The US and the UK are among the most significant players in the gambling market thanks to top developers, innovative technologies, high customer trust, and powerful regulatory frameworks. This adds up to millions of dollars in revenue. For example, the US gambling industry is projected to receive a record $23.03 billion by the year 2024. As for the UK iGambling industry, it is set to reach up to €12.60 billion.
At the same time, the US market is characterised by some features that can disrupt the UK gambling industry and bring it to a new level. These features lie in technological development, the competitive environment, and cross-border collaborations.
Expansion of Legalised Gambling
The USA is one of those countries where the gambling environment is more than complicated. For example, each state has its regulatory peculiarities. However, everything has significantly changed in 2022, when about half of all the states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware, allowed people to gamble online. At the same time, the number of American casino sites that still accept players from the UK has also increased.
Enhanced Competition and Innovation
American online casinos boast various offers for their customers, which UK-based players can also use. First, this applies to many games, including slots, table, card, live dealer and other game genres. They do not impose strict restrictions on themes or limits on in-game bonuses.
This also applies to many games with fixed and progressive jackpots that give lucky winners multi-million winnings. What’s more, US casinos excel in terms of payment method selection. An example of this is the long list of supported cryptocurrencies, among which are the popular Bitcoin, USDT, or ETH and the more exotic Solana, Ripple, Dogecoin, etc.
US-based casino customers may also benefit from generous bonus programs including deposit and no-deposit rewards, such as reload and welcome bonuses, cashback, free spins, and other offers. Thanks to most softened regulatory frameworks, players may experience lower wagering requirements. Finally, British players can participate in multiple tournaments tailored to international and big US holidays.
Technological Advancements
Significant technological trends in the US online casino sector will likely affect UK iGaming. This is not surprising because the British gambling industry has a great tradition of following successful strategies to improve the gaming experience and attract more customers.
Among the main technological features that should be noted is the use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. This helps solve transaction speed, transparency, and security problems. Another important trend is VR/AR technology, revolutionizing how players interact with casino games.
VR allows you to create an attractive environment to experience a realistic simulation of traditional casino settings and engage more deeply in the gameplay. As for AR, this technology helps easily overlay digital elements on the physical world and create innovative gaming experiences.
One of the latest trends in recent years has been using artificial intelligence. With AI, developers can easily deliver personalised experiences, strengthen security measures, and streamline business operations. Moreover, AI algorithms can enhance fraud detection and strengthen security measures.
Cross-Border Collaborations
As it became known, the National Council of Gaming States Legislators (NCLGS) announced a partnership with the UK Gambling Commission in 2024. The main purpose of this initiative is to improve the regulatory framework and promote responsible gaming across borders. The perks of American casinos described above (generous bonuses and minimal restrictions) have become the reason for the active migration of British players to US gambling platforms.
For example, the American operators most popular among British players are CasinoMax, Roaring 21 Casino, and Cherry Jackpot Casino. These casinos offer a wide selection of games and tempting bonus offers that both UK and US players appreciate.
As a result of such interaction, advanced experiences and innovative technologies will be exchanged, which will surely enrich the global gaming landscape. Another example of cross-border cooperation is the merger of Games Global and the Rootz operator to provide a top-notch live casino experience.
Regulatory Impacts
It is not a secret that US and UK regulatory frameworks for online casinos are extremely different. For instance, each US state has regulations based on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This law imposes restrictions on financial transactions related to online gambling.
As for the UK, the country has a more unified regulatory framework that is fully controlled by the UKGC and Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice. Given the trends towards greater mutual influence, regulatory changes in the US may affect regulation in the UK. First of all, this may relate to greater liberalisation and flexibility of the UKGC.
However, there is a high probability of the reverse effect as well. Thus, the US iGaming industry may face unified rules and standards corresponding to Great Britain’s. This can potentially contribute to a safer and fairer online gaming environment.
Conclusion
Both American and British jurisdictions differ significantly in terms of regulation approaches, available games, bonus restrictions, and more. At the same time, the British gambling market actively implements advanced technologies used in US online casinos.
Given globalisation, it is worth considering the reverse influence of the British iGaming industry on US casinos. This trend became particularly clear after the partnership between NCLGS and the UK Gambling Commission was announced. This can result in the creation of unified rules of interaction in the gambling market for the most convenient experience for players.