For many people that have been around since the dawn of the internet, a lot of the ways the world has evolved seem almost like a dream. Online gamblers particularly have seen a tremendous shift in how people interact with casino games. The internet sparked what would become a huge milestone for the industry and this is not slowing down any time soon.
Perhaps the most notable and fastest-rising aspect of modern gambling is the mobile experience. Both casino apps and online casino sites have revolutionized the way that we enjoy gambling activities. This is not too surprising especially considering just how deeply entrenched the culture is. Moreover, the gambling sector has always been very open to adopting new technologies. Mobile technology was a no-brainer.
The Rise of Smartphone Gambling
Once it was established that the mobile phone could do so much more, gambling operators were very quick to notice the opportunity this presented. With the arrival of better screens, batteries, processors and form factors, there was also an increase in the number of apps that leveraged all that goodness. By the time the first Android and iOS smartphones were rolling around, gambling operators were ready. This they achieved through both native mobile applications and web-based gaming services.
Mobile gambling apps and sites are pretty much the same today. Casino operators have figured out ways of optimizing the experiences for their customers. As such, modern gamers do not have to feel left out regardless out of the platform that they are on. Modern mobile phones are very powerful and can handle even more tasking activities. That makes them powerhouses for mobile gaming. Their affordability and increased accessibility also make them a great alternative for people who cannot afford laptops or desktop computers.
Tablets Big Screen Mobile Gaming
Now, while the allure of mobile gaming usually is the portability of the gambling experience, some compromises had to be made. This is no longer the case. In essence, players are now able to tap into a desktop experience right from the palms of their hands. All this is thanks to the incredible tablets that are now available to consumers all over the world.
Perhaps the most popular tablet devices are the range of iPads that tech giant Apple makes. The device is so popular that the operators have even built apps just for the form factor. That means finding an iPad casino is now easier than ever. The gaming experience is also out of this world thanks to the incredible hardware. Its screen makes the games look crisp and even life-like in some cases. The well-tuned speakers deliver an immersive experience that leaves players yearning for more.
The COVID-19 Boost
Mobile gambling does not live in a bubble. Its popularity does not necessarily mean that it has been able to overshadow other equally popular ways of gambling. Land-based casinos are still big business. Still, mobile gambling was on a steady rise that promised a lot of good for both the operators and the players.
All that steady growth got a huge boost at the onset of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on how a lot of businesses conducted themselves. It also had a massive impact on consumer behavior and the gambling industry was one of the places where this was most noticeable. With limited or no access to land-based gambling or retail gambling facilities, many people opted for online gambling.
That said, online gambling traffic increased immensely. A huge chunk of that traffic was from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Hundreds of millions of people who are of the legal gambling age already have mobile devices that can access gambling apps or sites. The pandemic was a wake-up call to them that there are other ways of enjoying the activity.
Everything is slowly returning to normal. Lots of casinos that closed their doors or only allowed a limited number of people have since softened their stances. People can now return to their favorite retail casinos. At some point, this would have meant a significant reduction in online gambling activity. Well, while it is certainly not the same as it was at the beginning of the lockdowns, it had grown so much that the decreased activity will not curtail further developments.
The Future of Mobile Gambling
At this point, it is almost impossible to imagine a future where there are no smartphones and tablets. These computing devices are here to stay and the gambling industry stands to benefit immensely from their growth. Even as they evolve, we should expect to see the gambling industry also adapt to the inevitable improvements and changes.
The most exciting aspect of the future mobile gambling sector apart from the mind-blowing revenue projections is how the trends we love will come together. Already we are seeing this with such things as mobile esports betting and live dealer gamers that are compatible with mobile devices. It can only get better from here, right?
