• Paul
• On March 20, 2018

Technological innovation is continuing to change the face of the iGaming industry. Although desktop and laptop iGaming accounted for the majority market share in 2016, that share is ever dwindling thanks to the global penetration of smartphone and tablet devices. Mobile phones are not just the handy pocket telephone that they used to be. They’re a one-stop-shop for communication, multimedia and now high-definition iGaming.

Mobile gambling is now seen as the future for the iGaming sector. More people are using their smartphones and tablets to search the web and communicate via social media than desktop computers, so why should online gaming be any different? Fortunately, iGaming software developers were quick to acknowledge this trend and utilize HTML5 technology that would allow for intuitive in-browser gaming on mobiles, as well as slick native apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices. Today, the number of iGaming options on mobile devices is greater than ever.

When the first mobile casinos first came to the fore, it was strictly traditional table games such as blackjack and roulette that were generally offered. However, due to rising demand, iGaming software developers were forced to ramp up their mobile catalogues in favour of immersive slot machine games designed in the style of those played in land-based casinos. Slots are now designed to display immersive, high-definition visuals and sound, allowing developers to design games around themes in popular culture. Whether it’s favourite TV shows, Hollywood movie franchises or professional sports stars, there’s a themed slot game for you.

Mobile gaming has also taken classic casino table games to the next level thanks to advancements in internet connectivity and live streaming technology. With 4G increasingly commonplace in major towns and cities and Wi-Fi networks rife, the best casinos in the UK now also offer live dealer casino games. These are table games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat which have human dealers managing your game, streaming their actions live to your mobile screen. The use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology also provides accurate data overlays for mobile gamers to use and make informed decisions about their next bets.

In the UK, the share of remote betting, casino and bingo action has risen to 34% in the last 12 months, according to the Gambling Commission. Mobile sports betting is certainly bigger than ever before, with more in-play betting markets than you can shake a stick at. Betting on sports with mobile devices allows sports fans to feel even more involved in a contest, regardless of whether they are a fan of either team or player.

“Virtual Reality Demonstrations” (CC BY 2.0) by UTKnightCenter

Looking to the future, the mobile iGaming experience is almost certain to be taken to another level with the emergence of virtual and augmented reality. Already, online casinos are developing virtual reality casino environments for players to explore using headsets for their smartphones. This will provide the social buzz that you’d normally get from visiting a land-based casino. Whether these technologies are the death knell of bricks and mortar casinos remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that gamers will be less inclined to visit casino floors if the floor can be brought to their own home.