According to the global research portal Statista, the online casino industry reached approximately 207 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, indicating a rise from the previous year. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the sector experienced a significant decline, plummeting to a value of only 178.54 billion U.S. dollars. Projections suggest that in 2022, the market is expected to rebound, reaching a forecasted value of 261.8 billion U.S. dollars.

The popularity of gambling has remained intact despite its transition to online world. With the rise of casino online, the competition between operators has intensified. However, this fierce rivalry can work in favor of players since online casinos strive to provide them with an unparalleled gaming experience to retain their loyalty. To stand out in the crowded market, internet casinos employ meticulously crafted strategies that set them apart from their peers.

An extensive range of secure payment methods

Online casinos usually offer a wide range of ways to deposit and withdraw winnings. However, one of the most common payment methods is online banking. This allows players to make deposits directly from their online bank.

Card payments are also usually an option with a dedicated user base. Other solutions include prepaid cards and e-wallets which may include:

• Skrill
• Neteller
• Paysafecard
• EcoPayz
• Qiwi Wallet
• iDeal
• AstroPay
• EPS
• Trustly
• Zimpler
• Neosurf
• Mifinity

 Cryptocurrencies are their kind in the casino market and also have a loyal user base. Although they have not fully penetrated the masses at this stage, cryptocurrencies are very popular. According to official statistics, there are more than 300,000 transactions per day through the Blockchain ledger.

An ever-growing and evolving range of games

One of the most important elements of online casinos is, of course, the games on offer. Almost every online casino nowadays offers a huge number of slots, table games such as roulette, poker or blackjack, live casino and possibly also, for example, betting. The most popular casinos make sure that their offer is constantly evolving and always includes the latest games on the market.

Although slot machines are very similar in terms of how they work, there is a huge variation between them. The newest games may invest in graphics and soundscapes in a completely different way than the very first and oldest games. Moreover, the games feature different themes, which can be anything from pop culture phenomena such as Hollywood blockbuster Marvel games to historical events.

 
Live casino has become a solid part of almost every casino's repertoire. It is real-time gaming that is controlled by a real croupier in front of a camera. These are usually table games in the style of poker or blackjack, where players can enjoy a slightly more immersive casino atmosphere. Live casino games require quite a lot of technological development to function, so we may see even more modern versions in the future - for example, with the advent of virtual reality.

Safety and reliability are at the heart of everything

Even the most glamorous games and the most diverse payment options at an online casino mean nothing if it's not safe to play. Online casinos must be licensed and certified to offer legitimate services. Licenses also allow the casino to operate at the highest level of the industry and provide a safe gaming experience for its players. 
Most common casino licenses:

• Malta Gambling Authority
• United Kingdom Gambling Commission
• Curaçao license
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission

The casino must also use appropriate technologies to ensure that player data is not leaked to third parties. For example, SSL encryption on the site indicates that data is moving securely around the site. SSL encryption is indicated by a certificate displayed or a lock icon in the browser address bar before the casino's web address.

All online casinos are expected to be mobile-compatible

Mobile compatibility is an important part of the modern online casino experience. Fewer and fewer players are sitting down at a computer for their hobby, as mobile devices have evolved to the point where almost everything can be done on them. Most online casinos can be easily accessed on mobile devices without the need to download a separate app.

When a website is optimized for mobile, it can intuitively adapt to the user's device. For example, links and buttons cannot be so small that they are impossible to click on a smaller screen. Naturally, the games on the site also need to be mobile-friendly, so that the overall gaming experience is as good on mobile as it is on PC.