When you think of gambling today, your mind immediately drifts to the image of a land-based casino, a flashy establishment lined with rows and rows of ringing slot machines, and blinking lights, paired with the clanking together of dice and the shuffling of cards produced by the nearby, live-action table games. Or perhaps your mind wanders to some of the latest gambling crazes such as the more laidback casino cafes, online casinos, or mobile gaming, which is accessible at the drop of a hat. One thing is for sure; the gambling world has undergone a complete evolution since it first came into existence.
History
Gambling is a pastime that has been around for centuries. In fact, it is regarded as one of the earliest methods of entertainment, and continues to be wildly popular among today’s society. It is believed to have originated in China with the introduction of playing cards, and has developed into a world of options, tailored to the varying interests of players. Today, the gaming world is much more than playing cards. It encompasses a plethora of options for which gamers can exercise their interests both literally and virtually. It includes slot machines, video poker, baccarat, craps, blackjack, poker games, scratch cards, lotto games, sports betting, and more.
Move to Online
As the industry has evolved, players have become more and more interested in convenience. While land-based casinos have been the norm for avid gamers for years, the early 2000’s paved the way for the onset of online gaming. With the technological world booming, and more and more households taking in computers as a necessity, the prospect of online casinos became very promising. Its major draw was the idea that an individual could access their favorite games, as well as accumulate potentially big wins, directly from the privacy of their own home. The act of making yourself look presentable, getting in the car and driving to the nearest casino, became optional.
People across the globe began rolling out of bed, turning on the computer, and logging on to an online casino.
Online gaming not only promised a wide selection of games, mirroring that of a typical land-based casino, but it also brought with it, rewards. When inside a casino, players often had access to some type of rewards card that could be inserted into a slot machine or handed to a dealer during table game play, in order to rack up points for play, which could later be redeemed for cash and/or rewards. Therefore, it only made sense for online casinos to implement a similar system. Welcome bonuses, regular promotions, and rewards programs became easily accessible for online players.
Though, today, online casinos are still very popular, the gambling world is still not done evolving. Virtually all new casinos being launched online are offering a separate collection of mobile games. In fact, some mobile-only casinos have even began popping up, meaning that they are accessible only with the use of a mobile device. Mobile gaming really began making waves with Apple’s introduction of the iPhone back in 2007, and Google’s Android in 2008. Most of today’s mobile games are compatible with Android and iOS devices, as leading online software providers have been dedicating much of their time to developing content that can be used with such handheld devices, extending from mobile phones to tablets as well.
US Gamblers
U.S. gamers can look forward to mobile titles from software giants such as Rival Gaming, Realtime, and Betsoft, while others, like Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, and IGT are catering to others across the globe. Much like the appeal to online casino gaming, what draws players to the mobile scene is convenience. Both land-based, and online casinos force players to be in one place when they feel the urge to play. Mobile gaming opens up a whole new world of opportunities, now allowing individuals to access their favorite games while on the go. One can be on a lunch break at work, waiting to be called at the doctor’s office, or sitting on the toilet, and be able to pull out their mobile phone or tablet, and begin playing. The same rules still apply; there is money to be won, promotions to take advantage of, and rewards to be accumulated. Mobile gaming makes play more convenient, and in today’s age, that is what it’s all about.
