July 2015 was a landmark in the world of the mobile casino. A jaw-dropping €3.1 million was won by a single individual, playing NetEnt’s progressive jackpot, Mega Fortune. This jackpot set the record as the most significant payout to date, and grabbed the attention of ardent casino fans around the world. Huge wins like this help to drive players towards online gaming and mobile casinos, with digital brands reporting record profits and substantial growth as people make the change. It’s easy to see why – gambling is no longer tied to bricks and mortar bookmakers or racetracks, but can be enjoyed any time, anywhere, with a smartphone and an internet connection.
Mobile casinos have tapped into this moving market, leveraging the power and capabilities of modern smartphones. Smartphones offer instant access to online gambling. With over half of web traffic coming from mobile phones – the connectivity and convenience of mobile gaming appears to have won the day. As technology develops and smartphones become faster and sleeker, players can enjoy the games they fell in love with on their desktop or PC, with content adapted from desktop to mobile with Flash and HTML5. Suddenly, users can experience the same high level of graphics and features they were used to, but much more easily accessed in the palm of their hand.
Mobile games have evolved since first arriving on the scene a few years ago. In the main, smartphone and tablet games are similar to their PC and Mac counterparts, but there are still some distinctions that are worth exploring in greater detail. The mobile screen is much smaller than that of a PC or Mac. While XL mobile models are produced, many device screens are around 5″ or 7″, meaning that game features have to be altered and streamlined to work just as well on the smaller screen. The adjustments are achieved by removing some of the peripheral background graphics and surplus-to-requirement extras, and placing a more intense focus on the core features of the game. Interaction is made easy by either swiping or touching the screen and – with handsets improving at a rapid pace – the mobile casino experience is getting better all the time.
Developing technologies have paved the way for several established casino brands to advance and access the online gambling market rapidly. It has also opened the floodgates for new mobile casino brands to gain a foothold in the market. As a result, competition for players has become much fiercer. This drive from within the industry itself has had the knock-on effect of forcing many online casinos to develop their casino websites further on mobile. This has led to an increase in the number of online casinos finding a home on smartphones, compatible with Android and iOS devices. While the mobile casinos have been able to provide the usual games that you might find in a casino, they have also been able to develop a selection of online games that players can enjoy when they want a quick play.
We’re still getting used to opportunities to gamble online, with mobile casinos a popular option. However, the mobile gaming landscape is shifting fast, and the development of the mobile gaming industry has been moving at the speed of light over the last few years. It’s not so long ago that players were tied to physical premises and then a PC and an internet connection. Today, a quick flutter is a matter of seconds, and a few taps of the screen away. With ever-increasing amounts of data making up a part of mobile phone deals, players don’t even have to hang on a WiFi connection. As a result, the mobile casinos and online gaming markets have become hyper-competitive, with companies continually pushing the boundaries of the user experience with ever-better graphics and playability.
In terms of experience, most mobile casinos offer the full casino playlist and – most importantly – while the games might be digital, the jackpot is very real. This online reality means that players have the opportunity to check-in and win big, no matter where they are in the world, or what else they may be doing. Mobile casinos make blackjack a reality; players can also experience roulette, baccarat, and slots, or get involved in video poker on the go. Mobile casinos mean that players can make more of their downtime, even playing on an otherwise dull commute every day.
Even though the mobile casino lobby might be a little more compact than you’ll see on a PC screen, the mobile casino experience has become a much more personal and intimate experience. Our smartphones are always with us, in a pocket or a bag, and they offer discretion to enjoy a flutter within our own personal space. While mobile casinos are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, they are big enough to help you land that enviable big win of 2015.