The Rise of Mobile Gambling Apps

Cheaper and faster technology is also fuelling a boom among gamblers who want to play slots and bet on sports with zero delay. 

Growth of Mobile Betting Apps

The early mobile betting apps were clunky and designed for pre-smartphone technology. Even when the first smartphones and tablets appeared, gamblers were restricted to playing games through a web browser rather than standalone apps.

Let’s briefly explore some of the ways mobile technology is changing the landscape, together with a more relaxed approach from global regulators.  

Google Play Store Accepts Mobile Gaming

Betfair was the first betting app to appear in the Apple App Store back in 2010. Designed for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, the app made full use of touch-screen technology to allow gamblers to place bets. 

However, it would take Google some years to catch up. For the most part, Android gamblers were restricted to downloading a .apk file directly from the betting site. Alternatively, you’d have to fire up slots or a sportsbook lobby through your Samsung phone browser. 

The Google Play Store now accepts many vetted betting apps. Google announced in 2024 it was expanding its support for gambling apps in India, Brazil, and other countries. Google is doing it part, too, in enforcing geolocation and age checks to ensure underage users aren’t let in.

More Countries Legalizing Online & Mobile Gambling

The increase in mobile betting isn’t confined to one jurisdiction. Regulated gambling is growing worldwide, nowhere more so than in the United States. 

Online casinos were legalized in a handful of states in 2013, with New Jersey leading the way with regulated slots and poker. Half a dozen countries now offer legalized online and mobile casino play. 

However, the rise of mobile sports betting has exploded since states were given the go-ahead to explore regulation after 2018. A Supreme Court ruling to scrap PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act 1992) paved the way for the first state-regulated sportsbooks. 

Over 30 US states now offer legalized online casinos or sportsbooks (or both). Some states allow mobile-only betting, via download apps anywhere within state borders or in person at a retail sportsbook. According to recent data, the online sports betting market (incorporating mobile gambling) is projected to reach $9.65 billion in 2024. 

Emerging markets are also appearing in regions such as Africa, and cheap mobile phones are the way to place bets. In Kenya alone, 88% of sports bettors said they used mobile phones to place wagers. 

Growth of Mobile Betting Companies & HTML5

Cheaper handsets and more user-friendly software are fuelling the rise in mobile betting. According to the State of Mobile 2023 report, total app downloads stood at 255bn, marking an 11% year-on-year rise. 

Early mobile slots and casino games needed to be built in native apps on iOS and Android. Now, most new games can be played via HTML5-enabled browsers. Gamblers can play games, make deposits, and chat to customer support with no download required. All that is needed is a good mobile data package or a reliable Wi-Fi connection.