Online slots, and more recently mobile slots, have revolutionized the casino gambling industry, opening up new ways, unheard of a quarter of a century ago, to make slot play conveniently available to more people than ever. Although land-based casinos, too, have been proliferating, not everyone who would like to play in one, has access. The closest one may be a hundred miles away or more, or illness, physical handicaps, work, or family responsibilities can be other factors that preclude many people from making the trip. Even most people who visit land-based casinos often, unless they live minutes away, as much as they might like to play daily or at least several times per week, cannot find the time in their busy schedules to do so.
Mobile gambling addresses all of these inconveniences and brings a mini-portable casino to you anytime, 24/7, wherever you happen to be. While, to some extent, online gambling on your computer accomplishes the same thing, the big difference, if you are playing in the traditional downloadable version, is that you are tied to your home computer. That limitation simply won’t work anymore for a lot of people since they are rarely home.
Nowadays most online casinos can also be played in an instant flash version which can be accessed on any browser, but in that instance, too, you need to be someplace that provides one. If you are on a plane, stuck for the better part of the day in the doctor’s office, or twiddling your thumbs in a restaurant waiting for your half hour late friend to show up, without your laptop, you don’t have the luxury of computer access. So if you find yourself with idle time on hands, you have to provide your own means of diversion. Mobile slot games are the perfect solution.
Mobile Slots Then vs. Now
When mobile slot games were first introduced, only a few casinos offered them and options were extremely limited. Only a handful of games were offered, initially optimized just for Apple iOS devices (iPhones and iPads), then on some Android devices, too, but these offering were beset by many problems. Difficulty downloading the apps, failed connections, less than acceptable quality graphics and sounds, lost signals, and other glitches detracted from the enjoyment of playing and tried the unsophisticated user’s patience. That situation has changed dramatically. Not only are today’s apps much more user friendly; continuing advances in computer technology now make it possible to play a wide variety of slot games on virtually any currently used mobile device smoothly and enjoyably.
Instead of online casinos that have a viable mobile platform being the exception, the new exception has become not offering a mobile platform. In order to stay competitive in today’s marketplace, online casinos must continually update their software to give the public what it wants. Clearly, being able to play their favorite slot games on their cell phone or tablet is exactly what millions of people all over the world want to do.
The UK is a prime example of how mobile gambling has exploded in popularity over the last few years. Compared to 2011, when just 13.2% of the UK population owned a smartphone, by 2014, the percentage had skyrocketed to 77%. At least 40% of remote gambling in the UK currently takes place on smartphones.
Slots Compatible Devices
Initially, slot players who wished to access any of the games on their mobile device were required to locate and then download the appropriate app. For example, the apps for Apple iOS iPhones and iPads could be downloaded from the App Store, while the apps for Android devices would be available on Google Play or on the casino’s own website. Many casinos still use this method. Of course in order for the apps to work, you need to be sure that you are using the correct one for your type of mobile device and also that the version of the device is sufficiently up-to-date for the app to be compatible. If your device is an old model, you might be out of luck.
Some online casinos, like Leo Vegas and Titan Casino and, for players in the United States, Bovada Casino, now use a more advanced app that simultaneously solves two problems. Since the app is web browser based, it eliminates the need for downloading completely. It also greatly increases the likelihood that no matter what type of mobile device you own, you will have access to a wide range of slot games. These new all-purpose apps are so versatile that they will not only work on both recent and current versions of iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones and tablets, but also accommodate the many players who have other types of mobile devices (i.e., Windows phones or Blackberry or Nokia devices). Simply point the web browser attached to your phone or tablet browser on the casino’s mobile website and click on the game you want to start playing. No need to download anything onto your mobile device. What could be more convenient than that?
Special Features to Look for in Mobile Devices
Just as there are vast differences between one online casino and another, the same is true for mobile casinos. When quality matters, one place where you know you won’t go wrong is Leo Vegas. Unfortunately, this casino is off limits to residents of the U.S., but if you can play there, its mobile casino is advanced as you will find anywhere, for the simple reason that, unlike most online casinos, it was initially designed as a mobile casino. The mobile platform was not some afterthought that was tagged on years after the computer version was up and running. As a result, every game that is available to you to play on the computer is also available for mobile play.
Unlike Leo Vegas, most of today’s mobile casinos do not give you access to hundreds of slots, but the good ones still offer you a wide enough choice to ensure not getting bored. You can now play everything from classic 3-reel slots and UK fruit machines to action-packed video slots like Tomb Raider, Thunderstruck, Break da Bank, and Immortal Romance from Microgaming or Iron Man 2, Rocky, and Captain’s Treasure from Playtech. You can even play progressive slots like Fantastic Four and Mega Moolah on your mobile device, but keep in mind that anything can happen in those games—when you least expect it. Would you be able to contain yourself in a public place upon discovering that you just won a multimillion dollar jackpot? Probably not.
At top mobile casinos, you will be able to get the same benefits as a mobile player that are offered to computer players, including the same generous Welcome Bonus and opportunity to earn loyalty points. Many casinos offer special bonuses and promotions exclusively for mobile players. For added convenience, you be able to do your banking on the mobile device, although the choice of methods might be more restricted than on the computer. You can access customer support, anytime you need it as well. A reputable casino is as safe to play for real money in the mobile version as on the computer. You also have the option to play for free. As already stated, not every mobile casino is equipped to meet every slot player’s needs, but a growing number are now offering a thoroughly enjoyable mobile experience that can only get even better with time.