There is a lot going on behind the scenes in the online gambling and sports betting industry. While this is probably intuitive, it is worth considering just how much technology and software is needed to create a fair, safe, fully functioning and (importantly) fun online casino.
When a casino transitions from analog to digital or launches a digital version of its brick-and-mortar establishment, there are a million and one different considerations that need to be made. There are now more excellent online casinos and sports betting platforms available than ever before, such as Golden Nugget Sportsbook.
Below are just a few of the most important tech elements required to ensure that an online casino is safe, functioning and fun to play.
The foundations
To start at the beginning, online casinos are typically built using HTML5. They were previously designed using Flash, but once the mobile revolution started, Flash started to decline in popularity because it was incompatible with mobile technology. This is why you now rarely see Flash being used anywhere.
Mobile casino software
The most important software is arguably the software which ensures that every interaction on a game is fair. There would really be no point in playing slot machine games, online poker or other casino games if the odds were massively stacked against you. This software ensures that the gambler enjoys the same odds of winning or losing every time they play.
In order to maintain this equilibrium of fairness, casino game providers use something called a Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG is essentially a mathematical matrix which dictates which number will appear in games such as roulette, what card will pop up in blackjack and baccarat, or what symbols will fall on the reels for slots.
You may be thinking that these systems could be easily tinkered with or hacked to provide the house with better odds. However, game providers that use RNG also need to be licensed by gaming authorities to ensure that the games truly are fair and are using RNG software appropriately.
Payment processing
Another important aspect is payment processing. Anyone who has spent time reading reviews of online casinos or playing at different casinos knows just how important it is for an online casino to have the right payment methods available.
Players understandably have particular preferences when it comes to payments and they typically like using payments which are fast, easy and secure. These tend to be eWallets such as PayPal or credit cards from Visa and MasterCard.
Increasingly however, more and more players are interested in using cryptocurrencies for payments. Crypto is growing in popularity around the world but it is a particularly popular payment method for online gambling because it is so secure and private.
Online casinos will typically use encryption such as Secure Socket Layer to secure the payment process and give gamblers an added layer of safety.
Online security and safety
Speaking of safety, security is another key concern of online casino operators as sensitive personal and financial information is typically used on online gambling platforms. Online casinos want to both protect their customers and ensure that their platform is not being used for money laundering. These are both major security concerns which can threaten the continued existence of an online casino.
In order to increase security, online casinos will typically have an ID verification process as part of the onboarding for new customers. This involves customers providing documentation such as a driver’s license or passport to the platform and has the added advantage of screening out underage gamblers.
In order to protect players, online casinos will also use a range of different tools such as encryption software and two-step verification processes. The most secure online casinos will also incorporate TLS, which is similar to the safety systems that banks use to protect their customers’ information and money.
Last but not least…
The final tech aspect which is sometimes overlooked is the user experience (UX). If you have ever been on a casino platform that made you feel as if you had time travelled back to 2004, then you understand the importance of good quality design and UX.
Online gambling is never going to be able to create the same atmosphere as gambling in a brick-and-mortar establishment, but excellent design, high-quality graphics and an easy to navigate platform all help to create a similarly enjoyable experience.