The music industry has changed almost imperceptibly from what it was just 20 years ago. The early 2000s saw hopeful singers take a shot at stardom through a TV competition show, knowing they would never have their own platform of that size. Flash forward to today where social media singers have gained genuine success, as shown through Lil Nas X’s masterful application of his own songs on social media meme machine Tik Tok. But as the music industry moves into a new age, to what extent does its growth and change reflect that of the similarly traditional casino industry?
The casino industry moved its main products and services online, allowing customers to engage with online versions of its traditional output. In an online casino, each game works the same as it would at a land-based casino – customers just have a wider range of gaming options and can play enhanced, digital versions of games such as slots, poker, and roulette. These games take the same format they would typically do so, with live casino options such as blackjack allowing players to see a dealer in real-time in front of them as they play.
Similarly, the music industry has also harnessed the power of digital technology. Budding artists can send their music into the world from their own social media platforms. They are no longer reliant on the record label to gain fame and fortune but can find a way to devise their own. Actors, models, and comedians have all become famous and gained new layers to their careers by going viral on social media. The digital platform in front of them, like the casino players, opens far more possibilities.
But both industries have also harnessed live streaming technology. While the online casino industry has its live poker and roulette, music has gone a step further with its holograms. Artists have streamed concerts to fans through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. Playing live-streamed gigs allows smaller venues and artists to reach a wider audience, especially a global one, which is crucial for gaining success in the music industry.
Much like customers for online casino sites can do so almost anywhere in the world, listeners can engage with music in the same way. Larger streaming sites such as Apple Music and Spotify provide opportunities for people to engage with big names whenever and wherever they want while SoundCloud does the same for smaller artists. Having the freedom to explore the internet for the right site and for sites to be less restricted with their audiences benefits both industries.
The music industry may be one of the oldest in existence but that doesn’t mean it can’t learn some tricks from a modern industry on how to survive and thrive in a new landscape. While there will always be a demand for music and the industry itself, the online casino industry can provide some pointers on how that demand can be better concentrated. From embracing online platforms to recreating physical events with digital means, the music and online casino industries aren’t that different after all.
