A metaverse refers to a highly immersive digital world focused on collective social interaction. The concept of a metaverse traces back to Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash. Gamers are familiar with this concept through popular titles like Minecraft and Roblox and moviegoers have been introduced to it in recent films Free Guy and Ready Player One. In current pop culture, when the general populace discusses the metaverse, they are most likely referring to the virtual reality world proposed by Mark Zuckerberg and his company, Meta (new Facebook). 

Zuckerberg believes that there will be more than one billion people using the metaverse for work and play by 2030, which is a reasonable estimate if revenue projections for the technology are to be believed. With online casinos having always adapted alongside technology, the metaverse as a whole (not just Zuckerberg’s arena) is sure to have a huge impact on the industry. 

The gameplay of online casino games has traditionally evolved with technology, and there are some exciting possibilities if Virtual Reality (VR) becomes mainstream. Companies like Microgaming and NetEnt have already provided tantalizing glimpses of what those advancements could look like. 

VR Games 

Microgaming is credited with bringing VR technology into the gambling space with its innovative display at the 2015 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Attendees were introduced to a virtual roulette table and a robot croupier in a digital outer space setting. The game was well-received, winning several industry awards over the next two years. VR tables like this could easily appear throughout the metaverse. 

There could also be immersive VR slots in which players face up against giant reels in an endless selection of fantastical worlds/scenarios. NetEnt debuted this concept at the 2016 ICE Totally Gaming Conference with Jack’s World VR, quickly followed by Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst and Scarface.  

Go Inside the Game

It’s likely that in the early days of the shift to the metaverse, online casinos will offer the option to play VR games alongside more traditional offerings. In that situation, players would have access to standalone titles like Jack’s World VR through standard online gambling platforms. 

Eventually, though, this could lead to fully functioning VR casinos. Sprawling virtual casinos could encompass everything from slots to tables and even offer entertainment options, just like real-life casinos. 

Social Gaming 

If fully functioning VR casinos become reality, it will inevitably lead to a rise in social gaming within these cybernetic settings. Land-based casinos have traditionally been places in which players can converse and socialize, but this aspect of the gambling house hasn’t been fully replicated online. One of the biggest upsides to VR Casinos is that players would have opportunities to engage with people from all over the world. Avatars could easily cross countries and even continents, in fully immersive and realistically rendered digital spaces. 

Crypto: Currency of the Future?

The online casino industry has a range of payment methods available to players. Current popular methods include credit and debit cards, eChecks, gift cards, bank wire transfers and increasingly, cryptocurrencies.  

Some analysts believe that the metaverse could be a prime motivator for cryptocurrencies (i.e., Bitcoin and  Ethereum) to come to the fore. If over one billion people are to exist in this new virtual world, it doesn’t make sense for them to be paying for things with their own country’s fiat currencies. Therefore, a digital payment method that has no global boundaries becomes the desired solution. 

There has already been an increase in the number of cryptocurrency gambling sites over recent years, and this indicates that many people are expecting this future scenario. The metaverse could take it one step further and make crypto a ubiquitous payment method for both gaming and non-gaming sites alike. 

Exciting Times 

It’s exciting to see these major advancements in online gambling. Players shouldn’t be worried about the metaverse disrupting the current paradigm, as the transition to all-enveloping digital play will be gradual. It’s likely that there will still be the option to play casino games in their current form, along with the more futuristic options of the metaverse for a long time to come.

The post How Will the Metaverse Affect Online Casinos? appeared first on Casino.com Blog.

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Did you know it’s World Circus Day on the 3rd Sunday of the year? That’s why we’re bringing you our pick of the best Circus-themed online slots of 2023. Whether you like clowns, mimes, acrobats, jugglers, or fire-breathing dragons (yeah, we made that one up), there is something here for everyone! 

Ladies and gentlemen, sit down, relax, and let us take you on a magical journey full of the most spectacular sights and sounds the circus slot world has to offer.

Our favorite Circus-themed slot is the aptly named Wicked Circus by Yggdrasil Gaming. Get ready for a spooky twist on standard circus slots.

Featuring fantastic graphics that capture the game’s creepy aesthetic, this five-reel, ten-payline slot offers so much fun gameplay. There’s even a special ‘Jokerizer’ mode where you can land mystery wins. Wicked Circus online slot offers a thrilling and unique experience, so roll up, roll up and try to win up to 6,000x your stake.

Music Annoyance Level: 4/5 – It feels like we’re stuck in a loop and it starts to get annoying. I would rather run away and join a library than sit through this! 

Number 2 on our list is some un-deadly fun with Pragmatic Play’s Zombie Carnival online slot. You’ll be mesmerized by the cartoon zombie characters, the mystery symbols and a brain-eating bear Free Spins feature where you can win up to 5,000x your bet. This slot is a perfect blend of humor and horror with some fun animations and a ghoulish carnival soundtrack. 

Music Annoyance Level: 1/5 – This is immersive, and it feels like you’re at a creepy carnival. 

Let’s step right up and witness the Big Top Bonanza Megaways online slot machine by Skywind. This circus-themed slot boasts over 200,000 ways to win and has a very generous RTP of 96.5%. Spin the reels and land wilds, multipliers, and unlock the Free Spins feature that can offer unlimited wins and huge rewards.

Music Annoyance Level: 2/5 – The music fits perfectly with the slot’s circus atmosphere but watch out for the ringmaster doing his thing. It’s loud!

Coming in at number four on our list is the 3 Clown Monty online slot. Get ready to clown around with this creepy and crazy gaming delight.

This slot is packed full of dark humor and freakish fun. Land a wild gorilla to multiply the payouts, get free spins with guaranteed multipliers, or trigger the Monty free games and win a big payout with the sticky wilds. 

Music Annoyance Level: 3/5 – It’s musical mayhem and gets a bit repetitive, but entertains nonetheless! 

Number five in our top five list of the best Circus-themed slots of 2023 is the dazzling Cirque de la Fortune online slot from Red Tiger Gaming.

You’ll meet a pale-faced juggler, a fire-eating woman, and a creepy clown as you spin the reels in search of the Juggling Wilds feature. Land three or more Free Spins symbols and you can win up to 10x multipliers on all payouts! Can you land the top prize of 3,333x your stake?

Music Annoyance Level: 1/5 – It’s relaxing and fades off in between spins and is definitely the best of the bunch that we reviewed.

The post Celebrate World Circus Day With the 5 Best Circus-Themed Slots 2023 appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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On April 13, Playson, a leading game developer and responsible gambling supporter, based in Silema, Malta, officially released Giza Nights: Hold And Win, an Egyptian-themed slot that depicts ancient Egyptian culture, including pyramids and pharaohs.

The provider’s previous Hold and Win hits include Spirit of Egypt: Hold and Win and Luxor Gold: Hold and Win.

Mystical visual:

True to its name, the main theme of the slot is Ancient Egypt, or rather Ancient Giza, a place full of mysterious events, where powerful pharaohs rule and where players travel through time for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. However, Playson has added a twist here as the real adventure happens at night!

The soundtrack completes the atmosphere of the game.

To win, players must form a combination of 3+ matching symbols in consecutive positions of valid paylines from the farthest column from left to right, on a dynamic 5×3 grid that offers 25 paylines.

The basic low-value symbols are the Jack, Queen, King and Ace poker cards, while the high-value bonus symbols are the Hook and Flail, Ankh, Eye of Ra and the Horus symbol. A combination of five low-value symbols is worth 0,2x to 2x a player’s bet, while the full set of high-value bonus symbols is worth, 4x, 6x, 8x and 10x a player’s bet, in ascending order.

The game has high volatility, with an RTP of 95.96%, a maximum win of 5844x a player’s bet and the game can be played on any device.

Slot features:

Wild Symbol – Wilds, aka pyramids, replace all regular symbols and can cover entire reels. A combination of 3+ Wilds is worth 0,6x to 12x a player’s bet.

Scatter Symbol – Scatters, aka scarabs, land on reels 2, 3 and 4 and can activate the Free Spins feature. A combination of 3 Scatters is worth 1x a player’s bet.

Boost Symbol– these symbols can only land on the middle reel throughout the base game and free spins and on all columns during Hold&Win bonus game.

Boost Feature – to trigger this feature, players can press the Boost icon next to the bonus card. Once activated, all Bonus symbols, aka moon, are added before being added back to the total round wins.

Furthermore, if 5+ bonus cards and a Boost symbol land on the reels at the same time, they can activate this and the Hold and Win Bonus feature.

Mystery Symbol – this symbol can be randomly converted into Mini, Minor or Major Jackpot symbols. Several of them may appear on the reels and they are revealed one by one at the end of the Bonus Game or after a spin if the Boost Symbol is also present.

Hold & Win Bonus Game – a combination of 6+ Bonus Symbols activates this feature. As soon as the feature is triggered, players are automatically rewarded with 3 respins.

Any Bonus Symbol that lands during this feature remains on the reels and is worth 1x to 16x a player’s bet. In addition, each new Bonus, Boost or Mystery symbol that lands resets the respins to 3.

This feature lasts till all free games are completed or positions are filled with special symbols.

Furthermore, Mystery Moon Bonus symbols are available which turn into Jackpot Bonus symbols and trigger:

• Mini Jackpot– worth 20x a player’s bet;
• Minor Jackpot – worth 50x a player’s bet;
• Major Jackpot – worth 150x a player’s bet.

But that’s not all; since the Grand Jackpot is also available, worth 5,000x a player’s bet, available when all positions are filled with Bonus Symbols.

Extra Bonus Feature – this activates the Hold & Win feature randomly, even through just 1 Moon Bonus Symbol.

Free Spins – a combination of 3 Scatters triggers this feature and players are automatically rewarded with 8 free spins. In addition, a combination of 3 extra Scatters throughout the feature trigger +8 free spins.

However, only the high-value bonus symbols appear on the reels during the feature.

Choosing a secure online casino that offers trusted payment methods could be more complicated than it seems, especially if you are new to online gambling. On the Internet, there are many scam websites and unlicensed casinos, so knowing how to recognise a threat is a number one priority.

However, there’s no need to panic because we will provide you with all the information you need to keep your personal and financial data safe. From payment methods and a way to discover the most secure online casinos to a step-by-step guide on how to get that impenetrable security, this article covers all the key topics.

Secure Casino Payment Methods

The payment methods available at online casinos can depend on many factors, such as casino policies, location and more. For example, in the UK, making deposits with a credit card at online gambling operators is legally restricted. However, some secure casino online payment methods, which players and available in most countries generally trust, include:

In the next section, we examine all safe online casino payment methods in more detail. Each casino secure payment option outlined is popular among players for offering unique benefits. Whether it’s faster transaction times, greater convenience, or stronger security, the aspects you need to consider are numerous. Luckily, we are here to take you through the process and make it easier. Let’s start by reviewing the unique characteristics of each payment method.

1. eWallets – Your Safe Bet for Online Casino Payments

An eWallet is a digital payment method which allows you to store and manage your payment info online. They are often available at real money online casinos, and the most popular one is PayPal. However, it’s not the only secure eWallet option, so keep reading. Here’s a list of some other trusted alternatives:

No matter which eWallet you choose, you can expect a high level of security. The providers of these convenient payment methods, which are quickly replacing traditional options like debit cards, ensure that advanced encryption technologies are used to protect your information. Additional security features, such as two-factor authentication, have made players trust eWallets to an even greater extent.

2. Cryptocurrency – The Future of Safe Online Casino Transactions

Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies which use encryption to secure financial transactions. They are considered to be the future of online payments and are becoming more and more available at online casinos. They offer several advantages, such as increased protection against hacking, increased anonymity, and fast processing times. Some popular examples of cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple.

Nonetheless, using crypto to make payments at online casinos is not for everyone since it can be quite complex. They require a higher level of digital literacy, so if you’re used to traditional payment methods, the learning curve might be steep. Fortunately, we’ve explained cryptocurrencies and their connection to online gambling, so you have a place to start.

In addition, cryptocurrencies are not regulated by any government or financial institution, so in case you become the victim of fraud, getting protection and support might be challenging. However, if you are familiar with these digital currencies and are aware of the pros and cons, they could be a great option.

3. Bank Transfers – Classic Choice for Safe Online Casino Payments

Bank transfer, unlike the newer alternatives of eWallets and cryptocurrencies, is known to most players. This is the classic payment method used for many years at online casinos worldwide. As you may know, there are two types of bank transfers: direct and wire transfers. We won’t go into too much detail, but let’s explore the main pros and cons of this casino secure payment option.

So, how does bank transfer compare to newer methods for making secured casino payments? In terms of security, they are solid. That’s because you don’t have to provide sensitive financial information to the casino. Furthermore, many high rollers prefer it, as the limits for transactions are often higher. The main disadvantage is the slower processing time. However, if you’re in no hurry, it’s a safe choice.

4. Debit Cards – Fast & Secure Payments at Online Casinos

Finally, there are debit cards, which are another classic payment method available on gambling sites. Generally, they are convenient and fast. Debit and credit cards also offer a high level of security, as banks and financial institutions issue the cards with strict security measures in place.

However, as we previously mentioned, in some countries, like in the UK, credit cards might not be an option at online casinos due to legal restrictions or casino policies. So, before you decide this is the most convenient method for you, check all relevant regulations. In any case, debit cards remain available, so this is still a good option.

How to Find a Casino with Secure Payment Methods

Now that you know all available options, you need to find a secure casino which offers one or more of these methods. This is not too difficult, especially if you are looking at reputable and licensed operators. However, how can you determine whether an online casino has secure payment methods available? Well, here are a few things to look out for:

Remember, one of the most important signs of a secure online casino is using encryption to protect your personal and financial information when it is transmitted. Online casinos that have been certified by industry organisations, such as eCOGRA, typically have secure payment systems in place. However, if you have any doubts, you can always contact the online casino’s customer support to ask about their payment security measures.

How to Stay Safe While Gambling Online – Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve reached the end of this blog on how to make secured casino payments. Now you should know your options and how to recognise a legitimate online casino operator. However, there is more you can do to protect your data. Don’t rely only on the casinos and financial institutions; take your safety into your own hands by following these simple steps:

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several transaction methods which you can use to make secured casino payments. Now that you’ve explored all of them, you are much better prepared to gamble online safely. However, if you still have questions, keep reading. In this final section, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions by players, so the information might also be helpful for you.

This week, the English Premier League agreed to impose a voluntary ban on front-of-shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies. The measure, which will come into place for the 2026/2027 season, has sparked debate within the gambling industry and beyond.

To find out his view on the issue, VegasSlotsOnline News caught up with UK gambling expert Kevin Dale, CEO of advisory firm eGaming Monitor.

Do you think the EPL has made the correct choice in voluntarily implementing the ban?

I don’t and it seems I’m in a minority for a number of reasons.

I think licensed entities should be able to advertise freely as opposed to offshore entities – if one objective is to increase the percentage of onshore versus illegal gambling then limiting the advertising exposure of legit businesses goes against the channelization objective.

Sports bodies and players need gaming companies”

Gaming companies and sports bodies, athletes, and teams fit together like hand and glove. Sponsorship is a key marketing tool and is also a gentler form of advertising. Sports bodies and players need gaming companies, especially the lower leagues and horseracing.

The big problem here is that there is always a carve out in these discussions, which undermines the moral component of the decisions. If you can afford to do it, it seems that it can happen, like with the Premier League, but if you cannot it does not, such as with other leagues and sports.

How will this EPL decision affect those other UK leagues and sports?

No sooner has this decision been taken, you will hear the anti-gambling campaigners reset their sights to other leagues, sports or advertising media. This is understandable because for them, it’s a moral or a health issue. For the sports bodies it is a moral one, but a financial one too. The problem comes when the two butt heads for real.

the sport of kings itself would die out”

The Premier League can afford it, others aren’t so lucky. League 1 takings will be more significantly impacted, if extended there, for example. The result will be higher prices for fans at the turnstiles I imagine. If it were decided to extend similar promotional or advertising bans to horseracing, then the sport of kings itself would die out… as its existence depends on the gaming sector.

In your experience, how do UK operators feel about the ban?

Probably not many are in favour of it as such but I imagine they are resigned to being blown along by the winds of change. Note that they still have many avenues open to them in the UK for marketing their brands to users, however.

Finally, can you explain a bit about the mood of the UK gambling sector currently with the white paper on gambling reform looming?

They are on a rollercoaster of emotions from apprehensive to defensive to impatient to resigned – depending on what parts of the delay they’re concerned with. Uncertainty is probably worse than the certainty of something that will curtail current freedoms or has an impact on the bottom line.

The post UK Gambling Expert: EPL Sponsorship Ban Will Cause Anti-Gambling Groups to Target Other Leagues, Sports appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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