Mobile casino gaming has evolved considerably since the introduction of mobile gaming devices in the late 1990s. As mobile device technology has advanced, so too has mobile casino gaming because casino game developers have been creating more sophisticated games that can be played on a wide range of mobile devices.
These days, there’s an almost limitless range of casino games that players can enjoy. If you love playing casino games for real money, then you’ll love the fact that you can play your favorite games on the go at casino xon.
In this article, we will go over the history and evolution of online mobile casinos and learn how they’ve changed while technology has continued to advance.
Origins of Online Gambling
Older casino game enthusiasts will no doubt remember when they actually had to visit a brick-and-mortar casino to enjoy the thrill of playing casino games. Fortunately, the internet was invented and made accessible to everyone in 1993, changing how people play casino games forever.
The following year, Antigua and Barbuda passed legislation that resulted in the formation of the online gambling industry. Microgaming, then an upcoming casino games provider, became the first company to capitalize on this legislation and enable casinos to go online.
While the first online casinos were undoubtedly pretty basic by the standards of today, they allowed people to enjoy a few games, including online roulette, online blackjack, and video poker.
As is to be expected, more competitors came along as time went on. In fact, onlinegambling.com reports that by the close of 1997, over 200 competitors had entered the gambling cyberspace.
The First Mobile Casino Games
With gambling cyberspace growing at pace in the mid to late 1990s, it was no surprise that online casino operators sought to branch out beyond the personal computer market. Around this period, cell phones were becoming more advanced and widespread. Therefore, casino game developers targeted this new and growing mobile gaming audience.
In 1999, the first internet-enabled mobile phone was released, using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to connect to cyberspace. The first casino game apps were developed for the first batch of Nokia phones. Previously, people could only access casino apps via desktop or laptop PCs.
The first mobile casino apps didn’t allow players to play their beloved games with real money. With the success of WAP, casino game developers could accept payments via SMS or WAP push. Since internet connectivity was slow in the 1990s, the first mobile casino games didn’t provide a particularly enjoyable experience.
The Smartphone Era
In 2007 and 2008, the first Android and iOS mobile phones were launched, sparking the growth and expansion of mobile casino games. Casino game developers became more keen to develop mobile casino games because they were now able to sell them through the Google Play Store and App Store.
The rising popularity of mobile networks provided improved internet connectivity. Shortly after the App Store was launched, the casino game Texas Hold’em became a popular premium app, symbolizing a new age of casino gaming for enthusiasts.
Today, paid mobile casino games have become a more convenient way for players to enjoy their favorite games. They can use debit or credit cards to pay for games and withdraw their winnings directly from the Google Play Store or App Store. Some casino apps also accept other digital wallets, including PayPal, for deposits and withdrawals, offering casino gamers more options.
However, mobile casino gaming still faces legal challenges in some countries around the world. For example, gambling is illegal in certain countries, including the US. Only a few states in America permit online gambling. In contrast, the UK Gambling Commission permits and controls all types of gambling in the United Kingdom.
The Future of Mobile Casino Games
While we all don’t know exactly how the future will look for mobile casino games, here are a few exciting developments to look forward to:
- Mobile technology will make virtual reality (VR) casinos even more widespread. Virtual reality devices have already started using mobile technology. For example, the Oculus Quest headset allows users to enjoy great VR experiences.
- Increased game variety. There has been a significant increase in the variety of casino games you can access on your mobile phone. As mobile devices continue to keep up with and surpass the power of desktop and laptop PCs, game developers are likely to experiment more and create new and fun ways for casino enthusiasts to gamble.
- More advanced graphics. As mobile phones get even more powerful, we’ll likely see casino games with visuals that match those of the latest high-end consoles and PCs.
Final Word
Mobile casino gaming is the future of online gambling since it’s widely accessible, and virtually everyone today owns a smartphone.
With many new technologies and features being introduced to improve the user’s experience, mobile casino games will only get better and better going forward. It’s safe to say that the world of mobile casino gaming has a very bright future ahead.
