The Future of Online Leisure: How Digital Platforms Are Shaping Social Interactions in Wales

Growth Ahead

The Welsh Government and industry have been investing heavily to ensure Wales stays abreast of the high-tech revolution, with measures that encompass digital devices, digital platforms, a high-speed broadband network, and moves to reduce digital exclusion. All together, these initiatives are having a profound impact on the way people interact off- and online across Wales.

Investment in Tech and Language

The Welsh government, for instance, is poised to benefit from the UK government’s recently announced multi-billion-pound investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the lion’s share of the Vantage Data Centers GBP12 billion investment across the UK expected to be in Wales. Wales has also developed a strong industry sector around video games production, with a USD250 billion industry ranging from applications on conventional consoles and mobile phones, to more specialized outfits that focus on areas such as graphic design and virtual reality (VR) technology.

Finally, but not exhaustively, the Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel S4C with Media Cymru have launched a project to ensure S4C’s Welsh-language content is easily discoverable in Wales and across the UK. Additionally, Welsh government plans include investment in tools for Welsh learners and working to improve Welsh language artificial intelligence (AI).

Mobile Phones and Digital Platforms

As this publication has previously identified, the miniaturized computers in our pockets under the guise of smartphones are millions of times more powerful than those of 60 or so years ago which saw the launch of the first commercial 16-bit minicomputer. It also noted that the need for transportable systems will only grow as mobile computing is increasingly important for work, communication, leisure, and entertainment.

Phones can be used to send images and videos alongside voice messages. Various activities can also be accessed online, with the Wales-based Actif App enabling users to book and manage attendance at gym, swim, fitness classes and more, as well as providing the latest fitness news. Meanwhile, digital payments in the form of banking apps, e-wallets such as Paypal and Venmo, and more recently cryptocurrencies, have transformed the way we pay for our leisure time – whether paying for a movie ticket, buying an online game, gambling at an online casino, or splitting the bill after a night out.

When you add in a recent UK parliament research briefing that claimed 97% of UK premises could have gigabit-capable broadband by May 2027, including 99% of urban areas and 88% of rural areas, alongside the growth in cloud storage and the spread of 5G mobile services, it’s clear that these more powerful devices are also accessing much faster data transmission rates with enhanced visual experience for users.

The Rise of Digital iGaming – a Case Study

The online gaming sector – which includes online casinos and gaming platforms, has become a significant economic driver in Wales, creating jobs, driving innovation, and boosting government revenues. Apart from the online gaming companies themselves, employment opportunities have grown in the broader tech ecosystem, ranging from cybersecurity to data analytics, while Welsh government’s income from the sector is reinvested into public services, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

iGaming’s remarkable growth, while benefiting from government and commercial investments into new technology and supporting communications infrastructure, is also the result of the industry’s embrace of game development and new technologies.

• User Experience: Some online casino, for example, have worked hard to create online environments that mimic the old fashioned pub slot machines we all grew up with. org’s Pub Casino review, for instance, claims the casino offers the ultimate “Pub-Experience” while offering more than 1,600 games from at least 19 providers. Other sites are investing in live action games such as roulette and blackjack where the player can feel themselves actually at the table alongside other high-rolling hot-shots.
• VR and AR: While the tech is still in its infancy, some online casinos are also experimenting with virtual reality so that players aren’t just playing the real-life games, but can also see other players standing around, and can interact with them.  This would not only provide a more immersive experience, but would help combat the isolation sometimes associated with online gambling by fostering a sense of community.
• Player Safety: Behind the scenes, reputable online casinos have been investing heavily in cyber-security and AI for gambling pattern recognition. Obviously, a key factor for any player is knowing that their personal information, and especially their banking details, are kept safe and secure from hackers. The companies behind the casinos are also working to ensure they apply the UK government’s Gambling Regulations – including Know Your Customer (KYC) rules to tackle money laundering by criminals and terrorists. Additionally, they are developing systems that can spot problematic gambling behaviour – whether a customer who seems to be gambling recklessly or someone trying to abuse the bonus schemes.
• Pay-in and Payout: While your bank’s own app is a safe and secure way to deposit money with online casinos and access your winnings – they can be somewhat slow. Many casinos thus offer faster alternatives that are just as secure, including digital or eWallets such as Paypal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. In time, as appropriate regulations are imposed, we could even see the use of cryptocurrencies.

Dangers of Digital Exclusion

While there is much to be excited about with the growth in digital platforms and their impact on social interactions, we do also need measures to address the existing and growing digital divide. According to a recent report from Link.co.uk, digital exclusion is still a big problem, affecting 24% UK adults, including significant percentages of 18–24 year-olds, Black and Asian households, and low income households. The report also noted that this exclusion is having real consequences on peoples’ lives “that extends far beyond banking and finance”. It should also be noted, however, that Link is funding a digital inclusion pilot in South Wales with the aim of improving digital capabilities within the local population. Additionally, the “Online Centres Network”, run by Good Things Foundation, is supporting local centers where volunteers pass on their digital skills.