The fact that online casinos have become immensely popular in Ireland – and the rest of the world, for that matter – has already been widely discussed on this site.
What hasn’t been well covered is the subtle nuances you’ll encounter when playing casino games on different platforms. Most premium iGaming brands provide two versions of their product: a website for desktop gaming and an app for mobile gambling.
Except for the obvious size difference between these two options, how different is the gambling experience itself? Let’s find out:
Safety and security
One of the biggest differences between casino apps and sites is the level of security provided. Casino apps, generally, are thought to be more secure. Vlad Grindu, a professional online casino reviewer, states that apps for online casinos often come with additional security features, such as face ID, fingerprint sign-in, and advanced encryption. The best casino apps are also available to download from Google Play or the Apple App Store. This means that they have met the strict screening requirements and have been approved as safe.
In 2023, Apple rejected over 1.7 million app submissions due to privacy, security, and content concerns. This highlights just how stringent and security-concerned app stores are.
Casino websites, on the other hand, do not feature biometric security. Plus, you access them via a Google search, which could result in you visiting a fraudulent website by mistake. They’re not screened by a major app store, meaning that the website itself could be spammy. If you don’t have safe browsing features on your desktop, this could result in your computer catching a virus.
Even if advanced security measures are implemented and the site is trustworthy, app gaming remains far safer than desktop gambling.
Accessibility and convenience
While mobile casino apps are obviously more accessible than desktop equivalents, it’s still worth discussing the importance of accessibility when it comes to iGaming.
If you want to optimize your mobile gaming experience, you must use a mobile app. Casino applications have been specifically designed to fit a small screen, which makes both gaming and navigation seamless. The software has also been configured to work on iOS and Android devices, meaning there should be no lag – only quick and intuitive play.
Plus, the biggest bonus of gambling apps is that they provide portability, which is a benefit that desktop versions cannot provide. iGaming apps can easily be played on the go – whether you’re in the back of a taxi or taking the bus to work. They can also be played offline, meaning that you don’t even need a WiFi connection or data to play your favorite casino games.
While it would be possible to take your laptop to your local coffee shop and play casino games there, the overall portability of desktop gaming is pale in comparison to app-based play. You generally need to carve out some specific game time for desktop gambling, as you cannot just pick up a desktop wherever you are and start playing as you can with an app.
Plus, to access a website, you need an internet connection. Using public Wi-Fi isn’t always the best idea, given that hackers can easily compromise it and steal your data. According to a 2023 study by Microsoft Security, 43% of people in Ireland have experienced a cybersecurity incident in the last three years. This highlights how important it is to practice good cybersecurity, which includes being wary of public Wi-Fi.
User experience and interface
As we already mentioned, apps are designed to create seamless gaming on your phone. They come with an intuitive interface to create a comfortable gambling experience. However, this does not necessarily mean that mobile apps provide you with the best user experience.
The wide-screen gaming provided by an online casino site creates a more authentic and immersive gambling experience. When playing online poker, the wide screen can make you feel as though you are actually in Las Vegas rather than your living room. This is especially true given the advanced graphics that can now be found on online gambling sites. If you like playing table games, you probably have to view several cards at once, which is far more easily done when using a desktop. Being able to review your cards fully allows you to make better gambling decisions.
Plus, if you’re into VR, you could put on your helmet to create even more of a convincing gambling experience. The addition of a full keyboard and mouse also adds another dimension to digital gambling. Instead of relying on only screen taps, you have a much wider range of input options. This increases the range of your avatar’s movement and also holds some benefits for slot-based play.
Notifications and power usage
Mobile apps keep you better informed about limited offers and promotions via notifications. By setting up notifications on your phone, you’ll receive information regarding the likes of one-time offers throughout the day. This ensures that you are kept well-informed and don’t miss out on any lucrative gambling opportunities.
Unless you’re on your desktop 24/7, casino websites cannot keep you informed to the same degree. This could result in you potentially missing out on unique gambling opportunities.
However, the addition of notifications could cause your phone battery to drain more quickly. 24/7 updates could also prove costly on your mobile data plan. Casino websites, on the other hand, only use batteries when they’re open and in use. So, if you’re at all concerned about power consumption, iGaming sites may be the better option.
Conclusion
Both casino apps and casino sites are beneficial in different ways. For example, while casino apps may offer better security and safety, web-based casinos offer a better and more immersive user experience. Overall, it really depends on the type of casino experience you’re looking for – a more accessible one or a more life-like one.
