The rise of mobile gambling: An overview

One of the most significant developments of modern times is the creation of the mobile phone. Since this device was first launched, it has rapidly become central to everyday life.

Smartphones are now used for a wide variety of purposes, from listening to music and watching videos to playing online casino games. That last activity is enjoying a particularly strong growth in popularity.

Not that people are limiting themselves solely to casino games when it comes to mobile gambling though. They are just as likely to use the devices for placing bets on their favorite sports.

The rise of mobile gambling is a multifaceted phenomenon. This article will provide an overview of it.

How mobile gambling became big

One thing that cannot be disputed is that the use of mobile phones for betting is very popular now. From sports betting to casino games, all forms of mobile gambling are on the rise.

While this success has been striking, it did not come from nowhere. The ground for it was laid by the emergence of online gambling.

The 1990s saw both bookmaking and casino gaming start to migrate to the internet. It was during that decade that the first online sports bet sites and casinos appeared and they gradually supplanted their bricks and mortar predecessors.

They were so successful – and profitable – that the operators behind them began to launch spin-off mobile apps. Mobile gambling was regarded as a natural follow-on, as it took the benefits of online gambling a stage further. 

Given that the value of the latter by the end of last year was $95.5 million, it is easy to see why the companies felt that the time was right for expansion.  That brings us to where we are today. 

Why people like mobile gambling

• Accessibility

The accessibility offered by mobile gambling is the single biggest reason for its rise. The fact that mobile phones are so portable means that people can access a casino or sports betting app from anywhere.

That makes it a step forward from online gambling, which was more accessible than the land-based version. Online gambling meant that people could place bets from the comfort of their homes – but they were restricted to those locations.

Betting on casino games or sports online requires a desktop or laptop computer, both of which are more bulky than a mobile phone. So mobile gambling succeeded by making things that bit easier for people than they had been before. 

Further reasons for its popularity

While the accessibility and convenience of mobile gambling is its main asset, this is not the only reason why the public has embraced it. The casino and sports bet sites have invested a lot of money in their apps, with the aim of making the user experience irresistible.

Some of the features that they have added include:

• Push notifications

These let the users of the apps know about bonus offers and keep them updated about the progress of their bets. They have been a big factor in helping the mobile apps to retain their users.

• Instant bets

Another reason why mobile gambling is booming is the availability of instant bets. Once the app has been added to a mobile device, a game or bet can be activated with a single tap of the screen. That ease of use wins over new and casual gamblers.

• Community features

The creators of gambling apps have devised features to make the experience less solitary. Among them are community pools and challenges, leader-boards and chat functionality. 

The result is that friends often use the apps together and engage in friendly rivalry over their betting.

• Security and safety features

When it comes to security, mobile gambling apps have improved a lot. These days they utilize features like two-factor authentication and SSL encryption to protect the data of their users. That has made people feel more comfortable with them.

It is not just about the safety of user data though – it is also about the safety of the bettors themselves. The apps contain tools to help people budget for their gambling and allow them to limit the notifications they receive. This encourages responsible gambling.

The future of mobile gambling

The future of mobile gambling looks bright, with lucrative connections between mobile casinos and the sports world. These attract sports fans, opening up another potential user base.

Many gambling apps have also started to integrate the next generation of technology. That includes things like blockchain, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

These technologies are being used to make the gambling experience more immersive, but also to reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft. 

There are lots of reasons why mobile gambling is on the rise and it will remain very popular.