Posted in Guides, Industry January 20, 2020
Casino Gamification: A Modern iGaming Trend
Gamification is a popular trend in the iGaming industry. It involves incorporating elements of video games into non-video game platforms to enhance the user experience. While not a new concept, the online gambling industry has taken gamification to new heights.
To understand how gamification is used in online casinos, let’s take a closer look.
What Is Gamification and How Does It Work?
Gamification is the process of turning a non-game activity into a game. It aims to make traditionally mundane tasks more engaging and entertaining. In the context of online casinos, gamification involves incorporating game-playing elements throughout the gaming site to provide a more interactive experience for players. This includes features like loyalty points, level-up progress bars, avatar creation, leaderboards, map completion, shops, and in-game currency, as well as challenges and missions, and player vs player interaction.
The goal of gamification is to add an extra layer of entertainment and engagement to casino games. It appeals to people’s competitive nature and offers rewards for outperforming others.
Gamification in Casino Games
Not all casino games are gamified, but the concept of integrating gamification into these games is relatively new. While gamification may not reduce the house edge, it can provide opportunities to win more without increasing the odds of winning. For example, gamification tools can offer increased multipliers, activate blocked off reels, or provide quests that offer chances to win substantial amounts of money.
Through gamification, casinos aim to enhance the overall gaming experience by offering players more ways to win and keeping them engaged.
Why Do Casinos Need Gamification?
As the iGaming industry has evolved, players’ demands and expectations have increased. Online casinos are constantly competing to provide innovative and engaging experiences to attract and retain players. Advances in technology have allowed for better games, and players now expect high-quality graphics and platforms that are accessible on various devices. To stay competitive, casinos must offer something unique and creative.
Gamification helps to meet these demands by appealing to people’s natural affinity for competition, achievements, and personalization. It allows players to customize their gameplay, earn rewards, and engage with the casino on a deeper level.
Why Is Gamification Popular?
Gamification is popular because it taps into our inherent love for competition and achievements. Tools like tournaments, dueling, and leaderboards bring out the competitive spirit in players. Achieving top positions on leaderboards brings a sense of satisfaction, especially when there are lucrative rewards involved.
Customized gameplay, such as having a unique avatar or completing daily missions, increases player engagement and motivation.
Different Forms of Gamification
Gamification can take various forms, but the core goal remains the same – to create an immersive and rewarding casino experience. Some popular gamification elements include:
Leaderboards
Leaderboards are widely used in multiplayer games and are also popular in online casinos. They are simple yet effective in driving competition among players. Casinos often run promotions that involve ranking systems, allowing players to climb the leaderboard by playing specific games or wagering certain amounts. Top spots on the leaderboard offer significant prizes, and some casinos even allow players to share their achievements on social media.
Missions
Mission-based promotions are the most common form of gamification in online casinos. These missions can take players on a virtual journey, unlocking new areas and rewards as they progress. Players may need to achieve certain goals, such as playing a specific number of spins or accumulating certain symbols on the reels. Completing missions earns additional points or bonuses, enhancing the intensity and immersion of the gaming experience.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs have been around since the early days of iGaming. Players earn loyalty points based on their betting frequency, and these points can be redeemed for rewards. The more loyalty points a player accumulates, the higher their status on the loyalty ladder and the bigger the rewards they can receive. Loyalty programs incentivize regular play and provide players with exclusive perks and experiences.
Social Media
Social media integration is another form of gamification. Players can share their successes on social media platforms, promoting the casino to their friends and followers. Some casinos even reward players for spreading the word about their business on social media.
By incorporating these gamification elements, online casinos aim to create an engaging, immersive, and rewarding experience for players.
