Casino City's iGaming Pocket Directory - 2018 Edition

32 Sponsored by Casino City’s iGaming Pocket Directory games games INDUSTRY OVERVIEW When internet access became the norm, people started playing each other in more complex games. They also sought to prove their mastery in a variety of games of skill that they previously hadn’t had access to, both simple and complicated. Several different groups stepped into that market. Console manufacturers and game makers provided ways to play video games against each other. Virtual worlds and massive multiplayer online games generated huge followings. The games industry was no longer chess, backgammon and rummy. Next came mobile and social gaming. As smartphone adoption rates skyrocketed, playing social and casual games became a societal norm. Everyone from young adults to seniors began playing these games, and an enormous industry was born. Farmville, Zynga Poker and Angry Birds became part of the lexicon. Candy Crush Saga became a global addiction. And nobody blinked an eye when Clash of Clans began a TV advertising campaign. Playing social and casual games on mobile devices became a normal part of life. It was no longer the province of nerds and geeks. With so many people enjoying the rebirth of casual gaming, the interest in real-money games sites is experiencing a rise as well. Real-money games sites serve two purposes. First, they give people who prefer playing games a competitive experience that uses money as a scoreboard. They also serve as a gateway to other forms of real-money gaming, giving operators the chance to convert players into casino, poker or sportsbook customers.