Mobile Casino Madness: a Complete Guide to Betting and Casino on the Go

Ever read something like “try the best mobile casinos 2019” and wondered what all the fuss was about? In an age where almost everything we do has gone mobile, it’s hardly surprising that casinos have become smarter. That’s right, thanks to optimised sites, apps and more, smartphone casinos and mobile casinos are giving gamers more ways to play.

In terms of statistics, research from Newzoo shows that mobile activity now generates 50% of the gaming industry’s total revenue. From that, 2.4 billion people are expected to play via their mobiles and tablets in 2019. With more people than ever gaming on the go, casino brands have jumped on the bandwagon.

Here at Mobile Casino Service, we’re purveyors of all things portable. In other words, we find, review and form links with the top mobile casino sites. However, what we also do is educate. To ensure you get the best experience possible, we’re here to break down the nuances of UK mobile casinos, what makes them tick and why they’re worth trying.

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What Are Mobile Casinos?

It won’t come as a shock to learn that a mobile casino is one that’s accessible via a smartphone or tablet. However, what you may not know is that they come in two distinct forms. As a standard, the top mobile casinos are either apps or optimised sites.

In practice, the leading operators utilise both formats. However, for the purposes of this discussion, we’ll assume that it’s either one or the other. When you are given a choice, most people prefer the convenience of an app but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best solution.

Although we won’t delve too far into the pros and cons of apps vs. mobile casino sites, here’s a quick overview of the salient points:

Mobile Casino Apps: These are native apps you download from a mobile store such as Google Play or the Apple Store. In general, apps are only available for iOS and Android devices. Once installed, casino apps are directly accessible from your home screen and the software tends to be better optimised for your device.
Mobile Casino Sites: Unlike apps, mobile casino sites don’t require any downloads. This means you can jump straight into the action. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about issues such as storage space on your device. The downside to mobile casino websites is that the developers have to paint with broad strokes. In other words, the software has to work on all mobile operating systems, which means the experience may not be as slick.

Within the above categories, you’ll find two subcategories: real money and free play. Although the top mobile casinos feature a combination of both, there are some providers that are exclusively “social”.

To put it another way, free mobile casinos powered by brands such as Zynga are focused on entertainment and connecting with friends rather than money. Of course, the same could be said of real money platforms. However, real money mobile casinos give you the ability to bank cash prizes.

Are Mobile Casino Apps Different to Desktop Sites?

Perhaps the biggest concern newbies have when they type “best mobile casinos UK” into Google is the overall experience. Even though smartphone casino sites have become hugely popular, most players start out on a desktop. Because of that, it’s natural to compare the two.

If we were writing this guide 10 years ago, the following few paragraphs would be very different. When the first products went live, they contained very few games. In fact, many of them didn’t even allow you to make deposits via your phone. Fortunately, things have changed dramatically.

The best mobile casinos of 2019 not only do everything their desktop counterparts do but, in some cases, they do more. From tailor made mobile casino bonuses and games to enhanced security, the top platforms are far more diverse than they once were.

Mobile Online Casinos vs. Desktop Online Casinos

To give you an idea of how the two mediums compare, here are some points to consider:

Games: In the games department, desktop platforms still come out on top. However, apps and mobile sites have improved dramatically in the last few years. Today, the top mobile casinos feature upwards of 200 games. In contrast, leading desktop sites can have over 600. While quantity may not be on the medium’s side, innovation is. Thanks to developers such as NetEnt and Yggdrasil, mobile-first casino games are starting to make an impact. These products are made for smartphones and tablets first before being reformatted for desktop use. This technique allows developers to incorporate features such as swipe-betting and shake-betting (shaking your device to place a bet).

Usability: Old mobile casinos were clunky. Today, apps and sites are extremely efficient. While it may be a stretch to say they’re more usable than desktop sites, the ability to swipe between menus and make bets with a single touch is fantastic.

Security: All online casinos are secure. However, smartphones have ushered in new ways of keeping you safe. The most notable is fingerprint logins. For example, if you download an iOS casino app, you’ll have the option to swap text-based passwords for Apple’s TouchID. This feature allows you to log in using your fingerprint. Naturally, this is more secure than a password and the reason mobile casino apps are, in many ways, more secure than desktop sites.

Bonuses: When the first mobile online casinos went live, mobile casino bonuses were non-existent. Because you couldn’t make deposits, there were no ways to unlock offers. 2019’s best mobile casino sites and apps are a lot different. Not only can you make deposits and withdrawals, you’ll be able to collect exclusive deals.

Alongside standard promotions, operators often run mobile-specific bonuses. These are often designed to encourage more mobile activity or they’ll tie-in with a specific product. Either way, it’s possible to collect more mobile casino offers than ever before.

Can I Get Bonuses at the Top Mobile Casinos?

We can’t tease you with the idea of mobile casino bonuses and not give you some specifics. As we’ve said, there are more deals out there than ever. Each operator will have its own selection of promos. Indeed, if you scroll through our pages, you’ll find overviews of the best mobile no deposit deals, welcome rewards, free spin offers and more. However, as a general guide, the main bonuses fall into these categories:

Mobile Casino No Deposit Bonuses: These promotions do exactly what they say on the tin. Basically, you’ll receive a set amount of free credits without making a deposit. As with all bonuses, the free funds can only be withdrawn once you wager a certain amount of your own money. However, these bonuses are great because they let you play for free and win real money.

Mobile Casino Welcome Bonuses: When you join a new site, you’ll be given a welcome reward. Essentially a golden hello, these deals typically multiply your opening deposit by a certain figure and compensate you with bonus cash.

Mobile Casino Reload Bonuses: Once you’re an active player, there will be times when you can make a fresh deposit and receive something extra. This could be site credits, extra bets or free spins.

Mobile Casino Loyalty Schemes: By playing for real money at many of our recommended mobile casinos, you’ll earn points. These points can be converted into loyalty rewards. Again, the offers will vary from operator-to-operator and wagering conditions may apply. However, these schemes are a great way to boost your balance each time you play.

How do I Find the Best Mobile Casino Bonuses

When you’ve perused our list of top-rated mobile casino offers 2019, you’ll notice almost all of the above options are present. Obviously, this is great news as it means you’ll get plenty of added value. What’s more, because there’s no limit on the number of sites you can join, it’s possible to scoop up as many extras as you can handle.
However, everyone needs a starting point. Indeed, if you’re short on time, it’s important to focus your efforts on the deals that best suit your circumstances. Unsurprisingly, we can’t say what’s best for you. What we can do though is give you some things to consider when you’re sizing up the best mobile casino bonuses online:

• Look at what you’re being offered. Bonus credits can be used on a wide variety of games while free bets and spins are limited to certain products. If you prefer more freedom, deals featuring bonus credits are best.
• Look at the amount you’re being offered. In general terms, bigger is always better. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s typically true that the top mobile casino promotions give you the most money and/or free spins.
• Look at the terms and conditions. Every mobile casino bonus lives and dies by its wagering conditions. Offering thousands in free credits is great. However, if you can’t unlock these funds, they’re worthless. As a general rule, you want the playthrough target to be as low as possible and the clearing time to be as long as possible.

Mobile Casino Slots, Table Games and More

Before we leave you to enjoy our mobile gaming guides, tips, reviews and more, let’s quickly talk about what you can expect from the leading suppliers. As we’ve already said, 2019’s best mobile casino apps and sites feature every type of game you can think of. These are produced by dozens of software suppliers, including:

• NetEnt
• Yggdrasil
• Evolution Gaming
• Microgaming
• Playtech
• Betsoft
• Quickspin

Thanks to these developers and more, you’ll be able to access the following when you join one of our recommended mobile casino brands:

Slots: Visit any leading mobile casino and you’ll get access to hundreds of slots. From three-reel fruit machines and five-reel video spinners to progressive jackpot slots, you’ll literally be spoilt for choice in this department.

Blackjack: Arguably the most skill-based casino game out there, blackjack is a straight shootout between you and the dealer. When you play via your iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry or Windows Phone, you’ll get access to a host of variants, including Vegas Strip, Atlantic City, Bonus Blackjack and Pontoon.

Roulette: A casino classic, mobile roulette is one of the most popular casino games around. As well as traditional formats such as European and American, modern mobile casinos feature jackpot titles such as Lightning Roulette as well as exotic options like Double Ball Roulette.

Table Games: From baccarat and poker to sic bo, table games come in many forms. What’s more, thanks to modern streaming technology, you can play live dealer mobile casino games. These tables swap animated graphics for live action beamed to your iOS or Android device via HD webcams and RFID sensors.

Video Poker: A game of skill and luck, video poker requires you to make the best five-card hand. As well as classic variants such as Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild, the best mobile video poker sites feature bonus and progressive jackpot options.

Scratchcards: Just like the cards you’d buy from your local shop, mobile scratchcards are high-octane, high-stakes affairs. Once you’ve bought a ticket, a single touch of the screen will scratch away the panels and reveal whether you’ve won a prize or not.

Arcade Games: When you fancy a break from the norm, arcade games are perfect. Even though titles such as Mobile Darts rely more on luck than skill, they’re hugely entertaining.

Non-Casino Betting Options: Arguably the most impressive innovation in the mobile casino space in recent years is non-gaming options. As the industry has homogenised and evolved, operators have expanded their portfolios. In practice, this means you can use the top casinos to enjoy a variety of betting options. From poker and bingo to sports betting and even lotteries, the best platforms now have something to suit everyone.

So, there you have it. Mobile casino apps and sites are hugely diverse and packed with features. For more on the medium and how to get into the action, scroll through our site, read our mobile casino reviews and learn about how you can get more each time you game on the go.