With the number of active mobile internet users worldwide reaching 4.67 billion in 2021, it is clear that mobile browsing is taking over the world. Nowadays, we are used to handling our payments, savings, and even entertainment with just a few taps on the screen. With mobile technologies becoming more advanced, handheld devices offer top-level security to their users, making many aspects of their lives more protected. Like many other industries, the gambling sector has also integrated mobile devices into its operations.
While some players contemplate whether they should switch to mobile gambling, others are making wagers exclusively on their smartphones. The truth is, there are various advantages to playing your favourite casino games on your mobile device. From convenience to exclusive casino incentives, mobile casinos have a lot to offer.
Often, players are given the chance to pick between casino apps and browser-based mobile casinos. The two variations of mobile gambling have their strong sides, with every option appealing to different players. If you are wondering which option is better and whether you should play on the go, we will make sure to cover all of the information you need to learn more about mobile gambling and its perks.
How Mobile Gambling Has Been Developing
The first mobile casino apps were available on Nokia devices that supported the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology. However, back then, there was no way to use real money on the casino app. Instead, players were simply paying for the app. With iOS and Android stepping on the mobile operating system scene in 2007/2008, a lot has changed, including mobile gambling.
Players were able to download various casino gaming apps from the respective app stores of their mobile devices and wager real money directly on the apps. Soon, virtual casinos have started developing their dedicated mobile apps to reach even more casino enthusiasts.
While casino apps became a thing after Android and iOS launched their app stores, mobile gambling was introduced a few years prior to these events. The UK was the first country to introduce mobile gambling in 2003, with Mobile Lottery allowing British people to participate in the lottery using their mobile devices. Meanwhile, in 2006, the Nevada Gaming Control Board allowed gambling establishments to offer wireless gambling.
A lot has changed since mobile gambling was first introduced. The sector has grown exponentially in the last few years, with the gross gambling yield (GGY) of the real event online betting in the UK reaching £141.99 million in December 2021.
We cannot ignore mobile gambling as a contributor to the growth of online gaming and betting. With the introduction of mobile apps, players were allowed to enjoy the same smooth gambling experience even while being on the move. Even if there are no dedicated apps, gaming and betting sites are often optimised to easily run on almost any handheld device.
Due to the accessibility of mobile gambling, in some countries, like Kenya for example, mobile gambling is the most popular form of gambling participation. As smartphones are heavily integrated into such regions, players can easily wager money at mobile casinos and sportsbooks. This further proves the huge impact mobile gambling has on the global gambling industry.
Expectations For the Growth of Mobile Gambling
The saying “one man’s misfortune is another’s fortune” applies in the case of mobile gambling’s growth. Unfortunately, as land-based casinos were forced to stop their operations for months during the global pandemic, gaming and betting sites garnered more users, further contributing to the growth of the industry.
Even before the lockdowns, there were already signs of a huge expansion of the online gambling sector. As brick-and-mortar casinos and betting facilities experienced huge losses during the global pandemic, some countries saw almost a 100% increase in online gambling participation in 2021.
As the Covid-19 pandemic completely changed the way many businesses operate, players will have to adopt stricter rules when they want to play at land-based casinos. This is another reason for mobile gambling to further grow, sparing players the discomfort of following the harsher measures at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Crypto gambling has also started gaining popularity in the last year, further contributing to the growth of virtual gambling. In 2021, NFTs also took over the world, introducing players to a new way to dive into interactive gambling. These trends go hand in hand with the latest innovations in mobile devices, ensuring an even bigger potential for the increase of mobile gambling in upcoming years.
We can conclude that there are several factors that indicate the future growth of the mobile gambling industry:
- New set of gamblers who have switched to online gambling
- Innovations in crypto and NFT gambling
- Improvements in gambling apps
- Growth of new markets
Of course, just because the mobile gambling sector is increasing, it is not enough of a reason to convince you to switch to gambling on the go. However, there are several reasons why this field is continuing to grow exponentially and we will try to cover everything you need to know about this industry.
Reasons Why Mobile Gambling is Increasing in Popularity
There are many factors that play a major role in the increasing popularity of mobile gambling. To help you decide whether mobile gambling is the right type of experience for you, we will cover the main reasons why so many players choose to play on the go.
Variety of supported gaming and betting options
Virtual casinos constantly optimise their mobile versions and dedicated apps to make sure that mobile players will have access to the same variety of games as desktop users. Moreover, software developers make sure to create their games to run smoothly on different devices, including smartphones and tablets running on different operating systems.
Thanks to the HTML5 technology, players can easily enjoy slots, table games, and any other type of casino game they prefer to play. In addition to RNG games, live casino options are also widely available at mobile casinos. As long as your Internet connection is stable, you can stream games in high-quality resolution and see how the game unfolds before your eyes in real-time.
We should not forget people who enjoy sports betting as this type of entertainment is also easily available on the go. If you are betting on your phone, you will be able to see the best odds on various major sporting events, with different mobile sportsbooks also offering exciting betting markets to explore.
Convenient gambling on the go
One of the main reasons why mobile gambling is so popular is the convenience it offers players. Whether the casino of your choice offers a dedicated app or it has been optimised to run on the browser of your handheld device, you will be able to easily enjoy your favourite casino games no matter where you are. What is more, the mobile versions of casinos are easily navigated, providing everything you need with just a few taps on the screen.
The convenience also comes from the fact that you can play or make bets while you are doing your daily commute, while you are relaxing at home, you are anywhere else and have spare time. As long as you have a stable internet connection, your favourite type of gambling will be at your disposal at any time and place.
Safe gambling experience
Another reason to give mobile gambling a try is the security it provides, which in many cases can even be better than the one your desktop computer can offer. With sophisticated operating systems and advanced technology, most mobile devices allow users to protect their finances and personal information from unauthorised third parties.
Just like the web-based versions of casinos and sportsbooks, their mobile counterparts often utilise SSL encryption to protect any sensitive information players might share while playing or betting on the go. Thanks to the advanced features of most mobile devices, players can now activate face recognition, fingerprint scans, special codes, and other measures to make sure that no one else can have access to their mobile casino or sportsbook accounts.
Mobile exclusive promotions
Not only is mobile gambling very convenient but it is also often promoted by casinos. To entice more players to switch to mobile gambling, many virtual casinos have promotional deals exclusively available to mobile players. Often, such casino incentives can only be redeemed by downloading the dedicated app of the respective casino.
Mobile-exclusive promotions may be one-time deposit bonuses for new players or regularly redeemable bonuses that can prompt players to regularly wager on the go. As usual, players are advised to always read the full terms and conditions of a bonus before redeeming it.
Browser-Based Mobile Gambling vs Gambling Apps
Even if you decide to switch to mobile gambling, you may still be wondering whether it is better to simply play/bet via the browser app of your device or download a dedicated casino or sportsbook app. Both types of mobile wagering have their strong and weak points which is why we will try to draw a comparison between the two. That way you can decide which option is better for you.
There are certain things to consider when you are choosing whether an app will be a suitable choice or you are better off sticking to a browser-based mobile gambling experience.
Compatibility with mobile devices
One of the first factors that will allow you to decide whichever option is better for you is the compatibility of your mobile device with casino and sportsbook apps. As software developers use HTML5 technology to create their games, slots, blackjack, roulette, and many more games can easily run on almost any modern smart device. As most tablets and phones support HTML5, you should not have any issue running mobile casino games through the browser app on your device.
Operating system
For some casino players and sports betting fans, the choice of whether to play/bet on the browser app of their device or download a dedicated app comes down to the type of device they are using. While Android apps tend to be more than the app for iOS devices, there are certain app restrictions for Android users. For instance, in most countries, the Google Play store is not allowed to offer any casino apps that offer real-money gambling.
In 2019, Apple changed their policy on publishing gambling apps in its App Store. That means software companies must use both the HTML5 technology and a unique iOS code to develop games that can run on iOS devices. Since Android and iOS apps are now developed using different techniques and methods, creating dedicated casino and sportsbook apps for different operating systems may be a bit burdensome.
Convenience
Whenever you want to play your favourite casino games or make sports bets on the go, you might want to use the most convenient option to quickly access your gambling account. Using a dedicated app will allow you to load your casino or sportsbook account in just a few taps on the screen. Meanwhile, if you opt to play via the browser app, you will need to go through a few extra steps to access your gaming or betting profile.
Despite gambling apps being the more convenient option, however, many players prefer to use their browser apps whenever they feel like gambling instead of installing dedicated apps on their devices.
Exclusive bonuses
Another thing to consider when choosing between a browser-based mobile casino/sportsbook and a gambling app is the availability of bonuses. In some cases, exclusive mobile casino/sportsbook bonuses are available only to users who have installed the operator’s dedicated gambling app. Naturally, that would indicate that installing the app will be the better option for you if you want to use exclusive bonus offers.
Despite some gaming and betting operators having exclusive offers only for app users, others make their mobile-only promotions available to all members, including those who simply play/bet through the browser on their mobile devices. To make sure you can redeem certain promotions, make sure to read their terms and conditions before claiming them.
Conclusion
Mobile gambling has plenty of perks to offer players and punters around the world. With many considering this option as more convenient, secure, and easily accessible, it is no surprise that mobile gaming and betting continue to expand. With land-based gambling being put on hold for several months during the global pandemic, online casinos and sportsbooks increased their revenue significantly in 2020 and 2021. Of course, mobile gambling also played a major role in the development of online gambling.
The prediction for the virtual gambling sector in the upcoming few years is to continue expanding, especially as mobile gaming and betting become extremely popular. Thanks to the latest innovations introduced by mobile device manufacturers, players and punters can easily bet on their favourite games and sports at any time and place.
Even if you are willing to switch to mobile gambling, you may be uncertain whether installing an app or using your mobile device’s browser will be the better option. The truth is each player/punter might prefer a different thing. There are several factors to consider and pick the right variant depending on whether the browser-based mobile experience or the in-app gaming and betting is more suitable for you.
