Could 2022 spell the end of online blackjack?
Perhaps not the greatest headline for a site that is all about blackjack! However, it’s a valid question and one that is certainly worthy of exploring. We are going through times where everything is changing at a pace that has never been witnessed before. Technology is the key to iGaming and this is what has allowed us all the joy that online casinos have to offer. The potential problem is that as this tech drives things forward, certain things can get left behind. Read more about Blackjack and the Global Gaming Expo 2022.
Are we heading into a world where blackjack is becoming irrelevant? Have game developers simply ignored this classic and placed their focus elsewhere? The truth is that it’s hard to tell. Any concerns stem from the latest Global Gaming Expo that was held in November 2021. This expo gives the world a glance into what’s trendy, and what no longer is.
Let’s take a look at what might suggest blackjack’s days are numbered and let’s see if there’s really anything to worry about.
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Why has the Global Gaming Expo 2022 caused so much worry?
Also known as G2E, the Global Gaming Expo is an annual event. What it provides is best described as a showcase of all that is great about casinos. You get a look at what’s hot today as well as being given a glimpse at what’s to come in the future. It could be a heavy hint as to what’s coming next year or it could be more of a suggestion as to what’s to come many years down the line. Either way, for a game to have a certain future, you’d expect it to be featured here.
The alarm caused at last year’s G2E is that anything new on the blackjack front was severely lacking. While the focus at this event is land-based casinos, you can be sure that any trends are also reflected at online casinos. This is a trend that we’d rather online casinos miss out on.
Global Gaming Expo 2022 – All about slots
Now, don’t get us wrong, we love slots as much as the next person. However, when looking at G2E this is where all the focus seemed to be aimed. Providers such as Scientific and IGT were all there lining up their new offerings and doing their best to push them into as many casinos as possible. When you look at an online casino, there are already plenty of options when it comes to slots and the truth is new releases are coming all of the time. This has never caused any concerns when it comes to online blackjack, so what’s different now?
You only have to look at your online casino of choice and consider the bonuses that they offer. Nearly all of these are tailored to fans of slots. There are plenty of free spins on top titles and matched bonuses that can only be used on slots of the casino’s choice. Many bonuses even exclude blackjack from their bonuses. There seems to be more and more of a push towards slots, steering people away from blackjack and we perhaps have the explanation.
A move away from blackjack is to be expected
As much as we’re all fans of our favourite casinos, both online and land-based, the truth is that they’re still businesses. Just like any other business out there, your favourite casino needs to make money and turn a profit. If it doesn’t, your casino of choice will simply be no more. You can’t really blame a casino for trying to maximise its profits and, when you take that approach, you can begin to understand why you’re being steered away from blackjack.
What makes blackjack so popular with players? Sure, there are plenty of things such as the pace of the game, the chance to employ some strategy to the play, all while only having to learn some (relatively) simple rules. However, the big draw has to be the low house edge. A low house edge sees players enjoying the game for longer and also walking away with winnings more often. Of course, a casino needs players to win, or they’d never return, but a game so heavy in favour of the players can cause a little bit of harm.
Was Global Gaming Expo 2022 really that different?
Compared to previous years, there is no getting away from the fact that the emphasis at G2E had changed. It wasn’t so long ago that blackjack took centre stage. Everyone was anticipating the new releases and looking for any more new twists that could be added to a casino classic. That anticipation has seemed to wane and, if you wanted to find anything relevant to blackjack, you had to look hard, really hard.
Of course, blackjack was still there, just not in its previous full glory. Instead, it was almost tucked away in a corner like an embarrassing family member. Besides the numerous slots, it was the likes of craps, roulette, and baccarat being pushed to the fore.
All is not lost with blackjack
While it’s not unreasonable for G2E to be a cause of concern, it’s worth taking a step back and putting this into context. When looking at the context, there is no getting away from Covid-19 and all that entails. While online casinos around the world saw an uptick in new customers, land-based ones were forced to close their doors. Now that they’re reopened, it makes sense that they’ll be looking at driving revenue and trying to recover.
The showings at G2E are, perhaps, a short term change. As things settle it is more than likely that there will be a turn back towards blackjack. Why? Because it’s one of the most popular casino games to exist and the demand for it is unlikely to wane anytime soon.
While casino trends exist at both online and land-based casinos, they don’t always mirror each other. By taking a look at the array of online blackjack variations, and the number of people that play them, it becomes clear that the game isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
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