Mobile casino gaming offers a convenient and accessible way for people to play casino games, poker, and slot machines. In the past few years, as mobile devices and Internet technology have advanced, it has become even more popular than ever before with more players using mobile devices for casino play than ever before.
The advent and advance of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, as well as the emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning, have helped further fuel the fires of development.
Continued Rise In Mobile Gaming Popularity
The latest mobile casinos offer a broad expanse of game types with players able to enjoy table games, card games like poker, and slots. According to sports betting and casino writer Jeremy Olson, they offer live play, fast withdrawals, and substantial bonuses for both new and existing players. As such, they have gained considerable player numbers.
And the industry is far from done. Casinos and software producers continue to innovate, with trends like live dealer games and the use of AI and machine learning likely to drive player numbers up even further in the future.
5G Network Rollout
5G wireless technology is the latest advance in mobile Internet. Companies like Spark and One NZ already offer 5G in some areas and continue to expand network coverage to more areas of the country.
5G has notably faster download and upload speeds even compared to 4G, and this new mobile technology makes live play viable even for mobile players. As the 5G network continues to roll out, mobile casino apps will become more advanced and will offer even more access to advanced features.
Cryptocurrency And Blockchain Uptake
In the 15 years since Bitcoin’s launch, cryptocurrency and blockchain have seeped into different industries, including the online casino industry. Blockchain can offer greater transparency and fairness to gaming, while cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals are near instant, and more affordable than traditional cross-border payment methods, and they offer anonymity.
This anonymity can be especially beneficial to players in jurisdictions where online gambling has yet to be fully regulated because players do not need to register their personal details when they sign up to play. Some mobile casinos now even offer their own cryptocurrency, while many apps offer improved bonuses for players who do use crypto as their preferred payment method.
Live Casino Gaming
Live casino games are becoming increasingly popular. The rollout of 5G mobile Internet, the advance of cloud gaming, and better quality handsets have made live dealer games viable. And, as these technologies continue to increase, so too will the popularity of these types of games.
Live dealer games are popular because they enhance immersion. Players feel like they’re at the casino, rather than playing on their mobile devices. And live dealers can also increase trust and transparency between casinos and their players.
Increased Social Features
Mobile casinos use gamification to keep players on their apps and at their tables. This can incorporate features like badges for regular players, leaderboards to show the most successful and profitable gamers, and more. Social elements are also becoming more popular.
Live poker tables offer chat features, while even emoji reactions to players winning games offer another level of achievement for gamers. Although casinos have to tread a fine line when it comes to implementing social features on otherwise anonymous services, we can expect to see more of these elements in the future.
AI In iGaming
For better or worse, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm. While it does need regulation and there are genuine causes for concern regarding how AI is being implemented, it also has some viable and ethical use cases.
In particular, AI can handle big data and use the information provided to help drive marketing and other business efforts. It can be used to determine the most popular games at online casinos and there may come a point where AI can be used to create the mobile casino software we play.
VR And AR
Although they’ve yet to feature prominently in the mobile casino industry, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are gaining greater prominence in other areas of technology and entertainment.
As casinos look for ways to keep players on their sites, and players are looking for ways to enjoy more immersive casino experiences, we will likely see the introduction of these technologies in the mobile casino space. Used in conjunction with live games, players could really feel like they are part of the casino experience.
Cloud Gaming Options
Cloud gaming is becoming increasingly commonplace with PC and console gamers. Players can use third-party servers that host games and software without having to use their own processors or devices. This makes it possible to play even advanced games on lower-quality hardware that wouldn’t otherwise have the capability to play.
While mobile devices are becoming more powerful, not everybody has access to the latest flagship devices, and cloud gaming offers a viable alternative.
Regulatory Changes And Challenges
Countries and regions around the world are looking at ways to introduce or advance their online and mobile gambling regulations. States across the US are attempting to open up gambling industries. New Zealand lawmakers have also announced they will regulate online casinos, with the first regulated casinos potentially coming online in 2026. Regulatory changes shape the market and how it changes.
Currently, in countries like New Zealand, gambling on casino apps is considered something of a grey area. Players use offshore sites because there are no casinos licensed in the country itself, but the introduction of a regulatory framework would see New Zealand licensed casino apps bringing money to the country’s coffers via gambling taxes.
Conclusion
Mobile casinos are convenient and offer a wide range of games with the convenience of being able to play on the go. As technologies like cloud computing, AI, VR, and 5G mobile Internet continue to advance, we can expect them to impact mobile casino advances, with better quality and more immersive experiences on the horizon.
