The Rise in Popularity of Mobile Apps
The innovation and growth in the mobile phone industry over the last decade is no secret – we use our smartphones for so much more than making calls and sending texts. From watching videos on YouTube to online shopping, you’d be hard-pressed to find a task that can’t be completed on your phone or tablet. It should come as no surprise then, that millions prefer to gamble on the go at mobile casinos using nothing but a casino mobile app. Whether you’re a fan of the roulette tables or a blackjack pro, your next game is just a tap away! Let’s take a closer look at what makes casino mobile apps so appealing.
So we know that players are increasingly turning towards their mobile devices to gamble online. What you might not know is that there’s more than one way to play on the go. Most top online casinos allow users to choose between a web app and a native app. When you think of mobile apps, native apps are probably the first to come to mind. As the name suggests, native apps are developed to be ‘native’ to a specific platform, such as Apple or Android. You’ll have to install native apps from an app store, whereas web apps are simply mobile-optimized web pages. Both app variants look and work much the same way. However, there are a few important differences between the two, and understanding them is key to deciding which type of mobile casino app is right for you.
How to Choose a Casino App
With so many top brands now offering casino apps, it can be tricky to find the best app for each player. The bullet points below are some of the key criteria we use when evaluating casino apps, and are a great starting point for any player for is who trying to choose which app to download.
App Store Rating – Be sure to check the overall user rating of any mobile casino app you are looking to download on either App Store or Play Store. This is one of the best ways to get a high-level indication of other user’s experience with this app.
With the vast majority of all mobile phones in use being powered by either iOS or Android operating systems, you can almost guarantee that any of the top brands that offer a mobile app, will do so on both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store.
Software – Choose apps that have been developed by reputable companies with a history of delivering high-quality mobile app gameplay. Reliable software ensures smooth gameplay, better user experience and seamless transitions between desktop and mobile device play.
Banking Methods – It is important to check the payment options available at an app to ensure the ones on offer match your requirements. Mobile apps as a rule will accept most, if not all of the payment methods available at an online casino website. This is not always the case and is why it is important to check the apps payment methods before choosing to deposit any money.
Games Selection – You will want to check out the games on offer at a mobile app before deciding to go with it. A large variety of games from industry leading developers is what every player should be looking for. This will ensure that you will not be stuck for choice when choosing a game to play, and if your playing preferences change over time you will be giving yourself a good chance that the app will offer titles specific to your new preferences.
Bonuses – Many mobile apps will offer exclusive bonuses and promotions that are not available on the desktop casino site. Check out the bonuses on offer, as these can be a great way to get a feel for a new app.
Native Casino Apps vs Mobile Online Casinos
Native casino apps and mobile online casinos offer different user experiences for players accessing casinos through their smartphone or tablet. They are both designed to offer players the ability to enjoy the casino while on the go.
Native applications are downloaded onto the users device, whereas a mobile online casino is accessed through an online browser. Casino apps feature an optimized interface and experience that is designed specifically to function on a mobile device. Mobile online casinos, while also intended to be used on a mobile device are typically not as optimised due to the fact they are accessed directly through the browser on a mobile device.
Most top online casinos allow users to choose between a web app and a native app. You’ll have to install native apps from an app store, whereas web apps are simply mobile-optimized web pages. There are a few important differences between the two, and understanding them is key to deciding which type of gameplay is right for you.
Why play casino on mobile apps?
Safety
You can usually expect safety, security, and fair gameplay at most web app casinos, but you’re guaranteed all of the above with native mobile apps. These apps have to go through a lengthy approval process to be listed on the app store they are intended for. These apps are fully tested to ensure they meet the app store’s standards, so there’s very little chance of a rogue native casino app slipping through the cracks.
Mobile Payments
You may find that the payment methods available on native apps and mobile online casinos will differ. Native apps offer a more streamlined and tailored payment experience however, they may not offer the full range of payment options available at online mobile sites.
So while it may be possible to access more payment options via a web app through your browser, the payment experience on offer can often be less user friendly.
That being said, you can expect to find the more popular payment options available on both native and web apps such as credit/debit cards and e-wallet like PayPal, Skrill and Nettler. While not all brands accept all E-wallets, if a brand does accept an E-wallet on their desktop app, you can expect them to also offer this payment option on their native app.
Storage
Use of a native app depends on your willingness to download and install the casino mobile app onto your mobile device. So if you’re running low on storage space, you’d probably be better off using a web app.
Personalization
Sure, you could enjoy the same collection of games at both web and native apps, but for a more personalized experience, native apps are undoubtedly your best bet. Casino operators can use native apps to track your activity and offer custom recommendations and updates. These apps also let you set preferences to your liking, treating you to a tailored online casino experience.
Never miss out
Have you ever logged on to your favourite online casino site only to notice that you’ve missed out on an amazing promotion by just a few days? You’ll never miss out again with casino mobile apps. Most native apps feature push notifications that are delivered directly to your phone. You’ll get alerts to keep you in the loop with your casinos newest games, promotions and loyalty rewards. For those of you that don’t fancy getting these alerts, you’ll be glad to know you can turn them off in your phone’s settings.
Speed
You want to get to the good stuff as soon as possible, right? Well, a good native casino mobile app can perform actions quicker than a mobile web app. Native apps usually store their data locally on mobile devices, whereas web apps use web servers. This results in faster data retrieval for native apps. Of course, this all happens in the background – all you need to know is that mobile casino apps are your best bet when it comes to gambling on the small screen.
Key Takeaways of Using Native App Instead of Mobile Online Casinos
Pro’s
- Optimised design and user experience when playing on mobile device.
- Activity tracking allows casinos to offer tailored experience and promotion offers.
- Due to data being stored locally on your device, each action performed on a native app is much quicker when compared to mobile online casinos.
- Push notifications ensure you are notified immediately of any new releases or bonus offers
Con’s
- Apps need to be downloaded to your mobile device which will take up storage space.
- Native apps might not offer the full range of features available at the mobile online casino site.
How do I get started using a casino mobile app?
You can start playing online casino games on dedicated, downloadable mobile phone apps in just a few simple steps:
- Choose a casino.
We’ve scoured the internet for the best mobile casino apps and compiled a list of only the very best. All you need to do is compare and pick one! Can’t make your mind up? Our expert reviews are sure to point you in the right direction. - Sign up.
You can register an account in a matter of minutes. All you’ll need to do is provide a few personal details. - Deposit & claim your welcome bonus.
Most top online casinos offer a good range of deposit options, from standard methods like credit and debit cards to e-wallets like PayPal. Unless you’ve chosen a no deposit bonus, you’ll be credited with your bonus funds almost instantly after making your first deposit. - Mobile web or casino app?
Once you’re all signed up, you’ll be able to continue using mobile-friendly sites to play your favourite online casino games. You’ll also have the option to download a native online casino app from an application store. These are specific to the platform you’re using. iOS users should visit the App Store, Android users can visit the Google Play Store and Windows Phone users can visit the Windows Store. - Play.
Now for the fun part. Simply tap on the app and enjoy playing the best mobile casino games!
Conclusion
Native apps and online mobile sites are both good options for enjoying your favourite games while on the go. I personally prefer to use a native app when given the option due to the unparalleled optimisation and user experience that they offer. Apps are designed specifically for use on mobile devices and this is evident to anyone who has used a native app before. While not all features are available on them, if you use them for what they are designed for – playing on the go – you can then use the desktop site to access the missing features when you have access to a desktop pc.
But don’t take our word for it, why not select one of the brands in our top list and try out their native app as well as their mobile online casino to see which experience you prefer. Remember that each brand on our list also has a dedicated desktop site that you will be able to access any features or offers that may be missing from the native app.