Casinos on your wrist: Smartwatch gambling

The online casino industry has undergone many changes over the last couple of decades. The biggest change was the mobile revolution of the late 2000s. For the first time, players were able to bring their favorite casino games with them wherever they went.

These days, many people also own a smartwatch. Smartwatches are a handy tool that can give you notifications and quick access to certain apps on your wrist. But is it really possible to play slots and other casino games on your Apple Watch or Android smartwatch? In this article, we take a closer look at smartwatch gambling.

Is it possible to gamble on a smartwatch?

If you own a smartwatch, you probably use it to take calls, check your texts, or receive notifications. But have you ever wondered if you can log into an online casino and play casino games on it? The answer is yes; it is technically possible to gamble on a smartwatch. However, most casinos and games probably won’t work that great (if at all) on your watch.

The fact is that the small screen of a smartwatch makes it less than ideal for browsing the internet. Smartwatches aren’t meant to replace your phone but to supplement it. They are not designed for doing things like watching YouTube clips, browsing social media, or surfing the internet. So while it can be possible to log into a casino and launch a game, you might find that the user experience is lacking.

Slots and other types of casino games are developed for PCs and mobile devices but rarely for smartwatches. This means that if you launch a slot game on your watch, you will probably get a mobile version that is optimized for a larger screen. Changing the bet size or even pressing the spin button might be a challenge due to the tiny screen.

How to play casino on a smartwatch

The main advantage of a smartwatch is its small form factor, which allows the user to receive calls, texts, and notifications on their wrist. Most people use it to track their exercise, check the time and notifications, and perform similar basic tasks. Very few smartwatch owners use their watch for entertainment purposes like watching videos or playing any type of game.

That being said, it could be possible to find a way to play casino games on your smartwatch. To do so, you will need to download a browser that works on your watch. Here are some alternatives:

  • Samsung internet browser (Wear OS): The Samsung internet browser is available on most Android smartwatches and can be downloaded from the Play Store. This browser supports voice search, an on-screen keyboard, and a handwriting option to access websites. It also provides a zoom feature that can be useful in some situations.
  • Parrity (Apple Watch): Parrity is a fully operable browser that allows you to browse the internet on your Apple Watch. You can visit sites by asking Siri or by sharing sites from Safari. It is a simple but useful browser that lets you do basic tasks on the internet.
  • iBrowserWeb (Apple Watch): iBrowserWeb is a paid browser that offers a lot of features. It has a full keyboard, and you can use its search engine to search for any general knowledge question. If you are willing to pay for a good browser, iBrowserWeb is probably one of the best options out there.

Smartwatch gambling: pros and cons

Should you use your Apple or Android smartwatch to play casino games? Check out the pros and cons of smartwatch gambling below.

Pros

  • It’s convenient: You might not have your phone with you at all times. Your smartwatch can be an alternative when you want to play a bit on the go.
  • Good for short sessions: Smartwatches are small and quick to use. Using your watch can be a good option if you just want to play a few spins on a slot machine.

Cons

  • Games are not optimized for it: Virtually all casino games are optimized for computers and smartphones, so the games you want to play might not work on your smartwatch.
  • The small form factor: Smartwatches have a tiny screen by design. It can be difficult to navigate casinos and play the games.
  • Few casinos support it: You probably won’t find many casinos that work properly on your smartphone.

Conclusion

Gambling on a smartwatch is a novel idea but difficult in practice. While it technically is possible to play casino games on a watch, it is far from optimal. Not only is it difficult to navigate pages and play games on the small screen, but most games will probably not work as intended. All in all, you are better off bringing your smartphone when you want to play on the go.