What Are iPad Casinos?
iPad casinos are apps and sites that allow players from all over the world to play real-money casino games online. These casinos can take the form of both iPad apps and web-based services that can be accessed from your internet browser.
To be clear, most gambling sites support a multitude of different platforms, tablets included. iPads tend to be just one option among many, and the majority of users stick to more common options such as desktops or iPhones. As such, there are almost no online casinos that work exclusively on iPads. Most brands accept customers on any platform they happen to prefer.
However, some sites and apps stand out from the crowd by being uniquely well-suited to iPads. This might mean that the site’s UI is more suitable for the unique technical specs of iPads, or that its portfolio contains more games optimized for tablets. Whatever the case, this page is dedicated to those casinos that excel on this specific type of platform.
It’s still worth noting that most casino brands allow you to access them from multiple platforms using the same account. This means that iPads can be combined as an online gambling platform with other devices you might also use, such as a personal computer or smartphone. However, if an iPad is your go-to gadget for playing your favourite casino games, you’ll want to register for a site that caters to that preference.
How We Rate Top iPad Casinos
If you want to find out what makes some casinos better for iPads than others, we’ll explain our review process below.
All of our recommended iPad casinos were drawn from our comprehensive collection of online casino reviews. Each of these sites goes through rigorous testing and examination, which compares the site’s offer to other leading brands. The results of these tests are used to rank casinos and recommend them based on what they excel at. Those casinos that excel as great homes for online gambling on iPads end up on the list above.
To illustrate how some casinos excel as iPad casinos, here are some of the features we look for in our ratings.
Compatibility
Most modern casinos are indeed compatible with iPads. They can be accessed using internet browsers, if nothing else, allowing iOS tablet users unrestricted access to the site and all of its features.
However, not all casinos actually run well on every type of device. Whether through oversight or a lack of optimization, many gambling sites make tablet-friendly versions as a mere afterthought. As a result, some iPad casino sites may run poorly or show misaligned resolutions because the people behind them never really prioritized tablets.
That’s why compatibility means more than “will this casino run on an iPad.” It also has to run well in order to earn a recommendation from us, which is not nearly as common.
Performance on iPad
A top iPad casino has to have a sound technical foundation. This means it has to run well, be consistent, and offer a bug- and issue-free experience. This sounds simple enough, but it can be a tough standard to meet if an operator wants to compete with the very best in the industry.
For starters, the high performance has to be constant and consistent. This is especially important during peak hours or unexpected bouts of traffic, which can sometimes cause lagging, slowdowns, and unnecessary frustration for the players. Moreover, even minor bugs or problems with important casino features such as customer support or payments can cause a lot of headaches down the line, even if they’re not apparent at first sight.
As such, measuring how well-made a casino is from a technical standpoint can be difficult for the average user. That’s why our reviews can be so helpful – our experience and expertise allow us to get a detailed, comprehensive understanding of a casino’s strengths and limitations. As a result, you can count on the fact that our recommended iPad casinos will run well and keep running well for as long as you want to keep playing.
Casino Game Availability
Much like most casino operators make casinos that are available on as many platforms as possible, most casino game providers make cross-platform games that can run on all sorts of devices. In most cases, this includes tablets such as the iPad.
However, it’s also true that tablet users make up a small minority of all casino players. Nowadays, mobile phones are the most popular type of platform while desktop remains a close second. This means that optimizing games for iPad is pretty low on the priority list of most developers. As such, not all casino games that are available on desktop are also available on iPads.
Top iPad casinos offer as many games as possible to iOS users, striving to have an equally impressive portfolio on all platforms. This means that keeping your preferred platform in mind while selecting a casino will ensure you have more access to bigger and better titles.
Moreover, some casino games run better on iPads than others games. Again, some game-makers simply dedicate more time to adapting their games to a tablet’s unique environment. In other words, picking a better iPad casino will ensure a better quality of games as well as a higher quantity.
Design and Features
When it comes down to it, the number one difference between experiencing a casino on iPad and other platforms is the interface. The tablet computer sits as a middle-ground between desktops and smartphones, combining larger, horizontal screens with touchscreen controls.
This makes playing casino games on this platform a comparatively unique experience. This demands a specialized interface that allows players to easily and intuitively access the casino and everything it has to offer. All of this sounds pretty basic, but we should mention again that tablets are not nearly as widely popular as other types of devices. As a result, there are plenty of casinos out there that make decent enough iPad interfaces but never really put in the effort to create improvements or innovations.
As such, the best casinos for iPad stand out by offering improved UI elements such as navigational tools, customization options, and other perks. They also include subtler advantages, such as interfaces that are more intuitive to use on iOS-based tablets.
iPad-friendly Payments
Another way in which some casinos specialize is through the available payment methods.
Much like casinos and betting games, most online payment services are designed to be used on multiple platforms. However, some are more uniquely suited to making quick and easy payments on iPads. In most cases, this comes down to convenience, speed, and ease of use. Other times it’s all about the payment method’s target audience – some payment services are more widespread on certain platforms than others.
The best among iPad-facing casinos offer a solid range of deposit options that are preferable for iPads. A common example would be casinos that accept Apple Pay deposits, which makes them naturally more attractive to players who use iOS devices. Of course, these payments also have to offer good terms when it comes to limits, playthrough requirements, withdrawal waiting times, and other important details. However, if you keep your platform in mind while picking a casino, you’re likely to end up with more available methods that suit your needs as an iPad casino player.
iPad Casino Bonuses
A good casino has to offer a strong collection of bonuses and promotions both to entice new players and to reward loyal customers.
If you’re thinking that most casinos offer the same bonuses on all platforms, you’re mostly right. However, that’s sadly not always the case, and it’s often tablet players who miss out on special promotions.
For one reason or another, gambling platforms sometimes limit bonuses in certain ways. Limitations are mostly imposed on game types or payment methods. However, some bonuses are only offered if you access the casino from a certain platform. A common example would be bonuses offered as incentives for players to download Android or iOS casino apps.
Naturally, the best-performing iPad casinos allow players to collect all bonuses and perks using their platform of choice. The better, more interesting, and more rewarding these bonuses are, the better the casino will rank on our list.
How to Start Playing iPad Casinos
Here is a brief guide to playing on an iPad Casino:
Register: The first step is to register an account at an online casino that offers iPad gambling services. The registration procedure hardly takes a few minutes in most cases.
Download the App: If the online casino offers a native gaming app for iPad, players can download it either from the Apple Store or by using the download link at the online casino.
Play on the Browser: Most online casinos are based on HTML5 technology and offer web apps that require no download. If players cannot find an iPad gaming app, they can simply visit the online casino on their preinstalled iPad Safari browsers, login using existing desktop casino details, and start playing for fun or real money. If players haven’t registered an account at the online casino, they can create a new account on their iPads.
Claim the Bonus: The bonus offers at the desktop casino apply to iPad players as well. To claim their bonus, players only have to register and make a deposit at the mobile casino.
Start Playing: To start playing, players have to visit the game lobby and tap on any game of their choice.
iPad Casino Apps vs Browser-Based – What’s the Difference?
Anyone looking to play casino games on iPad has two main options – dedicated casino apps or mobile-friendly gambling sites. Both are viable options, but both also have their own unique set of pros and cons.
iPad casino sites require no downloads or special permissions and can simply be accessed by going to the casino’s URL. Most modern websites have separate display versions for computers, smartphones, and tablets. By accessing the site through an iPad, you’ll be shown the version of the site that was created to fit your device. The fact that no downloads are required makes browser-based iPad casinos more accessible and less prone to compatibility issues. However, they lack the advanced features and perks of apps.
iPad casino apps are specialized programs that allow players to legally gamble online using their iPad. As opposed to simple sites, apps have to be downloaded and installed. You can then launch the app whenever you want to play casino games. This often makes apps more convenient in some ways because you can skip the whole log-in process. Additionally, apps can have more advanced features and innovations compared to sites, which can sometimes lead to a better user experience. On the flip side, many players find the extra hassle (and memory space needed) to install an app to be unnecessary in this day and age.
To further illustrate the difference between apps and sites, here’s a table outlining their main features.
|
Casino Site |
iPad Casino App |
| Getting started |
Can be accessed directly from your internet browser |
Requires downloading, installation, and a small amount of memory space |
| Accessibility |
Can be bookmarked for easier access in the future, including “remember me” options for quick logins |
Can be accessed at any time with an option for a permanent login |
| Bonuses |
Usually the same as on a desktop |
Potential app-only bonuses and promotions |
| Games |
Most casino games designed for iPads can be played in-browser, but not all of them |
Game selection and performance may come down to integration, which varies from app to app |
| Compatibility |
Works on almost every device, though different versions of the site often exist |
Exclusive to iOS devices |
| Performance |
Usually works fast but is less sophisticated. Performance may depend on external factors such as your choice of browser |
Performance may vary from app to app based on technical aspects |
| Extra Features |
Limited ability for operators to implement features |
Can offer additional features and expanded functionality |
Pros & Cons of Playing Casino Games on iPad
Finally, we should also answer a very common question: should you use iPads to play casino games? The best way to answer that question is to consider the various strengths and weaknesses of iPads as a casino gaming platform.
The advantages of playing for real money at iPad casinos are many. They are notably portable, allowing you to quickly and easily access your favorite games wherever you are. However, they are still far less portable than smartphone-based casinos. After all, most people don’t walk around with a tablet unless they’re planning to use it.
Many players prefer iPads to iPhones because the bigger screen translates into a better mobile gaming experience. While we can say that personal computers still offer the best overall audio-visual presentation, tablets are the best way to take your gambling on the go while still using a relatively large screen.
Those are just some of the biggest and most important considerations, of course. The table below shows a better overview of the pros and cons of iPad casino sites.
Conclusion
Although iPads are not nearly the most popular way to play real-money casino games online, they’re certainly an interesting option.
Just like any other tablet computer, they are a sort of “middle ground” between the convenience of mobile phones and the superior hardware and reliability of desktops. An iPad can offer a top-notch gaming experience while still being decently portable and accessible.
However, not all casinos offer a quality experience if you opt to play via iPad. While most can be accessed on any iOS device, only some take the time and effort to truly improve the experience of tablet players. Such casinos stand out as the best on iPad, offering the most games and the best user experience.
As such, it’s important to think about the platform you wish to use while gambling online. While you can use pretty much any device to access modern casinos, you still ideally want to find a site that actually performs well on your primary device. If this primary option happens to be an iPad, the list on this page can help you find the best casinos that cater to your specific needs.
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Milos Markovic is the creative mind behind the content you see on the site. As the head of MM Editing – a digital agency in charge of content for BestCasinos - Milos works closely with his team to deliver high-quality, informative, and SEO-friendly content that makes online casino games easier (and more fun) to explore. From big-picture strategy to the final word on a review, he's involved every step of the way.