Mobile gambling

27.01.2008

If you thought that gambling online was the modern, hip way to gamble, then you’re way behind the times. Today’s newest trend leaves the computer behind and hits the cell phone. A lot of online casinos are now offering their games for mobile play. Experts estimate that by 2012, wagering from mobile devices could reach five billion dollars.

So far, the British have taken to mobile gambling more than any other nation, accounting for 60% of mobile wagering. It’s estimated, though, that as more countries expand 3G phone systems, online gambling will spread to many other countries.

Who is it, though, that chooses to gamble on their phone and not on their computer or at a casino? Mobile gambling, of course, appeals to commuters who use mass transit. While commuters can pull out a laptop on a train, it’s more complicated on a subway or a bus. In addition, few public transit systems have wifi on board, and not everyone has a wireless card in their computer. Moreover, not every gambler has his or her own laptop.

Another group of mobile gamblers is people who don’t have their own computers. This includes people who primarily use work computers or those in public libraries. Often these places will not allow users to download casino software to their programs. Nearly everyone, however, has their own cellular phone. Mobile service providers around the world make it easy to upgrade to a 3-G phone with minimal payment.

But will mobile casinos take over the role of online casinos? Certainly not! Many online gamblers enjoy the larger screen, the better graphics, and the comfort of sitting in their own home. Many, however, may choose to use the same casino both at their computer and on their mobile device. Most online gamblers don’t hold multiple accounts – rather they play at a single casino most of the time. As a result, online casinos that wish to stay competitive are rushing to adopt mobile versions.

The next question is what will this do to our society? Is this a boon or a problem? Should parents be able to access their online casino account while waiting for parent-teacher conferences or when they’re supposed to be watching them play at the park? Will mobile gambling lead people to gamble during business meetings?

It’s clear that even for gamblers who are not considered problem gamblers, gambling is addictive. Should society support their ability to gamble everywhere they go? On the other hand, one could argue that the same issue applies to any video game that can be interfaced from a mobile phone. The primary difference is that while most people are willing to quickly drop a game for something important, people are less eager to drop a game where they have a cash stake. If the game is multiplayer, then there is no reasonable way to stop playing immediately without losing money. Few casinos have pause features for their single-player games. This would probably be a welcome addition for mobile games that aren’t instantaneous, such as craps, where a single wager can apply to many rolls of the dice.

Mobile gaming may have benefits, but it has some worrying consequences. It’s probably best used while commuting and while at home, not when one has other responsibilities.