What is a Mobile Gambling Game?

A mobile gambling game is a type of casino application that lets players place wagers using their smartphone or tablet computer. These apps typically offer a wide variety of casino games, including poker, blackjack, roulette, and more. Many of these apps are free to download and use, while others require a real-money deposit to unlock the full gaming experience. The majority of mobile gambling games are compatible with Apple and Android devices, although some are only available through a web browser.

The proliferation of mobile devices has enabled the development of an array of apps that are capable of providing a range of gambling-related services to consumers, from online casino games to live betting and sports betting. Unlike PC-based gambling apps, which typically require software to be installed on the device, mobile apps work by streaming the gambling content from the internet via a secure connection, eliminating the need for users to install and update software on their smartphones. Consequently, the development of mobile gambling apps has been a major growth area for online casinos.

There is currently no regulation on the market that halts these gaming-style smartphone games, and many of them are designed to make money by generating losses for players. The vast majority of these games are monetized through in-game purchases, which can be made using virtual currency known as gems or coins. Among the most popular in-app purchases are extra lives, which can be used to continue playing after losing, and power-ups that can help players win. These in-game purchases also create a high amount of revenue for the developers of the mobile apps, and they are usually marketed as an essential part of the gaming experience.

Despite the proliferation of mobile gambling apps, there is a good deal of uncertainty about how these games might influence gambling behaviour. Studies examining the effect of mobile apps on gambling have been largely limited to a small number of participants, and few have been conducted on a large sample. The findings of these studies have been inconsistent, but they suggest that the emergence of a new form of gambling may be associated with changes in psychological processes.

This is particularly relevant as research in the context of problem gambling highlights the role of associative learning in facilitating the transition from recreational to problem gamblers (James, O’Malley, & Tunney, 2016b). Moreover, the increased accessibility and availability of mobile gambling apps could have significant implications for responsible gambling interventions, which are generally targeted at reducing problem gambling behavior by breaking up play and communicating information about risks.

Many of the trusted casinos on our site offer a mobile gambling option, whereby users can log on with their existing account details through an internet browser on their smartphone or tablet. This option doesn’t hog memory or storage space like an app and works by running the mobile gambling website as a responsive web page, which can be accessed through any modern smartphone or tablet. The sites are all welcoming to 18 and over gamblers and accept a wide range of payment methods, including most major credit and debit cards.