Five Predictions for the 2024 Global Poker Market: Part One
The year 2023 was impressive for the poker industry. GGPoker properly settled into its position as the industry’s king, achieving cash game traffic of up to five figures. Live poker participation surged last year, with record-breaking attendances worldwide. This was matched with many new promotions, start-ups, and features entering the market. However, what’s in the works for 2024?
Top Five Predictions in 2024
Our team of experts foresee a number of major changes to the online poker market this year, the five biggest being listed below:
Record-Breaking Number of Online Qualifiers
Last year saw increased attendances at live poker events. Legendary rooms like GGPoker and PokerStars increased the number of participants who qualified for iconic events. This year, we expect to see more of the same with unprecedented numbers of opportunities for people to qualify for live events.
Global poker names will continue to expand their qualification systems, like PokerStars and their Power Path system. As such, we believe that 2024 will see a record-breaking number of online qualifiers where regular players can pit their wits against seasoned pros for seats at major tournaments.
Expanding Role of AI in the Industry
AI is slowly expanding into various aspects of our lives, and we predict its role in the poker industry will become more pronounced in 2024. AI-training platforms will likely become more common to help train players in strategies and refine their skills.
We also foresee AI being used to detect cheaters better, improve responsible gambling tools and detection, and monitor player behaviour. However, conversely, it can also mean bots and RTA tools infiltrating poker rooms.
PokerStars to Enter the Netherlands Market
The Dutch market opened in 2021, but only four operators have so far become licenced in it. GGPoker was the first to obtain a Netherlands licence, but we believe PokerStars will become the fifth operator to enter this market.
Since PokerStars previously applied for a licence before withdrawing, we believe this year might be the one where they finally act on it. Besides PokerStars, we expect 888poker and partypoker to re-enter the Dutch market in 2024.
GGPoker to Overhaul Its Mobile App and Software
While GGPoker is the top room, it’s not infallible. There have been persistent complaints about its mobile app. It also recently experienced security breaches in its Windows client. As such, we predict it’ll significantly overhaul its mobile app, desktop app, or both.
888poker to Expand Its Network
About a decade ago, 888poker operated much like the iPoker network. It had various skins offering its services in multiple international jurisdictions. These skins fell away by 2017, leaving only the original 888poker brand. However, the VP Head of Poker at the company, Amit Berkovich, states they might return to that model. Skins like William Hill, which 888poker’s parent company owns, might depart from the iPoker network to join the 888poker network.
Global Developments in the Industry
We expect to see various other developments this year. These include mystery bounty expansions, the introduction of Double Board PLO Bomb Pots to online poker, and Portugal getting a fourth online network. This year promises to be exciting, so stick with us to get the latest news as it happens.
