Recent developments are making the online gambling experience very similar to playing video games. Casinos are constantly improving their services, and the latest trend is gamification.
Because the engagement of online casino services is at an all-time high, it’s best to play responsibly and choose safe platforms.
In this article, we will look at how gamification is conducted and what sort of benefits you can interact with.
What is gamification in gambling?
Gamification is a way for online platforms to create interactive services similar to those of video games. Recent years have shown that more and more casinos are hopping onto the gamification trend, leaving new players wondering about what it truly is.
This provides more engagement for gamblers, but it can also be harmful, since it feels like you’re just playing for fun, and sometimes you forget you’ve deposited real funds.
Keeping track of the latest trends is as essential as filtering casinos. Expert analysis platform SlotCalendar has suggested that up-to-date information is key to making responsible decisions. This would be especially relevant if you’re just learning new things about the industry.
Now, let’s take a proper look at how various elements of gamification:
Loyalty systems and rewards
Online gambling sites are constantly adding engaging features to their platforms, often starting with loyalty programs and rewards. These have multiple levels, with perks that grow in their advantage.
For example, you’ll see a loyalty program with levels like Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and such, for which you need to deposit and play to reach. All of them come with diverse perks like deposit bonuses with spins or cash, and free bonuses that you can get as a gift.
Usually, the tiers also have levels, so when you’re a Silver player, you have to go through 10 levels, for instance. All of them offer rewards, making the journey more engaging and increasing the lifetime value.
To further the experience of players who truly deposit a lot, casinos also create VIP clubs where you can get exclusive rewards and further perks, like prioritized withdrawals, higher deposit limits and even cashback.
Overall, these systems work fine for incentivization, but players are looking for more developments in gamified loyalty. The modern player wants small, game-like rewards offered through physical and online channels.
XP or comp points
To further the gamification feel, casinos implement XP or comp points that you need to gain to reach the next level. It’s something very simple to understand, because it works on a basic premise. For example, you get 1 comp point for $10 spent, and so on.
XP truly reflects the video gaming world, and they are used for tracking progress in iGaming as well. Once you go over a threshold of XP, you immediately level up.
This element has become so popular in the online gambling industry because it offers a widely used gamification method. That’s because it offers a metric that comes with a verifiable upside.
Missions
Apart from just depositing, you’ll find that casinos provide certain missions through which you can level up. They are meant to keep you hooked on different services and use the platform for a prolonged time.
For example, online casinos might implement a mission that sounds something like “place a bet of $5 every day for a week and get a mystery box.” This makes the player want to log in every day and complete the streak to unlock a reward.
Or, if they get a new deal with a game, then they might implement a “bet $5 on this game and get something” reward.
Progress bars
When it comes to progress bars, note that there might be different types in the player account. Let’s take a look at the types you will find:
Wagering progress bar
This one is meant to give you a clean view of your wagering progress. When you get a bonus with rollover requirements, this progress bar will be available in your profile, and you can easily track how much of the wagering you’ve completed.
Tier progress bar
You’ll discover that some platforms have integrated a leveling-up progress bar that can often be accessed directly by opening the menu.
There, you’ll be able to see how much XP you have left for reaching the next level. This type of element can incentivise gamblers to continue playing and reach 100%.
Badges
Online casinos that have implemented gamification also give their players badges for reaching a new tier or becoming a VIP player. This way, you are constantly aware of your status, leading to feelings of pride and fulfillment.
Apart from that, we will discuss in a further section, badges also provide a good way to incentivize players to want more and reach a higher status.
Leaderboards
Leaderboards are especially popular in tournaments. They act as a strong motivator to keep gambling, as the feeling of competitiveness is present. A leaderboard fosters a sense of community among those who enjoy it, as you can see others’ progress.
However, single-play is still the default way to enjoy gambling, while gamification through leaderboards is something that you can participate in only if you want to, so if you prefer it, you can always choose it.
The psychology behind gamification – Why is it effective?
If we think about the tiers you want to reach, they act as checkpoints that are very engaging. Once you reach a new level, you get a sense of achievement, which fuels your desire for more.
- Progress bars have the same effect because you’re advancing, so you constantly get dopamine that provides a desire to keep participating while striving for a higher level. For instance, if your progress is 80%, you are more likely to want to continue playing.
- The sometimes unpredictable nature of rewards from the tiers serves as a powerful psychological trigger for players. Not knowing what you’ll unlock for your next level is more addictive because it makes you curious about the reward.
- If we shift our perspective to badges, we can conclude that they are also powerful tools for engagement and for making players want more. If you receive a Silver badge, you’ll get enough dopamine to last for a while until you feel the need for more.
- A VIP club also includes the fear of losing your progress. Don’t forget that these systems are updated monthly, meaning that if you don’t have enough activity, you can lose your status. Players must continuously deposit and wager to maintain their VIP badge.
Conclusions
The world of iGaming is shifting towards a more gamified experience, which means that you will have more fun, but there is also a higher chance of falling into the trap of overspending.
Don’t just think about rewards! Play responsibly at all times with a special budget and limited time. Remember that gambling is fun when you keep track of how much you play!
