Online Casino

Mobile gambling just got a real shot in the arm with yesterday’s announcement by Hop-On, the US cell phone developer that they were about to unveil their new mobile gambling software created especially for Android, the Linux based software platform. The venue for this unveiling will be the Consumer Electronic Show which is to be held in Las Vegas next month.

Developed initially by Google, the software platform known as Android is a mobile operating system with 3G networking architecture. It was further developed by the thirty four member consortium of application developers, handset makers, chip makers and mobile carriers known as the Open Handset Alliance. Android users will be offered a fantastic package by the software presented by Hop-On, which will feature full open source licensing and consist of video games and live streaming roulette, poker, blackjack and baccarat.

At a time when the economic downturn is affecting other online gaming sectors, this is extremely good news with cellular or mobile gambling being hailed as the next big leap forward in online gambling. Forecasts by Alexander Resources estimate that mobile gambling revenues look set to achieve $16 billion. For several mobile gaming service providers, 2008 has been a quietly encouraging year with total wagers seeing anything up to 100% increases over the previous year. This is despite the roll-out of many of these services being limited to just a handful of key markets such as the UK in particular.

Peter Michaels, President and CEO of Hop-On indicated that his company is planning initially to bring mobile gaming to the markets in Europe where online gambling is legal as well as secure and regulated. This allows the company to roll out the software to a safer and more buoyant market, especially with the current uncertainty in the US market.

He also added that the new, faster 3G wireless technologies and their compatible handsets are set to play a huge role in the continued growth of mobile gambling. They will make the system far more convenient with much faster load and play times as well as ensuring the highest level of security. This will mean that the new generation of phones will ensure that exciting, real time player to player gaming and betting is not just a possibility, but a reality. 

The new Android system is expected to retail for below $200 according to Hop-On and the software is to become available in all languages and currencies.