Smartphones have changed the way people think and companies operate for good. Thanks to its simplicity and intuitive interface, mobile technology has transformed our life habits and our acceptance of new tech trends. One such booming trend is mobile gambling, which has been experiencing constant growth for several years now.
Many factors have contributed to bringing mobile gambling to the forefront. A study from Gambling.net shows that 85% of American adults have tried out online gambling at least once. And with nearly 84% of the worldwide population owning a smartphone, the actual rise of mobile gambling has just begun.
The State of the World
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 and the numerous lockdown measures enforced across the globe, visiting real casinos for many has become not just an inconvenience, but potentially a health risk. During this time, millions of smartphone users stuck in their homes turned to online casino sites and gambling apps. As a result, global online gambling revenue in 2020 grew to $66.67 billion, with mobile gambling making up most of that revenue.
Another factor that has been beneficial for mobile gambling is the legalization of online sports gambling in the USA. While not all states have accepted the Supreme Court’s ending of the federal ban on the industry’s expansion in 2018, New Jersey’s online and mobile gambling sector has seen a meteoric rise in sports betting. And more states like California plan on voting for legalization in 2022.
The State of Casino Mobile Apps and Sites
People are no longer tied to playing at physical casino sites, which became a health hazard when the pandemic began. Previously, many bettors gathered in cramped and often poorly ventilated spaces, where the exchange of gambling chips was typical.
Today, the development of mobile gambling apps and sites has moved most betting action online. Here are the most prominent reasons why around 50% of online casino punters returned to mobile gambling apps and sites in 2021.
Ease of Use
You’ll find hundreds of online casinos with their casino app available on Google Play or the Apple Store. The number of casino sites that are well-optimized on iOS and Android smartphones is even greater. Most of them are designed to be comfortable and straightforward to both new and regular mobile users.
Nearly a decade ago, people used to check their smartphones over 1,500 times a week, performing some actions like opening social media almost automatically. This increased usage of smartphones among millennials is the driving reason why so many casinos are investing and improving their mobile gambling sites and downloadable apps.
Mobile gambling is a hassle-free experience compared to accessing these online casinos via desktop devices. Smartphone users have access to more features and options, as casinos have optimized these sites to provide an experience that’s now often better than that available on desktops and laptops.
Casino sites and apps have made the process of registration and participation more convenient than it ever was at classic casino rooms. Punters only need to fill out the simple registration form online to open an account with an online mobile casino.
Players who want to participate in online gambling for real money only need to provide a copy of their ID document using the mobile gambling software to start playing. They don’t need to leave the security of their homes and can stop gambling at any point.
Digital Safety
Besides downloading a casino app, you can play directly from the gambling site, which has additional protection benefits. One of the most important of these benefits is eliminating data security weak spots to prevent cyberattacks.
Apps downloaded from official stores are usually free of viruses and malware. However, some apps manage to avoid the digital stores’ scrutiny. Hence, there’s always a small element of risk involved in downloading an app. Casino sites eliminate this problem, as the data is stored on servers. With mobile gambling online, private information is safe and secure as long as those servers remain safe.
Casino gambling apps and sites are also helping people feel safe from getting sick. With the ongoing pandemic, some casinos are accepting customers under social distancing rules. However, Las Vegas casinos were overfilled with visitors wearing masks near the end of 2021. That poses a serious health risk with the highly contagious Omicron strain of the virus.
Gambling via casino apps or mobile sports betting sites is much safer because it removes the need for any kind of close contact, including physical proximity and touching hands.
Inclusion of Esports and Sports Betting
Mobile gambling platforms either have separate mobile sports betting apps and sites or are connected with casino and slot games. This is because sports betting is becoming exponentially more popular in the USA.
According to Bloomberg, in 2018, bettors deposited $310 million in June alone. That monthly wagering amount increased to a colossal $7 billion in October 2021. As more states accept and legalize sports betting, more players are turning to online betting action.
Mobile wagering has become the prevalent method of sports betting today. In Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, mobile sports gambling has quickly outpaced retail gambling. The constant technological evolution of mobile gambling impacts the space where retail sportsbooks once governed sports betting.
A similar shift in trends can be seen with esports gambling in a mid-pandemic world. Professional electronic gaming tournaments and matches have moved onto online betting sites. This new sports discipline is producing more and more exciting matches, which is reflected in the multimillion-dollar tournaments held for the most popular multiplayer games.
Gambling apps and sites are the ideal platforms for esports, as practically all gamers use smartphones. Bettors can play for real money rewards if they bet on the correct winner or the specific outcome of a match.
Competitiveness and Better Promotions
As the mobile gambling industry expands, the competition among a throng of gambling sites is increasing dramatically. This situation can only benefit users, as online casinos are ready to offer better welcome bonuses and more frequent no-deposit bonuses to new players to keep them playing on their site.
New bettors can easily find gambling sites and apps with a $20 mobile casino bonus they can claim, play with, and possibly earn real money rewards. These promotions help players introduce themselves to casino games or sports betting without risking their budget. Regular players can also try out new sites with such promotions and save up on gambling funds.
Live Dealers and Virtual Reality
One of the significant hurdles for the mobile gambling market was always the inability to replicate the unique live atmosphere of playing in a bustling brick-and mortar casino. In recent years, that has changed with the advent of games with live dealers.
Players participate in table games with a dealer via live streaming, often available in high-definition or ultra-widescreen resolutions. This technology successfully creates an atmosphere that makes participants feel like they’re inside a real-life casino.
Striving to provide an even more realistic experience, some online casinos are developing virtual reality games with full 3D slots and table games set in a computer-generated environment. The mobile gambling game market is working on VR gaming features such as in-game chats and realistic casino sounds that will completely immerse players in a 3D gaming space.
The State of Mobile Gambling Players
Casino games are the bread and butter of mobile gambling. They continue to draw in a massive number of bettors to online gambling sites. For this reason, it’s essential to check the general pulse of people most directly responsible for the growth of mobile gaming: players.
Players worldwide have an easier time enjoying gambling titles thanks to mobile devices and WiFi networks. The mass acceptance of mobile gambling games among players is due to how easy it is to access them and start gaming. Online casinos have mobile slots that you can play in a matter of a minute, while the process of playing these games is much longer in person or on desktop devices.
A big bonus for gamers is having many iOS or Android casino games installed on their phone via gambling apps or sites. They can peruse gaming titles more quickly than they could in a real casino. Lastly, mobile gamers tend to accept and adapt tactics to real money online slots and other casino games more rapidly on apps for mobile gambling. They play more and find more enjoyment from these types of games.
Conclusion
According to GlobeNewswire, the market size of online gambling and betting will reach $100 billion in 2026. It’s not difficult to believe these predictions, as mobile gambling is expanding exponentially right now.