There is no disputing the importance of the emergence of HTML5 technology. It was a pivotal moment for the iGaming industry in particular. Before HTML5 adoption, online casinos and game developers grappled with the limitations of Adobe Flash, which proved especially incompatible with various mobile devices and screen sizes.

One of the most notorious issues with Adobe Flash was the inefficiency of its plugin. It was a huge drain on browser resources, often causing browsers to freeze and crash mid-game – much to the disappointment of players.

The arrival of HTML5 redefined iGaming, improving its accessibility overnight with mobile-first designs and seamless, responsive gameplay 24/7.

HTML5 is still the backbone of online casinos

HTML5 technology is still the tried and trusted method for delivering immersive online casino experiences on the go. With no need for plugins, players can access games directly via web browsers, no matter their mobile device or operating system.

And what about game categories? It’s still the only way to play online slots, with thousands of slot titles now designed and built as mobile-first experiences using HTML5. Many of the so-called big guns in the slot world are still available to enjoy thanks to their conversion from Flash into HTML5. This includes legendary jackpot slots like Mega Moolah, as well as Starburst, Eye of Horus and Gonzo’s Quest.

Live dealer casinos and HTML5

HTML5 is even used to power the user interfaces of live dealer casino games, ensuring mobile players can enjoy these casino floor-style experiences on the go too. Pioneering live casino studios like Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play use HTML5 to automatically alter their live streams and game interfaces based on each player’s device and screen size. This responsivity means desktop and mobile players enjoy the same premium experience.

Thanks to HTML5, live casino game operators have also been able to incorporate new features such as multiple camera angles, interactive live chat boxes and dynamic betting interfaces to bring players even closer to the action from the comfort of their armchairs.

The long-term benefits of HTML5 in iGaming

The general cross-platform compatibility of HTML5 means online casinos can design and build one, unified game that can work flawlessly across desktop, smartphone, and tablet devices with no further development necessary.

HTML5’s agile code also means supremely fast game load times, even with modest internet connectivity. This is one major benefit to HTML5 over Adobe Flash.

HTML5 also successfully eliminates the security vulnerabilities linked with Flash, giving players peace of mind over the integrity of the games they enjoy.

Will HTML5 ever be replaced in the world of iGaming?

It’s true that nothing in this world rarely lasts forever, so there may come a time when HTML5 is rendered obsolete by the iGaming community.
Technology is evolving at such a fast pace that it wouldn’t be a surprise. WebAssembly (Wasm) is one emerging technology that’s already catching the eye of iGaming operators, since developers can code their games in alternative languages such as C++ which run just as efficiently within desktop and mobile web browsers.

Wasm also has the capability to render detailed 3D visuals and handle resource-hungry web applications, both of which could make it a compelling alternative in the coming years.

Further to this, the rise of cloud-based gaming may also ease the reliance on browser-based technologies like HTML5. Cloud-based platforms could enable iGaming operators to stream high-definition (HD) games directly to players, with the processing of the visuals and gaming handled entirely in the cloud. All of which could also circumvent HTML5’s minor limitations when it comes to graphically intense slot games.

Nevertheless, HTML5 continues to reign supreme in iGaming for the time being. Its mobile-first approach caters perfectly for the modern online casino player. If and when the time comes to bid farewell, HTML5 will always be revered for its role in underpinning the iGaming space when it needed it the most.