Mobile Gaming Gets More Popular…

Remember the old days? Time was you could only gamble online once the dial-up modem had done its thing, and only if no-one else in your house wanted to make a phone call all night…hardly conducive to a laidback gaming session.

Fast forward to today, and things couldn’t be more different. With a new breed of all singing, all dancing online casinos, with lightning fast broadband connections making it a joy to spin slots or play your favourite table games live and in-browser, things have got a whole lot better.

But it doesn’t stop there, and players are increasingly turning their attention to the ever-improving mobile casinos out there, for even more convenient casino play.

It’s hard to believe the first iPhone was only released in 2007. If you compare mobile casinos then with now, the modern operators are streets ahead. As technologies have improved and led to better gambling experiences on mobile, so too has its popularity increased amongst players.

Today, mobile accounts for over half of the gambling activity at most operators, and that’s only set to increase with time, as more customers try out the convenience of betting on their smartphones and tablets for the first time.

As casinos explore gamification in more depth, alongside the emerging markets for social gaming and even in-game betting, there are plenty of new innovations coming down the track that will help mobile command an even bigger slice of the pie.

From casino stalwarts like roulette, blackjack and video poker, through to the monster genre of mobile slots and even, increasingly, live gaming, mobile casinos are really upping the ante. By packing in ever-growing collections of games from the world’s top games developers, there’s no sign of progress slowing down anytime soon.

Mobile Slots

Slots have grown to become the single most popular vertical for casino gamblers, both online and on mobile. That’s in part thanks to the often life-changing jackpots that are up for grabs – as multi-millionaire progressive jackpot winners on mobile will testify. But it’s also down to some incredible slots games, which continue to draw players to the mobile format.

While there are no shortage of incredible games to recommend for mobile slots fans, there are a couple of stand-out titles you might want to check out to get your feet wet.

Hall of Gods

Slots with a Norse mythology theme aren’t too hard to find, but consistently prove popular amongst fans of the genre. It’s maybe something to do with the potential for epic gaming action that stems from Norse gods and legends. Whatever it is, slots developers NetEnt have managed to capture it, and distill it into a hugely popular slots title for mobile in Hall of Gods. With multiple progressive jackpots ranging into the millions, tripled free spins, and plenty of other bonuses packed onto the reels, there’s a lot going on in this slot to keep you mobile slotheads spinning along.

Immortal Romance

A vampire/gothic themed slot channeling the spirit of the Twilight franchise, Immortal Romance is a perennial favourite amongst gamblers on desktop and on mobile devices. The stunning animations and impressive game features translate perfectly well from desktop to mobile device. Players can bet up to £300 per spin, with 243 ways to win in lieu of traditional paylines. The in-game jackpot stands at a decent 1500x, and the RTP of 96.86% ensures this is also great value for money. What’s not to like?

Mega Moolah

If there was a Champions League of slots, Mega Moolah would be Real Madrid. Currently the world record-holding slot in terms of payouts (with the biggest ever jackpot of £13.2 million won by UK soldier Jon Heywood), its progressive jackpot is the stuff of legend. Its African safari theme looks great on mobile, and as one of Microgaming’s flagship titles, you’d be right to expect the gaming experience on smartphones and tablet devices to more than rival desktop play.

Mobile Table Games

When it comes to table games, mobile casinos now cover the full spectrum of options. In general, roulette and blackjack are the most popular, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Scrolling through some of our top-rated mobile online casinos, you’ll find the follow games:

  • Baccarat
  • Red Dog
  • Heads-Up Hold’em
  • Casino Hold’em
  • Caribbean Stud
  • Live Dealer Games, including: Blackjack, Roulette, Caribbean Stud and Baccarat

Thanks to modern technology, the gaming experience isn’t reduced just because you’ll be playing on a smaller screen. One of the main reasons this is true, especially when you play on your smartphone, is that you’ll be asked to put your device into landscape mode. Doing this puts you right in the heart of the action where making a bet is as simple as touching the relevant chips and betting sections.

Another feature you’ll likely encounter when you play mobile casino games is the back swipe. Instead of clicking buttons as you would via your desktop, you can swipe left and right to move between the casino lobby and your chosen table game. What’s more, some mobile casino apps have shake-to-cancel technology, which basically means you can undo a bet by shaking your device.

Overall, despite the smaller screen size, playing mobile casino table games is extremely immersive. Through a combination of touching, swiping and shaking, you feel a greater connection to the action than you do using a mouse and a computer. Moreover, because there are no other distractions on the screen, just the games themselves, you’ll find that mobile casino tables keep you more engaged for a longer period of time.

Multiple Mobile Platforms: Play That Suits You

Not everyone who lands at a mobile casino will be using the same device, and there are, of course, key dividing lines in the technology – the biggest of which exists between iOS and Android operating systems. Recognising the value in going big on mobile, casinos are increasingly adapting their offering to ensure they cover all the bases, whatever device, operating system or technology is being used by a given player.

iOS

Apps are readily available for iOS device users, whether you’re playing on iPhone or iPad. These apps are usually free of charge, and you can find them by searching in the App Store, or by looking for a direct link from the casino of your choice.

Android

Android is the market leader when it comes to mobile operating systems, so you’d feel pretty let down if they didn’t do just as good a job. Most casinos who develop for iOS now also extend their services to Android users, although in the recent past, cross-coverage was a little more patchy. You do however require a direct link to download Android apps, with gambling apps not eligible for listing in the main Google Play Store.

Windows Phone

Apps are a little harder to come by for Windows Phone users, but you’re probably already used to that by now. Most of the big name casinos provide some degree of support for Windows Phone or tablet players, although in most cases, the best you can hope for is a mobile-responsive website playable in-browser.

In-Browser Mobile Gaming

If all else fails, there’s an increasingly developing trend towards making casino websites work natively on any and all device browsers. Instead of downloading an app, you simply head over to the casino site on your chosen device, sign up for an account as if you were playing on desktop, and get things underway. The beauty of these types of mobile casinos is that they can be enjoyed more flexibly, or even across multiple devices during different sessions.

Obviously in-browser casinos lack the full engagement and convenience of playing directly through an app. However, they are often equally as quick to load, and with more games than ever being explicitly developed with mobile users in mind, the gaming experience is becoming virtually indistinguishable between the two.

Mobile Apps Vs. Mobile Casino Sites

When it comes to playing mobile casino games, you’ll have two options: playing via an app or playing via a mobile site. In recent years, the two mediums have improved dramatically and, today, there isn’t much to choose between them in terms of quality. However, there are some difference which you should be aware of.

In the first instance, mobile casino sites are more flexible. What we mean by this is that they aren’t confined to a single device like a native app is. During the coding process, the designers basically optimise an existing desktop site so that it’s capable of working on all screen sizes. Because of this, iOS users can access the same mobile casino site as Android, Windows Mobile and Blackberry owners. In fact, another thing to note is that Windows Mobile and Blackberry users don’t usually have access to apps. Because operators tend to focus on iOS and Android, you may have no choice but to use an optimised site on some mobile operating systems.

One slight downside to having the increased flexibility mobile sites offer is that it means there’s a lack of specificity. When you download a mobile casino app, every game and feature has been designed for your device and operating system. This means that everything runs smoothly and the proportions work perfectly with your device. When you access a mobile casino site, you might find that some page elements don’t quite fit or that reliability can be an issue. While these things are barely noticeable at times, it can be a problem.

In terms of gaming options, it’s usually the case that mobile casino sites are better stocked. Because you’re accessing a mobile site and not downloading anything, the developers haven’t had to worry about memory restrictions. The upshot of this is that you’ll be able to play more games. Yes, the difference won’t be huge, but there will be a difference in most instances. However, the counter to this is that mobile casino apps have more features and, in some respects, are safer. Options such as shake-to-spin or shake-to-cancel (bets) only really work when you download an app. Moreover, thanks to features such as TouchID logins, you can get a better level of protection with an app.

Overall, there are benefits to both options. If you want flexibility and choice, mobile casino websites are great. However, if you value a slightly slicker experience and enhanced security, apps are for you.

Getting Started With Casino Apps

Getting the action underway with casino apps is incredibly straightforward. Simply follow the steps below to get up and running in minutes.

Step 1: Choose A Mobile Casino. Pick from our recommended casinos above and choose a casino that tickles your fancy.

Step 2: Download the App. Most casinos have a dedicated mobile page, linking out to their apps. Alternatively, you can find QR codes, or even discover apps in the App Store if you know what you’re looking for ahead of time.

Step 3: Create an Account. This usually takes around 30-60 seconds, and involves inputting your personal information in the usual way. Choose a username and password for your account, insert the necessaries, and you’re more than halfway there.

Step 4: Choose your Bonus. Based on the welcome bonuses for mobile players available, have a quick read through the bonus terms and conditions (so you know you understand how it all works).

Step 5: Deposit and Play. Once you’re comfortable with claiming the bonus, it’s time to make your first deposit and get started. Top Tip: Make your first deposit count if it’s attached to a deposit match welcome bonus – it’s could be the last chance you’ll get to land so much free credit.

Mobile Bonuses & Promotions

As with any new player signing up for a casino account, it’s crucial to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth when it comes to mobile bonuses and promotions. Generally, mobile bonuses tend to be slightly lower in value than desktop bonuses, at least as far as the deposit match is concerned. However, you do tend to find you get offered a number of free spins alongside your deposit match, which can and does make these bonuses all the more attractive.

Check out the wagering requirements too, and any other restrictions that apply to your bonus. On mobile, these are generally a little less severe, which means you can withdraw your winnings all the faster. It’s all part of providing a more compact experience to suit play on smaller devices, and mobile casinos are more than living up to these expectations.

Real Money Mobile Games

All mobile casino games can be played for real money, there’s no limits to the amounts you can win by playing on the smaller screen and in fact some of the biggest progressive jackpot wins have come from players playing on their mobile. So, whether you’re in the game to play the big progressive jackpots seeking that £8,000,000 win or just to win a few hands of low stakes blackjack – playing for real money can be done by your smartphone. Similarly, with the exception of progressive jackpots you can also play for free and practice on your phone in demo play mode.

Enjoy Mobile Casino Gambling Today

Mobile casinos used to be the poor cousin of online casinos. Today, things are much more 50/50, if not tipping towards mobile casinos with every passing month. As technology gets better, even more games will become mobile-optimised, and with players trending towards ever-more frequent mobile gaming sessions, it’s clear that mobile casinos are the future.

Fortunately, there are plenty of solid mobile casinos with generous welcome bonuses, a good selection of games, and a reputation you can trust. Check out our recommended mobile casinos in the table above, and get started playing on mobile today.