The Isle of Man based gaming company Microgaming developed the world’s first online casino software in 1994. This revolutionary, game changing invention didn’t quite have the instant impact that many thought it would.
Two years after its release, there were as little as 20 online casinos operating throughout the world. Nearly thirty years on there are an estimated 2,000 online casinos in operation, generating a combined $10 billion in revenues every year.
One of the key factors in the spread of online casino gambling has been the mobile phone, the device that has brought virtual blackjack, roulette and baccarat to our finger tips.
Want to know more about mobile casino gambling? Read on for our ultimate beginner’s guide to getting started on your mobile gambling journey.
Getting Started: Choosing a Provider
The first and most important step to getting set up in the world of online mobile casino gambling is choosing who you are going to spend your hard-earned money wagering with. Fortunately there are plenty of tools out there to help you find the right supplier for you.
Gambling.com is a website that compiles data on almost every online casino out there and allows you to compare them based on a range of different criteria. Using Gambling.com you can see the latest bonuses and offers available at online casinos, check out their average payout time and read customer reviews.
Work out what’s most important to you as an individual, whether that be the range of games on offer or the level of customer service and use Gambling.com to rank and research the best new casinos on the market that are mobile compatible.
Making a Deposit
The vast majority of mobile casinos accept payments in the same ways:
- Debit/Credit Card
- BACS Transfer
- Paypal
- Apple/Google Pay
The easiest and safest way to make a deposit is using a digital online wallet (PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay). In doing this you never share your card or bank account details with the online casino provider.
If you are going to pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer, make sure you’ve researched the provider beforehand and can be sure that they can be trusted with your details.
In some cases you may come across mobile casino sites that accept deposits in cryptocurrency, although these are quite rare.
After completing your first deposit, the funds should be in your virtual betting account immediately, meaning you can get right down to making your first wager.
The Games
There are a heck of a lot of games to choose from, but three of the most popular with mobile casino players are:
- Slots: Online and in bricks and mortar casinos, slot machines are the beating heart of any successful gambling outlet. They not only attract the highest number of customers but they account for over half the amount of revenues. Requiring no prior knowledge or skill, slot machines are a great way to unwind and relax whilst sitting on the edge of your seat hoping for a big win.
- Blackjack: Whilst blackjack isn’t the most complicated of table games, we’d still recommending acquainting yourself with the rules and some of the most popular strategies before playing your first couple of hands of this fast-paced and exciting game.
- Roulette: Perhaps the most famous of all table games, roulette is the game that can turn you relatively well-off to filthy rich with one spin of the wheel. Do exercise caution though because it can make your money disappear just as quickly as it can increase it!
What About Winnings?
Now for the most important question of all, what about all of those amazing winnings? Unfortunately the biggest drawback of any online casino is that they are usually an awful lot slower giving you your money than they are in taking it.
Whilst you can make a deposit in seconds and start playing straight away, you will more than likely have to wait a couple of days to receive your winnings. On average, it can take between 1 to 2 days, but in some cases and with certain suppliers you may be forced to wait up to a week to see your cash.
Many gamblers think that the reason for the disparity between making deposits and withdrawing winnings is that online casinos begrudge seeing their customers win. The real reason is that by law, online casinos must check every withdrawal rigorously to monitor for money laundering.
In Summary
Gambling has never been easier thanks to the internet and mobile gambling. Our final tip to prospective mobile gamblers though is to be safe, set yourself betting limits and never wager more than you can afford.
