Poker is one of the few casino classics that have stayed relevant through the years. Since its introduction, Poker has gone through a series of changes to become the highly popular game we know today.
Here, we dive deep into how the game of Poker has transformed in its long history. Also, we look at some of the current trends in the online Poker gambling market.
From land-based casinos to mobile platforms: How Poker evolved
In 1638, the world saw the introduction of its first gambling venue when Casino de Venezia began its operations in Venice. However, it wasn’t until the early 1800s that casino players got to try their hands on the forerunner of Poker. Commonly known as Poque, the main aim of the early version of Poker was to capture cards by bluffing and betting.
In the mid-20th century, Poker gradually made its way to several land-based casinos around the world. This was the time when several best Poker books were written by leading casino authors. But the real turning point in the history of Poker came with the rise of online casino sites in the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Online gambling platforms brought with them increased convenience and accessibility, allowing players to enjoy Poker from the comfort of their homes.
Today, with the emergence of live casino games, one can easily play Poker against a human dealer in real-time. Also, the widespread availability of mobile casinos means players can have a round or two of Poker anywhere, anytime. Indeed, from brick-and-mortar casinos to mobile gambling platforms, the game of Poker has come a long way.
The booming popularity of Online Poker
Combining luck and skills, Poker is an exciting casino classic to play at any mobile casino online. Since the early 2010s, the game of Poker was experiencing steady growth in the online gambling community. But the increased digital adoption brought forth by the Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed the world of Poker, and online casino gaming in general.
As per reports, less than 7% of the adult population used to play Poker regularly before 2019. But that number has increased to 43% following the coronavirus crisis and subsequent lockdowns. Also, new players who were trying Poker for the first time increased by a whopping 255% during the same period.
Another stat that is worth knowing is the video Poker machines worldwide market size – it was estimated to be over $14.7 billion in 2020, according to Gammastack. And despite already being such a huge market, it is expected to experience tremendous growth in the next few years.
Online Poker industry trends
Owing the rapid technological advancements, the online Poker industry is in a constant phase of evolution. With that, the sector sees several Poker trends come and go. Here are some of the current trends that are being witnessed by the online Poker gambling world:
Realistic gaming experience with live Poker games
Live dealer Poker, which allows players to enjoy the game against a human dealer in real-time, are becoming increasingly popular in the online gambling community. Today, Poker game types like Live Caribbean Stud Poker and Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker are on the top of the list of live casino titles. The tremendous growth of these games can be attributed to the real casino gaming experience they have to offer.
Virtual Reality and Poker games
For some reason, Virtual Reality (VR) technology was unable to go mainstream when it was first introduced. Fortunately, VR is now gaining momentum across various sectors in the world. And this includes the online Poker industry as well.
Today several online gambling platforms are looking toward integrating VR with Poker and other online casino games. Combining VR and Poker means players can experience themselves sitting in a real Poker room, without visiting one. This, in turn, will keep players engaged throughout the gameplay.
Rising demand for mobile Poker
With people now using smartphones for doing almost all internet-related things, it’s no wonder that there is a rising demand for mobile Poker games. While several platforms allow players to enjoy Poker on their mobile devices, casinos are working to make the overall Poker experience more authentic and personalised.
Besides these, some other trends that the online Poker gambling industry is currently witnessing are the emergence of live Poker streams, the rise of crypto Poker casinos and the increasing demand for free Poker games.