iGaming is one of the hottest new markets out there, and it’s still growing. Let’s go over some stats to prove our point.
In Europe, the online gaming industry had over 41% of the global share in 2024. It also grew fast in the US that year, partially due to the rise in mobile betting and rapid tech innovation.
The other reason why iGaming is so popular is that there are so many different types. This blog will run you through some of them. Buckle up, and get ready to enter the world of iGaming!
What is iGaming?
iGaming includes all forms of online betting and gaming activities that use the Internet, hence the ‘i’ in the name.
Because it’s online, it’s easier to chat with others, fostering a sense of community that goes beyond your local casino.
There are all sorts of online games that fall under the ‘iGaming’ umbrella.
Online Casino Gaming
Online casinos are basically your typical casinos, but online. They recreate the atmosphere of a traditional casino with realistic graphics, music, and sound effects. They’re more accessible than traditional casinos, though. You don’t have to be in Las Vegas. You can bring Las Vegas to you, and play online casinos from even the most remote parts of the world — if you have a good WiFi connection, that is.
Online casinos also offer far more games, because there are no physical limits in the online world! However, you can still expect to play slot machines, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. It wouldn’t be a casino without them.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is where you predict a sports result and place a wager (so, money) on the outcome. A bookmaker will set the odds. If your prediction is correct, you’ll win money depending on the set odds. If you’re wrong, you’ll lose your stake.
You can place bets on sports ranging from football, basketball, and baseball, to hockey, boxing or horse racing. The choice is yours.
There are various licensed physical locations where you can place your bets, but you can also do so from the comfort of your own home. Just hop online! There are websites and mobile apps for that now, and many businesses will also live-stream the sport.
Online Poker
Online poker is one of the most popular iGames there is.
In online poker, you compete against other players. Much like traditional poker, you place bets with your chips (a.k.a. your wagered money), only it’s the software that deals the cards instead of an actual card dealer.
Although poker — online or otherwise — relies largely on luck, you can improve your skills to boost your chances.
eSports Betting
eSports — short for Electronic Sport — are relatively new to the iGaming world, but they’ve grown to become a billion-dollar industry in the last few years, especially as mobile gaming increases in popularity.
eSports betting is very similar to sports betting, except people place wagers on video game matches, which are played by professional players. It’s livestreamed, making it very accessible; it allows people from around the world to join in on the fun. Seriously. Millions of people watch these matches and place their bets.
There are two main types of eSports:
- Simulation of real-life sports, such as FIFA
- Classic eSport games like League of Legends or CS:GO
Lottery & Bingo
An online lottery is a fun way to try your luck. With just a few clicks on a website or mobile app, you can buy your entries, choose your lucky numbers, and keep track of your winnings. It’s designed to be safe and easy to use, with Random Number Generators (RNGs) making sure that everything is fair and square.
Lotteries have three defining characteristics:
- You need to pay to participate
- One or more prizes are awarded
- The prizes are awarded based on chance
This is all laid out in the Gambling Act.
Online bingo, much like standard bingo, is also a game based on luck. In online bingo, numbers are randomly drawn, and if your card has these numbers, the software automatically marks them off. So, you barely have to do anything. Just try your luck.
Skill-Based Gaming & Virtual Sports
Skill-based games are online games where the outcome of the competition is determined by skill, rather than chance. Whether that’s a player’s fast reaction, logical ability, strategic thinking or trivia knowledge, there’s no element of randomness in this type of iGame. It’s all based on the player’s talents and techniques. Who doesn’t love a challenge?
Like skill-based games, the outcomes of virtual sports are also decided randomly, through an RNG. This ensures unpredictability and a fair game.
Virtual sports are simulations of real sporting events. There are high-quality graphic representations of players and the sport itself (e.g. horses or cars), which resemble the real deal. They’re good because they’re not affected by factors like weather or injuries.
Getting into virtual sports is very easy — it’s kind of like a video game. You select a platform to play the sport on, then choose your sport. Typically, the options include darts, horse racing, greyhound racing, and motor racing — a lot of racing! — or cycling, or football. Then you place your bet and see whether the RNG works in your favour.
Gamify Your Comps With Zap Games
At Zap, we offer a range of games ourselves, which are bound to become your players’ new favourites. We call them ‘Zap Games.’
Zap Games are interactive, skill-based mini-games. They’re designed to give your players more ways to win, keep them engaged for longer, and make your brand stand out from the crowd of other competition businesses.
They’re games that’ll turn your one-time players into loyal customers. These games are purpose-built for it. Get ready for higher engagement, repeat visits, and higher spend.
Whether it’s Instant Win Games, which create suspense and fun, Progressive Jackpot, where the jackpot can drop anytime, boosting excitement, or Instant Wins, which reward more of your players, your competitions are about to see success like never before.
Are you interested in learning more? Contact our team of experts today.
