The first mobile casino was launched back in 2004. Since then, mobile-friendly casino sites have become very popular indeed, and they keep on getting bigger and bigger. Here?s a look at some of the reasons why mobile casinos are one of the biggest current trends in the world of online gaming.
Convenience
Before mobile gaming was a thing, if you wanted to gamble, you could only do so at home or at a land-based casino. When the first mobile casino was launched, it revolutionised the industry because you could now gamble whenever and wherever you liked. Though the first mobile casino games were a lot more basic when compared with today?s games, they were advanced for the time, and they won over many people. They paved the way for the mobile gambling industry to grow – these days, it?s worth billions of pounds.
To gamble on mobile devices, all you need is a steady internet connection, which you can get by connecting to a Wi-Fi network or by using your personal data allowance. So long as your smartphone or tablet is connected to the internet, you can play all your favourite games while out and about. You can play games, such as the Sun and Moon slots, while on public transport to make your commute more enjoyable, for example.
Games
Without games, the mobile gambling industry simply wouldn?t exist. Games are the industry?s backbone, and they?re one of the key reasons why mobile casino traffic is constantly growing. Thanks to advances in technology, casino games are becoming more sophisticated not just in terms of their graphics and audio effects but also their special bonus features.?
If you play free slot machines on laptops and PCs, you?ll be pleased to know that most slots can be played on mobiles too. What?s great about free play is that it lets you get used to how slots work without you having to pay.?
Bonuses
Online casinos always have bonuses for players to claim, and mobile casinos are no different. The rise in mobile gambling is partly due to the bonuses that casinos hand out. These special offers are given out to encourage new players to sign up and existing players to keep spending money on the games.
There are many different types of bonuses you can get:
- Free Spins on slots, such as the Top Dog game;
- Bonus money to use on most of the casino?s games;
- Cashback on your losses;
- Tournament/giveaway entries.
Some mobile casinos even offer exclusive mobile-only bonuses that can?t be claimed if you?re visiting the casino on your computer or laptop.?
Bonuses are advertised through social media, third-party comparison sites and general ads you?ll see online and on TV.
The Closure of Land-Based Casinos
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of most of the world?s land-based casinos for many months. Some have reopened; some are still closed because of restrictions; some have even closed down for good. People who used to visit casinos to get their gambling fix have had to go elsewhere: they?ve been playing at online casino sites on their computers and mobile casino sites on their phones instead.?
The closure of land-based casinos has led to many people playing at mobile casinos for the first time. When casinos reopen, some people may go back to playing at land-based casinos; some may stick with mobile sites; some may go for both.
The Popularity of Mobile Devices
Another key reason why there?s more mobile casino traffic is the fact that more and more of us own mobile devices. The number of smartphones in the world has been steadily rising year on year. There?s roughly one for every two people on Earth. It?s estimated that in the coming years, the number of smartphones will only get bigger. With more people able to access mobile casinos, the popularity of these sites will very likely keep on growing.?
Social Casinos
In recent years, social casinos have become very successful. These are special sites or apps where you can play online casino games for free; you can even play with or against your friends. With these casinos, there?s no actual gambling involved since you don?t pay. The sites make their money through ads and in-game purchases. You play games using coins and have a limited number of them; they replenish after a while, but if you can?t wait, you can purchase additional ones to use right away.
Social casinos are legal in many places where gambling is forbidden. This is because even though they?re advertised as casinos, you don?t pay to play any of the games, nor can you win any money; you?re simply playing for fun. Here?s a summary of how social casinos and regular paid casinos compare:
| Social Casinos | Online Casinos |
| Free to play | Pay to play (free play also available through demo play and bonuses) |
| No gambling | Gambling when playing with real money |
| Focus on playing with others | Mostly solo play |
| Available just about everywhere | Not available in some places |
| Promote entertainment | Promote gambling |
Less Stigma
Online gambling does have some negative things associated with it, such as addiction and debt. Having said that, the majority of people who gamble do so sensibly and don?t get into any sort of problem because of it. Though gambling is still legal in many places around the world, a lot of countries are taking a more lenient approach to it.?
It?s partly thanks to the more positive reputation of gambling that mobile casinos are experiencing an increase in market share. Because gambling has less of a negative reputation, more people feel comfortable visiting casinos, whether it?s land-based, online or mobile ones, and spending money playing casino games.?
Winning?
It goes without saying that one of the best online casino experiences you can have is winning a large sum of money. The idea of winning is what keeps people coming back to casinos, including mobile ones. Even though the odds are against them, this doesn?t stop them from trying their luck and seeing if it?s their lucky day.