Calvin Ayres Provides his Online Gaming Industry Predictions for 2012: Part 2

By vince.baker | 26th February 2012 | Online Casino News

Calvin Ayres, the founder of Bodog online entertainment and gaming brand, has made a number of predictions for 2012 regarding the online gambling industry (after finding that his 2011 predictions pretty much held true). Here is a look at some of those predictions made in regards to different parts of the online gambling market.

Mobile

As widely noticed, mobile online casino is on a rise and 2012 should see an even larger growth curve as more online gambling companies jump onto the mobile bandwagon.

Converging Online with Offline

In 2011, the primary focus was on how brick-and-mortar casinos could go and get their “digital feet wet,” as put by Ayers. In 2012, it will be the reverse – major online casino brands will be looking to start laying down physical roots. However, there is still no all-encompassing business model that aids in overcoming all the various challenges associated with combing online and brick-and-mortar casinos.

The Age of Live Dealers on Online Casinos

Asia has already popularized having live dealers at online casinos and in 2012; it looks like this concept will start spreading into other markets and forms, including Bingo.  The technology is continuing to mature and those who have experienced the live dealer say it a lot more fun. However, there is still a bit of lack of innovation and everyone is waiting for the one company that will make major inroads in getting live dealers more readily accessible.

Horse Racing is not Dead…Yet

Horse racing has been long thought of as the “sport of kings,” and while it is not yet dead, it needs a major transfusion in the form of appeal to the younger demographic or it will eventually start to wither away. This part of the gambling industry could do with some pop culture infusion and celebrity jockeys. It needs to be changed from something that is considered stuffy to something that is considered hip.