Business Similarities Between the Video and Gambling Industry

Gambling and gaming are two terms often used synonymously, especially in the gambling industry.

The main thing differentiating the two terms is how players achieve the final outcome. In video gaming, they attain end result through skill and not chance like in gambling.

Today, many video game industries incorporate features from gambling and vice versa. Because of the overlapping features and advancement in technology, video gaming and online casino gaming now share lots of similarities. Fabio Duarte is an expert writer and gambling enthusiast with many years of experience. You can view Fabio’s profile here.

Let’s look at some of the similarities.

Free Gaming is a Norm

Demos allowed players to try out games before purchasing them. But the practice died out a decade ago with the last generation consoles, or so we thought.

Recently, Nintendo revived this old technique. Now, you can play a demo version of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX for free before it becomes available for purchase.

In the online casino gaming world, casinos have been offering players free games for a long time. A few years ago, it was commonplace to see a slot machine offering free 10 to 20 spins. But the practice has evolved, and today slot machines can offer up to 100 free spins.

The whole idea behind demos and free games is to attract new players to a particular game. Research shows that players like to try a free game before they decide to buy the game or risk their money.

Casino Themes Still Reign

Most classic retro video games feature popular casino themes. For example, Sonic Racing, a mobile video game that recently joined Apple Arcade, shares nearly the same theme as most Sonic casino games.

In online gambling, many casino games have abandoned traditional casino aesthetics and adopted new themes.

However, some big casino game developers have returned to making games of 3 reel slots, featuring bells, bars, lucky sevens, and fruits. Also, their online table games still keep their classic casino aesthetics.

They Draw Themes from Mythology TV and Movies

Ancient civilization forged mythologies that have influenced creators for decades, including casino and video game developers.

Both gaming industries use Greek, Norse, and Egyptian mythologies to lure in customers. For example, God of War and Viking Runecraft have gained huge traction in video gaming and online casinos, respectively.

Besides mythologies, TV and Movies have played a huge role in the development of games. The Game of Thrones slot and Doctor Who video games are prime examples. By adopting themes from popular TV shows and movies, game developers can create a highly engaging playing experience.

Both Gaming Platforms Use Randomized Mechanisms

Video games use loot boxes or random reward mechanisms (RRM) that offer the player randomized in-game rewards of uncertain in-game and real-world value.

Players can use real money to pay for loot boxes of popular online competitive modes, such as Ultimate Team in the EA series, and gain a random in-game reward that might benefit their team. Also, players can get loot boxes by completing in-game tasks.

The same mechanism applies in gambling. In the sense that people stake a certain amount of money on the outcome of a future event, hoping to receive something of greater value.

The randomization and the potential to win huge rewards is the major reason most individuals play slot games and take part in different game modes.

The use of loot boxes has been described as predator practice that entraps people into repeat purchases.

Conclusion

As you can see, the video and gambling industries have a lot in common. The convergence of their features and mechanisms makes both gaming platforms more exciting to players and can lead to higher levels of participation.

As technology continues, we expect to see more interaction between online gambling and video gaming. Who knows! Maybe in the future, we might get to bet on Esports.

While it’s wise to highlight the similarities between video gaming and gambling, there is also a need to highlight their differences. But that will be a topic for another day.

Thank you for taking the time to go through our piece. We hope you found it educational.