Have you ever found yourself glued to your smartphone, playing a casual game while on the early morning commute to work? You’re far from alone. As a matter of fact, the casual gaming craze has become a global phenomenon.
Millions worldwide now dive into quick, easy-to-play games that require minimal effort but deliver maximum fun. According to Statista, the global casual gaming market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.46% between 202 and 2029, leading to projected revenues of $25.86bn before the turn of the next decade.
The iGaming market has been paying close attention to the casual gaming craze, and now online casinos are rolling out their own versions of these bite-sized gaming experiences.
Why iGaming Needed to Tap into Casual Gaming
For years, iGaming has been all about traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines. But mastering a strategy or memorizing odds isn’t everyone’s bag. Sometimes, players just want to log in, place a quick bet, and enjoy the rush. That’s the beauty of casual gaming. In fact, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy games that are simple and exciting in equal measure?
Who can forget casual mobile games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush which have proven the case that easy, intuitive gameplay is capable of keeping players on the hook for just as long, if not longer, than their more complex counterparts.
iGaming software providers have taken note and realized that they too can cater for the casual gaming audience. There’s been a rapid rise in the number of fast-paced, casual casino games, which are appealing to both seasoned casino players and complete novices.
Crash games are one of the most notable additions to the casual game portfolios of online casinos. These games are as simple as they come. Simply place a bet, watch the multiplier object rise and attempt to cash-out for a win before the object “crashes”. It’s pure adrenaline, with a social twist, since you bet alongside others in real time. The number of crash gambling casinos is on the rise. In fact, they are also available with social casinos, as well as real-money casinos, allowing you to try them out using free-play “gold coins” and promotional “sweep coins” to get to grips with the game dynamics.
Plinko is another popular casual casino game. Inspired heavily by the iconic TV game show, Plinko lets you drop a ball down a peg-filled board. The size of the multipliers rises from the central sections to the outer edges, with the latter housing the biggest multipliers since they are the least likely slots for the ball to fall into.
Who remembers the old-school Microsoft Windows Minesweeper game? Mines is a nostalgia-inducing nod to this classic title. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reveal tiles on the game grid and avoid the hidden mines. The longer you go without revealing one, the bigger the multiplier.
Another huge factor in the success of casual casino games has been their transparency and social interaction. Many of them are backed by provably fair technology, giving you peace of mind in the integrity of each game. Meanwhile, the ability to chat with other players in real time via live chat boxes ramps up the engagement. While traditional casino gaming will always have its place, the casual niche feels like it’s here to stay.
