Legal Gambling On Smartphones Made Possible For App Developers
According to a recent blog, online betting tools are on the rise for app developers. A number of investors have already financed Betable, a London startup, with $23 million. The company is focused on designing gambling platforms that will be used by game developers interested in adding real-money betting to their videogame apps.
Micro transactions were popularized by social media games and other online games. Paying pennies for an item, a bonus, or a new level is common, though this system falls short of the projected $43.3 billion online gambling industry in 2015. Online gambling is legalized in the United Kingdom and a number of other European countries.
The United States, however, is just now beginning to push forward with regulated Web-based gambling. In late November, for example, Atlantic City casinos are commencing an online gambling testing period. The success of the trial will determine whether or not 12 New Jersey casinos will open up online gambling for in-state residents. Presently, only Nevada and Delaware state legislation allows online betting. New Jersey has seen a major decline in gambling revenue over the past eight years; with online gambling it hopes to retain previous numbers.
Video game developers have struggled to implement in-game betting due to gambling restrictions and the fact that dealing with regulatory compliance, fraud detection, payments, and wagering adds another level of complexity. Fortunately, Betable is allowing developers to implement its app betting platform seamlessly into their games.
Cash rewards are major incentives for both passive and hardcore smartphone gamers. Battle Keno, a take on Battleship, was recently released by 30AK Gaming. It is a first step in phone-based betting and allows players to enjoy a familiar game with the added gambling element.
This push for real-money gambling options hinges on innovation. Common Web-based gambling is based on existing table games, online slots, and sports betting; gamers uninterested in casino games, however, may be enticed by popular social media games and apps that incorporate real money.
Mobile gambling is a natural step in technology. Browser games turned into handheld apps and casinos are starting to implement legal online gambling in the U.S. It takes time for regulatory agencies to properly assess and legalize these new platforms, though with Betable and other similar startups like SGN and Bee Cave Games, developers have a chance to apply real money to popular, revenue-generating smartphone videogames. Betable is also looking at social media platforms like Facebook for real-money betting prospects.