Not so long ago, console gaming clearly led the way in the digital entertainment business. Brands such as Sony and Microsoft would exclusively battle it out for top spot, with the PlayStation usually winning out.
However, in recent years, a new form of entertainment has emerged that is slowly bridging the gap to games on consoles such as the PlayStation 5. That entertainment is online casino gaming.
The activity, which falls under the iGaming umbrella alongside online sports betting and Esports, has steadily grown in popularity and has firmly established itself as an online entertainment option.
Although consoles have traditionally been more popular, online gambling is already dwarfing console gaming in terms of global revenue figures. The accessibility and convenience of online casino game play on portable devices have been the biggest driver for its success.
If online casino games such as roulette, slots, and poker continue their quest for domination in the online gaming market, we could witness more crossover between the two. There are only a handful of casino games available on PS5, including The Four Kings Casino and Slots and Poker Club. But which casino classics could be best adapted for the console world?
Online Slots
The game that is beginning to resemble the graphics, animations and soundtracks found on PS5 titles is online slots. From simple mechanics involving fruit symbols, the game has evolved tremendously with different versions of online slots available with individual game dynamics.
What also sets online slots apart from other casino games is the introduction of different bonus rounds that set players different tasks. Game developers such as Pragmatic Play and NetEnt have the most fun with online slots with the fast-paced nature of the game giving players the option to play for longer or shorter windows.
Poker
As one of the more traditional casino games in the online collection, poker is a game that console gamers could easily turn to. While games based on poker already exist, the multiplayer realm has created more potential for poker games to enter the console market.
With easy interaction with the PlayStation controller and the ability to plug in to chat rooms and communicate with other players via headset, a live poker table can be seamlessly created at home. The game of poker brings all the highs and lows of online casino play with the added element of competition as you try to outmanoeuvre your opponents with cunning strategy.
Blackjack
Like poker, blackjack is a card game with elements of strategy involved. Evidence of blackjack in console gaming can already be found on titles such as Grand Theft Auto V. The game perhaps does not hold enough fun factor to be a standalone game. But there are plenty of games, past and present, where blackjack could be integrated. Red Dead Redemption is another title that springs to mind.
Nevertheless, blackjack commands its place on virtual casino floors. And with an overlap with console gaming potentially not far off, blackjack games could also take advantage of the PS multiplayer universe.
Crash Games
One of the latest innovations in the online casino world is crash casino games. The first crash game reportedly appeared in 2014, when MoneyPot bolstered the growing online casino portfolio. The aim of cashing out before the multiplier crashes is a simple concept that has been adopted and played by millions across the world.
Different versions have been created since 2014 such as Aviator and Plinko, and with the potential to create various themes and animations, the popularity of crash games could extend to PlayStation consoles.
Final Thoughts
Due to the incredible rise of online casino play, other gaming avenues might take a look at how popular games can be incorporated onto their platforms. Alongside advances in technology, the online casino industry has been able to export its products onto mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Infiltrating console gaming would be the logical next step. And with millions of PS users worldwide, people’s favourite casino game could soon be making a splash in the world of console gaming.