Why mobile is the future of the gaming industry

It is estimated that about 20% or a fifth of the world’s population have access to mobile phones. Compared to consoles, gaming computers, and other platforms, smartphones are simply the most accessible gaming devices on the planet.

In fact, while console and PC gaming raked in around $45 billion in 2020, mobile gaming made over $77 billion – and is expected to rake in over $200 billion by 2023. For the most part, this is due to the rise in mobile technologies and gaming innovations in recent years.

A new era of mobile gaming innovation

Alongside the release of powerful phones designed for gaming, the recent 5G rollout has contributed to this rapid growth as well.

With new hardware and faster networks pushing the possibilities of what’s possible on mobile further, game developers are grabbing every opportunity to reach the growing population of mobile players across the world. Our own game reviews here on Retbit show how new titles like Alien: Blackout, Pokémon Unite, and Hearthstone are boosting both old and new franchises on mobile platforms. These games are also indicative of how the amount of players that are actively playing casual and skilled gaming environments have risen. Although it’s true that most of the first mobile games were designed for casual gamers, the interactive possibilities of mobile touchscreen, cameras, and other hardware have paved the way for many skills-based games to flourish.

The rise of online casinos

This isn’t to say that mobile is moving away from catering to casual gamers. In fact, another huge contributor to the boom of mobile gaming is the rise of online casinos and other gambling platforms.

Growing at a compounded annual rate of 11.5% since 2020, a report by Research and Markets indicates that the global online gambling market will balloon to an astounding $127.3 billion by 2027. Apart from the increasing adoption of smartphones, much of this growth is being driven by innovative online casino providers like Paddy Power and Ladbrokes who have developed easily accessible mobile apps and platforms for their players. And as the online casino reviews by Tuxslots show, these providers aren’t alone in catering to the new generation of players using tablets and smartphones. As well as Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, prominent online casino sites like Energy Casino and NetBet have also joined the mobile gaming revolution.

Photo credit: Jonas Leupe

Taking a page from cross-platform video games, these mobile-friendly casinos are also making their games more accessible to a larger number of web-connected devices. This is similar to how other video game developers offer gameplay and content specifically for mobile touchscreen platforms, giving traditional gamers experiences that are unique to mobile. In some cases, using the mobile platforms of certain online casinos even give players access to special features and mobile-only content. Considering how these providers are at the forefront of the online casino boom, more web-based gambling sites are sure to follow in their footsteps.

This isn’t to say that it’s the end of the road for console and PC gaming, which are also expected to develop as well in the coming years. But as more and more players turn to their phones for new gaming experiences, even growth in other sectors of the gaming industry only opens opportunities for mobile adaptations. In short, whatever gaming platform you prefer, the mobile takeover is inevitable.