Mobile casino games have soared in popularity, especially in the age of PC and mobile gaming. The mobile casino industry is flourishing, offering players real-money gambling opportunities, continuous entertainment, and enticing bonuses. Why head to Las Vegas when you can experience its thrill on your preferred device?
The UK is at the forefront of this online mobile casino boom, with over 32 million active gambling accounts. The vast array of games means that gambling enthusiasts in the UK are spoilt for choice, solidifying online UK casinos as a significant facet of the country’s gambling culture.
The Evelotion of Online Mobile Casino Games
The first online UK casino was launched all the way back in 1994 by Microgaming after the company had successfully developed its own mobile casino software. This caused a snowball effect, as lots of other companies joined the trend after this and started launching their own mobile casinos, too.
Throughout the 2000s, PCs and laptops started to take over people’s homes around the world. If you took a step inside the average person’s home, you’d probably find a PC or laptop there. Quickly, people were finding a ton of mobile casino games to choose from via Google — and the games were even more entertaining than the land-based casino games they’d become accustomed to over the years!
Then came along the 2010s, which was the start of the- mobile gaming trend. From 2010 to 2019, mobile gaming skyrocketed in popularity (and you likely witnessed this firsthand). To keep up with this trend, most online UK casinos started to make their games mobile-friendly. In other words, people could finally ditch PCs and play mobile casino games using their smartphones instead.
Flash-forward, and here we are in 2023. To nobody’s surprise, mobile casino games are even bigger than they were in the 2010s. A lot of this is to do with the global pandemic, where millions of people were stuck at home with nothing to do. To pass the time, many of them started playing mobile casino games — and they’ve been doing it ever since.
Here’s a look at the overall picture today: the global casinos and online gambling industry is currently valued at $263.3 billion. By the time 2030 arrives, there’s no telling how valuable it might be!
So, are mobile casinos better than traditional casinos like the ones you see in Las Vegas? Yes! There’s no doubt that mobile casinos offer far greater benefits and features, such as:
- Choice of thousands more games
- Bonuses and special promotions (e.g. free spins bonuses)
- Play from any location at any time
Plus, many mobile casinos now even have live dealer games like live blackjack and live roulette. When you play these types of “live” games, you get to communicate with a real human dealer via video stream on your chosen device. This creates a more realistic online gambling experience and almost makes it feel like you’re sitting in a real-life casino.
Generally, most people you speak to will say that they prefer to play online table games like roulette using their smartphones, but on top of this, you can also play on your PC. If you’re someone who prefers playing mobile casino games using a larger screen, then PC or tablet will be right up your street. Providing your internet connection is reliable, then you’re good to go.
How to Play the Best Casino Games
It’s no secret that the internet is jam-packed with countless types of mobile casino games to choose from — but which casino games are the most popular? Let’s run through how you can play these casino games.
Online Slots
Online slots are the most popular type of mobile casino game and are the main reason why people sign into their online casino accounts every day. Most mobile casinos normally offer free spins and other bonuses related to online slots. If you see these kinds of offers, make sure to take advantage of them. For example, if an mobile casino has a deal such as “deposit $5 today and get 200 free spins”, that’s great value.
If you want to win more at online slots, here’s an important tip: only play online slots with an RTP (Return to Play Percentage) of 96% or higher. When you do this, it automatically means you have a higher chance of winning and getting a good return on the money that you bet.
You won’t be surprised to learn that online slots work exactly the same as the slot machines you’ve used in person. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Load up your chosen online slot game
- Adjust your bet amount (this is usually done using + and – symbols on the screen)
- Hit the SPIN button
- The animated slot reels will then spin around before the slot symbols land back into place — simple.
Online Blackjack
Online blackjack is also very popular in the online gambling world. The aim of online blackjack is to beat the dealer’s hand without going over 21 (“bust”).
At the beginning of an online blackjack game, you’ll be asked to place a bet. Once you do this, the dealer will hand you 2 cards. You’ll then need to decide whether to receive an additional card (“hit”) or keep your current hand (“stick”).
Whenever you decide to stay with your hand, the dealer’s hand will be revealed. If your hand is stronger than the dealer’s hand, you win. If not, you lose.
A widely accepted strategy for online blackjack beginners is to always stick with a hand value between 16 and 21. This is because you already have a good hand and the odds of you going bust if you take a new card are quite high.
Online Roulette
Online roulette is the easiest of all mobile casino games. After joining the online roulette lobby, here’s what you need to do:
- Place a bet on either red or black, odd or even, or an individual number
- Hit the SPIN button and watch the virtual roulette ball spin around the roulette wheel
- If the ball lands on your bet (e.g., red), then you’ll win
Online roulette is entirely luck-based, so there’s not much you can do when it comes to strategy. However, there is one thing: always choose single-zero online roulette tables over double-zero online roulette tables. Single-zero tables reduce “the house edge” (which is the casino’s mathematical advantage over you), which essentially helps to swing the odds more in your favor.
Video Poker
Another one of the best mobile casino games to try is video poker. In simple terms, video poker is essentially the poker version of online slots. If you want to be really good at video poker, like the pros you see in Las Vegas casinos, you need to memorize all of the different poker hands and their values. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to win at video poker. Get started with High Card (the lowest value poker hand) and go all the way up to a Royal Flush (the highest value poker hand).
Here’s a closer look at how video poker works:
- At the beginning of video poker, you’re dealt a hand of 5 cards.
- Take a minute or so to look at the cards and see how good your overall hand is. After doing this, select the cards you want to “HOLD”. These are the cards that you’ll keep.
- The remaining cards will then be swapped out and replaced by new ones to create your final hand. You’ll then be rewarded based on the hand you have (e.g. FULL HOUSE).
The Best Devices for Playing Mobile Casino Games
Popular games like online slots and online blackjack can be played on lots of different devices. If you’re someone who travels around fairly often, you’ll probably prefer playing mobile casino games on your smartphone. You can carry your iPhone or Android with you wherever you go and then use it to play the mobile casino games that you enjoy, whether you’re taking a break at work or relaxing in the middle of a train journey.
On the flipside, you might be a person who spends more time at home and prefers to play games on a larger screen. If this sounds like you, we recommend playing on PC or laptop. This way, you get the “big screen” experience and can see all of the graphics in beautiful detail.
Also, here’s an important reminder: you need a strong internet connection when you play mobile casino games. Without one, you might experience lag, disconnections, and other similar technical issues.
If a mobile casino doesn’t feature popular games like online blackjack and video poker, it’s not worth creating an account with, and the online casino will likely fail. This is because online slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker are the crowd favorites.
Getting Started with Mobile Casino Games in the UK
It is vital to only create an account with an online UK casino if it’s officially licensed. In a nutshell, this means that the mobile casino is safe to use and isn’t a threat to your personal security — phew!
Whenever you open an mobile casino, scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the UK Gambling Commission logo. Any mobile casino with a license from the UK Gambling Commission gets a big thumbs up from us, as this means it’s top-level in terms of safety and security.
If you’re eager to start playing mobile casino games in the UK, you can do it right now. Follow these steps:
- Open your favorite web browser and visit the homepage of your chosen online casino
- Choose the “Create an Account” option
- Fill out the “Sign Up” form with your personal details
- Provide legal proof of your age and identity
- Wait for the mobile casino to verify your identity (this shouldn’t take longer than 48 hours)
- Gain access to your new account and start playing
It’s also worth mentioning that some (but not all) mobile casinos allow you to turn on facial recognition to add some extra security to your account. This is highly recommended, as it’ll ultimately protect your account from hackers and cybercriminals.
Tips for Playing Mobile Casino Games
Everyone wants to win big when they play casino games. Luckily, there are some tips to win casino games online that actually work. Here are some mobile casino tips that we recommend you follow:
- Choose high RTP online slots
- Choose low volatility slots to win more frequently
- Find the best online casino deals
- Only play in high payout mobile casinos
- Play single-zero online roulette to improve your odds of winning
Almost all mobile casinos have a wide range of bonuses that you can activate, so it’s recommended that you take advantage of as many of them as you possibly can. From sign-up bonuses to free spins, don’t miss out on special offers.
Casino Game FAQs
Although most casino site games use sophisticated RNG (random number generator) software that makes it harder to win, gambling games in the UK are developed by reputable companies that are required to give players a solid chance of winning each round.
Licensed online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure game fairness. Always play at reputable sites with licences from recognised authorities like the UK Gambling Commission.
Certainly! The majority of online casinos either feature mobile-optimised websites or offer dedicated apps, enabling you to engage in roulette on your smartphone or tablet.
There are comprehensive strategies for every casino game, as outlined by successful online Blackjack, Roulette, and Craps players. We’ve compiled the key elements of their strategies in our game-specific pages, linked above.
Live dealer casinos follow standard blackjack rules. If you’re a fan of blackjack, playing live blackjack online is the closest you can get to the real-life experience. Live blackjack is especially fun if you’re someone who enjoys going up against real human dealers and other players from around the world.
While craps is largely a game of chance, understanding betting systems, managing your bankroll, and avoiding proposition bets can enhance your playing strategy and odds.