It’s just a few decades ago that playing casino games online felt like a “sit down at your desk” kind of activity. You needed a laptop, a stable internet connection and a bit of uninterrupted time to really get into it. But one major disadvantage of desktop play was its lack of flexibility. Well, as much as it allowed you to access games remotely, it couldn’t allow the entertainment to follow you, something that many online gamblers seek.
This is a big part of why modern gamblers have been shifting to mobile play. According to a recent report by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), mobile engagement is expected to account for almost two-thirds (67%) of online gambling revenue in Europe by 2029. Desktop play, on the other hand, is expected to go from 42% in 2024 to 33% in 2029.
Even more fascinating is the fact that operators like Jackpot City SA have taken note of this shift. Most of them have aligned, creating experiences where players can enjoy gambling on their phones as they would on their desktops. So, why exactly is mobile gambling the new normal? Why is the industry moving towards this direction?
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Convenience that matches real life
Think about how people actually spend their days. Time is fragmented, and moments of downtime appear in short bursts. Also, when you consider how busy life has become, you begin to see why the casino industry is adapting to fit modern lifestyles. Mobile games slide naturally into lunch breaks, commutes and in-between moments, allowing players to enjoy their favorite games without reorganizing their entire day.
While this level of convenience might feel like the most obvious factor, it can also be the most powerful. Take a sector like grocery, for instance. Do you know that, according to VenHub, “about 73% of US grocery shoppers now prioritize convenience more than ever?” Who would want to lose over seven in ten shoppers just because they failed to cater to this need for convenience? Of course, no one would, and in the iGaming industry, things aren’t any different.
This is why, to ensure players remain engaged, operators like Jackpot City SA are designing experiences that are easy to access from any place. The touch controls, clean layouts and vertical screens are optimized to feel natural on a phone.
Mobile-first design has raised the experience
There’s no benefit to being able to play titles like Poch conveniently if you feel like you’re settling for a watered-down version of the experience. Yes, the convenience of playing on a mobile device can make the industry accessible to many people, but today’s players want more than just convenience. If a platform is easy to access but takes too long to load, it could disappoint users and even discourage them from returning.
The platform can also not be clunky and still expect to lead the industry. As such, many online casinos, including Jackpot City SA, have not been left behind in terms of design. They’ve embraced a mobile-first approach, meaning games are built primarily for smartphones. Even complex offerings like live dealer tables are now perfectly playable on a phone. Thanks to responsive design, you no longer need to worry about pinching or zooming in on platforms.
Another way casinos, including Jackpot City SA, make the experience mobile-friendly is through personalized push notifications. Imagine an experience where your phone gently reminds you about a tournament you’ve shown interest in. It’s like having a personal concierge in your pocket, ready to guide you to the experiences you love.
And since many people love such experiences, it shouldn’t be surprising that mobile play is becoming the new normal. Even WorldMetrics agrees, suggesting that personalized push notifications can increase engagement by up to 300% for segment-specific audiences.
Trust, payments and security on the go
Regardless of how entertaining an experience feels, you never want to compromise on security, even for a second. Just one slight mistake could lead to serious consequences, from unauthorized access to personal data breaches. And mark you: cybercriminals are awake, and “like a roaring lion, they’re always seeking someone to devour.” Because of that, mobile casinos like Jackpot City SA invest heavily in tight security measures to safeguard users’ data.
This is where biometric authentication, two-factor verification and end-to-end encryption come into play. Biometric authentication, for example, can, according to WifiTalents, reduce identity fraud by 30%. Payments have also evolved to match the mobile lifestyle. Quick transfers and support for digital wallets mean players can move funds without ever leaving the app.
And since these transactions are usually secured, users can engage with peace of mind knowing that both their data and funds are safe. And when users trust an industry, it becomes easy for them to join it. After all, habits only form when people feel safe repeating an action. This explains why many operators now prioritize building brand trust because it can make them more competitive.
Final words
As you can see, player preferences are always shifting. What some consider an engaging experience today might not be what players expect tomorrow. And since mobile gaming aligns perfectly with modern lifestyles, it’s easy to see why it’s become the new normal. For operators who understand this shift, meeting players where they are is no longer optional. For players, it means you no longer have to sit down at a desk to play remotely.
