Mobile online casino sites are designed to maximize usability on today’s most popular mobile devices. Modern smartphones and tablets can handle everything gambling sites can throw at them. In fact, if it wasn’t for limited screen real estate, we wouldn’t even need mobile casino apps. Mobile gaming sites simply make it easier for you to interact with the games.
Let’s start with a list of the best mobile casino sites and then talk a little more about what goes into designing a high-quality mobile casino.
Mobile Gambling Sites and Apps
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The internet gambling industry knows the mobile market is huge. Irish betting site Paddy Power recently revealed that 51% of the company’s sports betting handle comes from mobile devices. We’ve been talking about the rise of mobile gambling for years now, and the future is finally here. Any gaming company that wants to compete on the highest levels needs to have a mobile offering.
The main thing the best mobile casino sites do well is increase usability. All my fellow sausage-fingered gamblers out there can probably attest to the difficulties that come with trying to tap tiny buttons on websites that aren’t designed for mobile visitors. The same thing also goes for online gambling. Mobile casinos have bigger buttons and arrange the games differently so you can see what’s going on.
Let’s take roulette for example. A standard PC version of roulette shows the roulette wheel, an entire betting board and little casino chips all on one screen. This works great when you have an agile mouse pointer that you can use to manipulate your bets.
This same setup wouldn’t work well on a smartphone or even tablet. The mobile version of that same game might show only a betting board and then switch over to the roulette wheel when you’re done placing your wagers. Speaking of which, quality mobile software utilizes larger betting buttons that are easier to use when placing bets.
To put it short, the smaller screens on your typical iPhone or Android require a different approach. The mobile version works well and oftentimes you don’t even need to download an app. Most casinos have mobile-friendly versions of their websites that are served automatically when you visit from a smartphone or tablet.
Mobile Friendly Casino Websites
This is the most common format for mobile online casino sites. These are basic no-download casinos that let you play all their casino games without downloading a thing. It’s similar to the “instant play” technology that was offered for years to PC users who were wary of downloading casino software. As long as you have an internet connection, you have everything you need to gamble online.
All you have to do is point your smartphone’s web browser to the casino website and it will serve you the mobile version automatically. You can log in to your account, manage your finances and play games online without ever visiting the app store to download anything.
Mobile friendly websites are used most frequently by sites that serve highly regulated markets. In the United States, for example, Apple’s App Store won’t even approve gambling apps.
The downside is that mobile websites are typically more limited in game selection. A casino might have upwards of a hundred individual games when accessed on the PC but only a few dozen when accessed via some mobile device. The options are normally limited to a few table games such as blackjack, specialty games such as roulette and about a dozen or so slots.
Mobile Gambling Apps
Some casino sites have actual apps that you can download and install on your phone or tablet. These are mostly found in markets where online gambling is unquestionably legal. Visit your phone’s app store, search for the casino’s name and you’ll find the app.
Mobile gambling apps tends to offer greater functionality than instant play websites. You can expect greater compatibility, better graphics and more game selection. If your casino has an app as an option, it’s worth looking into.
You can usually find a list of compatible devices somewhere on the website of your online casino. Just look for the “mobile” section and somewhere there will be a list of phone models that can download the full mobile casino. If you’re not sure, you can always visit the casino websites on your device. If it has a mobile app, it will bug you constantly to visit the app store and download the app.
Getting Started
It’s best to use your personal computer to set up new accounts at mobile casino sites. Computers are generally safer than phones and use secure internet connections to transmit information. This isn’t to say mobile devices lack in safety, but it’s just that you have more control with your computer.
Plus, the sign up process is a lot easier when done from a computer with a full-size keyboard. You can type in your information, verify your account and make a deposit much more quickly when you use an actual computer. It’s just a slower process when you try to do it all on your smartphone.
You’ll also want to make sure you play only on secure connections. If your phone has a roaming data plan, go with that. It’s much safer than using public WiFi networks when you’re out and about. If you do have to use a public network, you should consider signing up for a VPN service.
Wes Burns co-founded OnlineCasinoSites.com with a mission to help gamblers understand and navigate the regulated online casino market in all countries around the world. Wes is a respected gambling journalist, working in the industry since 2008.