Posted in Industry August 20, 2017
Staggering Growth of the Mobile Gaming Industry: $40.6 Billion Revenue
Google has announced that starting in August 2017, Google Play Market will be open to real money gambling apps. This move reflects the incredible growth of the mobile gaming industry and its gambling section. Mobile games have already generated $40.6 billion in revenue in 2016, and this number is expected to increase even more with Google’s initiative. The availability of mobile gambling apps is set to become more prominent now that they are more easily accessible.
For now, only gamblers in France, the UK, and Ireland will be able to download these apps from Google Play Market. Operators will need to provide various supporting documentation, such as licenses, in order to get approved. This may seem like a complex process, but it is a significant step forward for the industry as a whole. Since over 90% of all online searches go through Google, this recognition holds great importance.
The mobile gambling industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, and with Google’s help, it will be able to reach even more people. It is expected that more countries will follow suit and expand the mobile gambling app market further.
Mobile Gaming Industry Revenue Growth: A Glimpse of Success
In 2013, PocketWinnings published an infographic that predicted the mobile gambling industry would grow to $100 billion by 2017. While mobile casinos have not reached that goal yet, the mobile gaming industry has already generated over $40 billion in revenue.
Currently, there are over 2.6 billion smartphone users worldwide, with 62% of them installing at least one game within a week of purchasing their devices. Mobile apps, especially games, are immensely popular, with around 90 billion downloads in 2016 alone. The majority of these downloads come from Google Play Market, as Android is the dominant mobile operating system globally.
In 2016, the total revenue of all mobile apps reached $89 billion, and nearly half of that revenue came from mobile games. More and more people are choosing to use their smartphones not only for gaming, but also for gambling. Major casinos in the industry have dedicated mobile apps or mobile versions of their platforms. Some casinos, like Casumo Casino, are even optimized specifically for mobile devices.
With Google’s recent changes, it is expected that more people will start using mobile gambling apps. However, it’s important to note that these apps will still be subject to local gambling laws. Nevertheless, the increased availability of these apps will allow even those who aren’t actively seeking them out to stumble upon them and give them a try.
Mobile Gaming: Types of Apps
The mobile gaming industry is rapidly developing, thanks to the availability of advanced technology that enables high functionality and stunning graphics. For instance, NetEnt’s latest Mobile Live casino has shown that any platform can provide an exceptional gambling experience. With the advent of smartphones that can function with Virtual Reality (VR) visors, it is highly likely that completely immersive online casinos will soon be available on mobile devices.
Currently, there are two main types of mobile gambling apps: native and web applications. Native mobile apps are specifically developed for mobile devices and offer a high level of performance due to their compatibility with the platform they run on. However, compatibility issues may arise with older versions of operating systems. Native apps also have more coding limitations. Despite these drawbacks, they are generally more stable, efficient, and feature-rich. Web apps, on the other hand, are programs developed for web browsers and can be accessed through the browser on a mobile device without requiring a separate download and installation. While web apps may have compatibility issues, they run reasonably well on all platforms and are preferred by some casinos for their convenience.
Casinos That Embraced the Mobile Gaming Industry
Major online gambling operators have all introduced some form of a mobile casino, but few have done it as successfully as Mr Green Casino. Their native mobile casino app was awarded the Casino App of the Year in 2016 and offers a beautiful, efficient, and user-friendly experience. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and provides a unique gaming experience tailored for mobile gameplay. Mr Green Casino’s success sets an example for other operators, and it is expected that more stunning apps like this will be developed in the future.
