Chronicle EditorSince the introduction of touchscreen smartphones and tablets, the mobile gaming scene has gone from strength to strength, blooming into a global industry worth more than $170bn. Mobile has also become a legitimate platform for gaming, with many console classics migrating successfully to the small screen, and many mobile-first games with simple premises and intuitive controls becoming classics in their own right, or even massive franchises (Angry Birds being the best example). One area of the industry that has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade is online casino gambling. The ubiquity of mobiles has meant that broad demographics are now enjoying card games, roulette, and slots, and many of those players have never set foot in a land-based casino. Africa is one of the fastest developing regions when it comes to mobile casino gaming, with various factors contributing to its important place in the industry. Let’s get the lowdown.
Driven by Mobile Tech
is rapidly increasing, especially in some areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. This bypasses the challenges more remote or poorer regions have always faced in terms of infrastructure (the need for landlines, or expensive computers, for example), and mobile devices with powerful capabilities are becoming more affordable to the average African.
Mobile companies are working hard to improve coverage across the continent, and many areas now enjoy 4G internet, with 5G already being rolled out in some regions. The growing availability of devices and coverage is a big driver behind the mobile casino gaming industry boom on the continent.
Playing Catch-Up
Although some Sub-Saharan nations are rapidly expanding their mobile penetration, the online gambling scene in Africa has long been dominated by South Africa and Nigeria, where mobile usage has been widespread for many years. Punters in both nations are spoiled for choice, no matter whether they’re playing on iOS, Android, or PC — players can find info and guides to the best online casinos which support all platforms on sites such as , which can help them make informed choices about the best games, bonuses, and other features available.
Saying that, the above-mentioned infrastructure in other nations on the continent means that similar facilities will be available to players — coupled with mobile penetration and infrastructure advancement is a youthful, tech-savvy population who aren’t afraid to use their mobiles for gaming and are familiar with the various games, bonuses, and online payments necessary for a top-notch online casino experience.
Advancing Games
The affordability of modern smartphones and tablets is also giving rise to exciting online casino games. Video capabilities mean that players can enjoy the more immersive experience of live-dealer poker, blackjack, and roulette, and ever-popular slot games now come with ever-deepening levels of gameplay, cutting-edge graphics, storylines and sound design to rival traditional console and PC games.
Game mechanics are also evolving — the Megaways mechanic , for example, allows for more chances to win, bigger jackpots and more exciting gameplay. And now game developers have more tools in their possession to take casino games to higher and higher levels, with ever more immersive gameplay. And with ubiquitous mobiles, it means developing nations in Africa aren’t being left behind when it comes to online casino entertainment.
Emerging Tech
What does the future hold for online casino games? Well, although emerging technologies like AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) have been around for a while (see Pokemon Go as a great example of AR in gaming), online casinos have been a little slower on the uptake. That said, you can find VR casinos on offer in some regions, but the challenges the technologies face include the , plus the need for additional hardware, which although becoming more affordable, diminishes the accessibility which is one of the great appeals of online casinos. No one wants to wear a VR headset on the bus.
But when these technologies become more consumer-friendly, they could add another dimension to the online casino experience, allowing players to interact with others in the casino environment, move from game to game, and feel like they’re holding their cards in their hands.
So, online mobile gambling is taking Africa by storm, in tandem with the rapid increase in mobile usage and developing infrastructure. By all accounts, the future of the industry on the continent looks to be a prosperous one.
Online Reporter