The introduction of smartwatch gambling by the Mobile World Congress in 2014 set off a series of events that have seen the wrist-based pastime rise in iGaming popularity stakes.
Smartphone gambling is easily the most popular alternative to the traditional desktop method, and numerous major players in the iGaming space, including Playtech, Microgaming, and Ladbrokes are looking to the future and embracing the next emerging platform for their offerings. Popular smartwatch models like the AppleWatch, Android Pebble, Moto360, and Android Gear already have a respectable selection of smartphone-optimised gambling apps for players looking for the next level in entertainment portability.
The smartwatch game apps available from Google’s Play Store already number in the thousands. The popularity of using these devices for entertainment purposes is at an all-time high, despite the platform’s largest challenge, namely, the minuscule 1.4-inch average touchscreen size that players have to contend with when spinning digital reels or placing a sports wager.
The pros of smartwatch casino games
Smartwatches offer instant access to your chosen casino games with little possibility of distractions, unlike other mobile platforms where animated banner ads and popups are fairly commonplace and some elements of the game may not be fully optimised for the mobile experience.
Smartwatch casinos and apps provide simplified, more intuitive interfaces, to meet the challenge of smaller displays. Only the most important elements of a game or a real money casino like the menu, the play/spin button, and the bet/wager buttons are included to avoid unnecessary clutter.
Versatility defined
The integration of gambling into this technology means you can access your favourite games and casinos anytime, anywhere while also taking care of your other concerns for the day. You could schedule a meeting then have a quick game of roulette, or perhaps play a couple of spins of your favourite slot while waiting for an incoming email on the same device. Thanks to the wrist strap, you can keep your hands mostly free while playing and avoid the trauma that dropping your cellphone normally triggers.
Super convenience
Smartwatches integrate seamlessly into your life. They are lightweight and often come with a variety of cosmetic customisation options so that your accessory will always match your outfit and your mood. The devices offer a level of comfort of use unmatched by smartphones, tablets, or laptops which have to be carried around and often need to be placed or propped up somewhere to be used comfortably for some functions.
The catch
While the growth of this technology has been impressive, the elephant in the room is ironically the tiny touchscreen size that is guaranteed to frustrate some players, who may need to play for some time before becoming accustomed to it. The wide array of smartwatch designs, operating systems, and shapes, also present unique challenges to developers and can slow down the app development process. The industry is currently on the hunt for universal optimisation solutions that will accommodate all brands, as a lack of market standardisation could seriously hamper the growth of gambling innovation on the platform. There is also the obvious issue of how well a 5-reel game fits on such a small screen with developers working furiously to find solutions.
There have however been encouraging developments, particularly with Android smartwatch pokies. The Thunderstruck smartwatch pokie operates simultaneously on your smartwatch and another paired device like your smartphone or laptop. The smartwatch touchscreen can be used to operate the game while the casino payment and customer support functions will be accessible on the paired device. If you have an LG G Watch, Asus ZenWatch, Samsung Gear Live, or any other compatible smartwatch, you can play Thunderstruck as you’ve never played it before.
Thrilling horizons
Mobile gaming is nothing new, so the transition from smartphones and tablets to smaller, worn devices for online gambling should be simple enough for most people. The number of ‘wrist-warriors’ is likely to increase significantly over the coming years as the iGaming providers refine their offerings with more improvements, enhancements, and standardisation. With the devices themselves becoming increasingly popular, Aussies can expect to see a boom in Android smartwatch pokies and other gambling offerings.
