What Are Mobile Casinos?
A mobile casino is an online casino that can be viewed and interacted with on a mobile device: smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch.
You can access mobile casinos in two different ways, depending on what the casino offers:
- Navigate to the browser page of the casino
If you're accessing the website using a mobile device, it will identify this and automatically take you to the mobile-optimized page if available.
If there isn’t a page fine-tuned for mobiles, you'll just view the browser version, similar to how it appears on a PC.
- Install the dedicated mobile casino app
You can also install a casino app on your device. It can be a universal download for all operating systems or a dedicated Android casino app or iOS casino app.
Note
Some casinos only offer a dedicated mobile app for a single type of operating system. If your phone runs the other OS, you can simply stick to playing on the browser version of that casino.
Regardless of whether you access the browser mobile page or the dedicated app, you can enjoy a mobile-optimized interface.
All this is possible due to the adaptive capacities of HTML5 technology and responsive designs.
Are Mobile Casinos Worth It? - Pros & Cons
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Quick loading times | Display limitations |
Play on the go | Constricted by network strength |
Access to games 24/7 | Dependent on battery life |
Big variety of games | Old slot games might be unavailable |
Ease of use (friendly user interface) | Touchscreen controls don’t suit everybody |
New-player bonuses & promos | Increased risk of gambling addiction |
Multiple log-in methods | Security also depends on you |
You can pay with your phone bill | Limited customer support |
Play on the go, 24/7 - provided you have enough battery & a good internet connection
The main selling point of mobile casinos is being able to play anytime, from anywhere. However, these benefits are dependent on your internet connection and battery life.
You must ensure your mobile is always charged and that your internet connection is good. Your game connection is interrupted if your network fails or your battery dies.
Extensive casino games catalog - but mainly modern games
Moreover, there’s the fact that gambling online gives you access to a wide variety of games (especially video slots) that simply cannot fit in a land-based casino.
Games available in mobile casinos are specially tailored for mobile devices.
This comes at a cost: some older casino games that couldn’t or weren’t, to this date, optimized for mobile devices, cannot be accessed on them.
Freak Tip
If you prefer old games and don’t want to miss out on them, gambling on a PC or in land-based casinos is the better choice.
Intuitive touchscreen controls provide a modern experience - if you're into that
When you play on a mobile-optimized casino, you can easily play using your fingers on your mobile's screen.
However, if you prefer to feel the spins with more classic buttons (either on a slot machine or with your PC's keyboard), then you might not be such a fan of mobile gambling.
Mobile devices’ specs dictate the casino games’ performance
Now, regardless of how optimized casino games are for mobile devices, they are still limited by your device’s capabilities, namely your specs and screen size.
The better your mobile specs are, the more polished the games will look on it.
Keep in Mind
At the end of the day, no matter how big your mobile screen is, the games will still look smaller than on the desktop version. The games cannot look as impressive as they do on a PC screen or in a real slot machine.
Enhanced security, but you have to do your part, too
When you play on your mobile device, you can configure different log-in methods, including multi-factor authentication or biometrics. This adds many layers of security to your personal information.
However, as you can take your mobile device wherever you go, other people can sometimes peek into your device's display, for example, when commuting.
You must always be mindful of your surroundings and keep your display hidden when inputting sensitive information. Peeping Toms might otherwise steal your credit card information or other personal data.
Warning
I strongly recommend you enable 2FA (2-factor authentication) when gambling on a mobile device. In doing so, even if somebody gets a glimpse of your credentials, they cannot break into your account.
Gambling addiction concerns
The advantages of mobile gambling make it easier for people to spend more time on it. This puts them at a higher risk of developing a problem with gambling.
When gambling online from a mobile, you need more self-restraint than when simply gambling from your desktop or in a land-based casino.
Note
It is up to you to device whether mobile gambling’s pros outweigh the cons, or whether you should stick to gambling from your PC or laptop.
Picking Your Perfect Mobile Casino
Commitments require a lot of time to decide whether they are worth it. You wouldn’t put a ring on it in a flash of an eye, right?
Choosing where to use your hard-worked money is just as important. You cannot take back the money you deposit, therefore you should choose well from the start.
Storytime
I learned this the hard way. A few years back, I overheard some folks on the train discussing the impressive wins they got at a specific casino (the name is not relevant). Excitedly, I rushed to sign up and make a big deposit.
Only after did I realize my favorite casino game was missing, and I was stuck with much less appealing options.
Without further ado, here is my two cents' worth of what to be mindful of when making a pick:
Legal Matters
Make sure that you play at a casino licensed by a reputable regulatory body such as UKGC or MGA (Malta Gambling Authority).
In addition, the mobile casino you choose must be licensed for your jurisdiction.
Also, you should only play casino games certified by testing laboratories. These verify the fairness and security of games (ex: iTech Labs & eCOGRA casinos).
Example
If you are a master at Blackjack, you needn’t bother with bonuses that give you free spins; a match-up bonus is a much better pick.
Payment Methods
The diversity of payment systems available at a mobile online casino is also important. Depending on the legal state of gambling in your country, some payment options may not be available.
While popular payment methods (ex: debit cards, e-Wallets, bank transfers) are usually available in most mobile casinos, others are limited to specific casinos.
Example
If you prefer to pay with, let’s say, Neteller, you should look for Neteller casinos.
Game Selection
You should look for mobile casinos with a rich game portfolio encompassing all your favorite game types.
Not only that, but it should also have some other game types, and from various software providers, in case your taste changes over time.
Essentially, conduct thorough game selection research. Curiosity usually kills the cat, but, in this case, it leads to the ultimate fish pond for its feline cravings.
Tip
If you pick a casino that has a wide variety of all game types from the start, you needn’t open an account at other casinos later on to try out games that aren’t available in the first one.
Security Measures
Your personal data is your most sacred information when it comes to online business. When choosing a casino, you should carefully consider which security measures it provides to encrypt your data (especially your credit card details).
Player Ratings And Reviews
Since gambling involves using your hard-worked money, you surely want to play at the best mobile casinos, that have an excellent reputation and are considered trustworthy.
On Freak, you can find real-players feedback on various mobile casinos. These can give you a clearer and unfiltered picture of what to expect from a casino: the good and the bad.
You can find more info on how CasinoFreak ratings work from our dedicated page.
Note
Some people might think that mobile casinos are the best thing since sliced bread, but that doesn’t mean you need to follow suit.
User Interface
A friendly and easy-to-use user interface is the dream. You wouldn’t bother playing on your mobile if it weren’t more comfortable than on a desktop, so make sure the casino you are interested in has a mobile-optimized interface.
At first glance, all online casinos look good on desktop platforms, but not all of them will look just as great when viewed on a mobile device.
Some gambling websites are poorly optimized for the mobile market, and it will be impossible for you to enjoy a high-quality gaming experience with them.
Tip
Check out the top mobile casinos in the list above. These platforms are fine-tuned for mobile devices and run smoothly on various screen sizes.
Range of Responsible Gambling Tools
Any respectable casino should provide you with tools that you can employ to self-limit gambling activities. I will tell you more about this later on this page.
Reliable Customer Support
Customer support is often overlooked when players choose a casino to play at.
While you likely won’t need it, it’s better to have the option available and not need it than to face a problem and not have this option.
A good casino has a well-put-together customer support system that instantly provides you assistance 24/7.
Not only that, but you should be able to contact operators in your preferred method, be it by phone, online live chat, or email.
Bonus Variety
Every casino has its own different new-player bonuses that target different types of people. Therefore, you should steer towards one that fits your gambling customs.
Gamification Features (ex: Tournaments, Missions & Quests)
These features are a modern way of experiencing casino games that increases player engagement and retention.
How to Claim Mobile Casino Bonuses - Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find a great mobile casino for you
The first step is deciding on a mobile casino to play at. You can use our list of the best-rated (by real gamblers) mobile casinos to find a reliable and trustworthy mobile gambling site to play at. Our team and other real gamblers have verified all these websites.
Step 2: Research what bonuses the casino offers
The bonus selection is one of the most important things to be mindful of when making a choice. Therefore, after you set your eyes on a casino, ensure its new-player bonuses fit your gambling habits and needs.
Warning
Carefully read a bonus’s T&C (terms and conditions) before claiming it. They will tell you all about what is needed to claim the promotion, including whether it requires using a bonus code and what wagering requirements it has.
Freak Tip
I recommend you start with a mobile no-deposit bonus, if one is available at the mobile casino that caught your attention.
With such a bonus, you can get a feel of what the casino feels like and figure out whether a deposit bonus is worth claiming later on as well.
Step 3: Register an account
The registration process entails introducing your personal information, including your name, date of birth, residency, credit card number, and other personal details.
Make sure that the info you input is correct and accurate in relation to your ID card.
Remember
For some bonuses, you need to opt for them while registering the account, and you cannot claim them later on. Read the T&C for accurate information.
Step 4: Verify your account
After registering your account, you need to verify it to confirm your identity. Basically, you have to prove to that casino’s operators that you are the person you said you were in the registration form.
Step 5: Claim a bonus
When your account is confirmed, you can claim the desired bonus and start working towards completing its requirements.
Remember
Certain bonuses require you to input a bonus code during registration or when you make your deposit in order to claim them.
Step 6: Make a deposit (for welcome bonuses that require one)
Before You Proceed
If you claimed a no-deposit offer, skip this step and start playing.
Now, to trigger the bonus, you'll have to make a deposit as per the terms and conditions of the bonus. Essentially, you're required to deposit at least a certain amount of money to qualify for the bonus.
For that, you will just have to go to the cashier section of the mobile casino, select the desired payment method and the sum you wish to deposit, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
Freak Tip
Start with small deposits, and don't bite more than you can chew. You can always make more deposits later if the odds are in your favour.
Top Payment Methods at Mobile Casinos
Some of the most-used payment methods in mobile casinos are Boku, PayPal, Skrill, Bitcoin, Paysafecard, and the good ole Visa and MasterCard.
Did you know
Boku is a Pay by Phone system, Paysafecard is a prepaid card, Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, and PayPal and Skrill are digital wallets (also known as e-Wallets).
Mobile-specific payment methods include mobile payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and Pay by Phone systems.
Remember
Some new-player bonuses require you to make a deposit with methods other than Skrill and Neteller to be eligible for claiming them.
What is Pay By Phone?
When you select the Pay by Phone method, the money you deposit is charged to your mobile bill.
This mobile-exclusive payment method is perfect for users who want only to use their mobile.
The Pay by Phone method can come under different names, such as “Pay by Mobile,” “Pay Via Phone,” “Charge to Mobile,” “Charge to Bill,” or “Mobile Pay.”
In a nutshell, if the payment method’s name suggests that you pay with your mobile bill, it refers to the Pay by Phone method.
When you pay using your phone bill, you don't have to waste time dealing with any intermediary apps. You can start playing with your deposit as soon as you confirm the transaction.
Warning
You can only make deposits with Pay by Phone. Withdrawals need to be made with a different method.
How To Pay Via Phone at Mobile Casinos
- Pick your favorite option from our list of licensed mobile casinos.
- Log in to your account or register & verify a new account.
- Navigate to the Payment section on your account.
- Go to Deposits.
- Select the Pay by Phone method of payment.
- Choose the sum you want to deposit.
- Enter your phone number.
- A text message with a confirmation code will be sent to your phone.
- Enter the code when prompted by the casino.
- You'll get a confirmation when the deposit is successful.
How To Gamble Responsibly on Mobile Devices
As previously mentioned, the accessibility and advantages of mobile casinos may pose a risk of gambling addiction.
It can be a challenge for both gamblers who wish to stay away from this activity, but also new players.
Casinos can track a user’s gambling habits on their platform. However, according to UKGC, “the average mobile gambler has four apps on his/her mobile device, and the average problem gambler uses many more.”
This leads to casinos being unable to track a player’s gambling habits across multiple platforms. Therefore, there is a need for further help for players regarding playing responsibly.
Thankfully, accessibility also applies to responsible gambling tools and organisations available. There are many available resources you can use, as seen below.
Freak Tip
I recommend using multiple methods to keep your habits in check. By combining various tools and settings, you can highly enhance your protection against the dangers of gambling addiction.
Stick To a Monthly Budget
- Set Up Deposit & Bet Limits
You can set up self-limits for deposits and bets so that you can more easily stick to a monthly budget allocated to gambling.
Freak Tip
I recommend setting limits as soon as you start your activity in the mobile gambling realm. Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
- Contact Professionals
Moreover, you can ask for help from non-profit organisations to help you create a monthly or yearly budget, such as Money Helper.
Be Aware Of Your Gambling Habits
- Perform Reality Checks
These are notifications you receive from time to time while gambling in mobile casinos. They inform you of your recent gambling habits, for example, how much money you recently used.
They can help you notice if you have a problem with gambling and need to take a break.
Note
You can also perform self-made reality checks by checking your account’s history of transactions.
- Complete Online Questionnaires
You can also self-assess whether you have a problem with gambling via online questionnaires. They are free to use and anonymous and can be completed whenever you want.
- Install Time Tracker Apps
Besides the built-in time tracker in mobile casinos, you can also use time tracker apps that you install on your device. They help you monitor your time spent gambling.
Ask For Help For Problem Gambling
Gambling addiction is considered a mental disorder. Thus, there are many organizations and professionals dedicated to helping treat it.
- Get Free Online Support For Problem Gambling
You can contact a professional for help with this issue whenever you need to. Helplines are available 24/7 for free via phone or Live Chat (depending on your preferences).
For example, the National Gambling Helpline for the UK is operated by Gamcare. The official phone number you can call for assistance is 0808 8020 133.
- Enroll in Therapy For Gambling Addiction
If you feel things are getting out of hand, don’t hesitate to enroll in long-term treatment for your issues. Here are some reputable organizations that offer gambling therapy:
- Join a Support Group
There is also the possibility of joining a dedicated support group for problem gambling such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.
These are safe places for gamblers to share their stories with each other and are generally free to join.
Block Your Access To Gambling Apps
- Add Browser Extensions To Block Gambling Websites
You can let a browser extension do the job for you if you access casinos via a browser on your mobile.
For example, a reputable extension for Android users is BlockSite.
- Block Gambling Websites Via Your Router
Tech-savvy users can also ban access to gambling websites via Router settings. For that, you need to set up an ISP web filter to manually block the IP addresses of every casino website you want to stay away from.
Note
An ISP web filter blocks access to adult websites.
However, this process can be quite laborious, and you have the option to remove websites from the filter list at a later time.
Therefore, this approach isn't entirely foolproof and is suggested for individuals who have never engaged in or have no intention of gambling, rather than for those facing gambling issues.
- Install Gambling Blocking Apps
There’s also the possibility of installing dedicated gambling-blocking apps on your mobile. They restrict access to gambling websites for a limited or unlimited period, as you choose.
It may be free to use or paid, depending on its features and availability. Here are some of the most popular apps:
*Although Gamban comes with a price tag, you can get a free license for Gamban via Gamcare. The license will allow you to use the app for free on multiple devices simultaneously.
Note
You don’t necessarily need a dedicated gambling-blocking app to block your access to gambling websites. You can also use a general app (such as Netnanny) for this purpose.
- Enrol in a Gambling Exclusion Scheme
Alternatively, you can sign up for a self-exclusion scheme such as GAMSTOP. The registration process requires you to share your personal information.
Once you register for an exclusion scheme, your access to gambling websites will be blocked entirely for a period determined by you.
Note
As soon as you set up this self-exclusion, you cannot cancel it and have to wait until the set period passes.
Final Words
The internet age has transformed actions that were once confined to the physical world, allowing you to engage in them from any location. If online gambling is your preference, taking advantage of the convenience offered by mobile casinos could be well worth your while. Just make sure you stay safe and stick to legal and licensed casinos. Cheers!