Mobile gambling has progressed at an astonishing rate in recent years, turning devices such an iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy into the go-to gadget for people looking to place a sports wager or play a game in an online casino. The shift has come on the back of an endless production line of new, innovative and increasingly convenient mobile betting products, promotions and services that are re-defining the way bettors put their money on the line. On closer inspection, it’s easy to see why the mobile betting boom is taking place.
Value
A major perk of betting on your mobile is being rewarded with exclusive betting offers via different apps. In order to encourage users to download their apps, bookmakers are offering bonus bets and cash rewards for simply signing up via mobile or placing a bet through the app. Many bookmakers, including renowned brands such as Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, offer a selection of enhanced betting odds that customers won’t find online, nor in their betting shops. Other bookmakers allow customers to score larger odds on a sports bet of their choice through their mobile devices. Sportsbet’s have introduced Power Play to their Australian bookmaker app, which allows mobile users able to manually increase their odds on one bet per day on selected markets. Value in modern-day mobile gambling also comes in the form of cost cutting. Bitcoin gambling app users, for example, avoid banking fees on their transactions, while Bitcoin poker rooms offer lower juice and rake fees.
Convenience
Convenience is one of the major appeals of mobile gambling. Whereas in the past customers needed to download separate apps to access online casino games and bookmaker odds, these days everything is housed under one roof, with users able to seamlessly navigate across casino rooms, poker tables and bookmakers through one app. The regular updates and enhanced technology of these apps also make them fast, reliable and easy to navigate, which is perfect for those that like to bet or play while on the go. Bettors, particularly those located in countries that enforce strict online gambling regulations, can also enjoy easier access to gambling products thanks to the rise of bitcoin gambling apps, which don’t demand customers’ personal details, hence can’t discriminate on the basis of location. With their minimal restrictions, these cryptocurrency-powered sports betting, casino and poker apps are diving mobile gambling over regulatory barriers and into new markets.
Innovation
As the functionality of apps has improved, so too has their variety, with a wide range of novel products hitting the iOS and Android markets. One such example is Bookee, a Tinder-style mobile sports betting app that proposes specific sports wagers to its users, who accept or decline by simply swiping left or right. Innovation has even driven new modes of mobile gambling, such as charity betting, a concept unheard of up until recently. Apps such as Good Bookey are based on this peer-to-peer model, allowing friends to challenge each other to sports bets before dedicating the winnings to a charity of choice. Beyond the technology that underpins their products, bookmakers are also innovating in other areas to attract mobile users. One example is advertising, with William Hill enlisting Hollywood talent such as famed filmmaker Paul WS Anderson to promote the fast functionality of their mobile app. The increased popularity of smartphones in day-to-day life is also a key factor in the transformation of mobile gambling. As people become increasingly fixated with their phones, it’s only natural that they start exploring apps that tie in with their interests and preferred pastimes. This is particularly evident in developing countries such as India, where the country’s almost 300 million smartphone users have generated a surge in mobile gambling, particularly across poker apps.
Written By: Mark Holland
I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...