The mobile gaming sphere is now a multifaceted beast where people of all persuasions can swipe, tap and even walk their way to an entertaining time. In fact, such is the popularity of mobile gaming that it currently takes 85% of all app revenue and is worth a staggering £26 billion.
Helping to bolster these numbers in the last few years is the iGaming industry. A £31 billion enterprise in its own right, the sector which gathers online casino games, poker and sports betting has become a major player in the gaming space since the early noughties.
Now offering a vast array of games for mobile users, including live dealer options, the top operators can appeal to an even wider audience. For example, when you download bgo bingo’s iOS app you’ll now have access to dozens of high-quality games provided by a plethora of gaming software suppliers. Indeed, for more info on bgo, you can click here and once you navigate past Verne Troyer’s beaming smile you’ll find mobile bingo variants of all shapes and sizes. From 90-ball Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game to 75-ball Big Bang Bingo, the lobby is filled with ways for you to play for cash jackpots from as little as £0.01.
Beyond this range of offerings, the reason mobile gaming has become a hit is its portability. Unlike adventure games or racing titles such as Real Racing 3 by EA, players can dip in and out of a casino-style game a lot more easily.
Speed is the Key to iGaming’s Appeal
“dealing” (CC BY 2.0) by bradleygee
Indeed, the average length of time a player spends in an online bingo game is less than five minutes. When you factor in variants such as bgo’s Need for Speed, playing time even drops below the three-minute mark. Essentially, what this shows is that iGamers want high-octane action and instant gratification. Instead of having to complete multiple levels and spend hours tapping their screens to get the winning feeling, players want something they can enjoy in bite-size chunks.
In fact, when you look across the iGaming industry as a whole, the range of mobile games on offer further demonstrates this “need for speed”. For example, Lucky Lizard slot at Casino Euro offers an instant spin feature. This option allows players to tap the reels and stop them automatically rather than waiting for the software to do its thing. Similarly, Mr Smith’s Starburst slot gives you the option to spin the reels automatically a set number of times (10 to 1,000).
By offering players instant access to games they can dip in and out of as they please, iGaming operators have really tapped in the mindset of a modern gamer. Although drawn-out games are great, we now live in an ephemeral world where people want to enjoy a few minutes of fun and then move onto something else and it’s this dynamic the iGaming industry has embraced.
iGaming a Perfect Fit for Wearables
“Another shot of our app next to the Appl” (CC BY 2.0) by London cyclist
Naturally, as we move forward and wearable technology becomes a more important part of the app industry, iGaming should slot naturally into this arena. Despite a smaller interface, games like roulette, blackjack and slots could still work with the help of technology such as SkinTrack.
By turning your arm into a betting board, this device would make it possible for you to bet your chips by tapping an area on your arm. Once you’ve set your bets, the action (whether it’s cards being dealt or things spinning) would take place on the smartwatch and any winnings would be credited to your account accordingly.
While this technology might be something for the future, the same principles apply when it comes to compatibility and appeal. Because casino-style games allow you to play as and when you want, it would fit nicely with the action of lifting up your wrist, enjoying a few minutes of fun and then moving on with your life. When it comes to gaming on the go, iGaming operators have certainly found the right mix of entertainment and engagement which is why we shouldn’t be surprised if we see more developments from this part of the industry in the near future.
