The popularity of gambling has increased significantly in recent years and experts in the industry are pointing to a number of reasons why. Most agree, however, that the biggest single factor is the prevalence of mobile technology and the new-found ease of access to online gambling sites this has provided. These developments are not only aimed at seasoned long-term gamblers, they are also attractive to people who have always wanted to take part in this sort of activity, but were unable to do so because of a number of restrictions, both practical and cultural.
Mobile gambling has experienced an extraordinary increase in popularity and the conversation among industry experts has now moved on to what the future holds and what this means to the industry and its customers as a whole.
Gambling on the move
What is it that makes gambling on a mobile phone so popular? Here are just a few of the most commonly cited reasons.
• Speed – as with almost every aspect of our lives, perhaps the biggest impact mobile technology has had on the gambling industry is the speed with which people can now access it. Gambling websites are literally only a few clicks away on a device that can be carried in a pocket or handbag, so anyone can start playing their favorite games in seconds.
• Ease and convenience – the ability to gamble whenever and wherever the individual is in the world is also hugely appealing. It is no longer necessary to be at a desktop computer. Long and boring journeys can be livened up with a little online gaming on a smart phone or tablet. For example, an online gambling guide for Canadian players demonstrates the range of opportunities available.
• Comfort – it is no longer necessary for people to visit a bricks and mortar casino in order to gamble, which means people can enjoy their favorite games in the comfort of their own homes. This makes the world of gambling instantly more appealing to a whole range of individuals who would previously have dismissed it as a pastime, because it involved too much hassle.
The technology
It all started with websites and as the Internet grew in both size and popularity, people found they were able to access online casinos, giving them the opportunity to enjoy gambling activities in an entirely new and unfamiliar environment. This accessibility was, for many, an enormous improvement on the previous requirement to actually travel to a casino or other gambling venue, which could prove expensive, inconvenient or for some, just unappealing.
These websites then adapted and evolved in order to fully exploit and make the best use of mobile technology. Suddenly, it seemed as though everyone had a smartphone or tablet and were using them almost constantly. Apps were therefore created and rolled out to provide even quicker and more convenient access to a huge range of gambling sites, as this online gambling guide for Canadian players demonstrates.
Things are now developing further and the future would appear to be a move into the world of social media. Perhaps, given the popularity of social media sites such as Facebook, this is not surprising. This move has opened up the world of gambling to a whole new market. People who would never before have seriously considered this type of activity, other than maybe the occasional game of poker with friends or a bet on a high profile sporting event, have discovered how exciting and entertaining it can be to join in on a regular basis. The industry has responded accordingly, offering a range of opportunities to play online games that have been specifically designed for social media platforms.
What does the future hold?
Today, keeping up with changes in any form of technology can be hugely challenging and this is particularly true of the mobile gambling industry, which has seen some fairly dramatic developments in recent years. Newly introduced or adapted legislation in many different countries is evidence of this.
The pace of development does not appear to be showing any signs of slowing down either; with new technology continually providing improved opportunities for people to enjoy their favorite games in ever more convenient and exciting ways. It has also opened up the market to new audiences and while it is impossible to predict what the future holds with any degree of certainty, most in the industry are agreed that social media is sure to play a huge role.