Photo by Raw Pixel, CC0 Creative Commons

One of the biggest trends in the world of iGaming is the rise of mobile usage. Fans of casino table games, video slots and online poker are increasingly using smartphones and tablet devices to play their favorite games at their convenience, without the need to venture to land-based establishments. According to the U.K. Gambling Commission, the number of people that used a mobile device to place a wager rose to 51 percent in 2017.

With more than half of all British iGamers going mobile, it's a trend that is also felt elsewhere around the world. The global iGaming industry is forecast to be worth almost $60 billion by the turn of the next decade, with sports wagering markets and casino games available on mobile driving most revenues. The online poker industry has also become increasingly mobile. Even the latest blockchain-powered poker rooms that accept cryptocurrency as payment at the tables are now available on Android and iOS devices. So, what are the driving factors behind the appeal of using smartphones to play for real money?

The Rise of HTML5 Technology

Ask any budding gamer today what makes a great mobile game and they will tell you slick graphics and audio. Gaming has come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. Today's iGaming brands can provide the best possible user experiences on mobile devices, thanks to the implementation of HTML5 technology, transcending desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet devices that provide consistent gaming action on all platforms. Prior to the arrival of HTML5, Flash-based casino games were commonplace, but their resource-heavy nature was not beneficial for a slick mobile experience. HTML5 technology has enabled iGaming software developers to seamlessly translate their most successful iGaming titles from the desktop onto mobile devices.

24/7 Access Ideal for Gaming on the Go

It's also crucial to acknowledge the increased accessibility of iGaming on mobile devices. The ability to download and log in to an iGaming app on a smartphone or tablet means that gamers can sit down at their favorite table games or video slots at any time of the day or night. Such 24/7 accessibility also means players no longer need to venture to land-based casinos as much, opting to play on mobile devices from the comfort of the living room, on an early morning commute or on a lunch break at work.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Could Take iGaming to Another Dimension

Advancements to the quality of live-streaming technology in recent years has enabled iGaming brands to offer live dealer table games managed by professionally trained human dealers. Doing so offers players similar levels of interaction and engagement they would get from a night in a brick-and-mortar casino. Technology is evolving at a rapid rate right now, and the next generation of iGaming is already in the making. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is being developed for mobile devices to transport players to virtual casino environments and create sensory gaming experiences on another dimension to what's available today online. Smartphones' compatibility with AR and VR will stand mobile devices in good stead to cement themselves as the market leader for immersive iGaming in the years to come.

 

It's not quite an age-old battle - because the iPhone and Android devices have been in competition for just 10 years. But it's a battle that stirs up strong loyalties on both sides, with the disciples of the late Steve Jobs on one side and Android advocates on the other. While Apple is on course to become the world's first trillion dollar company with reported sales of nearly $230 billion in 2017, it's an Android device that you'll find in most people's hands, at a ratio of around 2:1.

From the figures alone, you could well be led to assume that the sheer number of users means that Android is the undisputed champion when it comes to mobile gaming. But, as will soon emerge, it's a rather more complex situation than that.

First, though, a little about the amazing growth of mobile gaming itself. Since 2015 it has overtaken PC and console gaming in terms of revenue generated - and this continues to rise at an exponential rate. For example between 2014 and 2017 it grew from $25 billion to $46.2 billion. The number of users is also growing faster than other platforms with an estimated 200 million people worldwide using their mobiles for gaming in 2017, a 50 million increase since 2014 and a figure that leaves PC and console players in its wake.

Similarly, the number of games released for mobiles truly dwarfs the latter. 2017 figures show that over 152,000 new titles became available via app stores in 2017 compared with under 4,000 PC and console games.

Apple games are often the first to be launched...

 

It's a fact that most mobile games that are launched are designed for Apple devices. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that, at any one time there are probably only five or six different versions of the iPhone that they need to work on, while Android devices (with the various makes and models that run the Android system) run into the thousands. So obviously, this makes the developer's task that much more challenging for Android.

 

It's also a matter of economics. Developing any game is costly, so money needs to be made back as quickly as possible. It just so happens that users of Apple's App Store seem keener to pay for games than visitors to the Google Play store do. So it's always made sense to concentrate on games for Apple first and then adapt them to be played on Android devices.

 

This possibly has some big advantages for Android players as, while they may have to wait a little while longer for a game, it could have been improved and developed from the original by the time it's ready for the Android platform.

 

...but which is the better for players?

Android users are generally harsher critics of games

 

What do players themselves think about the differences between Apple and Android versions of games?

 

Well, it appears that Android users are generally harsher critics of games than Apple fans. Over at the App Store you're likely to see plenty of 4.5 star + reviews, while in the Android Play Store a game's doing well if it gets a 4 star rating at best. So you can be confident that a high rating Android game really is good.

 

Plus the most complex games out there need big chunks of memory to play well - and this is one of a few areas where the Android system is very strong. Unlike the sealed-system approach of Apple, it's fairly easy to give an Android device an upgrade by installing a custom ROM to boost performance. But having said this, Apple devices, and particularly those with larger memories, can handle even the most dazzlingly designed of games.

 

The power to play without breaks

 

Apple's limited battery life has proved frustrating for many users

 

A frequent bugbear - even among the most dedicated fans of Apple products - is the fact that a battery charge doesn't last as long as it could. While this is a nuisance when you're nowhere near a charger and the juice runs out, it's extra annoying when it happens in the middle of a game.

 

Thanks to the design of iPhones, the size of the battery they can put in their devices is limited. On the other hand, makers of Android devices can fit larger, more powerful batteries which can run for longer on a single charge, even up to nearly 17 hours on a single charge. So when it comes to having a mobile device that you can be sure will have the power you need to play, the Android system is a clear winner in this respect.

 

Mobile gaming rules the roost

 

Over 80% of traffic to slots website Roseslots comes from mobile

 

Being easy and satisfying to play is very important for all kinds of mobile games. It's equally vital for businesses like online gaming sites, too - particularly gambling operators offering slots games. Websites like this are finding that more and more of their traffic comes from mobile devices - as greater users realise the perks of playing their favourite slots games from the comfort of their own home, or if they're on the move.

 

One of the newest slots operators is Roseslots.com, which currently sees over 80% of player traffic on mobile. As a response to this, slots designers have sought to optimise the gameplay experience for mobile users - with high-quality graphics and immersive, engaging plots and themes. To see this for yourself, check out Starburst Touch - a glorious slot game developed by Swedish developers NeTent - which strikes the perfect balance between vibrant design and straightforward gameplay.

 

So armed with all this information, can we say for sure whether iOS or Android is best for gaming? Well, there are plenty of arguments for both. If you always want to be first with the new games then it's got to be Apple but if you're happy to wait a little longer for a game to appear on Android then you could even find that it's an improvement on the original. In terms of performance, both Android and Apple have their own particular strengths so, in the final analysis, it's probably not so important which kind of device you use.

 

The most important thing? Make sure you enjoy the game.

Did you know that the sums won in online casinos are almost equal to the largest banks that have been broken in on-land gambling establishments? This is possible due to the appearance of progressive jackpots, you can read honest casino reviews 2018. Thousands of players across the World accumulate the common bank, and the only one lucky player wins big having paid just several cents.

We would like to tell you about 10 most impressive online big banks that have been ever broken.

10. Mega Moolah surprises a New Zealander with 10.14 million New Zealand dollars

Mr. Rawiri Pou from New Zealand broke jackpot In 2016. He was playing popular Mega Moolah video slot and unexpectedly attracted his luck. He got 10,144,395.82 New Zealand dollars, which is approximately equal to $7.41 million. The extremely surprised young man said that he was going to spend this money to pamper his family.

9. The Australian won 10.42 million Australian dollars in the Dark Knight

The second lucky person on our list is the Australian, who in April 2016 broke 10,423,223 Australian dollars in Microgaming The Dark Knight machine. That's about $7.86 million.

The Dark Knight is a slot based on a story of "Batman" movie with Heath Ledger. 5 reels have 243 winning options, including one of 4 types of jackpots. Most often, the machine gave out prizes of about $1 million, but the Australian was incredibly lucky to break the bank 8 times more!

This record will remain forever in the history of online casinos, because of just a couple of months after the issuance of the largest jackpot, The Dark Knight slot was closed.

8. In Greece, Mega Moolah ladles out jackpots estimated in millions

In March 2009, the lucky 36-year-old player with the nickname Georgios M won 6,300,000 euros. That time it was equal to $8,600,000. The owner of his own business from Greece was playing and did not expect that he would become an owner of the largest online jackpot at that time. Georgios M he could not believe in his victory.

7. Hall of Gods presented 7.6 million euros to a lucky one from Sweden

In February 2012, the Swedish became the owner of the first largest jackpot when she was playing the machine Hall of Gods developed by NetEnt. She made a bet in 50 euros only, and gained 7,674,233 euros! Her lucky winnings were spent on repaying credit of her family and on a family trip to Thailand. In a joke, she added: "I still have enough to buy a new car".

6. 7.8 million euros from NetEnt for anonym

It took 3 years to beat the record of Nordic Hall of Gods, set by the lady Sweden. It was April 2015, when the slot paid out 7,820,888 euros; it's about $8,730,000. The winner decided to keep incognito. At the moment this is the biggest jackpot in Hall of Gods.

5. A mobile device holder won big from Mega Moolah Mobile

In August 2016 a mysterious player with initials D.P. became the owner of the biggest jackpot while playing Mega Moolah Mobile game on a mobile device. The lucky one wished to remain anonymous. But we know that he got 7.9 million euros, that is, about $8.82 million, and that the game was played through the iPad.

4. Mega Fortune sends 8.57 million euros to Sweden

In November 2015, Mega Fortune gave Alexander, the Swedish player, 8.577,204 euros, approximately $9,570,000. The 30-year-old lucky young man played at night and was speechless when he saw the message about the jackpot. Alexander said that he would spend part of the money on paying the mortgage and buying a car.

3. Guinness World Records set by Mega Fortune virtual jackpot

On September 24, 2011, a gambler from Norway, having decided to playa popular Mega Fortune slot in a little online casino, broke the first progressive jackpot in history. His prize was 11,736,375 euros. The amount was so impressive that it entered Guinness World Records.

2. The biggest prize in Mega Fortune - 17.86 million euros for Finland

In January 2013, the Mega Fortune slot broke its record and gave the biggest win in its history - 17,861,800 euros.

An incredible amount went to a 40-year-old player from Finland. The funny thing is that the lucky one bet in the online casino only 25 cents. At the moment this is the biggest jackpot in NetEnt history.

1. Briton won 17.88 million euros in Mega Moolah

In October 2015, the 26-year-old British soldier, Mr. John Haywood, won the most significant sum amounted to 17,879,645 euros, which is equivalent to almost 20 million dollars. Mr. Haywood bet only 30 pounds and played only 7 minutes and 25 spins when he won the biggest online jackpot in the world. John promised to use most of this money to help his sick father.

Gambling market is growing rapidly and continues its active developing. Each day more and more people are interested in such entertainments. Therefore, in order to be the first among a huge number of competitors, the provider needs to offer his player something more than he can get in other casinos. One of these services is the opportunity of mobile slots' usage. Today smartphones - an essential attribute of almost every person, regardless of his age. It's clear that representatives of gambling business could not but pay attention to this trend. Today, the mobile version of the online casino is not just a bonus feature. Now, to increase the number of potential customers, providers are forced to add slots' versions for mobile devices. As vivid example https://slotmine.com/slotsmagic-casino/ can be mentioned. However, mobile slots have their pros and cons.

 

First, let's itemize all the advantages of mobile slots

·         Smartphones and tablets are perfect for launching video slots. The touch panel displays the gameplay to a new level;

·         Gambling mobile games give the player an excellent opportunity to play whenever he wants and where he wants;

·         Mobile gambling machines can be installed directly upon the device. In this case, for gambling, you do not even need an internet connection;

·         Mobile slots are regularly updated, if, of course, it is a solid, prestigious online casino;

·         Slots for mobile phones are rapidly gaining fame, and most of the world's providers have already optimized their old popular games to a new format;

·         Mobile slots are running equally right with all operating systems. Therefore, there is no difference which modification of smartphone has the player. It does not matter: the Android device or the iPhone - the mobile slots are launched through all popular browsers;

·         For stable operation, the application does not need multi-core processors and a large amount of RAM;

·         It should be noted that mobile slots have no difference with their desktop counterparts. The control system is fully adapted to the touch panel.

One more very important issue should be mentioned: slots of the World Wide Web are much more generous than their iron predecessors. The return of many of them is 95-99%, that is, the chances of winning in honest gambling establishments for gamblers are very high. Another plus of virtual slots is their large assortment. A huge variety of mobile slots allows each user to find something that will be interesting to him. Moreover, many of them are decorated in a certain theme and turn gambling into a fascinating adventure. The video slots in the World Wide Web make it possible to satisfy the passion for excitement even for those who do not have free money.

 

Let's turn to the shortcomings

·         The ability to use mobile slots for free only after installing a special program or application;

·         The installation of a special program will require the filling of the player's personal data;

·         The installed program or application requires constant updates;

·         The quality of graphics and animation is worse, but this is a fair price for such simple access to games;

·         Opponents of online gambling excitement assure that nothing can replace the special atmosphere of the traditional casinos. They do not have enough live communication and a special atmosphere in Internet clubs. Of course, everyone cannot be pleased: that for one is an obvious flaw, for others is also an obvious advantage. Many players like virtual slots for the fact that this kind of gambling does not involve communicating with other people. That is, the player can fully concentrate on the drums' rotating and for a while forget about the everyday routine.

Today players increasingly get access to slots and other types of gambling using mobile gadgets. As a rule, they include smartphones, tablets, PDAs, etc. Support primarily depends on the type of OS gadget and its characteristics. If all rules are met, then the player needs just to download and install special software upon his gadget. It is obvious, that the virtual segment of gambling has grown to huge dimensions. Players of this market get very good profits and do their best to increase their income. For this, there is only one way - creating the most comfortable conditions for players and satisfying all their needs. Therefore, providers of gambling software are constantly improving their creations and regularly delight fans of virtual excitement with amazing new products. Summarizing, we can conclude that mobile slots have more advantages than disadvantages, it is important just to choose a modern mobile device.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and the iPhone X are superpowered smartphones and if you own either one of those, chances are that you are itching to try out some new games to test all that horsepower. We have already published our list of the three best paid games from last month and if you have not checked that out yet, you should do so after reading this. Now, it's time to take a look at four of last month's best free games.

ChronoBlade

Did you like Streets of Rage for the Genesis or do you have no idea what I am talking about? If you have played Streets of Rage, this game will instantly remind you of it and even if you have not, it's an awesome way to get introduced to the genre of beat-em-ups on mobile. Gorgeous visuals and fun gameplay with RPG elements keeps ChronoBlade Enjoyable for the players and of course, profitable for the developers.

Heir of Light

Heir of Light is an absolute spectacle of what the modern mobile phones can handle in terms of graphics and animation. The social RPG or MMORPG is actually a JRPG, and while some have complained about it being a bit repetitive, that may change in the near future. As it's free, this game is worth trying out for the gorgeous visuals alone.

Marvel Strike Force

Another visual treat that lets you form your own Marvel superhero team and get them into fights with other teams in turn-based strategic combat; sounds amazing doesn't it? It actually is and the animations are nothing short of jaw-dropping in Marvel Strike Force.

PUBG Mobile

The last entry on this list is of course, Player Unknown's Battlegrounds Mobile because it brings the most popular multiplayer shooter of the recent times from the consoles and the PC to the smartphone and every fan of the genre absolutely love it. If you are wondering if it's the same game that you have already been playing on your console or PC, the answer is yes, it is!

Even today's mobile games can be quite demanding, so just in case you are having trouble running the latest games on your old smartphone, it might be time to upgrade. However, power isn't the only thing to look for while buying a new model. Aside from the processors and the GPUs, you must also make sure that the smartphone in question is compatible with the frequencies on which the mobile networks in USA operate. The last thing you want is to end up with a smartphone that does everything well except taking calls!