The online casino industry isn‘t only one of the fastest growing in the world in terms of popularity, it’s also one of the fastest growing in terms of technological advancement, and few aspects of the industry have grown as quickly as the mobile market in recent years.Just a few years ago, mobile gamers were very much the forgotten community when it came to online casinos, with many sites not offering any mobile options at all, and those that did only offering a small percentage of the games available to desktop players, which were often awkward and long-winded to gain access to.However, that has changed a huge amount in recent times, and the rise of the mobile casino player has led to all online casinos taking notice of the profits that are there to be gained from offering the same options to smartphone and tablet players as they do to their desktop customers.Smartphones have become a huge part of most of our lives, and this is equally true in the online casino world. Originally, the majority of online casinos that offered mobile play offered it in browsers, but more and more are now offering apps for mobile phones, which is basically like downloading an entire casino to your phone to be accessed at any time as long as you have an internet connection (and even when you don’t in some cases.)That being said, not all apps are actually apps, many are still just casinos that can be opened in a mobile browser, which is fine, but the freedom and options opened up by those who actually do offer casino apps means that it is worth knowing what to look for and what the benefits are from playing on an app instead of in your mobile browser or on your desktop computer.
What’s the difference between Apps and Mobile Browser Play?
In most cases there are not too many differences between the two to be honest, except that the software exists on your device, which can often mean that the app is easier to use than the site, especially if you are using your mobile.However, as long as you are using a high-speed internet connection, there is little to choose between the two.That being said, many players prefer the comfort of having an app downloaded to their phone which means they can open their favourite casino with the press of a button, or a finger on the screen, and can already be signed in and ready to play.
Platforms
When it comes to what platform an app is available for, there tends to be four main ones, with the first two of this list being by far the most popular.iOS – This is Apple’s mobile platform, and any online casino with an app that is downloadable from the Apple app store can be downloaded to your iPad or iPhone.Android – Android is Google’s mobile platform, and the Google Play store will have a list of all the casino apps which can be downloaded to your Android device, be that a phone or tablet.Windows – Windows is Microsoft’s mobile platform, and an increasing number of online casino apps are being made available for these devices.Blackberry – There are a lot less Blackberry users than there used to be, but there are still some out there, and although they are not as catered for as the others in this list, there are options available.
Apps to Look Out For
When it comes to the right casino apps to choose, everyone has different preferences, but we can give you a few ideas for good places to start.When you are first starting to find your way around the mobile casino world, it makes sense to stick with what you know, so the most sensible apps to start with are those from casinos which hold a strong and long-established reputation in the online casino world.Here are a few sites that are worthy of your consideration.
Mr Green
Always a safe bet, Mr Green is one of the most well-respected sites in the entire of the online casino industry, and has won copious awards for best online casino over the years.One of the first sites to use a variety of different software developers instead of just one, Mr Green still has one of the biggest lists around, which includes the likes of 1X2 Network, Bally Wulff, Betdigital, BetSoft, Cozy Games, edict egaming, ELK Studios, Felt, Fuga Gaming, IGT, Inspired Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, NextGen Gaming, NYX Gaming, Play’n GO, Playtech, Push Gaming, Quickspin, Thunderkick, and Yggdrasil.Games from all these developers are also available on the Mr Green app, which has a simple and aesthetically pleasing design and is very simple to use.Not only that, but despite holding their position as one of the most successful online casinos around, Mr Green is always striving to improve so we can safely assume the app will keep getting better.
bet365
bet365 is another immensely popular casino, and one that arguably gets more attention for its mobile app than it does for its actually desktop casino!Using Ash Gaming and Playtech software, bet365 certainly has less games on offer than Mr Green in terms of variety, but that is not to say that the choice is limited here because that’s far from the truth, with all the best Playtech games, including the Age of Gods progressive jackpot slots and the entire collection of DC Comics games being available.
Betfair
Perhaps as well known for its innovative and entertaining ad campaign as it is for its casino offerings, Betfair’s mobile app is another impressive offering that is well worthy of your consideration.Games here come from a combination of high-profile names and popular up and comers, including Cayetano Gaming, IGT, NetEnt, Playtech, Red Tiger Gaming, SG Gaming, and Williams Interactive, meaning that there’s a healthy combination of classic and unique themes and concepts amongst the slots and table games that are available here.Despite being originally known more as a sports betting site than anything else, Betfair has worked hard to find its footing as an online casino, and the combination of exciting games and top-quality promotions that has made the desktop site so popular is echoed within the mobile options available.
Royal Panda
Recently bought out by Leo Vegas but still operating as an individual entity, Royal Panda is considered by many to have the very best casino app around.An entertai8ning and original site that is known for having innovative promotions (including one last year that involved players winning prizes for carrying out daily chores while dressed in a giant panda outfit) Royal Panda has made its name as something of a rebel when it comes to online casino sites, intent to do things different, and succeeding with style.Games come in a variety of forms here, and are provided by the likes of 1X2 Network, BetConstruct, ELK Studios, Evolution, Microgaming, NetEnt, NextGen Gaming, NYX Gaming, and Thunderkick.A user-friendly experience greets you here, with the software and casino interface being built for ease of use. The well-reputed customer service and easy and varied deposit and withdrawal methods finish off the list of necessities that casino players have from their casino apps.
Vegas Paradise
It isn’t only the old guard of the online casino industry that it’s worth being aware of when it comes to casino apps. As PlayOJO proved by sweeping the awards this year, a new site can make a real impact if it does things right, and that’s what happened with Vegas Paradise in the mobile market.Coming from nowhere to make an instant impact with exciting promotions and games from the likes of 1X2 Network, ELK Studios, Microgaming, NetEnt, NextGen Gaming, NYX Gaming, and Thunderkick, Vegas Paradise claimed to offer the best mobile experience from its first day on the market, and although this boast was met with the level of doubt that one would expect due to the number of similar claims which are made by sites which are far from capable of backing them up, Vegas Paradise has lived up to every bit of what it said it would.Run by gambling veterans who saw the potential in the ever-expanding mobile market, Vegas Paradise hit the market with one intention in mind, create the best casino app there is, and between its stunning design and how simple the app is to use and navigate, they may well have done just that.No longer the best kept secret of the iGaming industry, online casinos are now more than aware of the lucrative potential of the mobile market, and as a result, we can only assume that the number of top quality casino apps that there already are to choose from will only continue to grow in the months and years to come.As with every aspect of the online casino world, it’s always worth putting your research in first and making sure that whatever casino you choose to play with, whether on desktop or mobile, is trusted, respected, and dedicated to ensuring that you and your money are safe during the time you spend playing your favourite casino games and beyond.