Smartphones help us plan our lives, get us where we need to be, keep us entertained and connect us with people near and far. They allow us to work from home and on the go and do pretty much everything in between! That online slot you played during your train ride to work this morning? Just a few decades ago, that would’ve been unimaginable! Never mind the idea of playing live dealer casino games (where you’re up against a real dealer in real-time) on your daily commute.
In short, smartphones have completely transformed the way we live our lives. Read on to discover how they’ve impacted our lifestyles and how we approach our favorite casino games online. We also list some of the most popular devices for gambling on the go, which will interest those looking to increase their chances of winning big by accessing jackpot slots from just about anywhere!
The Evolution of Smartphones and Their Effect on the Casino Industry
In 1973, the world as we had come to know it, changed. Technological breakthroughs, which have since become an integral part of our daily lives, took on a new meaning when Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola, phoned a telecom company from a mobile phone – the first-ever call of its kind. Cell phones continued to evolve from there and eventually made their public debut in the 1990s. Today, more than 3.8 billion people use one. While mobile phones were once used primarily to make calls and send text messages, they now act as digital assistants and much more.
Gambling is just one of many industries that have been influenced by such rapidly evolving technology. While gambling platforms and other online games were also introduced in the 1990s, no one could have foreseen the way we would live and play today. One thing’s for sure – we’ve come a long way since early but much-loved mobile games such as Snake and Tetris! Games have developed exponentially since then with the rapid advancement of technology. While land-based casinos were once the primary platform for gambling entertainment, accessing casinos online has well and truly taken over. And you no longer need a PC or laptop to gamble online.
According to Mobile Game Market Trends 2020, published by Dot Com Infoway, the global revenue of mobile gaming is estimated to grow to more than $100 billion by this year. Mobile games account for 51% of the global revenue in the online gaming industry, with console games contributing 25% and PC games, 24%. Why people are turning to their smartphones for entertainment is predominantly a matter of convenience and accessibility – casino apps have been optimized to offer players a seamless, quality gaming experience anywhere at any time.
Ways in Which Smartphones Have Impacted Online Gambling
Below, we discuss five major ways smartphones have changed the online gambling industry.
1. Accessibility
What was once a full-day event at a land-based casino, perhaps something you could only do on weekends or holidays, has now been made accessible any time of the day and anywhere. Whether you’re just not up for a night out but still feel like a game of poker with your mates or in a taxi and have 10 minutes to spare, smartphones have made online casino games incredibly easy to access.
Combining advanced smartphone technology with high-quality apps from the best online casinos makes it as easy as downloading the app, creating your account (if you haven’t already registered,) choosing a casino game and placing your bets. With games optimized for mobile use, you can expect quality graphics, sound and gameplay (almost) exactly as you would find on your PC, only on a smaller screen. Once you’ve registered, you can launch the app and play any time that’s convenient for you. No more tedious long drives or waiting in lines with nothing to do!
2. Safety and Convenience
We all know that carrying wads of cash around isn’t safe and having to go to the bank to make a payment, then waiting days for it to clear, is inconvenient. With the advent of fast online banking methods such as Apple Pay, Pay by Phone and PayPal, withdrawal and deposit times are almost instantaneous. And as they say, instant pay equals instant play.
Online casinos have implemented many safety measures to protect your transactions and personal information. Be sure to choose a reputable, licensed casino such as BetMGM, where you can read the reviews, contact customer support and familiarize yourself with the privacy policies and security measures.
3. Better Communication
Today, the best online casinos have customer services available and ready to assist you 24/7. They also have extensive help pages offering general information on various queries or issues you may encounter during your gameplay – all available from your smartphone!
Not only do calls and live chatbots make accessing information easy, but casinos can now keep you up to date with their latest bonuses and promotional offers via email and social media so that you never miss out.
Finally, players are encouraged to communicate with each other. New players have the advantage of online reviews and ratings to help them make informed decisions when choosing a site, keeping casinos on their A-game!
4. Increased Interaction
While some players, such as those who enjoy casino slot games, may prefer going at it alone, others find the social aspect of gambling just as important as the game itself. Casino games such as blackjack and roulette are brought to life by table banter and the crowd’s excitement. While one may expect all of this to get lost in translation with the migration to casinos on mobile and PC, this isn’t the case at all!Â
Mobile casino games have been designed to create an authentic, in-person experience. From high-quality graphics to live dealers, online casinos bring all the thrills of gambling to your living room (or office or taxi!). Chat rooms and live games allow players to interact with the dealer and each other, keeping the social aspect alive and as entertaining as ever.
5. Wider Selection of Games and Options
Accessing casinos on mobile also means that you open yourself up to a much wider selection of casino games to choose from. This is because developers are continually rolling out new casino games and making exciting updates to existing ones in order to keep gameplay engaging. At a virtual casino, you can make your pick from classic slots to more modern, high-quality slots over and above all the other thrilling options!Â
What Does the Future Hold?
Our lives are moving online and the casino industry is evolving in step with this trend. While playing a live game of poker virtually was once unimaginable, today it may just be the most common way to play! So what does the future hold?
Virtual Reality
Mobile technology is introducing some amazing developments aimed at enhancing the user’s experience. Virtual reality casinos form part of a recent and exciting innovation currently in development. Imagine sitting on your couch wearing VR goggles while seeing and hearing a casino all around you! The future offers many exciting prospects, from 3D table games to realistic game rooms.
Payment Methods
Another way in which the industry is changing is through payment methods. As blockchain technology rises in popularity, many casinos have begun to offer cryptocurrency payment options. This allows players to remain anonymous and make secure payments.
Attracting Gamers and Other Younger Players
The convenience and ease of being able to access casino games continue to be a drawcard and is attracting a younger audience. In fact, there are parallels between gaming and gambling, which is why online gambling is expected to continue growing in popularity as it attracts gamers as well.Â
Legalization in More Countries
An additional factor that is expected to impact the future of virtual gambling is that more countries will be legalizing gambling sites. As it stands, the interest in such casino games can’t be ignored. Despite land-based casinos being tourist attractions and drawing crowds to specific countries, casino enthusiasts across the world are being heard – the calls for virtual casinos to be legalized in some countries are increasing.Â
New Policies
In addition to the above, different countries have different rules about gambling online , which are also expected to be reviewed, given the impact and reach of reputable gambling sites. New policies regarding limits on how much one can wager are already being rolled out in parts of the world. Depending on where you live, you may find that regulations that used to be strict have been relaxed. The UK, the US and Sweden are notable examples of countries that have made changes to their gambling policies for online purposes.
It certainly looks like there’s plenty of scope for growth in the online gambling industry and it’s exciting to see where developments in gaming software will take us next. Watch this space!
Popular Devices for Gamblers on the Go
There are so many different smartphones which are ideal for playing casino games online and if yours is less than a few years old, you can be pretty sure it’ll have the specs necessary to get the job done! Having said that, as per various online reviews and experts, a handful of the best smartphones for gambling include the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Asus Rog Phone 5 and the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
While a smartphone is the simplest choice for gambling when you’re away from your PC – especially since you’ll already have one handy – they definitely aren’t the only portable devices to consider. Do you prefer playing casino games on a larger screen than the one provided by a compact, modern-day smartphone? Then you might want to look into playing on a tablet instead. Along with improved visuals, most tablets today come with advanced processors, which means you’re sure to enjoy a seamless gambling experience no matter where you are – no buffering or long waiting times to worry about!
Pros and Cons of Gambling Online on a Smartphone
Obviously, the main benefit of gambling online using a smartphone is that you can access and play your go-to casino games anywhere and at any time, thanks to a smartphone’s portability. Along with convenience, if your smartphone is a newer model, you’ll enjoy faster download speeds and crisp, clear graphics.
On the other hand, as mentioned above, you’ll be playing on a much smaller screen, which can be a bit of an adjustment if you’re used to playing on your PC. If you’re trying to keep a closer eye on how much time you spend on online gaming, having a mobile casino on your smartphone might make it tempting to play more often than you ordinarily would.
Ultimately, there’s a time and a place for gambling online using a smartphone and for gambling online using a PC. Find your balance and enjoy the convenience of a portable virtual casino whenever it suits you!
Play Casino Games on the Go With BetMGM
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