Slotegrator - Interview with Jashwant Patel
Casino Ideal spoke with Jashwant Patel, Sales Manager at Slotegrator, about technologies shaping online casinos. They discussed blockchain, virtual reality and other developments influencing innovation in the sector.
Q1.: Security is a key concern for anyone considering online gaming, and payment protection is important. Blockchain is often linked with securing cryptocurrency transactions. How do you see blockchain’s role evolving in the casino industry?
That’s an excellent question. Over the past couple of years, blockchain has developed rapidly as a way to make data more difficult to manipulate and easier to track. We’ve also seen significant interest in payment methods that prioritise privacy and security, including cryptocurrency. Operators and game providers are adopting crypto payments more often, and I expect them to become increasingly familiar at online casinos. One appeal is the greater privacy and security that players may have when making transactions. Because decentralized blockchain transactions don’t rely on a central bank or authority to oversee them, users may feel more confident about how their data is handled. Crypto payments can reduce the personal or location details shared during a gambling transaction, but that doesn’t mean a player can gamble more. They may also make access possible in places where gambling is regulated, restricted or banned.
Currently, only a limited selection of cryptocurrencies is widely accepted; Bitcoin, Ethereum and USTD are among the familiar options. Their substantial price volatility is a drawback to consider. As blockchain adoption grows, Patel argues, casinos should consider technologies that could boost security, improve the experience and make transactions more transparent. He sees the technology as potentially convenient and perhaps a major development for casinos and other industries.
Q2.: Augmented reality and virtual reality are making online casino play feel increasingly lifelike. What impact might VR have on the future online casino experience?
Recently, I discussed this with a colleague who has experience in land-based casinos. Online play gives people the freedom to choose where to play, which need not be at home, while the in-person social interaction and physical atmosphere of a traditional casino remain unique. The pandemic accelerated the move online, prompting companies in our industry to pursue new ideas and technologies. They are working to recreate aspects of that experience and, in this highly competitive period, I expect them to make progress.
Technology is transforming industries far beyond online gambling. Artificial intelligence has been a major focus of recent development, while augmented and virtual reality are gaining attention. These tools are influencing online casino play and experiences in other fields.
For online casinos, AR and VR are mainly intended to enhance the player experience. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from Brick and Mortar venues to online casinos, where operators retained many people who could play from home. VR can create a 3D environment resembling a casino, with opportunities to interact with dealers and other players, or even enjoy the illusion of having a drink. The drink, of course, is virtual.
AR can achieve a similar goal by showing players information such as jackpots, casino features, bonuses, promotions and statistics. The technology is still developing, including as a possible extension for Brick and Mortar casino operators.
VR and AR have promising applications, Patel says, though several challenges could delay their wider adoption.
They require dedicated headsets, whose cost may put them out of reach for some users and limit interest in certain regions and audiences. Both technologies are available to the public, but still on a smaller scale, largely for entertainment. A fully functional option would need extensive testing to determine whether it can scale.
Patel says the technology entered online casinos and gambling only a couple of years ago. As it matures, it may encounter early-stage problems before becoming fully functional for a larger audience.
Other practical considerations matter too. Some regions have less developed technology infrastructure or weaker internet access than developed countries, and not every portable device can handle demanding streaming. Patel also points to the age of the target audience: businesses should consider user experience and interface design, making products accessible to people less comfortable with technology or in the higher age group of 50 . Such decisions can help make a product sustainable.
Players, operators and investors have shown considerable interest, but Patel expects widespread acceptance in online casinos to take time.
Q3.: Cloud computing helps casinos manage storage and databases. Do you see it as a lasting solution, and can it affect the gaming experience?
Cloud computing is another important technological shift. Patel compares it with the transition from physical casinos to online operations. It offers benefits, but emerging technologies also bring unfamiliar risks and challenges that can take time to resolve.
The 1st advantage is the potential to lower operating costs: a business may not need a full IT team to manage its own computing infrastructure. Cloud providers handle that infrastructure, and outsourcing can save money. Depending on the arrangement, the price may also include hardware, software and upgrades.
Cloud services also give businesses flexibility as operational needs and player demand shift. Rather than spending as much time managing an IT department, a casino can focus on its core operations. Infrastructure can be scaled up or down quickly without rebuilding the internal system. Patel sees this as well suited to online casinos: providers keep the technology up to date, while casinos can focus on delivering a high-quality gaming experience.
Cloud computing can also enable a company and its clients to work on the same file simultaneously, with access from different parts of the world.
Compared with in-house IT infrastructure, which can go offline for reasons ranging from power cuts to other accidents, cloud services may provide greater reliability.
With an internet connection, cloud-stored data can be accessed from different locations, making data management more flexible. Casinos need to process information quickly. Data gathered over time can help operators identify patterns and tailor the experience with game recommendations, offers, promotions and loyalty rewards.
Even when providers maintain strong security standards, storing critical business files in the cloud can expose them to theft or loss, account hacking, insecure APIs and interface vulnerabilities. Some risks depend on the service provider, so Patel says choosing a reputable partner can help mitigate them. Established cloud providers use security measures designed to protect casino data.
Patel sees cloud computing as a fast-developing technology with the potential to improve casino play. Used carefully, data can also help operators make better business decisions and compete more effectively.
Q4.: Mobile Casinos now offer gaming capabilities that once seemed out of reach. What might the mobile experience look like next?
Cloud computing helps power mobile gaming, and its development has made smoother play on phones and other mobile devices easier to offer. After the Covid-19, many players moved to online casinos, often using smartphones and other mobile devices. Casinos have responded with apps, though many also offer mobile versions of their desktop sites. Patel notes that AR and VR remain challenging to develop and popularise in developing or underdeveloped countries. Casinos need to tailor the experience to their audiences: the interface and the journey from visiting a site to placing a first bet or requesting a withdrawal can make a real difference. A feature-rich site that works in Europe might struggle in Africa, where device capabilities and internet access may differ. Simplifying the process, for instance with AI and a Telegram casino in places where players have limited bandwidth or less advanced phones, could make gaming easier to access.
Looking ahead, Patel sees AI as a major opportunity. He expects the industry to use it in casino operations, cut costs and make the casino experience feel more natural.
Q5.: Telegram is another technology that might once have seemed an unlikely fit for casinos. It provides a quick mobile route to games. What else would you add?
We’re pleased with the way Telegram Casino helps our clients improve the player experience. Users don’t have to download casino apps from marketplaces, and territory restrictions don’t matter as well. Telegram Casino addresses these challenges and is highly accessible. It can work as an extension of a desktop site within the Telegram app, or as a standalone Telegram casino linked to the client’s platform, with players and the casino interacting through a bot. Games, deposits, withdrawals and verification are handled in the Telegram browser, bringing the user experience and interface together. Players can open the messenger on their phone and start playing.
Q6.: Live dealer games are among the first technologies people think of in casinos. We have seen live dealers share games with familiar slot characters such as Gonzo. What could be next for live dealers?
That’s right. Following a merger involving live-stream gaming companies such as Evolution Gaming and digital content provider Netent, titles such as Gonzo Treasure Hunt soon appeared on the market. Patel sees VR as a potential next step for live dealer games, which remain popular with casino players, including Roulette and Blackjack fans. Combining VR with live dealers could make for a more immersive experience from a player’s chosen location, whether at home, work, the gym or anywhere a device is within reach.
Q7.: Is there anything you would like to add about online casino technology today and in the future?
Online gambling has evolved quickly over the past couple of years, including during the pandemic, and adopted new technology at a rapid pace. Patel sees a bright future for the sector as traditional casino operators move their brands online. Interactive gaming systems and smartwatch features are among the developments being explored. He says it’s an exciting time for players, with more games to choose from, and for developers creating content and technology. The sector also creates jobs for a wide range of specialists and supports economies. At Slotegrator, he adds, the team works every day to develop ideas and deliver products and solutions for the iGaming industry.
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