The global mobile gaming industry is booming. The number of users has grown from a few hundred million in 2006 to over 1.5 billion in 2018, with mobile gambling games making up the majority of this growth. With smartphones becoming increasingly powerful and affordable, people can now gamble anywhere and at any time. This is made possible by the proliferation of mobile data networks that allow for constant Internet access. Previously, people would have to go out of their way to buy a ticket, purchase chips or cash, and travel to a casino, but now they can gamble wherever they are. All they need is a smartphone and a reliable data network such as Wi-Fi or a 3G connection.
A mobile gambling game is a casino-like gambling application that allows players to place bets on sports events and teams using their mobile phone or tablet. These applications are designed to run on a variety of platforms, including Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems. They feature a wide range of casino games, from online slots to blackjack and roulette. They also offer quick deposits and withdrawals, thanks to the integration of financial payment systems with software apps. These features make mobile gambling a convenient and safe form of entertainment.
While most mobile casino games are available through a mobile browser, many casinos have created dedicated casino apps to provide a premium experience for their users. These apps are optimized for seamless gameplay and accessory integration, as well as a native look and feel that is tailored to the device’s hardware. In addition, mobile gambling apps can run offline, allowing for play even when the user is not connected to the Internet.
Mobile gambling is a complex and addictive activity. Research suggests that mobile technology engenders patterns of behaviour that are similar to those observed in addictions, including short, interspersed bouts of interaction and the appearance of non-reinforcing events that share structural and aesthetic similarities with wins. This research aims to explore whether these effects can be used to predict problematic gambling behavior in the context of mobile gambling.
In a naturalistic setting, participants were asked to interact with a simulated gambling app that employed a random ratio schedule of reinforcement. The results suggest that engagement with the app while there was still a chance of winning predicted perseverance in the extinction phase, when there was no longer any chance to win. The study also revealed that larger rewards were associated with greater latencies between gambles and the tendency to end a gambling session early. These findings suggest that the use of mobile gambling may contribute to addictive behaviour and is a worthy area for further research. However, the limitations of mobile technology require careful consideration when designing mobile gambling games to prevent harmful behaviour. This is particularly important if the use of mobile gambling is to be promoted as a way to reduce stress and anxiety. Moreover, the range of sensors included in contemporary smartphones offers a unique opportunity to personalize mobile gambling experiences in a manner distinct from online gaming.
