The impending widespread rollout of 5G cellular networks is set to provide a major boost to the rapidly growing online gambling industry. 5G delivers vastly improved speeds and bandwidth capacity compared to existing 4G/LTE networks. Most importantly for gambling, 5G also enables much lower latency and lag times – with some tests achieving a lag of just 5 milliseconds. This combination of high bandwidth and low latency can support data-intensive real-time gaming applications that have previously not been viable on mobile devices.
As online casinos like AllSlots Casino prepare for the 5G revolution, there are three key areas of innovation that will transform the player experience:
Immersive Virtual Reality Casinos
Virtual reality (VR) provides an immersive simulated environment that can make online gamblers feel like they are inside a real-world casino. However, existing VR casinos accessible on smartphones have been limited by 4G network speeds and latency issues. 5G’s lag-free connectivity will enable online casinos to deliver a seamless, life-like VR experience on mobile devices.
Players wearing VR headsets will be able to explore interactive casino environments and approach tables to interact with games, dealers and other players. Gesture and movement tracking built into VR systems allows for mimicking real actions, like throwing dice or spinning a roulette wheel. Casino platform developers Microgaming and NetEnt are already creating 5G-compatible VR casino games to prepare for mass adoption on the next generation of smartphones.
Real-Time Live Casino Dealers and Games
Live dealer casino games bridge the gap between physical casinos and RNG-based online casino games. Players connect via live HD video streams to human dealers in real-time studio environments. However, reliable operation currently depends on players using strong wired broadband connections to minimize disruption and lag.
5G mobile networks will allow players to access live dealer games on their smartphones without performance issues. They’ll be able to learn more classics like blackjack, roulette and baccarat with real dealers as if they were sitting at the table in a land-based casino. The ability to deliver this experience directly on mobile devices is a potential game-changer for the industry. Leading live casino provider Evolution Gaming is optimizing its systems for 5G to take advantage of sub-10ms latency.
Cloud-Hosted Casino Gaming
Cloud gaming utilizes powerful remote servers to stream games directly to user devices. With fast 5G networks eliminating lag, casino games can be hosted in the cloud instead of needing powerful hardware in the device itself. Players would simply use a smartphone, tablet or low-spec computer to view and control the cloud-hosted games.
This cloud delivery model will enable instant access to data-heavy casino titles that involve complex graphics and mechanics. For example, modern video slots from major developers like IGT and Aristocrat could be played flawlessly on mobile devices. Cloud hosting also allows providers to frequently update games without needing players to manually download new versions or content.
Widespread Availability Will Drive Mass Adoption
The potential of 5G for online gambling is massive – but everything depends on broad network availability and player uptake of 5G devices. Industry analysts predict there will be 1.4 billion 5G subscriptions globally by 2025. Most experts forecast that the US market will lag only slightly behind Asia for 5G penetration over the next five years.
The installed base of 5G compatible smartphones is expected to grow rapidly. Lower costs of supporting hardware like VR headsets and improvements to form factors will also increase mass market appeal. If 5G coverage is widespread and the hardware accessible, online casinos could be poised for a new boom period. The ability to conveniently gamble from almost anywhere with an experience matching or exceeding land-based casinos will be an attractive proposition for players.
Conclusion
While widespread 5G network rollout has taken slightly longer than initially projected, the infrastructure is now firmly in place for rapid acceleration over the next few years. For forward-thinking online gambling providers, preparation for 5G-powered innovation is already underway. Companies investing early in next-gen technologies like VR, cloud gaming and live dealers could gain a distinct competitive advantage in capturing this projected growth market.
The ultimate beneficiaries will be the players, with 5G enabling operators to provide instant access to exciting, high-quality real-time and interactive casino gaming experiences on mobile devices. Instead of being limited to simple apps and browser-based games, they’ll be able to essentially carry a full-featured casino around in their pockets. For gambling enthusiasts seeking maximum immersion and entertainment, the 5G gaming revolution can’t arrive soon enough.