America has unarguably the world’s largest base of poker players probably because of its cultural influence. Poker has been an integral part of American culture, and most consider it a game of skill and not mere luck. While most countries have banned the sport from being played online or offline, poker game for the US market is legalized in most states.
Considering the love of poker in the USA, the digital market of the sport was bound to hit the skies. If developers in the country build poker apps catering to the needs of the audience, they become successful instantly. Hence, this blog will aim to provide insights into the trends of the poker market and what features you can incorporate into your game to make it successful.
Before moving forward let’s understand the reasons for you to build a poker game for the US audience.
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The US has the largest poker market on earth, and this reason trumps all the reasons why you should target the US audience. We shall discuss this more in-depth.
Poker has a good spot in the popular culture of America. With its portrayal in Movies and TV Series, it has become a part of the lifestyle of Americans. For example, in Suits, one of America’s most-watched TV Series, protagonist Harvey Specter is seen playing poker in New York City multiple times throughout the show.
Although not all countries align on the thought of poker being considered a game of skill, the general consensus of Americans declares poker as a game of skill and not gambling. With legalization in major states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, and Nevada, players display confidence in playing the game and engaging in online poker apps in USA.
The United States boasts a diverse range of poker players, from professionals to past-time players, you will get everything here. No matter which set of users you are targeting, the rate of success of the app is always high in the country. The country boasts a variety of poker tournaments where players engage in vast numbers, WSOP being the biggest of them all which is broadcasted and streamed throughout the world.
The popularity of poker in most states of the US is subject to different factors. Some of the reasons for its popularity are mentioned below in detail.
A person can find multiple ways to play poker in the States. With an abundance of casinos and poker rooms and a myriad of online poker platforms on top, players can access the game from anywhere. Whether they are on the street or lying comfortably on their recliners, playing poker is just a lane away or a click away.
Because of the surge in playing the game, big and small poker communities have been formed in the city, displaying the vibrant scene of the game. Serious professional players indulge in different competitions and win prizes. Another reason why players indulge in tournaments is to test and hone their skills.
With the surge in popularity, the technical side of the game in the online sector has also seen a humongous improvement. With the advent of live dealers, and AR/VR technology in the game, users get an enriched and casino-like experience in the comfort of their homes. These technologies have attracted a big chunk of professional poker players.
This blog provided a gist of technological advancement in the online poker scenario in the previous part. Moving forward, we will discuss these trends in poker game development and how it is shaping the industry.
Poker apps incorporated with live dealer technology bridge the gap between online and offline poker. Players don’t get an AI-generated dealer in a live dealer poker game, they engage with a real dealer via video streaming, getting a more immersive and traditional experience. This is one of the latest trends in the online poker industry.
The number of players migrating to mobile phones has increased whether to casually play poker or indulge in competitions to build rank and skill. Optimization of poker games on mobiles has become the next important thing in the online poker industry. Several websites have optimized their sites for mobile phones due to the increased demand for the game.
Creating vibrant poker communities is not just a concept seen in poker clubs and casinos. Poker communities have become virtual, thanks to the introduction of the above-mentioned trends. Online poker communities have flourished in the current scenario of online poker, a new trend in the country. This feature allows players to communicate with each other and know each other better, they can also invite their friends and family on the platform and play together.
Blockchain technology has become a part of the online poker platforms. Now a player can place bets using cryptocurrencies. You can link your cryptocurrency wallet to the platform, and blockchain technology makes sure that your money is secure. This advanced feature in the poker apps has become a new trend in the scenario, as a result, more players have started to migrate to the mobile app.
The technology of the future, VR Poker is a budding invention soon to be seen in reality. This is expected to bring a storm in the world of online poker. VR Poker will allow players to engage with other players’ avatars more realistically. This is projected to roll out soon and will be a go-to platform for professional players seeking a casino-like experience.
Before developing an online poker game for the US audience make sure to know all the features Americans look out for while engaging in online games.
A good app allows players to play without involving any funds in the application. Hence, for an app to become a hit in the US, developers must incorporate both real money and freemium options for their audience.
For players who involve their finances in the game, it is crucial for them to feel safe while transferring funds to their accounts. Developers need to be very careful while designing the app and the best way to provide security to the users is by using blockchain technology in payments. Players should have a seamless experience while withdrawing their funds from the app.
The app should have regular tournaments for players having more inclination towards competitions. Also, the multiplayer table option is a must so that more players can bet against each other in an instant.
This feature in a poker game helps mobile users play with their friends playing on a computer. The cross-platform feature makes sure a player can play the game on multiple platforms like Android, iOS, or on a website.
Post the development of your app you need good marketing strategies to boost your app up among a plethora of apps.
The marketing of a poker online app done by an influential personality on social media can be very fruitful for the business. Moreover, professional poker players hold a very important place in different poker communities in the US, if a big player endorses a poker app, the credibility of the app will shoot up the sky.
Social media is handy when it comes to any kind of promotion. Running the app’s advertisement on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can drive a lot of traffic to your app. Targeted ads will make sure to reach the right audience and convert the leads.
A hefty welcome bonus and reward system helps users with the intention of not spending much on the app sign up easily on the app. A hefty welcome bonus easily ties up the audience as it allows more playing sessions.
There are a few platforms that are more credible than others and that drive the most traffic. A few exceptional names are mentioned below.
PokerStars boasts a number of poker variants and hefty tournament prizes. Players can participate in Multi-table tournaments for a fast-paced gaming experience. It is also compatible with mobile phones and desktops.
The World Series of Poker app is the official platform of WSOP, it is not for beginners, and professionals participate in large numbers. The association of the app with WSOP provides ultimate credibility to the app.
Zynga Poker’s unique selling point is its freemium model, players can enjoy a seamless game of poker without depositing any amount. It has a good user interface which allows new users to easily find a table and start playing instantly. It focuses more on social and casual players compared to professional players.
One of the leaders in the market, 888poker shares its features with the above-mentioned apps. With Multi-table options, beginner-friendly features, and loyalty programs, 888poker is very famous among the US audience.
With ongoing advancements in the online poker landscape, and developers trying their best to replicate the experience of the casino, the US market holds a lot of potential for newcomers. Developers can stay on top of the game if they play their cards right by amalgamating the top features in the poker game for the US and leveraging the latest trends in the game. Exceptional marketing skills are also needed to crack the market.
If you are someone who wants to enter the online poker business in the US, BR Softech can assist you through all the essential steps of the development process. The agency is a prominent name when it comes to cloning the top poker apps like PokerStars and 888Poker.
Key features of a successful poker game for the US market are its unmatched interface, different game modes, real-time multiplayer, Safety and security in payment options, rewards and loyalty programs, regulatory compliance, and mobile compatibility. If the above boxes are ticked, your game is poised to become a success.
Complying with the gambling regulations in the USA starts with understanding the gambling laws in the country. Make sure to read and understand three laws on gambling, i.e., the Wire Act of 1961, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and the Gaming Control Act. Get yourself a license before deploying the app, and ensure it follows an RNG algorithm to promote fair play. Protecting player data and incorporating responsible gambling features are some of the additional regulations to be taken care of.
With the advent of technology, poker games have evolved and we see multiple new trends in the industry. Cross-platform accessibility is one trend that has emerged lately, apart from that, another trending feature is the chat incorporation, allowing people to connect in a better way. Multiple game variants and monetization strategies have also changed in the online poker world. Online poker games are being developed using blockchain technology to secure players’ transactional data.
Blockchain technology is the newest and the most trendy technology as it offers multiple benefits to developers and players. Blockchain allows a safe and secure environment for players where they can blindly deposit and withdraw funds hassle-free. People get a true sense of ownership of their assets, thanks to blockchain technology.
