Online lotteries, casinos, and slots sites have benefited from developing technology that has improved consumer convenience, including mobile device tech and internet access. Consumers now have the ability to place a bet or play the lottery on the move, rather than having to visit a physical retail location.
Online gambling expert Jovan Milenkovic reviews online slots based on a selection of technical factors, as well as the deals they have to offer and how entertaining they are. Testing gameplay, RTP (return to player) rates, payment methods, security, mobile compatibility, and more, players can then choose the operators that best suit their needs.
Understanding the technical aspects behind how these sites operate can make it easier to know what to look for and identify better quality operators.
User Interface
Consumers will typically take the user interface for granted unless it is poor; then, it is likely to drive them to alternatives. The user interface refers to what the player sees on the site, and some of the best slot games will include animations to create a more fun and exciting experience.
Online lotteries can often incorporate instant scratch card game reveals, while number picking for lottery games should be clear and simple. Operators that optimize performance and display for specific platforms will ensure users can play on smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and other devices without a drop in quality.
Backend Infrastructure
While the majority of consumers will only concern themselves with what is displayed on the front end, it is the back-end infrastructure that determines what they see.
Game Servers and RNGs
Remote gaming servers (RGSs) host and run games, process transactions, and manage player accounts. This central hub handles game logic and data, providing a smooth and reliable gaming experience. Random number generators (RNGs) are systems in place that determine the outcome of bets and draws, and must be provably fair to comply with regulations.
Database
The site database is tasked with holding all the valuable data, including sensitive player information, results, and regulatory logs.
Payments
Payment methods are an integral part of lotteries and online casinos, with the best operators offering their players a variety of options. Payment gateway management must be able to handle integration with a selection of payment platforms, including banks, third-party payment systems, and digital currency platforms.
Fairness
Site fairness is a major factor when building trust and reputation, and there are a variety of ways that operators can prove this. Traditional online operators will have a log of all transactions and payouts, which can be audited to ensure they match up with what is advertised.
Sites that accept cryptocurrencies are a more transparent option, with transactions being recorded on the blockchain, making it easy for external auditors to check.
Security
Security and data protection are a priority for modern consumers, and sites will typically display the security systems and procedures they have in place. Dealing with financial transactions, the majority of reputable operators will encrypt data transfers with consumers, mitigating the risk of information being intercepted. TLS or SSL encryption is the minimum you should expect from a site storing and transferring user and financial data.
Fraud detection systems making use of AI and ML technology can identify suspicious activity and alert users and operators, while certification from independent security providers will also enhance consumers’ safety.
Regulatory Compliance
Operators will be licensed by local regulatory bodies, while KYC and AML checks can be enhanced by tech. Age verification and IP checks can also be carried out by systems to ensure players are not accessing sites from restricted regions and that they meet the criteria to play.
Performance
Site performance will have an impact on the success of a site, and cloud deployment is often run on Azure, GCP, or AWS, which have autoscaling to deal with peak loads. Operators must ensure they have the hardware and software capabilities to mitigate the risk of latency on live games, while microservice architecture will help to manage payment processing, RNG integration, and user management.
Monetization
Different games will have different monetization mechanics, with online casinos operating a house edge that gives an RTP rate based on play over a certain period, with slots typically ranging from around 85% to 98%. Lottery RTPs are significantly lower, usually below 50%.
Jackpot mechanics can also differ between fixed and progressive jackpots. Progressive jackpots see a small percentage from each play go towards the jackpot, and can reach high levels. After a jackpot has been won, it would then return to a predetermined minimum.
Withdrawal systems are making use of modern technology to speed up processes while continuing to implement fraud checks.
Conclusion
Online lotteries, casinos, and slot sites make use of similar developing technologies to streamline processes, maintain security and regulatory compliance, and ensure users get the best experience available.
