Installing a casino on your computer used to be a common practice among online players. In the early days of online gambling, it was the only option available before downloadable versions were replaced by direct browser play. Today, however, it is a rather unpopular choice, although some top-tier casinos like m88 still provide separate software for installation.
This option is more likely to be found in Asian casinos as a way to bypass website restrictions and access blocked content on your computer. Established brands are more inclined to offer this option.
For operators operating in regulated markets, developing and maintaining additional software is not feasible. They derive no benefits from it as players have already become accustomed to using casino websites. Moreover, with proper licensing, their websites face no issues with government blocking.
Why would you want to download a casino on your PC?
When players first had the choice to either download a full-fledged casino or play directly in their web browsers, installing gaming software on your computer was still considered advantageous. It was believed to provide better game quality compared to browser-based games, which often sacrificed quality for the sake of speed.
However, over time, the importance of game quality diminished. As the entire industry shifted to cross-platform HTML5 formats, the demand for online casino software completely vanished. High-quality game content can now run seamlessly not only in browsers but also simultaneously on mobile phones and computers.
The dominant position of installing a casino on computers has come to an end. Today, it remains relevant mainly in unregulated markets like Russia, where operators still have the advantage of bypassing blocking measures.
How to install?
The installation process is straightforward and intuitive. Operators are not interested in confusing users. The website will provide a link to download the installation file. Simply click on it, download, and install. It only takes a few minutes to complete. The whole process is similar to downloading any other software.
Afterwards, you launch the application and start using it. There’s nothing out of the ordinary to expect. If you are familiar with online casino websites, you will have no trouble navigating the software, even if you are not familiar, it is easy to get the hang of it. All the same features will be available, including a game section.
Some operators also provide special mobile applications in addition to the computer software. The installation process for mobile apps is equally simple and intuitive. Access the casino website from your mobile device, find the download link, and follow the instructions. m88 casino, for example, provides a QR code that can be scanned to obtain the link.
You may need to install Flash Player to run some older games. However, this is only necessary if you want to play relatively old and less popular games. Most games have already been converted to the new HTML5 format. It’s worth noting that Adobe will end support for Flash Player after December 31, 2020. This means that the software will no longer receive updates, which is necessary for security purposes.
No-download casinos
No-download casino solutions have completely replaced downloadable options. Nowadays, operators primarily offer games directly in the browser, with the option of adding a downloadable casino game installed on your computer as an additional feature.
All developers have switched to the HTML5 format, eliminating the need for dedicated applications. Hundreds of slot machines, table games, card games, and live dealer games are all accessible in your browser. Registration, deposits, withdrawals, and all other operations are conducted there as well.
Today, the only reason to download a casino to your computer is if you want to bypass restrictions imposed by certain jurisdictions. However, this is a rare occurrence, and the development of the next stage may not even happen.
Virtual Reality
If you wish to gamble in virtual reality (VR), installing a casino on your computer is necessary. M88 casino has a dedicated section featuring VR games. To access this, a special application must be installed on your computer, allowing you to enter a virtual space, walk around the game lobby, and place bets.
Perhaps in the future, VR forms will also be directly available on casino websites, but the development in this direction is still being observed. In the past, NetEnt had plans to launch the first no-download VR slot machine. However, the project was eventually canceled at a seemingly advanced stage of development.