Technology has reshaped the way we live our lives from our work environment to how we enjoy our leisure activities. Nowadays, people can’t live without an internet connection, and the idea of leaving the house without their smartphones is just ridiculous.
Given these technologies, the lottery industry has not been immune to these changes. Nowadays, you don’t need to go to your local lotto outlet to buy your lottery ticket.
But many are curious whether or not technology has a serious impact on the lottery industry. Are we going to see more people betting on the lottery? Or perhaps, lawmakers are going to catch up and ban online lottery?
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Expected to Grow
Before anything else, let’s start by looking at the numbers. The global lottery market is expected to grow from $366.55 billion in 2021 to $405.20 billion by 2028.
And this prediction by the experts makes perfect sense. Access to the lottery has improved since the introduction of online platforms and apps. It means that anyone with a smartphone can bet their lucky numbers on the lottery. You don’t need to worry about visiting your local lottery retailer just to buy the ticket.
The Legality of Online Lottery
One of the biggest hindrances that could stop the adoption of these technologies in the lottery is its legality. The biggest concern of those who are against online lottery and online gambling, in general, is the fact that the activity becomes accessible to a lot of people. Those who have gambling addiction problems can worsen their situation given how easy it is to buy a lottery ticket.
Currently, online lottery isn’t exactly legal everywhere. In the United States, for example, only certain states have legalized this practice. For instance, New York has a more lenient approach in allowing online lottery whereas Utah bans all types of gambling activities including the lottery.
In Europe, countries like France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom have regulated online lotteries. Businesses can operate as long as they have the necessary paperwork.
Then, there are also those countries that have vague rules on online lottery. A lot of lottery enthusiasts ask: is online lottery legal in India? In reality, that is a tricky question to answer. Strictly speaking, online lotteries are illegal in most parts of the country.
However, despite the prohibition, online lotteries are still available. Businesses have figured out how they can bypass this law. A lot of websites available to Indian players are based in other countries.
Also, instead of being regulated federally, individual states in India have allowed online lottery to operate. States such as Goa, Kerala, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Sikkim, Punjab, Manipur, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Assam, and Bodoland have allowed operators to conduct online lottery.
Other Technologies That Can Positively Affect the Lottery Industry
Aside from having apps and online platforms, other technologies are expected to make waves in the lottery industry in the next years to come. There’s the possibility of seeing blockchain technology and the use of artificial intelligence.
Blockchain can be used in different ways that could benefit lottery operators and players. For one, cryptocurrencies are still a gray area in most parts of the world. While gambling is prohibited in some areas, using cryptocurrencies could solve this problem. Here, instead of gambling using money, users can buy tokens or use cryptocurrencies instead.
In addition to this, blockchain technology can also add transparency to the game. The concept of blockchain is to have a public ledger that everyone can check.
Then, there is also the possibility of maximizing the use of AI. This technology can ramp up fraud detection. AI algorithms can analyze a large amount of data in no time and detect whether or not there are things that could indicate fraudulent activities, ensuring bettors the integrity of the game.
In addition to this, AI can also create personalized recommendations for players. For one, it can suggest numbers for you if you don’t want to choose your own. Plus, AI can analyze the player’s tendencies from his or her playing habits, to the preferred games that he or she plays. It can be used to significantly improve user experience and improve engagement in the long run.
Conclusion
Overall, technology is a good thing. It can drive positive changes in different areas of our lives including how the lottery is played.
The use of mobile apps and online platforms made it easier for players to buy tickets. In addition to this, it can also increase sales for operators.
However, its adoption still depends on a variety of factors. Aside from internet access, one of the biggest factors that could either hasten or delay its adoption is the existing laws in each country. A big consideration among lawmakers is the danger of worsening gambling addiction. But the bottom line is that online platforms and mobile apps are considered game changers in the lottery industry. Though it is still debated whether it brings more harm, it’s something that will become more common in the future.