit with controversy, as artists and creators have hit out at the use and recycling of their content without permission or rights.
However, AI has widespread use in business, especially in industries like iGaming, that deal with large volumes of data. AI will see widespread use in marketing and record-keeping. AI algorithms can also be used to adjust win rates, Return To Player, ratio, game volatility, and other important gaming factors.
Live Dealer Adoption
2024 saw an increase in the uptake and offering of live dealer games: games in which the player faces off against a live dealer, typically in real physical casinos. Players still enjoy the convenience of playing at home, and the anonymity that online casinos offer, but live dealer games enhance the immersion offered.
As 5G continues to roll out across the world, and casinos invest more money in the software and platforms they offer, live dealer games will continue to increase in popularity in 2025.
By GamesAndCasino