As an emerging trend in the world of mobile technology and cryptocurrency, smartwatch gambling apps represent an exciting new frontier for Bitcoin users looking to take a punt on various online casino and gambling platforms. How do these apps work, and why does Bitcoin perfectly suits these IoT platforms? This piece will delve into these issues to give you the complete lowdown.
The rise of wearable technology, particularly smartwatches, is transforming the face of various industries from health and fitness to social media, entertainment, and now, even gambling. One of the unique opportunities smartwatches afford potential gamblers is discretional play. Whether on your daily commute, during lunch breaks, or even sneakily during office meetings, gambling on a smartwatch app doesn’t require whipping out a large device. It enables you to take quick peeks and place a bet conveniently.
So, how have smartwatch gambling apps evolved and what role does Bitcoin play in this changing landscape?
The Evolution of Smartwatch Gambling Apps
The first smartwatch casino app was introduced in 2014 by Microgaming, one of the industry’s sterling software developers, with its game Thunderstruck (an immensely popular slot game). The idea was to create casino games that can be enjoyed on devices smaller than smartphones, without compromising on the gaming experience.
Ever since the Microgaming pioneer, other casinos and app developers have followed suit and the number of games available to smartwatch users is gradually increasing. The small display size of these devices does limit the complexity of games developed, so casino classics like slots and blackjack are mostly derived. With advancements in smartwatch technology, including larger display sizes and better resolution, this constraint is poised to diminish.
Bitcoin: A Perfect Fit for Smartwatches Gambling Apps
Bitcoin’s integration into the world of online betting has been somewhat phenomenal. The borderless, peer-to-peer digital currency offers several unique advantages. One of those is the ability to make small payments, also known as micro-transactions, making it a well-suited candidate for smaller betting stakes.
In online gambling, especially sports betting, the opportunity to place micro stakes can be enticing for casual bettors or those on a lean budget. Also, the ability to make payments directly from wrist-worn devices makes the entire process seamless.
Bitcoin’s utility within smartwatch gambling apps is not just limited to payments. The transparency and security of the blockchain technology that powers Bitcoin also hold significant promise for the future of smartwatch betting. With the blockchain, users can have access to a transparent gaming environment, guaranteeing game fairness, access to betting history, and other unique benefits such as provably fair gambling, a concept rapidly gaining popularity in the gambling industry.
The Challenges
While the future of Bitcoin and smartwatch gambling might sound exciting, a few hurdles need to be passed. One of which is the limited number of smartwatch gambling apps that support cryptocurrency. Although experts are predicting a rise in this number as industries from tech to finance continue to embrace cryptocurrencies.
Second, even with more large-display models of smartwatches in development, the size of a smartwatch still poses a challenge. Can intricate casino games be made available and enjoyable on such small screens without sacrificing user experience?
Only time will tell. For now, however, the advent of smartwatch gambling apps is undoubtedly opening up new opportunities for Bitcoin bets. This trend may not only revolutionize the gambling industry but also increase the adoption and utility of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
In these early days, Bitcoin and smartwatch gambling are both part of what seems to be a limitless realm of possibilities. It’ll be fascinating to see how technology continues to change the face of gambling.
Sources:
1. Polar, Max. “The Rise of Smartwatch Casino Apps.” Prepaid Business, 2015.
2. Coinbase. “Bitcoin and Microtransactions: A Killer Combo.” 2018.
3. Scholten, Peter. “How Cryptocurrency is Changing the World of Online Gambling.” Bitcoin.com, 2020.
4. Leslie, Paul. “The Future Gaming: Bitcoin and VR Slots.” TechRadar, 2019.
