Mobile Gambling in the US

Every industry evolves with time for a number of reasons. This could be because of changes in consumer preferences, improved technologies or simply a desire for something different. In the case of gambling, all three are involved, and online gambling has quickly caught on over the years. There is still a large segment of gamblers that prefer to hit the casinos and gambling halls, but the trend is inarguably headed toward mobile platforms, and gambling on a smartphone or tablet is now easier than ever.

Gambling on a mobile device is more convenient. There's no need to head out in inclement weather or, like is currently the situation, worry about a global pandemic. The casino goes wherever the gamblers are, whether they want to hit the virtual slot machines from home, while sitting at a bar, waiting to catch a flight or just about anywhere.

The Popularity of Mobile Continues

As mobile gambling continues to become more popular, the technology behind it is evolving at a rapid pace. One of the biggest complaints was always the lack of a "real" casino experience, complete with a live dealer to deal the cards or spin the roulette wheel. However, this is no longer the case, as the online casino technology and the prevalence of broadband makes it easy for online casino operators to offer live dealer options. These are created using a dealer or croupier manning a real table or other gambling option in a studio, bridging the gap between brick-and-mortar and virtual casinos.

Research shows that gamblers spent around $69.9 billion on gambling apps in 2018, and the figure is expected to increase by about another 25-30% next year. This is going to lead to even more advances in the online casino market, with more consumers increasingly turning to alternative gambling solutions. There are still a couple of issues that have to be overcome, however, especially in the US, before widespread online casino action is possible.

Legality of Online Gambling

The US has had a difficult time accepting online gambling alternatives. The federal Wire Act introduced in the 1960s has caused issues as states have tried to introduce online gaming options, but the legislation is currently being fought by a number of states that are trying to get it thrown out. In the meantime, several of these have already begun to take matters into their own hands and now offer online casinos and sports gambling.

For those living in states that have launched legal online gambling, it isn't difficult to find a suitable alternative. The states maintain lists of approved operators that hold licenses, and all of these are regulated to ensure they abide by their respective state's guidelines. There are only a very small number of states that offer online casinos, however, but many now allow online sports gambling.

For those living in states that have yet to introduce online gambling regulations, it is still possible - and legal - to gamble using a mobile device. Offshore gambling sites have been a popular go-to alternative for decades and many of these operate under gaming licenses in various countries - Costa Rica and Malta are just two examples. Virtually all of the options provide easy access for making deposits, including through the use of credit or debit cards, bank transfers or cryptocurrency, and almost all of them are open to US-based gamblers. It should be mentioned, however, that caution is needed. While many are licensed, there are those that aren't, so choosing the right site is necessary. Always make sure the site has a license and check its deposit and withdrawal policies before sending any money.

Security of Gambling Online

In addition, make sure the site is a secure site, denoted by the use of "https" and not "http" in front of the web address. If it isn't a secure site, stay away - there are plenty of secure alternatives and these help protect any data you send from your device to the site.

Gambling online is popular, easy and fun. The advances seen in recent years give gamblers an experience that is very realistic, and online casinos can offer a greater range of options that land-based casinos can't. They also rotate their content more often, which means there is always something new to experience.