The greatest console showdown of this decade will happen later this year when Microsoft and Sony unveil PS5 and Xbox X. The tech on these next-generation devices is undeniably advanced although Xbox has a slight edge according to experts.
While we prepare for the showdown, it’s hard not think about the future of Xbox. We’re living in an online entertainment golden age: Netflix, Kindle, Hulu, Spotify, social media and casinos, to name a few.
In a decade to come, could Xbox expand to include other services? Is there a future for online casino games on the console?
Xbox is Focused on Multiplayer Gaming
Xbox’s future will revolve around multiplayer gaming according to executive Phil Spencer. The VP of Gaming at Microsoft doesn’t imagine a future without multiplayer gaming. That’s alright because it’s also the focus of casino games.
For a long time, Internet-based casinos provided slots, poker, blackjack and roulette against RNG software. Not anymore. These days, the iGaming industry has shifted towards an environment that promotes multiplayer gaming.
In many cases, casinos provide multiplayer gaming for table games like Texas Hold’Em, roulette, baccarat, craps and blackjack. These are traditionally social games, anyway. With some games, you play against a human croupier. With others, you challenge your friends or players from around the world.
According to Spencer, Xbox’s future will be driven trends in the video game industry. It will research and anticipate trends in the industry. And it will adjust its products to suit the needs of gamers. In other words, Xbox could easily provide casino games if gamers show an interest.
Fortunately, the US is undergoing a transition into legal online casino gaming. That means you can play slots or cards games through your smartphone legally and safely—which leads us to the next point:
Best Free Slots for US Players
If Xbox ever creates casino games, slots will be among them. They are the most popular gambling games online and for genuine reasons. For starters, slots are simple and fun to play. You can play machines based on all your favorite things in life: sports, video games, movies, rock bands, anything.
You have to bet real money to win cash. However, you can check the best free slots USA at slots.info for a guide on how to play these games free of charge. Some of them actually support VR, so you could have a truly immersive experience playing them.
At some casinos, you could also earn bonuses to play slots for real money without depleting your cash balance. These offers are available for new customers. So, research around to discover what bonuses you could earn.
Microsoft Supports Cross Platform Play
Microsoft has shown its support for cross-play gaming many times. And it will emphasize this support with the release of Xbox X later in the year. Although not all games will support cross-platform gaming, it’s Microsoft’s ultimate goal.
In other words, Xbox is taking a page from Netflix’s open book. Some people might have TVs; others own iPhones or desktop computers. Yet, they can all share their experiences with specific movies or series from Netflix.
Online casinos are ahead of Xbox in that regard. They support nearly all devices: Mac, Windows, TVs, android, iOS, and even consoles. That means they share the same goals as Microsoft and would most likely welcome a move to offer their games on Xbox.
Xbox has the Technology
As mentioned above, Microsoft’s future revolves around providing gaming services and not necessarily selling consoles. That’s why it’s investing heavily on cloud gaming. It wants to have a platform that solves players’ gaming needs effectively on any or all of their devices.
Cloud gaming is just one of many innovations Microsoft is tapping to lead gamers to the future. There’s graphics processing, mobile gaming, sound, illustrations and AI. In many ways, Microsoft is investing in the same technology casinos need to thrive in the future.
As such, technology is not a hindrance in bringing casino games to Xbox consoles. Instead, it’s an issue of demand. Do Xbox players want slots, poker and blackjack on their favorite console? If Microsoft discovers a market in this niche, it will act swiftly to provide these games.
Legality is No Longer an Issue
For many years, online gambling was illegal in the US. In 2011, the office of the Attorney General revealed that states could authorize casino games but not sports betting. A few states took advantage of the AG’s support but it wasn’t until 2018 when online gambling exploded in the country.
These days, nearly every state has legalized one or more forms of online gambling. New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware and West Virginia have legalized all gaming positions. Nevada and California allow poker and sports betting but not slots, roulette or blackjack.
With that in mind, there’s a growing support for the iGaming industry in America. That means Microsoft can now create casino games for Xbox without the fear of breaking US laws. Of course, it can’t create real money games yet. It would need a gambling license to offer these games.
However, Microsoft can follow Sony’s lead by creating free to play slots and card games. It could create a fully-fledged virtual casino—like the Diamond Casino & Resort from GTA V. Or it could design arcade-style slots.
It’s Part of Microsoft’s Vision
You might have noticed this. Microsoft is constantly creating new products for gamers. It’s preparing to launch a new Xbox. And then it’s working on Game Pass and XCloud. It might have touted ambitions of creating the Netflix of Gaming. But its mission is broader than that.
Microsoft aims to have products that appeal to all gamers, casino players included. In other words, it wants to be there for everyone. But it does not have to be a dominant force in all these verticals.
As such, Microsoft is open to creating casino games if Xbox fans show an interest. However, don’t anticipate a future in which Xbox will be home to the world’s best casino games.
