Apple iOS may still get the most attention from game developers targeting the mobile gaming market but Android has carved out a niche for itself when it comes to online gambling, with several different companies release Android apps before any iOS apps and others poised to follow suit. Some drawbacks still exist when it comes to developing games for the Android market but one of the larger ones has been addressed to some extent with the launch of Google Play, with a long-awaited dedicated gaming hub now finally in place to show off some of the great games available for Android devices instead of them getting lost in the general unorganized shuffle of apps in the Android Market.
Internet casino and poker sites still face some hurdles when it comes to getting their apps to market, as both Google and Apple have been wary to approve apps that allow for real money wagering. Millions of people around the world gamble at online sites but the legal situation in some countries remains murkier, with Apple and Google treading cautiously when it comes to approving gambling apps for distribution at their online stores.
Several Android apps from top online sites such as bwin have already hit the market, with PokerStars — the world’s largest online poker site — rumored to have an Android app in the works as well. The preference towards Android so far is that Google has been slightly more open than Apple when it comes to embracing gambling apps, with fewer restrictions on the types of apps as well as restrictions on countries where apps can be downloaded.
Mobile casino games are on of the bright spots for many online gambling operators, most notably sportsbooks that are increasingly getting a larger and larger share of revenues from mobile users. This trend will likely only only continue to intensify in coming years, with tablet and smartphone sales continuing to grow as more and more users come to see them as necessary items, especially as dropping prices make them more and more affordable. It remains to be seen if Android can continue to hold its early lead when it comes to mobile gambling apps but signs currently point to yes, especially as other operators try to play catch up and match the current offerings of some competitors.
