New Tech That Will Improve Your iGaming Experience in 2025

Did you know that the iGaming industry is worth over $127 billion worldwide? That’s a lot of people playing a lot of games, many of which fall into the gambling category.

For those of us who have been tracking this phenomenon since its inception (this website is more than 20 years old), the difference between when we first started and now is incomparable.

Seriously, we got excited the first time we played a bit of online bingo, and it probably wasn’t even that good.

We’ve come a long way, and every day, I am more astounded by the technological advancements that have been made. I mean, who could ever have guessed that you could play live casino games with real live dealers without ever getting off your couch??

But is this just the tip of the iceberg? What new innovations are coming down the pipeline that could further revolutionise how we play and bet online?

The UK iGaming Market

The UK has always been a large market for iGaming and will probably continue to be. The UK population loves to spend their free time placing bets on various casino and lotto games.

It is projected to be worth approximately £10.86 billion in 2024, driven by the increasing popularity of online casinos, sports betting, and other virtual gaming platforms.

In particular, the online casino segment alone is expected to generate around £5.1 billion of the total revenue.

Football betting dominates the sports betting market in the UK, ing for about 48.4% of all sports bets, making it the largest segment within sports betting.

Horse racing is the second most popular betting sport, ing for approximately 28% of sports bets placed.

Tech Advancements To Look Out For

It almost seems like every day, a new product or service comes on the market.

From the increased use of AI to the rollout of 5G, thousands of tech companies are working furiously in the background to create the next big thing.

So, what can we look forward to as we head into 2025?

Cloud Gaming Expansion

Cloud gaming is a rapidly growing segment within the gaming industry.

It leverages powerful remote servers to run games, allowing players to stream these games directly to their devices without the need for high-end hardware.

Players can access high-quality games on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and even smart TVs, without needing high-end gaming consoles or computers.

Cloud gaming also eliminates the need for lengthy s and installations, and players can start games almost instantly, reducing wait times.

Games are updated on the cloud servers, ensuring that you always have access to the latest versions without having to updates manually.

Since the processing is done remotely, s do not need to invest in expensive gaming hardware, which makes gaming more affordable and accessible to a wider audience.

Most of these services operate on a subscription basis, but you get access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee, similar to streaming services like Netflix.

The future of cloud gaming looks promising, including the rollout of 5G and ongoing improvements in server technology that will likely make cloud gaming more widespread and mainstream.​

Mobile Gaming Dominance

Mobile gaming has emerged as a dominant force in the gaming industry, suring traditional platforms in of revenue and engagement.

This growth is driven by several key factors, including technological advancements, innovative monetisation strategies, and the expansion of high-quality mobile games to other platforms.

The rollout of 5G networks has significantly enhanced mobile gaming experiences by providing faster and more reliable internet connections.

Modern smartphones have powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and advanced graphics capabilities, making them suitable for running complex and visually rich games.

And many mobile games are offered for free with in-app purchases, a model that allows players to access the game for free and spend money only if they want to.

As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect mobile gaming to maintain its strong position while further integrating with other gaming platforms, providing a seamless and engaging experience for players worldwide.

AI Integration in Game Development

Without a doubt, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the gaming industry, from coding to creating advanced visual effects.

AI is used to create expansive and detailed game worlds, allowing developers to generate vast environments and varied landscapes, making each player’s experience unique.

It can design game levels and challenges that adapt to a player’s skill level, which helps keep players engaged by providing the right difficulty level.

AI tools enhance visual effects by creating realistic textures, lighting, and animations. Algorithms can analyse real-world footage and replicate it in the game environment, making it feel even more real.

AI-driven enhancements in gameplay, visuals, and NPC behaviour create more immersive and engaging experiences for players.

It is becoming an indispensable tool in game development, offering numerous benefits that enhance both the creation process and the player experience.

As the technology continues to evolve, its impact on the gaming industry is expected to grow even further, leading to more innovative and immersive games.

Diversity and Inclusion in Gaming

Efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry are gaining momentum as developers and communities recognise the importance of representing and welcoming players from all backgrounds.

Developers are creating characters that reflect a variety of ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.

This shift aims to make games more relatable and inclusive for a broader audience. For example, games like “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” feature strong LGBTQ+ characters and diverse casts.

Storylines are also becoming more inclusive, exploring themes that resonate with underrepresented groups. Creators are working to ensure cultural authenticity in their games by consulting with cultural experts and representatives from the communities being portrayed.

Gaming platforms and communities are implementing strict guidelines and moderated forums and chat rooms to prevent harassment and discrimination​.

eSports organisations are making concerted efforts to promote diversity by including more women, LGBTQ+, and minority players in tournaments and teams.

It is a really positive step forward, and efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in gaming are transforming the industry.

By creating more diverse characters and stories, fostering inclusive communities, and implementing industry-wide initiatives, the gaming world is becoming a more welcoming place for players and developers from all backgrounds.

AR/VR Growth

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) offer players immersive and interactive experiences. These technologies are gaining traction and are expected to become more mainstream, providing new ways to interact with games.

AR blends digital content with the real world, allowing players to interact with virtual objects in their physical environment – think “Pokémon GO.”

The technology is accessible on a wide range of devices, and this broad compatibility makes AR games more accessible to a larger audience without the need for specialised hardware.

VR provides a fully immersive experience by placing you inside a virtual world.

With VR headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR, you can explore detailed environments and feel like they are part of the game.

VR engages multiple senses through 3D audio, haptic , and motion tracking, and this will only improve over the next 18 months.

As the cost of VR hardware decreases and AR technology continues to advance, these technologies will become more accessible to a wider audience.

Continued advancements in VR and AR hardware, such as more comfortable headsets, higher resolution displays, and better tracking systems, will only improve the experience and drive adoption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the iGaming industry is on the cusp of a transformative era, driven by technological advancements and a growing emphasis on social inclusivity.

The integration of AI, cloud gaming, and AR/VR technologies is set to change the gaming landscape, offering players more immersive, interactive, and accessible experiences.

At the same time, efforts to improve diversity and inclusion are reshaping gaming communities, making them more welcoming and representative of the global player base.

As these trends continue to evolve, they promise to enhance not only the quality of games but also the social dynamics within the gaming world, ultimately creating a richer and more inclusive gaming experience for all​.