Steve Jobs, Apple and Online Gambling

Apple founder Steve Jobs, who died Wednesday night of pancreatic cancer, has been rightly eulogized by such dignitaries as US President Barack Obama and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates as "a visionary" and as one of "the greatest of American innovators."

The mobile gaming industry should also pay tribute to Jobs as he has been the most influential person behind its rise, even if indirectly.

Jobs' impact on online gambling

The introduction of Apple's first iPhone in 2007 changed the face of the gaming industry, ushering in a new era in which users of online gambling services could access casino, poker and sportsbooks straight from their mobile devices. Although other smartphones existed before, the iPhone was the first to gain mass popularity.

In 2010 Jobs did it again, launching the first iPad tablet device. It only took a few months before leading casino and sports betting operator Betfair launched the first betting application designed especially for the first iPad. The launch of the improved iPad2 this year saw the proliferation of more betting apps.

Spirit of innovation will continue

There has been plenty of speculation over the direction Apple will head since Jobs handed the position of CEO to Tim Cook several months ago. Some say the next big thing will be a revamp of television devices.

Whatever happens, Jobs' legacy to Apple will be the spirit of innovation that has changed our world. And for that, we would like to join the rest of Steve Jobs' admirers in taking a moment to remember him and to appreciate what he did for our world.