The Android Mobile Platform
The Android mobile platform was initially started off by Android Inc. in 2003, a company that was subsequently acquired by Google in July 2005 for over $50 million. This mobile OS is based on the Linux Kernel and is used to develop touchscreen devices for mobile devices (smartphones as well as tablets). Though the first mobile OS was the iOS from Apple, one of the reasons why mobile casino developers initially ported their games for play on iPhones only, the arrival of the Android platform changed things.
In a short time since its launch, the Android platform became the most popular platform, a fact borne out by some staggering numbers: there were more than 1 million Android applications on the Google Play store as on July 2013. Google stated in Google I/O 2014 that there were more than a billion active Android users monthly. This was a steep jump from just a few months back in June 2013, when the number stood at 538 million.
These numbers reflect not just the overall popularity of the Android platform but also its huge popularity in the online gambling circuit as well. Every mobile casino that offers games on the iOS platform also offers them on the Android platform. The reason is simple: because over 18 phone companies use the Android OS, it means a larger share of the global market; more people are likely to play mobile games on their Android mobile devices. Today you, as a mobile casino fan from South Africa, can play your favorite mobile casino games on your Android mobile device.
Top South African Android Casinos
There are a large number of Android casinos that you can play at; not all of them fall in the best mobile casino category. Here is our list of Android casinos that are good to play at. We consider them to be among the best Android casinos around as they scored high on all the factors that we analyzed and reviewed them on:
- Overall play experience
- Range of games
- Promotions and bonuses
- Payment method support
- Customer support
Playing Casino Games on Your Android Device
Every casino operator moving into the mobile gaming space offers its games on the Android platform as well, not just the iOS platform. Games on the Android platform are nowadays developed in HTML5, which means a superb interface, ease of play, great range of games, and cool features. The swipe, touch, pinch, and reverse pinch actions help you rack up wins as you play the game of your choice, be it slots or blackjack or roulette or any of the other games on offer at the Android mobile casino.
Initially, as mentioned earlier, mobile casino games were targeted only at the iOS platform because that was the only popular platform around and had sort of a first mover advantage. However, once the Android platform emerged, the entire landscape of the telephone industry in general and the mobile casino industry in particular has changed. More and more operators started tweaking their games to ensure compatibility with this new platform as well. The reason was simple: the phenomenal reach that the Android platform has achieved since it was first launched. Today most of the big telephone device providers – Samsung, Sony, HTC, and many others – all use the Android platform.
Another important factor was the cost: mobile handsets running on the iOS platform – iPhones as well as iPads – are expensive. On the other hand, you get a great variation in cost when it comes to smartphones running on the Android platform. This has had a significant impact on the number of people using Android mobile devices and therefore playing mobile casino games on the Android platform.
Why Play Casino Games on the Android Mobile Platform?
You may ask yourself why you should be playing casino games on the Android platform. There are a number of reasons for playing on the Android platform.
- Eye-catching interface: The interface in all Android platform mobile casinos is attractive and designed to get new players to sign up and play. Upgraded technology has allowed developers to further enhance the look and feel. Great graphics of 3D quality, excellent animations, sound effects that perfectly complement the visual: it is all part of the show.
- Easy to use: Android phones have gone slimmer by the year, and are very easy to carry around. This means you can sit down anywhere you like and play your favorite mobile casino game whenever you want.
- Direct software upgrades: Any upgrades required for the software can be done directly from the application link. Besides, if you set the option to auto-upgrade in the Settings section, all upgrades happen automatically as and when they are released.
- Range of Games: The Android platform hosts a wide range of mobile casino games. This means you have a good selection of games to choose from. Not only games, the range of mobile casinos powered by the Android platform itself is phenomenal too.
- Real money and free play: Most mobile casinos powered by the Android platform are available for not only real money play but also free play. This means you can practice the game thoroughly before you actually get to playing it for real money.
Software Providers Using the Android Platform
There are a large number of software providers that use the Android platform to develop games for mobile casino fans. Does this mean all of them are reliable and secure? Actually, no; there are quite a few who do not pass the stringent standards we have set for reliability and security, among other factors. Some of the big names in the casino software development industry obviously automatically fit into the bracket of reliable providers. They include:
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- NetEntertainment
- Real Time Gaming
How We List the Best Android Casinos
When you have so many Android casinos around, it may be difficult to figure out which are the best. That job is always best left to the experts and that is where we come in. We analyze for you all the Android casinos available on a range of critical parameters. All our reviews and analysis is conducted by a team of highly experienced professionals with massive experience in the gambling industry. We use our collective knowledge and experience to review the different Android mobile casinos on a range of parameters, including:
- Look and feel: We review and rate Android mobile casinos based on their interface. A good casino is one that plays good; a fantastic casino is one that looks good and plays good.
- Game range: All casinos that feature on our list of Android mobile casinos to watch out for have a decent collection of high quality games.
- Promotions: We ensure that we bring to you only those Android mobile casinos that have excellent welcome bonuses and promotions.
- Security: We list only those Android mobile casinos that come with a completely secure environment and are safe and reliable to play at.
- Customer support: Every mobile Android casino featured here offers excellent customer support. Some of them have provisions for multi-lingual customer support.
- Payment methods: We list only those mobile casinos that, apart from looking great and having good game range, also support multiple payment methods. All casinos that make it to our list are prompt in delivering your winnings to you.
This means you can feel relaxed when you go through the list of Android mobile casinos on our site. All you need to do is then choose the one you want to play based on personal preferences, not on technology or security. It could be as simple as figuring out whether the casino has:
- A good spread of games
- Your favorite game
- Enough jackpots
- The look and feel you wanted
Online Casino Apps for the Android Platform
Mobile casinos nowadays offer their games in the form of casino apps to players. There are a large number of mobile casino game apps in the Android market. Some of the best in the lot include:
- Aztec’s Millions
- Cleopatra’s Gold
- Gold Beard
- Loch Ness Loot
How to Play at an Android Casino for Real Money
You can play at an Android casino for free or for real money. The best option is of course to play for real money. To play for real money, you need to have an account with sufficient funds. If you have an existing online casino account and the casino has a mobile version, you can use that account itself. Log in to your casino account using your user name and password, click the game you want to play, and you are on.
You can also play at your favorite Android mobile casino by downloading the game application to your mobile device. You can download the app from the Android market and then use the required access codes, if any, to get started playing.
Some iPhone Casino FAQs
Can I play in fun mode at my favorite Android mobile casino?
Most Android mobile casinos support free play, i.e. playing in fun mode. You need to check whether this option is available at your mobile casino.
What is the game range available on the Android platform?
There are hundreds of cool mobile casino games that are available on the Android platform nowadays. These include slots like Starburst and Thunderstruck 2 as well as other casino games like blackjack and roulette. You can play them directly from the browser of your Android mobile device or download them directly from the Android App Store.
I have an existing online casino account; can I use this account to play at my favorite mobile casino?
As long as the casino you have an account has a mobile version and that is the version you are looking to play at, you do not need to open a separate account.
What is the level of security on Android mobile casinos?
All Android mobile casinos listed as the ones to play at on our site offer a completely secure environment to their players. On your part, you can also play safe and ensure the connection you are playing from is completely secure.
Do I get a welcome bonus when I play at my favorite mobile casino on the Android platform?
All the casinos that we list on our website’s ‘must play’ section offer fantastic welcome bonuses to new players. Actually, you are likely to find exclusive bonus offers as well at these casinos.