Mobile devices are everywhere these days. It seems that software companies are now focusing their efforts on what works best on a device first - and then worry about how it all fits on, say, a desktop. And with the drop in price and increase in functionality, these phones and tablets are making it much easier to do without a real computer.
The last decade has seen the online casino industry come to mobile devices. Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding laws and regulations, casinos making serious money from mobile players are on the rise, and with them, the push to modernize has picked up among the software companies that power how these games are delivered.
This page is dedicated to people who use Android powered devices and how you can maximize your experience at online casinos.
It is easy to play at a casino site that is browser-based and mobile friendly. First, choose an Android casino site that you feel is mobile friendly. If you're not sure which site to try, here's a list of some of our favorite mobile Android casino sites that provide an equally good experience on a computer or mobile device.
| Rank | VA Gambling Site | Sign Up Bonus | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
 Wild Casino
|
250% up to $5,000 | Visit Site |
| #2 |
 Las Atlantis
|
280% up to $14,000 | Visit Site |
| #3 |
 Bovada Casino
|
100% up to $3,000 | Visit Site |
| #4 |
 Super Slots
|
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| #5 |
 BetUS Casino
|
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| #6 |
 Ignition Casino
|
150% up to $1,500 | Visit Site |
| #7 |
 Cafe Casino
|
350% up to $2,500 | Visit Site |
| #8 |
 Slots.lv
|
200% up to $5,000 | Visit Site |
A Brief History of the Android Operating System
The Android operating system was first introduced in California in 2003. At that time, using a device for more than just making phone calls was just beginning to evolve into what we know today as smartphone functionality. The system was introduced as the first step toward making these devices "smart" in a way that may not have had an obvious label at the time. It was ambitious, but whoever was in charge of sending out press releases should have been fired for this classic disaster of a lede. Check this out: "Android is a software stack for mobile devices, an operating system, middleware, and core mobile applications." This attempt to redefine an ecosystem may have been the first and one of the worst disasters in the use of the word "stack". Not counting Windows, the "stack" thing is what most mobile operating systems are.
With developments clearly leading to the use of phones for purposes beyond mere communication, Google announced its interest in the field and acquired Android in 2005. The vision was simple. Keep the foundation of the product - an open source platform - intact and allow others to build on it. But Google would then take that platform to the major mobile device makers and offer Android as a solution that could work across companies and their diverse devices. It was a game-changing approach.
This effective strategy bore fruit, and in 2007 a pact was formed between four of the biggest names in the business - Samsung, Google, HTC and Motorola - in what was clearly a direct attempt to challenge the two biggest names on the market at the time: Blackberry and Apple. It was definitely a bold move.
Of course, it wasn't long before the first Android-powered devices hit the world, and as soon as they did, the gaming market was itching to get its offerings into the hands of consumers via smartphones. The competition was heating up.
These days, the vast majority of phones and tablets around the world run on the Android operating system, ignoring the notoriety of Apple products. This is something that many people are surprised to find out. As it stands, according to the company, there are well over two billion monthly active users of the Android platform. This just goes to show how widespread it really is.
Android Casino Types
Even though the Android software was open source at its core, each carrier had created its own suite of tools that lived on top of the software, and when you looked at the range of devices - each with its own screen size - as well as the rules of casino gaming, you could understand why mobile odds providers had a very hard time building a product in 2007. And yet, the vertical grew; mobile odds creators found ways to build up and out. What we have now is a spectacular twist on casino gambling.
Let’s take a look at the two forms of Android Casinos you will find.
Browser-Based Casinos
This is the most common choice among players who use Android to access casino games. The reason for this is simple: regulations governing online casinos have prevented many establishments in many countries from releasing official apps (more on this later).
The Flash programming language allowed developers to take their entire websites and turn them into something more like mobile versions. These "dumbed down" sites for mobile phones don't have the graphical punch of standard PC sites. But they offer the kind of content and mobile-friendly navigation that could get you into a mobile casino or poker game anytime.
Once you have chosen an Android casino website, you can open it on either your desktop or mobile device. You'll then need to create an account, log in using your Android browser (we recommend Chrome), and then stroll over to the casino lobby to play your favorite games!
Keep this in mind when browsing the Android mobile lobby: some of the games you see in the PC casino lobby may not yet be available for the Android platform. However, have no fear, the online casinos we review here at Trusted Casino will let you know what games you can currently expect to find in their mobile lobby. And the good news is that most games are now compatible with the Android smartphone. So, Android users, in almost all cases, you can access the majority of online casino games.
Native App Casinos
If you are lucky enough to live in a place where online gambling is both legal and regulated, you can find a casino through the Google Play store and install it right on your mobile device. Just follow these steps if you are in a state of euphoria because of the above: 1. Launch the Google Play Store. 2. Use the store's search function to find a mobile casino. Currently, there are certain Android casino websites that do not have native applications, even in the places where they are allowed to operate. This means that if you're using an Android device to access these mobile casino sites, your options may be somewhat limited. Regardless, there are still dozens of online Android casinos to be discovered through this app store.
There are many advantages to having an application on your phone, starting with the graphics component. Since most games can be run locally on your phone, a software company can get a little more elaborate with the graphics package. While this may not make much of a difference in a table game like Caribbean Stud Poker, you will definitely notice it when playing some of the slot games.
To play casino games using an Android app, you must first download the app to your device. This should only take a few seconds. If you already have an account with the casino, you should not need to create a new one. Just log in with the same details you use on the website. Once logged in, you'll be taken to the lobby, where you can play any of the games you normally access from your desktop. There's a good chance that the app will have a support tab, which will take you to either an email form or, in the best case, a live chat window.
Many gamers enjoy having multiple gaming applications on their Android devices. They can easily switch between different apps, and having multiple gaming options changes their overall gaming experience. It allows them to have even more immersive content and choose from a variety of different types of games.
Android Casino Site Bonuses
These days, Android devices are so popular all over the world that it is no surprise that casinos are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to persuade you to play on your mobile device. A casino understands that you are more likely to be a VIP regular if you have access in the palm of your hand rather than just on a PC. And that's what they want.
With this in mind, a number of casinos have directed their marketing departments to develop promotions that are exclusive to Android devices. Below are some examples of such promotions - what they entail, their availability, and any caveats associated with them - that you may encounter when choosing an online casino to play at via your Android phone or tablet.
Free Spin Bonuses
Certain casino sites on Android may encourage you to try their mobile games, and the easiest way for them to do this is to give you free access to the games. When you receive such offers, they may be as simple as inviting you to play a few free spins slot machines. That's essentially what the vast majority of these Android casino sites offer: a way for you to win something, at least on a theoretical level, without any prior financial commitment to the house.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Currently, you can receive bonuses from casinos that only work when used on an Android device (technology is amazing!). In these cases, you'll receive a bonus code that will give you a match bonus equal to a percentage of your deposit. This time, the real work isn't winding your way through the maze of a casino in Vegas or on a riverboat; you can just play on your phone and still enjoy the comforts of a hotel room or living room.
Mobile Tournaments
At the same time that you can segment a deposit bonus by device, some Android casino software companies allow customers to stage events in a tournament format just for certain platforms. While this is a fairly new concept and, for the most part, covers all mobile platforms, it is still a way for casinos to minimize the competition you have in a particular event, which in turn gives you a better chance of being one of the winners. You'll almost certainly find all of these Android promotions in the casino lobby when you log in via your app or Chrome browser.
Making a Deposit at an Android Casino Site
The payment section of a casino can be the most irritating aspect for its users. But with most of us storing our banking details on our devices, making a deposit from a mobile phone should now be a piece of cake. So why is it that with all this technology, banking at an online casino can still feel like pulling teeth?
When making a deposit at a browser-based casino, the process is generally the same as on a PC. You will navigate to the cashier page, select your deposit method and the amount you wish to deposit, and then enter your payment details. Once your transaction is approved, you can resume playing as your balance will be instantly increased. Deposit methods and amounts vary depending on the casino and its payment processor.
If you are using a native app, you may have the additional option of charging your Google Play account for the deposit. You will probably have already added your payment information (most platforms require this when you sign up, as many apps cost money or have in-app purchase options). In this case, you will be prompted to authorize the App Store to charge your card on file when you hit deposit.
When you are preparing to make a deposit, it is wise to check the casino promotions tab for any bonuses that are specific to the payment method you are using. Many sites for Android casinos will give you a little extra for using one method over another, and this will extend to wherever you prefer to make your deposit.
Conclusion
The online casino industry is eager to attract players from Android devices. With more than 2 billion monthly active users, this platform is a testing ground for potential new players. And in fact, if you're using Android, you have pretty much your choice of hundreds of online casinos - either through apps that you can download and install on your device, or through the browser that's part of the whole package.
With some research, it is even possible to find casinos that offer an extra incentive to use your Android device to play. This effort to ensure a positive return on investment goes beyond the normal casino promotions you might expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to play for real money on my Android?
Are Android casino sites safe?
We do not recommend sending your banking information over an unsecured wireless network. However, the games themselves do not provide any personal information that a potential hacker could use to identify you.