What is the overlap of iGaming and eGaming?

As the international gaming industry continues to become more varied and complex, it can be a real challenge to keep up with all the different entertainment styles out there today. Due to technological advancements in recent years, the lines between different game formats have become more blurred, and different types of entertainment are now beginning to overlap in new and impressively creative ways. Whilst the terms ‘iGaming’ and ‘eGaming’ are very similar, they do refer to two quite different formats, and understanding their definitions in more detail can help you to distinguish between them. However, these two globally popular activities are increasingly beginning to overlap, leading to a much wider variety of options for modern gamers. In this article, we’ve explored the growing similarities between these two enormously popular forms of entertainment, and considered how they may continue to overlap in the future.

Understanding the definitions of iGaming and eGaming

Generally speaking, the phrase ‘iGaming’ is used to describe any online entertainment which involves betting or gambling activity, including the hugely popular slots and games available at online casinos in the USA today. The term is short for ‘interactive gaming’, and is often used to describe a wide variety of activities involving real money wagering, including sports betting, digital versions of classic casino card games like poker and blackjack, and online slot games. The term was coined in response to the rapid growth of this industry, which is becoming much more popular and prevalent around the world today thanks to continued changes to gambling legislation. On the other hand, eGaming is quite a broad term, which refers to most kinds of video games enjoyed by both casual and professional players. Encompassing countless different varieties of console and PC experiences, eGaming is also most often associated with the world of esports, in which professional gamers compete in epic tournaments which are streamed to millions of fans across the globe.

What are the similarities between these two gaming styles?

In previous years, the worlds of brick-and-mortar casinos and video gaming were rarely seen to overlap in any meaningful way. Casino gambling was generally associated with hedonistic evenings and the bright lights of Las Vegas, whilst console and PC games were viewed as a fairly niche or even anti-social hobby. Thanks to the rise of the internet, times have since dramatically changed, and as both activities have become increasingly popular around the world they have begun to overlap in fascinating new ways. The ongoing online gamification of traditional gambling formats has led to new titles which display the features of classic video games, such as slot games which are styled like RPGs (role-playing games) featuring multiple levels and imaginative storylines. Similarly, certain aspects of the eGaming landscape now include the option to place bets – especially in the fast-paced world of competitive esports, in which fans can bet on the outcomes of major international tournaments, and can back their favorite players in their attempts to win.

Advancements in digital technology have also transformed the possibilities for iGaming and eGaming platforms, with both now sharing the use of mobile apps, virtual reality (VR) experiences and complex game design. Live streaming technology has arguably had the biggest impact, as competitive, audience-based forms of entertainment are rapidly becoming the biggest area of overlap between these two popular activities. Whilst the world of eGaming frequently features huge international esports tournaments and global livestreams, this competitive approach is also becoming much more common in the iGaming world. On a global stage, leading online poker players now compete for eye-watering amounts of cash during the legendary World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) which is hosted each year on the PokerStars platform, attracting millions of viewers and enormous international attention. The influence of livestreaming technology cannot be overstated here – it has led to the huge appeal of streaming platforms like Twitch, and has opened endless possibilities for a variety of immersive, interactive and hugely exciting tournaments.

Increasingly interconnected: the future of online games

Evidently, the lines between iGaming and eGaming are becoming more blurred over time, as the rise of live-streamed competitive events has led to an increasing collaboration and connection between these two major entertainment industries. So, what does the future hold for online games? These two sectors are likely to become increasingly interconnected, as fans of digital entertainment continue to demand a comprehensive and thrilling experience from all their favorite platforms. The rapid growth of the esports scene shows no sign of slowing down any soon, and the frequency of bets placed during these major gamer tournaments is predicted to grow in the coming years. With the global esports market projected to be worth around $7 billion by 2029, and the international iGaming scene also expanding at an astonishing rate, the link between these two massively popular sources of entertainment will surely only become stronger in the future. Further advancements in technology are also predicted to play their part – both of these leading industries will undoubtedly be affected by the major investment into AI technology on display around the world today, which will create even more opportunities for the integration of iGaming and eGaming in the future.

Ultimately, as the world of online gaming becomes more personalized, immersive, and varied than ever before, it is clear that the overlap between iGaming and eGaming will only continue to grow over the course of the next decade. Players can expect to see increased collaboration between these two thriving industries, leading to more opportunities for integrated betting within the world of esports, alongside increasingly complex online casino titles. Instead of existing as two very distinct and separate hobbies, gambling and digital games have become part of a wider and more comprehensive online entertainment industry, in which hybrid and reimagined versions of classic favorites are now a regular occurrence. Whilst the integration of these two popular pastimes requires careful regulation to uphold player protections, it certainly means that the gamers of today can enjoy a more varied and customizable experience than ever before!