'Upwardly' mobile casinos: The phenomenal rise of gambling on the go

While gaming and girls were the key drivers of the success of 3G, it's gambling that will be the success story of 4G

When third-generation wireless technology first entered our mobile stratosphere, ‘3G’ became more than just its abbreviated handle. Its very success was said to depend on three core elements: gaming, girls and gambling.

Whilst the former two have seemingly had their respective industry rise and fall, the final ‘G’ was somewhat slower off the mark. Just 13 years on and with 4G services looming on the horizon, mobile gambling is on the rise and looks set to soar.

Here we take a brief look at its phenomenal rise and consider where the industry will move from here.

Taking casinos online

As casinos first started to appear on our computer screens, the virtual gambling experience was somewhat different from its bricks-and-mortar counterpart. Of course, there were clear advantages such as the ability to play at any given time and in any attire.

However, slow connections, limited technology and infantile online gambling strategies saw minimal industry growth initially. Today’s online casino environment paints a very different picture. It’s fast, it’s interactive, it’s sociable and what’s more, it’s mobile.

More mobile

Thanks to fast paced advancements in smartphone and tablet technology, plus an ever expanding user market, mobile gambling is rapidly emerging at the forefront of the industry, with iOS and Android platforms supporting applications of outstanding quality.

Growth is continually recorded in mobile sports betting and National lottery participation, whilst industry giants such as UK casino site SuperCasino have launched applications that offer members all the benefits of their online platforms in a mobile package.

The advantages of these mobile applications are countless. World class graphics and in some cases, live game play streamed directly to your mobile device, recreate the thrill and excitement of an authentic casino experience. Increasing 3G connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspots enable game play almost anywhere on the go so you’re not limited by what you can do.

Easy money transfers allow for bets to be placed at any time with increased player security, while daily cash limits applied to an account encourage responsible gambling.

There is also the benefit of connectivity with social networking sites which offer a shared experience across multiple platforms.

Future predictions

So, where does the industry go from here?

Whilst official statistics from the UK Gambling Commission show that the real, concrete betting world still holds the highest market share, accounting for 51% of what is known as the gross gambling yield (GGY), participation in remote gambling has increased year on year since 2009, with a turnover of £20.7 billion between April 2012 and March 2013.

With the rollout of 4G (technically still only 3.9 technology but who’s counting?), mobile gambling looks set to become slicker than ever. This could increase the level of participation experienced and give players even more reason to try their luck on the World Wide Web – not to mention leaving the bricks and mortar casino world to carefully consider how to play its next hand!