As most smart devices are equipped with enough processing power to handle high-definition graphics and even virtual reality, smartphones and tablets can run games without compromising the graphics or features. With a premium experience available on the go, it’s unsurprising that more and more people are playing online casino games on their mobile devices these days.
Because of this, most online casinos have optimized their sites to offer mobile gaming directly through the browser on your phone. While this is a great option, some casino sites have taken it a step further and created apps that allow you to access their games, plus other in-app features and exclusive bonuses.
But which one should you use? Is the mobile browser casino game version fine for you, or should you download the mobile casino app? Let’s talk a bit more about each option to figure out which is best for your gaming style.
Compare the user experience
Before simply choosing one or the other, it’s important to know the difference between the experience you’ll get from using a mobile casino app and a mobile browser to play jackpot slots and other casino games online.
Convenient gameplay
Casino mobile online apps are designed primarily for people who like to gamble regularly, and typically at the same online casino. The app gives players instant access to their favorite games from their favorite digital casino simply by tapping the icon and signing in. Thanks to Google, mobile apps used in the gambling industry are possible. The company agreed to the betting requirements, allowing betting and casino apps on the popular Play Store. Today, the best mobile gambling apps can be downloaded in record time and make your gameplay extremely efficient.
Although this is definitely the most convenient way to play, only about 20% of gamblers are willing to download an app. When they want to have some spontaneous fun, like playing online poker or doing a bit of online sports betting, players usually prefer using their mobile browser to access mobile casino sites. Although there may be a few features missing when compared to the app, the mobile site is optimized for gameplay on the move.
Functionality first
Since we want to have the best experience possible while we’re gaming, functionality is probably the biggest consideration when it comes to choosing between a mobile browser and a casino app.
For the ultimate user-friendly experience, the best mobile gambling apps will (almost) always beat the browser. This is because an app will be optimized for seamless gameplay and accessory integration on your specific device. Online slots apps, for instance, are perfectly fitted to your device and make spinning, winning, and payouts a seamless experience. Plus, apps have access to the full power of the device you’ve downloaded it on (like the GPU and CPU.) Once downloaded, some mobile apps can even be launched offline, so you won’t always need to be connected to the internet to play.
Playing in a mobile browser, on the other hand, means that the games aren’t necessarily optimized for your device and will need to be adapted to your screen size and computing power as you navigate the site. The upside of playing at mobile casino sites is that you don’t need to download or update anything; you can simply log on and start playing when you want to. That said, though, you’ll need access to a decent internet connection to play without interruption if you want to play online using both casino apps and web browsers.
Consider the casino bonuses
Another reason you might want to download an online casino app is the bonus offering. Although each casino offers different bonuses to the players who download gaming apps, you can expect to get anything from free spins to cash deposit bonuses, cashback offers, and loyalty points.
Cash deposits are one of the most common in-app bonuses. This means that when a player makes a deposit to their account, they receive a percentage of the amount they deposited as free bonus credit to play with. This gives you the opportunity to play some of the best casino table games with the bonus offered. While most casinos offer perks to new users, bonuses like these are sometimes only available to mobile players who are using the casino’s app.
Think about device compatibility
HTML5
Online casino games of the past were coded using Flash, an internet standard that was notoriously power-hungry, making it incompatible with mobile devices and their limited battery power. This meant that many of the online casinos that offered these games on desktop weren’t able to provide the same experience on mobile.
Now that the industry has moved away from Flash and onto HTML5, games are much easier to program, with functionality that allows them to be played on desktop PCs, laptops and mobile devices. If you’re planning on accessing a live casino online from your mobile device or computer, it’s a good idea to use Chrome, Firefox or another HTML5-compatible browser to ensure you have a smooth experience.
Android vs. iOS
For many gamblers, the decision about whether to use a casino app or mobile site comes down to the type of device they use. In general, there are more Android apps than iOS apps, but there are restrictions that affect both operating systems.
Apple changed its guidelines for publishing gambling apps to its store in 2019 after an incident in 2018 in which more than 25,000 apps were banned from the App Store in China. According to their new process, developers are no longer able to simply use HTML5 but must also use native iOS code. This means that developers of new casino games for mobile would have to create a unique app for both Android and iOS, which adds time and costs to their development process. The provider must also have a license for the country in which these apps will be available to download and play.
Google Play has limitations too. Some of the restrictions around gambling apps on the Play Store include:
- From March 1, 2021, users were able to download gambling apps directly from the app store in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Prior to this, only Brazil, France, Ireland or the UK were allowed to access gambling apps on the app store itself
- Must restrict downloads from foreign countries
- Should provide free apps
- Must restrict underage players from using the app
- Include in-app information that promotes responsible gambling
- Must pass Google’s application process
With the limitations for both iOS and Android in mind, you’ll find that most popular digital casinos feature a variety of games, from online roulette to bingo, that are compatible with most devices and operating systems. When it comes down to it, the best option is the one that is compatible with your device and the one you enjoy playing on the most.
Play mobile casino games at Borgata Online
Whether you’re playing mobile poker or desktop poker, Borgata Online will give you access to our whole range of fun and exciting online casino games. If you want to play poker online, test your luck with online slots or experience live dealer casino games with great casino odds, we have a game for you to enjoy; simply browse our extensive selection of casino games. For exclusive welcome bonuses, download the Borgata Online app or register with us online to get the most out of your gaming experience.