The new year is always a fresh start for many and 2023 has already seen an eruption of top-level casino sites and sportsbooks emerge onto the scene. Many operators have set out to raise the bar when it comes to new game releases, bigger and better bonus offers, and smoother software functionality. But what else can we expect from gambling sites this year? Let’s take a closer look.
New Online Casino Trends in 2023
Online gambling is already a monstrous market for revenue across the globe, generating $66.7 billion in 2020 and predicted to reach as high as $92.9 billion by 2023. But what’s changing to create such a huge jump? There are many new lines of casinos and creative forms of gaming popping up this year. Here are just a few you can expect to explode in popularity over the coming months:
VR and Augmented Reality – VR and AR are already taking the gaming world by storm, but now online casinos are beginning to adopt this technology and integrate it into their software too. You can already play games like roulette, poker, and blackjack at VR casinos, which let you play with a 3D avatar, imitate hand gestures and expressions, and provide online interactions with other players. However, right now these sites require the player to already own a headset in order to access the experience; and unfortunately, this gear doesn’t come cheap!
Crypto Casinos – Contrary to belief, the crypto world doesn’t just revolve around Elon Musk – though, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Tesla tycoon eventually sets up his own casino on mars! The key role that crypto plays at casinos now is the fact that it gives players the ability to easily make their deposits and withdrawals anonymously. On top of this, Bitcoin has a withdrawal time of 3 hours, making it the fastest payment method currently available at casinos. The problem is that not every casino allows crypto payments yet because they aren’t regulated or decentralized currencies.
Esports – Since Esports became regulated in certain states, bookmakers have had an absolute field day. It became one of the biggest new gambling trends during the height of the pandemic, and skin gambling remains highly popular as well. The only downside is that there have been numerous scandals associated with Esports and a lot of people are now suspicious of the integrity of the games. Nevertheless, as technology continues to evolve, it could become just as popular as real sports betting in the next few years.
Micro Betting – This form of betting is also becoming more popular in the world of sports. Micro betting isn’t too dissimilar to prop bets in the sense that someone can bet on a single event or outcome, such as which player gets the first red card, the first player to score a goal, etc. As the volume of these bets is so high at the moment, more and more sportsbooks are using AI to process and distribute the results. The problem is that it’s an expensive way to do things, which doesn’t benefit the operators.
Pocket Casinos – No, this isn’t a new Polly Pocket toy where she strolls around a plastic Oceans Eleven-style casino with her boobs out. As entertaining as that would be, pocket casinos are basically casino games that have been developed for smartwatches. Companies like Playtech have already released a few slots and table games on these devices, and as the smartwatch craze continues, there’s bound to be more games on the market this year.
There are several other reasons why gambling is due to generate more revenue than ever before this year, including the legalization of sports betting in many US states, plus safer gambling practices and regulations, and new and improved gambling apps.
Why Choose a New Online Casino
If you’ve been with your current casino for some time, you may not see a reason to switch to another site. But, what you may not realize is how outdated the games and software could be compared to the new sites in the online market. The latest online casinos are all vying for new customers, which is why they make it a priority to host the best and latest games with awesome graphics and animations, clear-cut sound effects, and flawless gameplay that works with all your devices.
New online casinos also tend to offer incredibly lucrative bonus deals to entice new players which can include everything from no deposit bonuses and match bonuses to free spins, cashback, and comp points. In addition, new casinos like to take care of their regular players after they’ve signed up as an incentive to keep them there. That’s why you can usually look forward to the same great bonuses and promotions, long after you’ve registered.
The last reason why you may want to consider transitioning over to a new casino is the fact that these are the ones that are likely to keep up with the latest gambling trends. If you’re still playing at an old site, it’s unlikely these casinos have the capacity or compatibility to entertain new forms of gaming like VR, unique gambling apps, and the ability to pay in cryptocurrencies. With new online casinos, the servers and systems will already be running on the latest and most up to date technology, giving them the freedom to add more options and incorporate new and interesting ways of playing these games.
Tips for Choosing a New Online Casino
Change is hard for many people, but if you’re a bit bored at your current casino and want to ensure you’re getting the best experience from your gambling endeavors, a new gambling site to explore different options could be exactly what you need. If you feel like moving over to a new online casino could be the best option for you, check out these top tips from our experts on what to look for before you think about signing up.
Look at the Ratings
As many online casinos haven’t been operating for very long, it’s unlikely they are going to have thousands of customers or much of a reputation – unless they are incredibly good with their marketing and offer ridiculously good bonus offers. But, the best way to tell whether a new online casino is reputable and legit and not just another cowboy casino that’s popped up to grab your money is by looking at review sites like ours.
We love to see players shouting about a new online casino, but until we’ve tested it for ourselves, only then can we give it our seal of approval. We rate and review sites based on their games, software, promotions, security, and other important features that most players don’t think about when they’re simply shopping around. So be sure to keep up to date with our reviews or scan our list of recommendations to see if your chosen casino is listed.
Play the Games for Free
One of the best parts about online casinos is the fact that they let players try their games out before expecting them to hand over any money. Not all casino sites offer this feature, particularly if they have been around for years and are lazy to update their games and features.
But testing a site’s games out before you sign up gives you a chance to see what the site offers, explore the payback percentages for the games, and find out if they host ones that you actually like. Plus, as all new online casinos are mobile-optimized, you can see how the games work on your smartphone or tablet.
Check the Security
A lot of players are put off by the idea of looking for a new online casino to play at because they aren’t sure whether they are safe or legitimate. This is a perfectly understandable reason why many players avoid them, but the truth is, new online casinos are incredibly conscious about the safety of players and they want them to feel secure. That’s why they go out of their way to invest in and deploy the highest level of security that encrypts your financial data, privacy, and gambling activities.
All of the best online casinos in 2023 will also have an SSL encryption certificate that prevents unwanted attacks and third parties from accessing your data or the site’s servers. They will also use firewalls and malware security to ensure all the data stored on the site is kept safe and protected at all times.
Look at the Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses are one of the best parts about signing up to a new online casino. As a first-time player, you can expect to be offered the most valuable deals that give your bankroll a serious boost in the beginning. However, the best new online casinos also want you to keep coming back, which is why they’ll often have ongoing offers that you can utilize as well. If you’re a fan of slots, be sure to check out the slots bonus offers for a new online casino to make sure you can bag a load of free spins regularly. If you’re more into table games, look out for promotions specific to the games you want to play and check the terms to make sure there aren’t any unfair wagering requirements.
Features That Make New Online Casinos Special
We’ve already run through the reasons why you should consider registering with a new online casino in 2023 and tips for what to look out for when you’re searching for one, but what other features do these sites possess that make them truly stand out from their old school competitors?
Game Variety – New online casinos want players to have the best experience and an amazing collection of games to choose from whenever they log in. That’s why they will always make it a priority to have fresh and exciting releases on their sites whenever they become available. This also means making sure there are multiple variations of your favorite games, such as multiple versions of blackjack, all the available versions of roulette, and specialty games that aren’t common at traditional land-based casinos or older online sites.
Design and Features – The latest online casinos all have spectacular graphics and animations within their games. 3D slots are the latest slot craze, and these games feature cute characters with unique storylines that make for a truly immersive experience. Some new online casinos even offer live dealer games like blackjack and roulette, where the games are live-streamed via a video camera and have a real casino setting in the background. Most online casinos don’t have these features or gaming options, and you’ll often find that the graphics and gameplay look shabby and dull in comparison.
Flexible Terms – Compared to old online casinos that are archaic in their terms and conditions, new online casinos better understand the needs of players. They’ve spent a lot of time refinding their operations to make sure they offer something better than their competition, which is why you’ll typically find higher limits, more payment options to choose from, flexible wagering requirements, and faster payout times. In addition, the bonuses will also be broader and more tailored to different demographics of players like low-stakes gamblers all the way up to VIPs and high rollers. Older online casinos only tend to offer a few promotions that more cater to players as a whole.
Established vs New Online Casinos
We can sit here preaching all day about how good new online casinos are, but we have to be fair and give their older counterparts some credit where it's due too. After all, there is a reason why these casinos are still in operation and continue to attract new players while retaining their existing ones. Let’s take a look at the difference between established casinos and new online casinos below.
New Online Casinos
These sites usually offer a wider range of gaming options to players. These games will include classic table games and a broad variety of slots. New online casinos also like to keep up to date with the latest games and continuously add new ones to ther gaming inventories.
New online casinos also tend to have more payment options available. This goes beyond card payments and bank transfers, and will normally include crypto payments, wire transfers, e-wallets, and other convenient payment methods that older casinos will not host on their sites.
In terms of promotions, new sites want to get as many new players to sign up and play their games as possible. This is why you’ll always see great bonus offers and regular incentives such as free rolls, free spins, and other rewards that many older establishments aren’t inclined to offer.
Established Casinos
Older casinos may be a bit outdated in terms of their game offerings and bonus programs, however, these sites have been operating for years, which means they have gained a solid reputation among players. Many new online casinos don’t survive very long in the huge sea of online gambling operators due to money problems or not having enough players to warrant keeping the site alive. This is where established casinos have the upper hand.
Older casinos are considered a very safe option for gamblers because they have been using high-level security software since the beginning. If they haven’t had any problems with hackers or payments, this will be another reason why they are still going today because the security protocols they use are still just as reliable and effective as they were when they first deployed them.
Just as important as reputation is to an older casino, so is their online ranking. If players have consistently searched for these sites online and they keep popping up in the top few lines on various search engines, this also means that players are more likely to visit them instead of a new casino site that’s sat on page 12 on Google somewhere. Online exposure and visibility are the key to success for these sites, and the more people that click on them, play their games, and read their content, the longer they will remain there and keep their top-ranking position.
How to Find the Best New Online Casinos
If, by now, you’re thinking that a new online casino might be the best option for you, finding one is easy. But, as we’ve stated throughout this guide, there a quite a few factors to consider when you’re choosing one to play at.
Research – First and foremost, you must do your homework. This includes thoroughly researching a site to make sure it is licensed and verified by an approved casino authority, regularly audited by a recognized testing facility like eCOGRA, and has positive feedback from other players that confirm their experience and ensure it has a solid reputation.
Test the Games – Look for new online casinos that have a wide collection of games available including all of the ones you want to play if you sign up as a real money player. Modern online casinos will often let you try games out for free and sometimes they’ll even give you free money to play with to see if you enjoy playing them. Definitely take advantage of these opportunities before you think about registering.
Make Sure it’s Secure – Just as important as it is to check for a license, checking the casino uses industry-level security technology to protect players is also paramount. You don’t want to sign up and hand over your bank details, only to find out they have been leaked or fallen into the hands of an unauthorized party. All top online casinos will use SSL encryption technology and have a clear statement on their site that concerns player privacy, anonymity, and how they look out for your welfare.
Check the Bonuses Page – Newly-registered players always get offered the best deals when they sign up to an online casino, so be sure to check out their promotions page to get a glimpse of what you can expect before you create an account. If you’re someone who likes to play high stakes games, it’s also worth looking at whether the casino offers a VIP or loyalty program. These normally feature bigger bonus offers, alongside other incentives like higher table limits, a personal account manager, birthday and anniversary gifts, and other perks.
Look at the Payment Methods – If you sign up to an online casino and see that the payment options are limited, this isn’t going to be fun when it comes to making a deposit or a withdrawal. All of the best online casinos have a variety of payment methods available that make depositing into your account a breeze. They also have an equally good amount of withdrawal options available that take no longer than a few days to receive your winnings. If you want to use cryptocurrencies to fund your bankroll, make sure the casino accepts your preferred method and check how long the transaction times are.
The process for looking for a new online casino can be a long and daunting process for some, and this can make them reluctant to make the move from their old casino. However, we at GamblingCity take the hard work out of looking for top casino sites by reviewing hundreds of different online casinos each week.
We always carry out our reviews with unbiased precision and we also take the time to list any casinos that should be avoided. That way, we can sleep at night knowing we’ve helped our readers make an informed decision about where they choose to gamble and knowing that whatever option they choose, they will be rewarded with the best online gambling experience.
Take a look through our top recommendations on this page for more details about the latest online casinos, the process for signing up, claiming your welcome bonus, and getting started.