Of the 7.8 billion people in the world, 3 billion are avid mobile gamers. Over the last decade, mobile gaming has improved drastically, in which today’s smartphones are capable of handling tasks that once only desktop computers could perform. It’s hard to imagine that previous generations once had to carry around a separate phone, camera and gaming device when today’s smartphones can manage online banking, shopping, learning and so much more.
The advancements in smartphones have meant that more people than ever are now opting to play their favourite video games by mobile. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the major factors that have enabled mobile casino games to become so popular.
Tech improvements
The digital revolution has fuelled the growth of mobile gaming popularity. As tech advancements have become more available, the entry price of mobile technology has lowered so that more people across the world are able to own high-capacity smartphones. More so, as previous developing countries have become wealthier, mobile gaming usage has rocketed in these areas. According to statistics, 55% of global gamers are from South-East Asia.
Other technologies which have impacted mobile gaming include:
4G and 5G connectivity
4G and 5G technologies have become more prevalent across the world, enabling greater internet connectivity and faster streaming speeds for improved gameplay. 5G networks are now able to utilise a greater radio frequency, meaning the network is capable of supporting tech like mobile virtual reality, high-speed streaming, augmented reality, and much more.
Enhanced graphics
The latest smartphones are capable of streaming high-quality video content instantly. They can also act as a camera, a video recorder, or even a tool for artists. The most advanced smartphone of 2020 was the Asus ROG phone plus, scoring 1 minute, 22 seconds on the speed test.
What’s more, smartphone technology is always improving, with developments in augmented reality and VR.
The popularity of mobile casinos
While casino games were once reserved exclusively for brick-and-mortar casinos, the popularity and footfall in land-based casinos across the world have rapidly declined in recent years. Today’s online casino is a highly advanced offering that people can access from anywhere in the world and at any time.
Ease of access
The enhanced convenience and ease of access of online casinos have meant that online casino games are able to appeal to a wider group of people globally. According to statistics, the most popular age category for playing mobile games is those aged 21 to 35 years. Surprisingly, the smallest age group for those playing mobile games is those aged just 16 to 20.
Increased gaming variety
One of the greatest things about mobile casinos is the variety of games that are available. Unlike a brick-and-mortar casino, online casinos are not limited by the number of gaming tables they can fit inside their venue. In addition to this, online mobile casino games are also much more interactive, with game modes such as live casino, where players can interact with a real dealer. Online casinos such as 888casino offer a wide range of live casino games to suit audience’s growing appetite for a more ‘real’ casino experience. Here, individuals can play in real-time with a real dealer, and can even talk in real-time via a live chat feature.
There’s also been an increase in the types of online betting that can take place for a greater variety of sports events. As such, mobile sports betting has become incredibly popular.
The clash of physical and digital worlds
While mobile casino games are incredibly convenient, there’s still nothing quite like experiencing the atmosphere of a casino with the music, drinks, quiet hum of chatter and live dealers to keep players entertained.
While mobile casinos had lost this quality for a while, today’s mobile games are a live dealer feature where players can play with a real-life dealer who is able to interact with them in real-time. Streaming technologies mean that a dealer can operate a gaming wheel in a physical room, while many other gamers stream the content and can play along while chatting with the host and other players.
Key mobile gaming growth
There have been some significant milestones for the mobile gaming industry over the last few years. Some of these key milestones can be seen below:
A 12% increase in the number of mobile players
Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 12% increase in the number of players who began utilising mobile gaming. One of the key factors driving this growth was the need to be able to access gaming remotely at a time where many people could not travel. This fuelled the industry to become an even bigger overnight success.
$19 billion spent in Q2, FY2020 alone
During the second financial quarter of 2020, the globe saw spending on mobile gaming rocket. While much of the world experienced increased financial difficulty, some were able to continue making profit in which smartphone buying ticketed and competition to access the best mobile games became harsh.
How to pick the best mobile gaming site
Due to the sheer volume of online casinos, it can be tricky for players to know which provider to go with and can even put them off using the technology. However, it is easier to pick a good online casino when looking out for the following factors:
- Is it easy to find the login section? A good website will have a clear members’ area that can be accessed rapidly from their homepage.
- Is the site reputable? Unfortunately for all the great sites out there, there are also many scam sites. A reputable provider will have many online reviews and a clearly displayed license from a recognised authority.
Overall, mobile gaming has skyrocketed in popularity in the last few years. While it’s difficult to say what growth we can expect in the future, there’s no doubt that the next few years will see the introduction of more impressive technologies that continue to grow and enhance the industry.
