Poker software used to look like a spreadsheet wearing a green fedora. The tables were functional, the buttons worked, and no one expected anything else. That era has quietly ended, replaced by interfaces that owe more to Fortnite than the card rooms of Las Vegas. The borrowing was systematic and deliberate: poker operators studied what kept players playing video games and applied the same mechanics to their platforms.
The numbers support this direction. Global online poker The market was worth $3.86 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $6.90 billion by 2030, according to industry estimates focused on real money gaming. Broader projections that include social poker and related gaming categories show the figure to be significantly higher, with MarkNtel Advisors estimating $37.19 billion for the same year. Much of this growth is directly related to the way platforms have changed to accommodate the player interaction methods pioneered by game studios.
Multi-level systems borrowed from the development of role-playing games
The structure of loyalty programs on poker platforms now resembles the leveling mechanics found in role-playing games. GGPoker operates a 25-level Fish Buffet Rewards program, in which players climb the ranks through cash games and tournaments, earning up to 60% cashback weekly. 888Poker goes even further by offering 200 levels with no rank reduction, meaning players never lose their earned position. EvenBet Gaming offers operators a suite of progressive rakeback tools with levels ranging from aluminum to platinum, with each stage unlocking higher percentages and bonus items.
These designs are taken directly from games such as Diablo or World of Warcraftwhere the desire for the next level keeps users coming back. Platforms that integrate such features into online poker report measurable benefits. PokerBaazi and GGPoker report a 25-35% increase in average revenue per user when personalized offers and loyalty systems work together. Data from GameAnalytics shows that team leaderboards and similar features can increase daily active users by as much as 50% in engagement-focused environments.
GGPoker earned its reputation by looking like a game
GGPoker leans more towards the video game aesthetic than any of its competitors. The software uses crisp graphics, modern color schemes, and interface elements aimed at younger players. In 2024, the GG Network received numerous gaming awards, including Innovation Awards and EGG Operator of the Year. The 2025 World Festival ran from May 4 to June 10 and grossed $324.7 million from 1,419 events with total entries of 5.6 million.
The platform views its rewards system as an in-game achievement tracker. Players unlock levels, collect power-ups, and watch their progress bars fill up. None of this affects the cards dealt, but it does change how players feel about entering the game tomorrow.
Missions and daily challenges force players to log in
Video games train players to complete daily missions. Log in, complete three tasks, get a reward. Poker sites now operate on the same principle. EvenBet Gaming reports that gamification elements such as missions and leaderboards, when implemented correctly, can lead to a 33% increase in daily active users. This mechanic works because it creates short-term goals that exist alongside the poker game itself.
A player can sit down and plan to play 30 minutes of cash games. But if completing two more hands completes the mission, they stay longer. Session times are stretched out, although players do not consciously decide to extend them.
Avatar customization and NFT integration
Players want to look good at the table, even if the table exists on the screen. GGPoker displays NFT avatars in hexagonal frames, giving players the opportunity to showcase the digital assets they own. Research and Markets estimates that the NFT gaming market was worth approximately $471.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $942.6 billion by 2029. This figure includes in-game assets, marketplaces, and collectibles across all gaming sectors.
Setup costs are significant. Surveys show that 46% of players customize avatars or collectibles, spending an average of $7.50 per month. This revenue stream did not exist when poker software prioritized function over form.
PokerStars Adds Literal Throwables Feature
PokerStars has developed a feature called Throwable itemsallowing players to throw virtual items at each other during hands. The development team worked with UI designers to create something playful and interactive. Testing has shown that using high-contrast colors against the main brand palette increases click-through rates by 22%. Since the rollout, account creation has increased by 33% compared to last year.
This feature does not serve any strategic purpose. Nobody wins a pot because they threw a tomato at their opponent. But it adds interaction to what was previously a silent activity, borrowing directly from the social layer present in multiplayer video games.
Mobile devices have taken over gaming
Mobile devices now account for the majority of online poker traffic. It is estimated that this figure will be approximately 70% of all traffic, and access to iGaming from smartphones will reach approximately 80% by 2025. About 95 million users use poker apps monthly, averaging 37 minutes per session. Between 2022 and 2023, in-app chip purchases grew 54% year-over-year.
This reflects how mobile devices have taken over the video game market. The developers have optimized the game for smaller screens, touch controls and shorter sessions. Poker followed the same path because the public moved there first.
Virtual reality as a new frontier
Flutter renamed PokerStars VR to Vegas endless in 2024 we will turn the free social casino into a cross-platform destination. Players can join using VR headsets, PCs, mobile devices or consoles. The game includes poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and slot machines, all set in a visualized environment. Hundreds of avatar customization options allow players to suit up before entering the virtual court.
Live dealer poker traffic worldwide is up more than 65% from 2021 to 2024, according to Evolution Gaming. The push towards immersive formats continues as players respond to environments that feel like a place rather than an interface.
The audience has changed and the software has followed.
The number of active online poker players in India has grown from 2 million in 2018 to over 6 million in 2024. Demographic analysis shows that 42% of poker app users are between the ages of 21 and 35. This younger cohort grew up playing video games. They expect progress bars, achievements, and visual feedback. Poker platforms that provided these elements captured this audience, while platforms that stuck to spreadsheet-style layouts lost ground.
The integration of video game mechanics into poker software reflects a practical response to how people spend their time today. Players accustomed to unlocking skins in shooters and climbing ranking ladders in competitive games carry these expectations with them. Poker operators have recognized this shift and adapted accordingly.
Conclusion
The evolution of online poker interfaces is not cosmetic. It represents an intentional alignment with how modern users interact with digital entertainment. Progression systems, missions, settings, and social features were perfected in video games long before poker adopted them, but their effectiveness remains intact.
As player expectations continue to be shaped by gaming culture, poker platforms that treat the user experience as infrastructure rather than decoration will maintain a competitive advantage. The public was the first to change. Software followed. Those who fail to adapt risk being left behind by players who now expect their poker experience to be as fun as the games they already play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do online poker platforms use video game style user interface elements?
Online poker platforms respond to player behavior shaped by years of gaming. Progression systems, missions, and customization increase player engagement and retention by giving players goals that extend beyond individual hands.
Do gamified features affect the fairness of poker games?
No. These features do not change card distribution, odds, or game mechanics. They affect how players interact with the platform, not the outcome of games.
What video game mechanics are most commonly used in poker software?
Progression levels, daily missions, achievement tracking, cosmetic customization, and social interaction tools are the most widely used mechanics.
Why is mobile design so important for online poker today?
Most players now access poker through smartphones. Mobile-friendly interfaces, touch controls, and shorter session designs align with the way users already interact with games and apps.
Will virtual reality become mainstream in online poker?
VR poker is still developing, but the rise of immersive games suggests further expansion. Platforms are positioning themselves early as hardware adoption increases and cross-platform access improves.
