The Marriage Between Mobile and Casino Gaming
Posted by Harry Kane on Thursday, May 11, 2017
Last year was a seminal one for mobile gaming, as it finally became more lucrative than traditional PC and console platforms for the first time.
In simple terms, tablet and smartphone reveneues peaked at an estimated $36.9 billion in 2016, which equates to a 37% share of the overall market. In contrast, PC gaming revenue fell to $31.9 billion during the same period, while the equivalent amount for consoles was slightly lower at $29 billion.
This growth was largely driven by the online casino market, which is increasingly accessible through the mobile medium. But how exactly has this evolution taken place?
The Emergence (and Subsequent Evolution) of Smartphones
In truth, this evolution began in 2007, when Apple brought the first iPhone to the market and ushered in the age of the smartphone. This transformed the traditional feature phone into a device that could be used to complete multiple tasks online, including sending email, sharing data and accessing real-time entertainment experiences.
In the decade that has followed since the launch of the first iPhone, the technology behind smartphones has also become increasingly affordable and sophisticated. Both iOS and Android handsets now offer access to secure Wi-Fi and mobile data connections, for example, while the proliferation of the app market has also increased functionality and diversified the range of tasks that can be completed through smartphones.
How Mobile and Casino Platforms Compliment One Another
It just so happens that this technological evolution has coincided with the emergence of the online casino market, creating a purposeful marriage between form and function that has become stronger with every passing year.
More specifically, online casino players have become increasingly active through mobile devices, thanks to the advanced technology that underpins them and the fact that they can now offer secure and real-time gameplay to individuals regardless of their physical location.
The rise of dedicated apps has also enhanced the casino experience, making a host of games more accessible and negating the need to download separate software and platforms. This is a huge time-saver, which is crucial in an age where online consumers across all markets are increasingly impatient when attempting to complete actions in the virtual realm.
The Emergence of Dedicated Gaming Devices
Over time, we have the relationship between mobile and casino gaming become increasingly lucrative, while it continues to drive simultaneous growth in both markets. Both mobile and casino operators are also adapting to create an even more compatible and enjoyable gaming experience for players. This is reflected by the rise of dedicated gaming tablets, for example, which taps into the huge popularity of mobile gameplay and accounts for a growing percentage of all gaming revenues. Online casinos are also continuing to diversify the sheer range of games that are targeted at mobile users. More specifically, there are striving to create a larger number of titles aimed at casual gamers, who are more likely to access games during the daily commute to and from work. These games not only benefit from the freemium business model that underpins the mobile platform, but they also tend to be low-variance and focused on creating a fun and immersive experience.
We should definitely expect this trend to continue in the future, as mobile and casino gaming markets continue to inspire mutual growth and create an immersive experience for players across the globe.