A Brief History of Mobile Casinos
Not that long ago the internet didn't exist, so visiting a casino meant heading out on the town. This involves getting dressed up, weaving through traffic, finding a parking spot and dealing with crowded gaming halls. Visiting a bricks and mortar casino does have an atmosphere that is hard to recreate from home, but it can be a lot of work as well.
With so many mobile casinos to choose from it is difficult to imagine a time when you couldn't just open your phone and log in. Yet it has only been a decade or so since we have been able to do so. Microgaming was at the forefront of the internet gambling revolution with their site the Gambling Club, licensed in Gibraltar. This was the heady days of the mid-1990s when the internet was in its infancy, and the public was still a little unsure of what to make of the tidal wave of connectivity that was about to be unleashed.
2005 was a seminal year with platforms such as Spin3 from Microgaming and partners Spiral Solutions entering the mobile market and making waves. A couple of years later, the mobile gambling explosion truly kicked off with the release of the iPhone and the introduction of apps. Initially, poker ruled with Texas Hold 'em one of the most downloaded apps of 2008. But once casino operators spotted the opportunity that apps and web apps offered the gambling world would never be the same. From then on the dam was breached and users of all operating systems were deluged with mobile casinos and slots.
Mobile Casino Benefits
The number one factor is convenience. Wherever you take your phone (with internet coverage), you have a casino in your pocket. In reality, you don't have just one, but 100s of casinos just a thumb press away. Feel like having a spin while queuing at the bank, or sitting on the bus, or while watching TV? No problem. Modern technology means you are mere moments away from a huge and growing selection of top quality slots and table games.
Modern smartphones have progressed to the point where you can accomplish virtually anything on them that you can with a desktop computer. This includes setting up new accounts, conducting financial transactions, interacting with customer service, and of course – playing games. Not only will you find the biggest and best slots, but a huge range of table and card games such as poker, blackjack, roulette and more. Fans of live gaming aren't left hanging either. Mobile technology has progressed to the point where live, streaming casino gaming is available to play. Wherever a player has an internet connection, they have the option of participating in at a live casino. The cream of the crop is Evolution Gaming which offers a state of the art product that has been certified fair by auditing company eCOGRA.
Speed, convenience, anonymity, versatility, and fun some of the key benefits and is why mobile casinos dominate.
How to get Started
With so many options available to modern gamers it can be confusing knowing where to start. Fortunately, the process is not only straight forward; it can also be extremely enjoyable. It mainly boils down to finding a suitable gambling platform and signing up. The online gambling business is highly competitive, and most casinos will provide welcome bonuses to entice new players to their site. This is great for consumers as these offers can be used to test casinos and add an edge to their gambling.
Like picking the best slot, choosing the best online casinos comes down to the needs and personal preference of the individual player. Some like new quirky casinos, some prefer a more traditional casino experience. The best thing to do is explore several before picking the one you like. To help kick off your search here are five top rated mobile casinos that have plenty to offer modern gamblers – including great welcome bonuses.
- Rizk Casino is giving away a 100% matching bonus up to £100 as well as 50 free spins for new customers.
- The mysterious Mr Green provides new players with a 100% matching bonus up to £100 and 100 free spins.
- The ever popular LeoVegas get the ball rolling with 200% up to €400 and 200 free spins.
- Fun Casino live up to their name with 200% up to €499 along with 100 free spins.
- 21 Casino offer a huge 121% matching bonus up to £300.
- Finally, Slotsmillion has a solid 100% up to £100 bonus as well as 100 free spins.
Offers may vary depending on where you access a new mobile casino from, and always check it is available in your country of residence.
Software and apps
Many online casinos offer an app that can be downloaded onto your smartphone. In general, these apps are aimed at iOS and Android users while those with Blackberries or Windows phones are less often catered for. Alternatively, if you can't access a mobile casino's app, their site can usually be played through a web browser. This is ideal for people who don't want to download additional software, and for convenient playing on the go with laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The experience is just as seamless as using an app and just as enjoyable.
The vast majority of games can be played on the go as well. Some older titles powered by Flash might not be available on mobiles that do not support Flash Player. Most games now are created using HTML technology which is available on virtually all modern devices. This has led to improved stability and options for playing on the move.
Features of the Best Mobile Casinos
There are several key criteria that a good mobile casino will have. You can use these points to create a baseline to work with going forward.
Safety and Security
Firstly, a top mobile casino will typically be fully licensed and regulated. This offers a layer of protection for you and your money. Following on from there check what security measures the casino has put in place to protect your information – such as bank details. Encryption is the name of the game here, so look out for things like SSL technology which scrambles data making it impossible to read.
Banking
There are a wide variety of banking methods available to customers though some are more widespread than others. Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Electron. eWallets are quickly growing in popularity due to low/zero fees as well as convenience and fast processing times. PayPal is popular, as are Neteller, Skrill, and many more. Bank transfers are available but seem to be dwindling due to lengthy processing times. While by no means mainstream, cryptocurrency is showing up at more and more crypto mobile casinos. Bitcoin remains king for now with all of the pros and cons it possesses.
Before making withdrawals, or during the registration process, a reputable mobile casino may ask you to verify your address or identity using a photo ID. A legit mobile casino will use this step as part of their anti-money laundering protocols, and it is completely common in the industry.
Customer Service
Customer Service isn't always a deal-breaker. But if you are the type of gambler that likes to have back up make sure that the CS department is open when you will need it. You could even contact them before signing up to get a solid feel for their service.
Games and Software Providers
If a mobile casino covers these base points, it is onto the good stuff – games and bonuses. If you can find favourites, as well as new intriguing titles to play you should have a long, happy gaming experience.
Live Gaming
A top quality mobile casino may or may not offer a suite of live games. They are great to have on hand if you are in the mood for some social gambling, but might not hold much interest if you are more interested in slots. If you the idea of live gaming appeals to you then NetEnt and Evolution Gaming offer a top quality live product.
Bonuses
While a bonus is usually the first introduction to a mobile casino, we left it last because, in the long run, it will become the least significant factor. Bigger does not always mean better when it comes to bonuses, and some of the best online casinos have relatively small offers. Treat them as the icing on the cake rather than the main reason for signing up. However, most mobile casinos offer welcome bonuses for new customers and ongoing promotions for existing customers. They vary significantly from offer to offer, and some casinos don't use them. Mobile casino bonuses are sweet extras but shouldn't be your sole reason for registering. Having said that, keep an eye out for non-deposit offers which are a fantastic way of test running a new mobile casino without having to spend a penny. Always make sure to read the terms of any offer thoroughly, in particular, look out for wagering requirements and win caps. If the requirements do not match your bankroll and playing style don't worry, there are plenty of other great bonuses online to explore.
The Future
When you see how quickly the technology has progressed to the point we found ourselves now, there is no limit to what can follow. Virtual Reality is often touted as the next step in the evolution of gambling, and there is no reason why it can't cross over to VR mobile casinos too. At the moment Slots Millions is one of the few online casinos who have started to introduce this technology. Imagine wearing a headset, exploring a virtual casino, meeting fellow players. Developer's imaginations may be curtailed by technology, but those restraints are quickly breaking down. When you consider that what we are able to do now was unthinkable a couple of decades ago, just imagine what will be possible in the next ten or twenty years.
Final Word
There are plenty of reasons why gambling is one of the world's most popular pastimes. Apart from the chance to win money , comes the thrill of the chase and the sheer joy of playing top games. Modern users are living through a great time for gambling. Not only are games getting better, but mobile casino operators have tightened up their operation. The internet is such an effective forum for calling out a dodgy casino that the majority you come across are run above board – it's in everyone's interest to do so. We have done most of the leg work for you so there are plenty of great mobile casinos to choose from here at the site. Once you have found the perfect mobile casino for your needs you can expect years of fun and convenient gaming.
