How mobile apps are changing iGaming

As in most vertical markets, the share of mobile in iGaming has only grown in recent years, driven by the massification of smartphones. In this new analytical article by Maria Bashkevich, Head of Marketing at Uplatform, she digs deeper into the data that better reflects the era of mobile apps in online gaming and sports betting around the world, and outlines the key benefits for operators and the players.

In today’s technologically advanced world, consumers have a checklist of features they use to decide who to do business with. The first item on the list is mobile accessibility. As the number of online gamblers increases, the global iGaming industry is no exception when it comes to accessibility. With more and more gamblers considering smartphone compatibility and accessibility in addition to the variety of content and payment choices, there has been a lot of progress in iGaming. Bettors are increasingly using mobile devices for online betting due to their active lifestyles. With convenient access to the internet and mobile gaming apps, around 55% of bettors use their mobile devices to bet online. Making mobile apps and mobile-friendly websites a must-have for betting operators.

Moreover, in many developing countries around the world, mobile betting is the only way to enjoy iGaming. The low cost of mobile phones and affordable internet access have made them the most popular method of participating in online betting. For example, in Kenya, 88% of gamers used their mobile devices to place bets or play casino games.

Go through the numbers

The data indicates that players are increasingly turning to mobile devices as their preferred betting experience. The following statistics prove that the industry is definitely on the move and mobile betting apps are one of the major reasons for the unprecedented growth in the industry.

Among young adults under 35, mobile phones remained the most popular way to access online betting in 2020, according to the Gambling Commission.
Online betting is almost as popular among men as women, with 56% of men and 44% of women placing bets online.

The use of mobile devices by female bettors is more frequent than that of male bettors, which is interesting to note. Mobile devices are used by around 55% of women to place bets.

The trend is for applications

As more and more companies focus on offering their services in the mobile market, they are developing native applications. Betting companies no longer just need a mobile-friendly website. Most players now prefer mobile apps, whether they want to bet on sports or play casino games. At a time when people’s attention spans are getting shorter, mobile apps are improving and sustaining player interaction by reducing the chances of them getting distracted. Reliable mobile apps with fast live streaming and mobile-optimized interfaces provide players with an enjoyable betting experience, helping operators generate more profits.

As stated in the opening of this article, mobile accessibility is a must these days.

Providing an easy to use, intuitive and enjoyable 24/7 gaming experience is something that stands out as one of the advantages of mobile gaming apps. By using high-quality applications, players can place bets online quickly and securely anytime and from anywhere without the need to visit land-based casinos or betting shops.

It is essential to provide players with all kinds of betting options. Despite this, mobile versions of betting websites remain convenient and effective for many reasons, including wider reach, easier marketing, affordable traffic, easier maintenance, and accessibility on a wider range of devices. . However, mobile applications remain unavoidable. Here are the reasons why:

Benefits for players

Sports betting apps offer players 24/7 access to a variety of bets. All they need is a reliable internet connection for a seamless betting experience. Smartphones allow players to access any betting site regardless of time zone.

Apps use less data than websites because they only download required content from remote servers when needed, without consuming extra cellular data unnecessarily. So, in regions with expensive mobile data or unstable internet connection like Africa or parts of Latin America, mobile apps are more preferable.

Since apps store their user data on local storage devices, loading that data takes no more than a few seconds. On the other hand, websites usually store data on a web server. Data access speed depends on internet connectivity, with mobile apps providing an advantage in areas with weak or erratic internet connections.

iGaming websites are often inferior to apps in terms of interface. Fitting them into a small screen is a challenge. Thus, to provide players with an excellent visual, convenient and stable design and provide players with a seamless navigation interface at every stage of their betting journey, it is essential to offer mobile applications. iGaming apps are also more suitable for novices because of their user interface.

Almost all mobile betting apps launched by the biggest names in the iGaming industry are completely secure. These apps come with advanced security features and end-to-end encryption. There is no chance of hackers gaining access to bettors’ personal data and causing financial or data risk. Each user accessing applications developed by Uplatform can activate two-factor authentication. Even if the player’s password is compromised, they will not be able to log in without a fingerprint or FaceID. The bettor can set the preference to remain logged into the system or log out after ending their session.

Benefits for operators

To prevent fraud and increase application security, software vendors are implementing more security features. As mobile apps are less prone to cyberattacks, this benefits both operators and gamers.

• Beneficial for regions with slow or expensive internet

A small proportion of households in regions such as LATAM or Africa have access to PCs, so the majority of people access the Internet via smartphones. Punters also have fewer barriers to interacting with using apps to place their bets, as they use less data than websites. It is therefore essential to have a mobile application for your project if you want to succeed in these markets and other regions, regardless of the infrastructure.

With a simple and intuitive design, the player knows exactly what to do when opening an application. From simple one-click registration to banners and pop-up notifications, a betting-friendly design and user interface allows players to maintain their attention without stopping or rethinking the browsing process. Using apps, players also receive notifications even when they are not betting, resulting in a higher retention rate, thus keeping players focused on the most important task, placing bets. User-friendly design and engagement methods ultimately lead to a satisfying player experience and higher retention rates.

A mobile presence is necessary to stay relevant in today’s market. The first option for most consumers when dealing with a brand is to download their mobile app. Brands that offer mobile apps are also perceived by gamers as more trustworthy, reliable, stable, and caring about their gamers, making them a better choice.

• Wider player coverage

Some people prefer a desktop version, some prefer a mobile version, and some prefer apps. Therefore, several options should be offered to satisfy all preferences and increase the number of registrations and active bettors.

• Improve the live betting experience

Betting through an app while watching a match provides greater convenience. Currently, 46% of sports betting GGR is generated through live betting, proving that it is one of the most popular activities among bettors.

Last words

A range of options are essential for players to access your sports betting or casino website, and no particular version is more important than another. Access to all channels including desktop, light desktop, mobile, apps, SMS and Telegram allows you to reach a wider audience and attract more gamers.

But just as a future without smartphones is unimaginable, it’s hard to think of a betting industry without them. All players and all markets can benefit from the full and lite versions of Uplatform’s betting sites. Moreover, Uplatform develops fast, adaptable, secure and user-friendly applications to meet the needs of the iGaming industry. Upplatform’s bespoke mobile apps optimize the gamer’s UX with a sleek, mobile-friendly design, delivering a seamless mobile experience while keeping processes simple and secure.

Apps developed for Uplatform customers are also highly customizable and integrate all necessary content, languages ​​and payments, offering a single sign-up and a shared portfolio across all channels. Registrations, deposits and withdrawals have never been easier for players, and they really appreciate the total convenience.

The likelihood of players using casino or betting apps on their mobile devices has increased, and iGaming apps are now vying for players’ attention in terms of usability and accessibility. Easy-to-use, fast and reliable mobile apps are flourishing. Given the abundance of betting apps, the competition is intense. If you are looking to ensure that your iGaming business remains trustworthy, relevant and continues to profit and grow.

So be sure to take advantage of Uplatform’s cutting-edge technology and stay ahead of the competition.