Smartphones Boosting the Online Gambling Industry
Most people believe the original iPhone, released in 2007, was the world’s first smartphone. Yet, that is inaccurate. The initial device that can get classified as what we now perceive to be a phone whose functionalities stretch beyond communication was the Simon Personal Communicator from IBM.
It hit store shelves in 1994, the same year the online gambling industry got birthed, thanks to the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda passing the Free Trade and Processing Act. However, it was not until 2001 that someone used a mobile phone to wager over the internet, and it took another decade for mobile casinos to morph into the remote gambling platforms we know today.
In the subheadings below, we explain how smartphones will likely help the online gaming industry reach a gaming industry worth of $158 billion while also answering the following questions:
- Why is mobile gaming growing?
- How fast is mobile gaming growing?
- How does technology affect gambling?
- Why is mobile gaming so popular?
- Is online gambling increasing overall?
- Which app is best for gambling?
- Are gambling apps legal?
Table of Content:
- They Have Widened the Market
- Brought Mobile Payment Methods to the Fold
- Smartphone Features Have Improved Account Security
- Made Every Casino Game Accessible Remotely
- They Hold Massive VR/AR Gaming Potential
- To Sum Up
They Have Widened the Market
Pre-2010, it was reasonable to ask - can you gamble online on your phone? Nowadays, the possibility is not only understood, but it is the preferred method of betting online. According to a 2019 UK Gambling Commission participation report, 44% of Brits who gambled in 2018 did so on their mobile phone. Projections are that currently, this percentage is well above 50%.
In the US, 57% of gamblers wager online, and more than 55% of these online casino players and sports bettors do so from their phones. Hence, it is ridiculous to ask - Is mobile gaming on the rise, as, each year, the number of mobile traffic increases.
Smartphones have made games of chance for real money and sport betting super accessible, opening the doors for gambling operators to reach previously unreachable demographics. These devices have made it possible for anyone to test their luck from anywhere when they see fit.
Brought Mobile Payment Methods to the Fold
When this sphere got underway, debit/credit cards were the only method gamblers could use to fund their online gambling balances. In the early 2000s, e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill, Moneybookers at that time, entered the payment arsenals of internet casinos and sportsbooks. Over the years, the ways one could fun their gaming/betting journey increased as cryptocurrencies started to get added to sites' cashier tabs, and pre-paid solutions entered the mix.
Recently mobile-exclusive payment options such as Cash App have debuted at gaming/betting hubs, bringing multiple benefits for players/bettors. Hence, these smartphone-only picks have introduced a new way for casino users to fuel their accounts with Bitcoins, making the list of the best Cash App online casinos extensive. These tools and their industry acceptance have expanded the number of mobile users who can gamble on the World Wide Web.
Smartphone Features Have Improved Account Security
Gambling apps are legal if their operators have an international license from a global regulatory body such as Panama’s Gaming Control Board or a Curacao master license holder. So, when someone questions - why is online gambling so popular? The primary reason is that this activity is available for residents of all corners of the globe if they are willing to search out a platform that will accept them.
Moreover, gambling sites feature advanced security measures such as SSL encryption so that no one can view the information gamblers share with their operators, making this pastime extremely secure in data protection. However, smartphone users have the added pro of enjoying biometric account authentication options that ensure that no third parties access their accounts without permission.
Made Every Casino Game Accessible Remotely
In the early-2000s, when mobile gaming was getting underway, phones did not have the hardware necessary to run complex games. Furthermore, internet speeds were not up to par to help mobile gamblers play modern gambling products lag-free.
Thankfully, all that has now changed. Modern smartphone devices have the capabilities required to render complex graphics, and affordable data traffic plans make internet access and speed no longer an issue. Today, gambling apps and mobile versions of online casinos can even play every live dealer game on the market with zero problems.
They Hold Massive VR/AR Gaming Potential
In 2016, when Microgaming presented VR Roulette at the London ICE Expo, it seemed like VR gambling going mainstream was just around the corner. Alas, that did not happen. Nevertheless, AR mobile gaming took off with titles like Pokémon Go and Minecraft Earth sweeping the globe, which created a possibility for similar gambling products to appear in online casino lobbies soon.
Most newer VR headsets are mobile compatible, so it is only a matter before game providers get with the times. Evolution has already broken through the VR live game barrier with Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt Live.
To Sum Up
Smartphones have redefined how people wager over the internet, making this hobby convenient for all. With 62% of smartphone owners playing games on their phones, expectations are that mobile gambling will further explode in the coming years.
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