Source: Piqsels
Consumer habits are changing across multiple industries, not least the casino gaming scene. Last year, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) undertook a comprehensive qualitative survey of consumers’ online gambling behaviors.
Over 8,000 adults were surveyed on their habits. It revealed that smartphones have grown to become the dominant device for casino gaming in recent years. In 2015, the UKGC found that 61% of British online gamblers used their laptops to bet, but this number has crashed to just 40% within five years. 50% of UK-based casino players now use their smartphones.
There are two ways that online casinos have been able to deliver consistent, on-brand gambling experiences on mobile devices in recent years. According to this list at online-casinos.com, operators have invested time in developing native apps and browser-based web apps that deliver the same functionality as a desktop-based version of an online casino platform.
What are native iGaming apps?
A native iGaming app is designed and developed to be downloaded and installed directly onto your smartphone or tablet. They are built to work seamlessly with your mobile device’s operating system, be it Android, iOS or Windows. You can load the app with a single tap of your handset, like so many other casual mobile games. The downside to native iGaming apps is that they can be resource hungry. They’ll require storage space on your mobile device and will store data within your smartphone’s cache too. Some native iGaming apps can also cause your device to run slower than usual, especially if you do not regularly keep your device’s operating system up to date. Casual mobile gamers that pay for Android games or iOS games on Google Play or the App Store may not mind this, but it can be a deterrent for infrequent gamblers.
What are browser-based iGaming web applications?
Source: Piqsels
The emergence of HTML5 programming was a major boon for the mobile-first world. It gave iGaming developers the ability to design and build web applications that are essentially a mobile-friendly version of a desktop online casino and work within your preferred web browser. This article at techradar.com describes everything anyone would need to know about HTML5. What’s important is that HTML5 technology has enabled iGaming developers to build on-brand gaming experiences that deliver the optimal user interface for any casino game, based on the user’s screen size.
There are subtle design differences between a desktop-based online casino and a mobile casino, regardless of whether you play via native or browser-based apps. Mobile versions tend to feature slightly lower-resolution graphics, to help improve page loading times. The difference in resolution quality is hard to acknowledge on smartphone screens given the disparity in screen size.
The responsive nature of HTML5 programming enables iGaming developers of the latest online slot titles to design user interfaces for a multitude of screen sizes. As the screens get smaller, developers can optimize the interface so that players receive only the necessary buttons and tabs to get started.
HTML5 has also made it possible for mobile casinos to integrate live dealer casino action on their native and web apps. Providing your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or 4G/5G connection, it’s possible to enjoy real-time table games with professionally trained dealers – just like you would on a desktop or laptop. The reality is that the lines are increasingly blurring between desktop and mobile casinos, which can only be a good thing for operators and players alike.
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