The Effect of Disruptive Tech in the UK Gaming Industry 2023
6 min readThe United Kingdom is home to one of the most productive tech sectors in the world, which generated a combined market value of around $1 trillion in 2022. Amidst widespread discussion of a 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) focused on the use of disruptive technologies for streamlining services and processes, the UK is undoubtedly a world-leading force along with countries such as the USA, Switzerland, Russia, Singapore, and Germany. But while the UK’s tech sector clout is generally undisputed, it’s also worth noting that it accommodates one of the most liberally-regulated and thriving iGaming industries in the world. Gaming and tech have always gone hand in hand, but how has the UK’s gaming industry responded to worldwide technological innovations in recent years?
Guide to the UK Tech Sector & British iGaming
The UK is home to a thriving and progressive technology sector that was rated as the 1st in Europe and 3rd in the world in terms of resilience and growth in 2022. It is behind only the USA and China on the worldwide stage. As you might expect, the vast majority of top UK online casino sites and iGaming platforms now make use of disruptive technologies to enhance the gameplay and overall experience of their users. But which kinds of tech have had the most impact when it comes to innovation in the national gaming industry?
The Rise of Modern Mobile Gaming
These days, you don’t have to look far to find someone glued to a game on their phone. The soaring rate of smartphone ownership worldwide has had an unparalleled influence on the gaming industry in the UK, which is only compounded by continually rapid technological developments in mobile gaming. In 2023, you can find more British gamers playing on smartphones than ever before, with an estimated 28% of adults consuming mobile games daily. In order to meet the growing demand, most established iGaming sites and online casino operators have introduced a wide range of top mobile games, including everything from puzzles and fantasy sports betting leagues to esports tournaments and casino table classics. In 2023, the most popular mobile game titles and iGaming apps in the UK include Candy Crush Saga, Monopoly GO!, EA Sports FC Mobile 24 Soccer, Royal Match, Call of Duty Mobile, and Pokémon GO. Our selection of the most popular mobile casinos amongst players in the UK includes Vegas Mobile Casino, Pink Casino, Bet365, and Mr Q Casino. Most notably, the rise of mobile gaming has seen the popularity of online slot machines rocketing amongst UK players, with games becoming increasingly sophisticated when compared to the physical’ one-armed bandit’ machines of days gone by.
Vast Selection of Casino Platforms & Software Providers
Along with the growing accessibility of smartphones and high-speed internet across the UK, the sheer number of iGaming sites and online casino platforms has rocketed in recent years. British players really are spoilt for choice these days, with some of the most popular casino platforms including LeoVegas Casino, talkSPORT BET Casino, Me Vegas, Duelz, and Hotstreak Slots. The good news is that the UK provides a fairly concrete regulatory framework in which operators must be properly licensed to do business. This means that the vast majority of gaming sites in the UK are trusted, safe, and secure. If you’re based in Britain, and you’re on the lookout for the top online casinos available in 2023, you can rely on the top reviews by Top10Casino.uk and get an honest opinion on each premium brand in the country. The UK has also produced many of the finest online casino software game providers in the world, with popular gaming brands taking content from the best and brightest providers from across the world. In 2023, the most prevalent software and gaming providers in the UK industry include Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Microgaming, Novomatic, IGT and Playtech.
Problem-Solving and UX Streamlining with Artificial Intelligence
The rapid growth of AI has had a significant impact on the world of iGaming and online casinos in the UK, which will only accelerate as the tech progresses in the coming years. At present, UK gaming sites employ elements of AI to conduct a range of purposes, from the monitoring of playing behaviors and big data to the implementation of cool-off systems designed to encourage responsible gambling. In the USA, we’ve also seen the first humanoid robots used in land-based casinos to greet players in the lobby – it’s only a matter of time until the UK also gets in on the trend. Notably, Apple recently announced increased investment in UK-based AI employees in response to the widespread redundancies and downsizing experienced in the tech sector last year. This could counteract the negative effects of British staff being laid off from big-name technology and iGaming-related companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon.
Blockchain, Crypto & Payment Processing Systems
In recent years, we’ve seen major UK gaming sites establish social media presence and diversify their services to stay relevant and maintain a competitive edge in the industry. The best real money UK casinos have also been amongst the most receptive to the new world of payment processing, including the acceptance of various cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals and the employment of blockchain tech to facilitate safe and secure payment processing. If you’re an online gamer playing in the UK today, you could find that you have a wealth of payment method options at your disposal. Depending on the casino platform you decide to use, you could find that it’s possible to make payments and withdrawals using services such as PayPal, Bitcoin, Skrill, and Neteller, as well as traditional bank wire transfers and credit and debit cards. This means that it’s now possible to achieve near-instant payment processing that’s considerably more secure than in days gone by.
Incredible Game Selection & Live Casino Options
Players in the UK now have wide access to an incredible range of online games, many of which are developed by world-renowned software providers as listed previously in the article. The culmination of various disruptive technologies has led to higher-quality gameplay than ever, including tailored game content and state-of-the-art graphics. And because most forms of online gambling, iGaming, and sports betting are permitted for British players, this game selection encompasses everything from bingo and scratch cards to slots, roulette, and poker options. The most popular online casino games currently doing the rounds with UK players include Gonzo’s Quest, Book of Dead, Mega Fortune, Game of Thrones, and Age of the Gods. Due to the onslaught of accelerating live streaming technology, it’s now possible to enjoy hyper-realistic online interpretations of the land-based casino experience, with popular live casino game options including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker.
The UK and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
As outlined previously, the UK has developed a world-leading status in both the tech and iGaming sectors. While the UK tech industry may still be behind the US and China on the worldwide stage, its progressive attitude towards regulation and legislation (coupled with substantial offshore investment from giants in the tech world) will only continue to boost growth and productivity. As talk of the impending 4IR intensifies, only time will tell how the UK market fares against international competition, especially those challenges from emerging gaming industries in developing countries. One thing’s for sure – if you’re a gamer based in the UK, technological innovations are sure to improve your playing experience, if they haven’t already! Remember to stay safe when playing real money games online and always choose reputable, licensed platforms to play with.