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Level Up: The Hottest Trends at Cutting-Edge New Casinos

Online casinos had to step up to ensure they have a real chance of being on the top of the market. From only allowing a couple of people to spin 1D reels to creating VR blackjack tables, the world of casino games changed and brought more appealing features for players.
Casino Alpha keeps a close eye on the latest trends in the online casino space. In 2023, we see some exciting developments with new casinos as they leverage performant technology to compete with operators.
One huge trend is the focus on mobile optimisation – new casinos know that a slick, user-friendly app and mobile site are now essential. Players want the flexibility to enjoy games on the go, so mobile compatibility is key.
Gambling on different devices
The first thing that sets the industry on high grounds is the adaptability to devices other than computers or laptops.
The rise of smartphone usage allowed gambling businesses to develop their platforms to smaller screens. In-browser mobile gaming is nowadays as safe as any other form of punting. However, the industry giants did not stop at this. Lately, more and more casinos have dedicated apps you can find and download from the Google or Apple store. Some even offer extra bonuses for doing this.
Moreover, you can test casinos on tables and even smartwatches. For example, Apple Watch allows you to spin the reels by using Siri and the autoplay button of the game.
Game Trends In 2023
The latest live casino games have taken immersion to the next level. Players can now enjoy live dealer games with real-time interaction with other players and the dealer. The set-up has multiple camera angles to ensure fairness.
Megaways and Cluster Pays Mechanics are the new paylines in slot games. These types of payments change the dynamic and layout of the classic 5×3 grid. Megaways can reach up to 4500 ways of winning. For clusters, you only need two symbols of the same type next to each other to win.
Moreover, almost all new casino games attract players with gamification elements like tournaments and loyalty systems. They keep the players engaged more and reward them accordingly.Â
Progressive Networks and Jurassic Park Slots
Punting platforms created sponsorships or bought rights to use specific brands’ ideas or characters. Thatâs why you can find slots with TV shows, celebrities, stars, characters and even trendy books. All these games are 3D with interactive gameplay.Â
In fact, one of the most popular slots at the moment is based on Game of Thrones.Â
Besides better graphics ideas, you can play progressive slots with people from all around the world. Progressive jackpots adopted a technology that allows you to interconnect and win larger prize pools.
Payments with enhanced security
Observing how newer casinos have found innovative ways to meet security and anonymity demands is fascinating. They did it primarily through e-wallets and digital coins.Â
E-wallets have a shield of extra security by acting as intermediaries between players and casinos. As a player, you can deposit and withdraw money with minimal effort and a lot faster compared to the classic payments.Â
Cryptocurrencies have a noteworthy particularly: anonymity for players. If you use crypto for transactions, you can skip some of the sign-up process and not reveal your sensitive data. This idea also shortens the time your gambling account is being processed and verified.Â
Immersive Casinos: XR, AR, VRÂ
Online casinos invested in creating products compatible with each type of extended reality. Even though they need specialists and testers for each, casinos donât give up potential clients.
VR headsets let you fully experience casino games in a 3D world. You can look around and interact with the virtual casino using controllers.
Unlike VR, augmented reality literally uses your deviceâs camera to bring the game inside your room. For example, you could play roulette on your kitchen table with AR, making the wheel appear on your table. Extended reality works with both mechanics and is the most complicated to tame. However, it is highly likely to start seeing VR casinos on the international market in 2025.Â
Better services bring customers back
Online gambling sites donât miss any chances of improvements and expansions. They look at the trends, the market and the players and combine them in a balanced manner, sometimes by providing free spins or other perks.Â
Although the industry is heavily regulated and pays numerous taxes, casino sites still manage to surprise us with new inventions. Moreover, they include the safest transactional processes, the best software and the latest technologies to ensure better gambling sessions for you. So, pick a trustworthy platform, and see for yourself!
Central America
21VIRAL Boosts Latin American Reach Through Strategic Partnership with Virtualsoft

21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, has strengthened its expansion by signing an agreement with platform provider Virtualsoft
21VIRAL, a leading games aggregator for the Central and Latin American market, today announced a strategic agreement with prominent platform provider Virtualsoft, significantly strengthening its expansion across the region.
This collaboration will integrate 21VIRALâs extensive portfolio of games into Virtualsoftâs platform, providing enhanced content options for operators across key Central and Latin American nations. Virtualsoft is a key supplier with a strong presence in markets including Ecuador and Peru, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a diverse range of operators.
Christoph HĂ€rtel, CEO of 21VIRAL, commented: “Partnering with Virtualsoft is a pivotal moment for 21VIRAL as we deepen our engagement with one of the worldâs most rapidly advancing online gaming markets. Virtualsoft underpins numerous leading brands in the region, and integrating our GameConnector solution will allow swift access to their operational brands. We look forward to working closely with Virtualsoftâs talented team to deliver innovative and revenue driving gaming experiences.”
Alejandro Velez, General Manager at Virtualsoft, stated: “21VIRAL has a strong reputation for seamless integrations and profound expertise in the Latin American gaming market, making them an ideal partner for us. Together, we are streamlining operations and elevating the gaming experience for players, aiming to set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Compliance Updates
New Bill in California Could End Online Sweepstakes Gaming

California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 831 to protect Californians from unregulated online gambling by prohibiting online sweepstakes games that use a âdual currencyâ model to mimic casino-style wagering.
âSweepstakesâ platforms sell virtual coins that are used to play casino-style games and can be redeemed for cash or prizes, essentially operating as unlicensed gambling businesses. By exploiting âNo Purchase Necessaryâ disclaimers, they sidestep Californiaâs regulatory framework and evade the stateâs voter-approved proposition related to Tribal-State gaming. Many of these âsweepstakesâ operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance.
âWe cannot look the other way while these platforms exploit legal grey areas. These operations undermine the voter-approved framework that affirms Tribal governmentsâ sovereign right to conduct gaming in California. AB 831 strengthens that framework and ensures gaming in California remains fair and accountable,â said Assemblymember Avelino Valencia.
AB 831 fortifies existing sweepstakes laws and clarifies the illegality of internet-based sweepstakes that use the dual currency model. It reinforces the shared responsibility between the State, licensed operators, and Native Nations to keep gaming safe, transparent, and accountable. AB 831 is co-sponsored by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN), reflecting strong support from across Indian Country.
âFor over 25 years, Tribal governments like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, have upheld the will of California voters by operating gaming with integrity. That commitment has allowed us to reinvest in our communities, boost local economies, and support essential public services on reservations and in partnerships across the state. Illegal online gaming now threatens this foundationâcompromising voter-approved law and putting Californians at risk,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
âWe support this legislation that will close dangerous loopholes and strengthen the integrity of Californiaâs gaming system. We remain committed to defending a proven framework that protects the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and delivers real and lasting benefits to all Californians. Together, Tribal governments and the State of California will continue to address and take decisive action against illegal internet gaming in all its forms,â said Yuhaaviatam Tribal Council of San Manuel Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez, Jr.
âTribal government gaming contributes nearly $25 billion to Californiaâs economy, sustains over 112,000 jobs, and funds critical community programs. Unregulated online sweepstakes threaten this voter-approved system by imitating casino gaming without oversight, accountability, or community investment. These illegal platforms erase the benefits of regulated gaming while exposing consumers to serious risks,â said CNIGA Chairman James Siva.
AB 831 is pending a hearing in the Senate.
Compliance Updates
New Initiative from DI Council Aims to Enable Betting on Professional Sports

The Division I Council introduced a proposal that, if adopted in October, would change sports betting rules to permit student-athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports and refocus the Association’s enforcement efforts on college sports betting and behaviors that directly impact game integrity. If adopted, the change will be implemented only if Divisions II and III also vote to allow betting on pro sports.
The council’s introduction of the proposal, which comes after a directive from the Division I Board of Directors in April that the council adopt changes to sports betting rules, is not an endorsement of sports betting behaviors, especially for college athletes. The NCAA’s prohibition against betting on college sports would remain in place, as would the prohibitions against sharing information about college events with bettors. The NCAA also would continue to maintain its prohibition for NCAA championships  against advertising and sponsorships associated with betting.
“NCAA rules prohibiting sports betting at all levels were written and adopted at a time when sports gambling was largely illegal nationwide,” said Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the council. “As betting on sports has become more widely accepted across the country, Division I members have determined that further discussion of these sports betting rules is warranted, particularly as it relates to the potential distinctions between betting on professional versus collegiate sports. Throughout our discussions, the council has remained focused on student-athlete wellness and educating student-athletes about the risks and potentially harmful impacts of betting.”
Current NCAA rules do not allow student-athletes or institutional staff to engage in sports betting at any level (professional, college or amateur) for any sports that have NCAA championships, and NCAA members have continually maintained that any betting by a student-athlete on his or her own team or own sport in college should continue to result in a permanent loss of any remaining collegiate eligibility. However, in 2023, Division I changed the reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes who participate in sports betting on professional sports to focus on harm reduction for problematic betting behaviors.
“Deregulating professional sports betting may provide schools an additional opportunity to implement harm-reduction strategies, which can be more effective and have long-term benefits not seen with abstinence-only approaches. Harm-reduction strategies include education, stigma reduction and acknowledging actual behaviors,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “By meeting student-athletes where they are, schools may be more effective at preventing, identifying and supporting student-athletes with problematic gambling behaviors. Regardless of the change, schools are encouraged to use the many sports betting resources already available.”
The recently released Harm Reduction Considerations for Gambling & Sports Betting in Collegiate Sports references available sports betting resources, including the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices. Additionally, more than 100,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators have been reached through the NCAA’s education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions, and the NCAA has launched an e-learning module to educate student-athletes on problem gambling harms and the integrity risks associated with sports betting.
Several sports betting-related violations by staff members at NCAA schools have been resolved through the infractions process in recent years, and the enforcement staff is working on issuing Notices of Allegations in several ongoing cases that involve allegations of betting on professional and college sports by student-athletes and/or athletics department staff members at a handful of NCAA schools.
The proposed rule change would not be retroactive. If it is adopted, it would apply only to sports betting activities that occur after the effective date of the proposal.
“The enforcement staff’s sports betting-related caseload has significantly increased in recent years, and our staff â including our new sports betting integrity unit â has been effective in detecting and pursuing violations,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.
The Association prioritizes competition integrity, which is vital to college sports. The NCAA uses a layered strategy to respond responsibly to the rise in sports betting across the United States by monitoring over 22,000 contests per year, advocating for limits on  prop bets that pose heightened risks, reducing the potential for student-athlete abuse by aggrieved bettors, and creating greater transparency to assist with the timely investigation and resolution of integrity-related issues.
This layered approach includes the most recent agreement extension with Genius Sports to establish unprecedented betting restrictions on high-risk proposition bets. Sportsbooks licensing NCAA championship data must cooperate fully with NCAA investigations, including providing access to account data, financial history and geolocation records. This will allow the NCAA to work with the sportsbooks to gather detailed account information when harassers are identified to prevent repeat offenders from continuing to place bets across platforms, increasing safeguards to protect student-athlete mental health and well-being.
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