Online gambling has changed significantly since its formative years. It’s widely believed that the first gambling website was launched in 1994, but it’s possible to argue that the industry has been very different over the past three decades.
Technology has been a huge driver in the industry’s boom, with greater access being achieved by players. Today, most have access to the internet as it has become more affordable than it first was. However, the way we connect to the web has changed completely, too.
The rise of smartphones & their impact on online gambling
The very first smartphone to have been launched was the Simon Personal Communicator (SPC) in 1994, but this had nothing compared to the devices that most associate with being among the first smartphones to be released: Apple’s iPhone
Launched in 2007, the first edition of the iPhone was one that completely revolutionized the way that people would use their phones as a means of connecting to the internet. Although it was possible to use older devices at the time, none had the capability to use the internet in the same way that you could on a traditional PC desktop and laptop.
You could browse the web on your mobile and complete many tasks that were simply not possible on older phone handsets, including playing on online casinos. The invention of downloadable apps also transformed the way that players would be able to play the games of their choice, as they provided a level of convenience that traditional phones had failed to offer.
Indeed, the launch of the smartphone turned our devices from being simple gadgets that we would use to SMS and call people into being an extension of our bodies as we could do almost anything we wanted with them (even more so today).
Smartphone popularity for online gambling
According to figures and market research, it is estimated that around 80% of the population of many countries around the world regularly use their smartphone to access their favorite online casinos. The use of a phone casino in the UK has become extremely popular with players over the last decade or so, as gamers can enjoy various benefits that have enhanced the experiences that they receive. They no longer need to be sat at a desktop PC to play their favorite games and can enjoy them wherever they want.
In addition to the convenience factor, people are simply using these gadgets more than traditional devices, which has had an impact in regard to the changing shift that has been experienced in terms of online gambling.
According to figures and research, around 60% (59.92%) of all internet usage comes from the use of a smartphone (plus an additional 2.11% via tablet), whereas a desktop PC accounts for 37.97%. This shows that these devices have changed the way that we consume and use the internet, thus having a knock-on effect on industries like the iGaming sector.
Games have been optimized for mobile play, while some casino operators have targeted players with promotional tools to encourage them to use their mobile devices. Knowing that these devices can be easily accessible and hours on end can be spent on them, brands know they can achieve better rates of success if they provide incentives for individuals to use their mobile.
Is the desktop experience being harmed?
As operators continue to focus on ensuring they can offer a better experience through their mobile site or app (if they have one available to download), is the desktop experience that was once trusted being harmed or overlooked?
It’s possible to argue that there have been instances where it’s clear this has been the case, but the figures make it clear why so many have focused on this area and have perhaps let certain things slip elsewhere.
With most of the world’s population using a mobile device and having access to them whenever they want, it would seem strange not to ensure mobile sites were not focused upon.
Nonetheless, most still offer a top desktop experience and while user preferences may change, the iGaming industry continues to manage the ever-changing complexion that it faces, despite the rise in mobile gaming that is evidently being experienced.
