There's no doubt that smartphones have changed the way that we live our lives. In fact, smartphone usage has skyrocketed over the last few years with a whopping
78% of adults using them in 2018 compared to a more modest 39% back in 2012.
As such, businesses around the world have recognised the need to offer their services in a format that's suitable for smartphone use, and the gambling industry is no different. Advancements in technology have paved the way for huge growth within the industry, and online gambling is predicted to have a net worth of
$92.9 billion by 2023.
This success isn't a coincidence - there are several ways that smartphones are changing online gambling.
Smartphones Are Less Restrictive
Without doubt, the biggest change that smartphones bring to online gambling is that they offer a level of accessibility that simply didn't exist in the past. Long gone are the days where gambling was reserved for those who were keen enough to travel to a brick-built bookmaker. Over time, these establishments made way for computer-based online gambling, but this was still restrictive insomuch that you could only place bets at home from a desktop computer or laptop.
Smartphones have changed this because people can now place bets wherever they want - at home, at work, in a coffee shop, on public transport, in a sports stadium, and so on. Having the ability to play
slots on your train commute to work, for example, has made gambling an activity that can be carried out at any place and time.
In-Play Betting
Likewise, in-play betting has become a massive success because people can get involved in live markets on their smartphones. Previously, these were again reserved for people who were betting from home on a computer.
Smartphones have led to bookmakers offering lots of in-play markets because people can take out their phones and bet wherever they are. This is perfect for people who want to bet on something while enjoying the game at home with their friends, or even for spectators in the crowd at live events.
Interactive Live Casino
However, it's not just smartphones themselves that have changed online gambling, but rather the continued advancement of the technology within them. Modern smartphones are able to provide an immersive and interactive
casino experience that is entertaining and accessible to all, with live dealers and impressive casino backdrops. This is a big leap from earlier incarnations that offered 2D, bland casino flash games.
Immersive Gambling
Smartphones have paved the way for high-quality betting apps to be created. The onus here is on entertainment and betting markets are certainly achieving that these days due to an increase in immersive experiences. In-play markets are fast paced and offer a wide range of things to bet on, pre-match markets are boosted with bonuses and promotional offers, in-play cash-outs lead to difficult but potentially rewarding decisions, and casinos are packed with high-quality games that graphically put more modern computer games to shame.
Ultimately, smartphones allow people to bet wherever they are, whenever they like, and now offer a level of service that's appealing to casual gamblers as well as regular punters. As technology continues to improve over time, this is likely to lead to even more immersive experiences that will see the gambling industry continue to grow.