Over the 21st century, the internet has evolved the world in more ways than we could ever imagine. We now effectively have computers in our pockets that are accessible at all times, and avid gamers have a new way to play all kinds of casino games as well.
Online casino games – and online gambling in general – have exploded in popularity, with innovative companies bringing their unique twists to classic titles.
Worldwide, online casinos are now worth billions of dollars annually. Many of the major gaming providers operate in a similar way to tech companies, allowing them to create all sorts of interesting ways to engage with their customers. But despite this, mobile casinos are still not as big as land-based venues in many places.
Could that change, though? After all, mobile penetration continues to increase, and many people are interested in convenience – which includes with their favorite games. Today, we’ll assess whether mobile casinos will ever truly rule the world of casino gaming.
What Is a Mobile Casino?
Mobile casinos are casinos that operate online. Despite the name, we can also refer to online casino websites that you access from your computer as mobile casinos.
Mobile casinos usually offer many of the same games that you’ll find at land-based casinos. For example, you’ll have no problems playing poker or blackjack online. In some instances, you can also play with live dealers – making the experience somewhat interactive.
To play at an online or mobile casino, you usually have to sign up for an account and verify your identity. Then, after depositing money into your account, you can play. If you want to play on your phone, you can access the desired website directly through a web browser on your smartphone or tablet. In some cases, you will need to download a dedicated app.
How Popular Are Mobile Casinos Currently?
According to Statista, online casinos are worth $31.93 billion worldwide in 2023. This represents slight year-on-year growth from 2022 when operators in this space generated $26.58 billion.
Mobile casinos consume a significant chunk of the overall online gambling space , which itself was worth $87.92 billion in 2023. By 2027, online casinos are expected to make $44.53 billion – representing over 300% in growth since 2017.
Online and mobile casinos have different levels of popularity in numerous countries around the world. Some countries where you’ll find well-developed ecosystems include the UK and the US.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Casinos?
Mobile casinos have several benefits and drawbacks. Understanding both of these is important if we wish to get the full picture of whether they can truly take over the space, and you’ll find both of these outlined in further detail below.
Advantages of Mobile Casinos
Very Accessible, Regardless of Location
Perhaps the greatest advantage that mobile casinos have is that you don’t need to travel to a physical casino to play games. Many games that you’d usually play on slot machines are just as interactive from your mobile device as well.
All you need to play mobile casino games is a smartphone and a stable internet connection. Other than those two factors, the only things limiting you are whether you’re of the legal gambling age and if online casinos are regulated in your jurisdiction.
Swift Entry and Exit
Another benefit of playing mobile casino games is that you can get in and out with minimal friction. All you have to do is log into the app or visit the website to begin playing, along with ensuring that you have enough money in your account. After covering those bases, you can sign off whenever you feel like it.
Straightforward Transaction Processes
There was once a time when online casino transactions were much more cumbersome. You often did not have a huge number of payment options, and transfer times were also quite lengthy. Now, however, that is not the case.
Transactions with online casinos are very straightforward now, and there are also several instant options. Withdrawing your money to your bank account also doesn’t take a lot of time.
Regular Gaming Sessions
If you enjoy playing casino games, you may want to play more often than is possible when you have to travel to a land-based casino. Fortunately, it’s now very easy to do that. With mobile online casinos, you can play on your smartphone whenever you want.
Besides not needing to travel, you are also not bound by casino opening hours. As a result, you don’t need to make huge plans for spending the day at a casino.
Lots of Interesting Games to Play
Mobile casinos have made it much easier to play the games that you well and truly love. But besides picking the same titles, you’ll also find a broad range of different themes that’ll help you stay entertained.
Since there are so many interesting games to play, you’ll never get bored and can always attempt multiple new titles if you need some inspiration. On top of that, you also have the option to play seasonal games around Christmas, Halloween, and many other occasions.
Plenty of Places to Play
While some markets have capped the number of casino websites allowed, you will often find plenty of websites you can play at. Each of these has its own unique advantages, such as tantalizing welcome bonuses and intriguing user interfaces.
If you live in a rural location, you now don’t need to stick with your local land-based casino if there’s something you don’t like about them. Instead, you can find exactly what you’re looking for online.
Disadvantages of Mobile Casinos
The Lack of Social Connection Compared to Real-Life Casinos
When we look at mobile casinos vs. land-based casinos, one of the major drawbacks for the former is that social connection isn’t the same. Yes, you can play with live dealers – but it’s not the same experience to play in your living room as it is on the casino floor.
For gamers who enjoy being around others, you might sometimes find that mobile gaming is more of an isolated experience.
Some Jurisdictions Don’t Allow Online Casinos but Allow Land-Based Casinos
As mentioned earlier in this article, one of the biggest barriers to playing mobile casino games is whether your jurisdiction allows them. Some places only allow physical casinos, meaning that you would be breaking the law by playing at an online casino. Nevada is perhaps the most famous example.
Why Will Mobile Casinos Continue to Grow in the Long Term?
We can point to several arguments for mobile casinos continuing to grow in the long run. Perhaps the biggest reason is that mobile penetration will keep increasing – as of 2023, there are over five billion smartphone devices in the world, according to Oberlo. With internet connections also improving, more players will have access to an immersive gaming experience.
Another case for mobile casinos continuing to grow is that the space can innovate much faster than land-based venues. Game developers can experiment with all kinds of twists on classic titles, which is excellent for keeping players engaged. Moreover, gaming operators can enhance their customer service and many other areas faster than would otherwise be possible.
Another argument for the dominance of the online casino industry in the future is that future generations might be more inclined to play from their devices than to visit in person. Those of legal gambling age now are beginning to have spent the majority of their lives online, meaning that they may feel more comfortable playing casino games from their devices.
With internet connections also improving, more players will have access to an immersive gaming experience.
What’s the Case for Land-Based Casinos Continuing to be Successful Over the Long Run?
Despite the huge potential for growth that mobile casinos have, it’s unlikely that physical casinos will truly go away. Even if we look at the boom in online shopping, for example, you’ll still find many places where physical shops are also important.
One of the biggest benefits that land-based casinos could have relates to regulation. Many places only permit physical casinos, and there’s nothing to say that all of those jurisdictions will regulate online gambling in the future. With this in mind, it’s possible that players will still have no choice but to visit land-based casinos in many places.
Another advantage that land-based casinos have is that they’re still much better places to socialize, and that is the reason why many people visit these places. While online casinos are more accessible for playing games, the physical experience is what many players look for as well. Even with virtual reality, that will still likely be the case for the foreseeable future.
FAQ
Do you need to download a separate app to play at an online casino?
No, you typically don’t need to download a dedicated app to play at a mobile casino. Most online casinos can be accessed directly through a web browser with a stable internet connection. However, some online casinos offer mobile apps for a better user experience, and downloading the app is up to the player’s preference.
Are mobile casinos as popular as land-based casinos?
While mobile casinos are growing in popularity, especially due to their convenience and accessibility, they are still not as prevalent or widely visited as traditional land-based casinos. However, they continue to gain traction, particularly among younger players and those looking for on-the-go gaming experiences.
What are the advantages of playing at mobile casinos?
Mobile casinos offer several advantages, including accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, convenient access to a wide variety of casino games, and streamlined transaction processes. Additionally, players can enjoy gaming sessions at their own pace without the constraints of casino opening hours.
