The online casino industry is on the rise. Today, players no longer have to use desktops and laptops to place bets, thanks to mobile casinos. With mobile gambling, gamers can enjoy their favorite casino games using devices like smartphones or tablets. But just how far has the mobile betting industry come? Here is a quick overview!
The mid-90s was when the first online gambling games were launched. However, players and even online casino operators back then were sceptical about RNG (Random Number Generators). This and many other factors like player data security prevented these casinos from hitting their true potential.
In 1994, Antigua and Barbuda started regulating internet gambling, setting the stage for a multi-billion-dollar industry. Two years later, InterCasino became the first gambling website to offer punters a comprehensive collection of casino games.
However, it’s 2003 that The Mobile Lottery launched the first mobile gaming app in the UK. Three years later, Europe was already the largest mobile casino market worldwide. However, telecommunication experts at the time were predicting that Asia was catching up. Back then, the continent didn’t have clear gambling laws, with the population struggling to find suitable phones.
Further across in the US, mobile gambling has been a hit-and-miss affair. In 2011, the DOJ (Department of Justice) illegalized mobile betting despite the service already running in states like New Jersey and Nevada.
But in 2012, legislators led by Senator Jim Whelan started pushing for the legalization of mobile gambling to counter Las Vegas. In 2019, Rhode Island’s governor signed a bill to legalize mobile sports betting, becoming the first and only state to do that. Other states like New Jersey, Iowa, West Virginia, Nevada, and New York recently followed suit.
There are multiple licensing bodies and auditors in the online casino and sportsbook industry. However, no particular body oversees global online gambling activities. That said, Malta Gaming Authority is one of the most well-respected online gambling regulators. This body was formed in 2001 to ensure fair gambling, prevent underage gambling, and protect players’ funds.
Another top online gambling regulator in Europe is the UKGC. The Gambling Commission was created after the passing of the Gambling Act of 2005 and handles all gambling-related activities, except sports betting. Gamers can also play on mobile casinos regulated by the Swedish Gambling Authority, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, and more.
But players don’t just have to look at licensing when selecting the best online casino. That’s because game certification by renowned software testing bodies also counts. In this case, eCOGRA (created in 2003) is the most notable name. To see if the games have passed the fairness test, scroll down the online casino’s homepage and click the eCOGRA logo. Here, you’ll see a certificate with all tested games.
With more than 5 billion mobile phone users worldwide, it’s safe to conclude that there is something special about these remote devices. Smartphones and tablets offer casino players unmatched convenience by allowing them to enjoy themselves anywhere. Just ensure that your phone battery is full. Also, connect it to a strong and stable internet to get the best experience.
Apart from convenience, mobile casino bonuses are another motivation behind the rise of mobile casino games. Often, players get free spins or bonus money to play with for merely downloading gambling apps. In short, you’re likely to enjoy a collection of bonuses playing on mobile than on desktop or the stingy land-based casinos. Remember to read the bonus T & C, though.
For those who don’t have a mobile casino account yet, then you’re missing out on a pleasant experience. Mobile gaming is today the most popular form of gambling, thanks to the ever-rising smartphone technology and internet coverage. So, be the part!
