Today, mobile casinos are no longer seen as a secondary option but rather a matured extension of their desktop counterparts. Given the proliferation of mobile devices, this shift was inevitable, and it’s now possible for players to enjoy a wide array of games and all the functionalities right at their fingertips.
Discussing casinos on your phone implies two distinct scenarios. The first involves downloading and installing a specific app for your device. Each device requires its unique app, but the process of downloading and installation isn’t difficult—simply follow the instructions on the casino website. A download link or QR code is typically provided for ease of access.
However, this solution is slowly becoming less prevalent as fewer casinos offer downloadable apps. Instead, the trend is shifting towards browser-based play. Even on a mobile device, you can simply launch your browser and enjoy a multitude of games. This shift has been enabled by the transition to HTML5 technology, which allows gameplay in the casino without platform-dependent restrictions.
In fact, virtually all casinos today offer one or both of these options. Thus, choosing a trustworthy operator is paramount without concerning yourself too much about whether they offer a mobile version. For instance, M88 Casino provides a mobile version as well as a downloadable app.
How To Use Mobile Casinos?
The process is straightforward. Simply visit a casino website, which is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. If you’ve previously played on a computer, navigating and playing on a mobile platform shouldn’t pose any difficulty.
If you already have an account at your chosen casino, all you need to do is access the site from your mobile device and log in using your credentials. Once logged in, you can play games either for free or for real money. Similar to the desktop version, mobile casinos also allow you to test games in demo mode.
All your account settings will remain valid in the mobile version of the online casino. For example, if your account currency is rubles, your bets will be placed in rubles from your mobile device. All other settings will also be preserved.
When it comes to downloadable apps, the process is equally uncomplicated. You simply download the app first. Most mobile casinos cater to Android and iOS devices, primarily because they dominate the mobile platform market. Users of phones and tablets using other platforms (such as Windows and Blackberry) may face more restrictions when choosing an operator.
The Evolution of Mobile Casinos
In general, the history of mobile gaming is not very long. It wasn’t until 1997 that the first mobile game emerged. This was unrelated to casinos but marked a significant development in the gaming industry. The game “Snake” from Nokia quickly spread to mobile devices, opening up new possibilities.
- In the early 2000s, WAP content appeared, and shortly after, the first casino games on mobile were introduced. However, at that time, they were not connected to any operators, and players could enjoy them on their devices without real wagers.
- The era of WAP technology didn’t last long and was eventually replaced by JAVA applications. It is believed that the first JAVA mobile game, Pub Fruity by IOMO, was launched in 2005. However, during this period when JAVA dominated, there weren’t significant breakthroughs in mobile casinos offering real-money betting. The availability of games accepting actual money was limited.
- A major breakthrough in the field occurred in the late 2000s with the emergence of iOS and Android. Since then, the development of the mobile casino industry has accelerated. More advanced mobile casino games, like those offered by companies such as M88, started to appear. However, this was not yet the pinnacle of the industry’s achievements.
- The current era of cross-platform technology is another significant breakthrough. HTML5 allows for the creation of games that can be played on all devices. Now, there is no need to create separate casino applications, as games can be accessed through a web browser.
- Due to the limitations of earlier mobile devices, mobile games had to be adjusted. Developers were forced to sacrifice quality or certain additional features in order to simplify games and make them run smoothly on mobile devices.
Overall, the services previously provided couldn’t compare to the quality and convenience offered by today’s mobile online casinos. Until recently, players often had to create a separate account to play games on their mobile phones. Operations such as depositing and withdrawing funds couldn’t be done on mobile devices; they required separate actions on a computer.
Nowadays, the situation has changed. Players can use a single account when accessing casino websites from both their mobile phones and computers. All bonuses are unified, whereas previously they were separate.
Benefits of Playing Games on Mobile Devices
The advantages of playing mobile casino games are evident. The main benefit is the freedom it provides – you’re not confined to your house or any specific location; you can play anytime. Since mobile phones are always with us and internet access is readily available, you no longer need to make any extra effort to play mobile casino games.
- You have everything you need; simply access the casino website in your mobile browser or open the downloaded mobile casino application. Of course, there may be some inconvenience due to the small screen size, but overall, it’s a great solution.
- Mobile casino users may enjoy special bonuses. The peak of popularity for such offers may have passed, but some operators may still encourage their players to play games on mobile devices.
- Another benefit of playing casino games on mobile devices is ease of use, provided you have a sufficiently large screen. Unlike computers, you don’t need a mouse or touchpad. All controls are done through the touch screen.
- There is a choice between using applications or playing games in the browser. Not all mobile gambling enthusiasts prefer playing in the browser. Some prefer dedicated casino applications, which can be more convenient if operators invest enough in app development. However, downloadable software in casinos is becoming outdated.
Popularity of Mobile Casinos
Mobile casinos have experienced rapid growth. Until about a decade ago, it was still in its early stages, but now it has become a mature industry. The desire for investment and corresponding dynamic development stems from high demand.
According to iovation, the volume of transactions made through mobile devices grew by an average of 95% per year from 2012 to 2018. In 2012, mobile gambling transactions accounted for only 6% of the total. By 2018, this number had risen to 70%. The data from iovation is not just guesswork or skewed calculations; the company collected data from over 100 gambling operators and platform providers, totaling 518 million transactions. You can trust these numbers. Yes, the trend is clear.
What Casino Games Can I Play on Mobile?
Compared to computers, the selection may be more limited because some games have not yet been converted to HTML5 format, making them incompatible with browsers. However, the selection will still be quite extensive, especially considering that until recently, mobile versions of online casinos offered around a hundred different games.
As for the categories of games, you will find everything here, including live casinos. As usual, the main category is slot machines. But there are also plenty of card and board games. You can be sure that all the most popular gambling entertainment categories will be available in mobile online casinos.
Some providers even take a “mobile-first” approach, meaning they prioritize developing games for mobile casinos. For example, Betsoft has adopted this approach and developed a separate platform called ToGo for mobile games. ELK Studios has also stated that they primarily develop games for mobile casinos.
This doesn’t mean these companies exclusively create online casino games for mobile devices. Their slot machines are also released for computers, but they consider the convenience and enjoyment of mobile and tablet users during development.