The first online casinos began to appear back in the mid-1990s. Initially, the concentrated on offering well-known and loved card games like poker and blackjack, but as technology improved, other casino games joined them. Games like roulette and online slots needed better graphics and animations in order to be visually appealing, and this is still a major part of what draws people to them today.
Now, 25 years later, online slots are one of the most popular online casino games, attracting players with their various promotional offers. Players can now play free slots with no deposit with online slot providers such as Wink Slots.
Slot games are fully animated in high definition with exciting bonus rounds and minigames built in. The game itself has hardly changed in over one hundred years, as it transitioned from a manual one-armed bandit machine, to digital slots, and finally online. What has changed is the way they look. Most modern slots have kept the 3- or 5-reel format, but they are now dressed up in different themes and styles.
The universal appeal of online slots is helped by their versatility. There are online slots themed on sports, animals, classic movie monsters, myths and legends, and icons like Michael Jackson. With such a wide range of subjects, it’s easy for players to find a slot that speaks to them.
The Appeal of Online Slots
Players love online slots because they offer hours of entertainment without asking too much of the player. You don’t need to know any complicated rules or strategies to start playing, just enter the amount of your bet and start clicking buttons!
Because they are flashy and very visual, they appeal to younger players in their twenties. This demographic also like that they can dictate how long they play for, unlike a tournament game like poker, or a video game where you need to complete a mission or reach a save point. This makes slots perfect for playing on the train or during a lunch break.
Recent research has shown that at least 39% of online slot players are female. Gambling has traditional been seen as a male-dominated world, so for online slots to be providing an entry way for women to enter the industry is great for the industry. Because slots can be dressed up in any style, there are several that are designed to appeal to a female audience with strong female characters and stylings.
Why The House Loves Slots
Slots have traditional offered the biggest house edge of all casino games, and this is not something which online casinos have been keen to change. Online slots are big money makers, bringing in more than £2 billion a year in revenue.
There are so many different online slots to choose from that providers are able to keep a large catalogue of games, and it’s often the breadth of options which entices new players to a site. Free spins are often offered as bonuses to new players because of the popularity of slot machines. These free spins hardly cost the online casinos anything, but they’re the best way of introducing new players to the games.
Competition
The casinos themselves aren’t responsible for designing their own online slot games, rather they rely on content from a number of software developers like NetEnt and Microgaming. New online slots are released every week and online casinos are willing to pay top money to get the best ones on their site.
Nearly every online casino offers online slots, because who wouldn’t want a slice of the largest online gambling sector? As such, there’s a lot of choice for players, so casinos have to offer incentives, bonuses, and exclusive slots to compete for new customers.
The Future of Online Slots
New technology is constantly changing the gambling industry, and online slots along with it. The biggest trend now is live casino games, where you are connected to a dealer in a studio and play along in real-time. These games add a more social element as you can chat with the dealer, something which has been missing from the casino experience.
Live casino games started with favourites like blackjack and roulette, but now some sites are starting to offer live online slots. A dealer in the studio will spin the reels, but players online decide how and when to make their bets. Live online slots have a more community feel as everyone wins or loses as a group, and they are a great way to have fun while also feeling part of a group.
Virtual Reality games are also becoming more mainstream, and virtual reality casinos will soon be a real thing. By donning a headset you’ll be able to navigate your way through the digital representation of real casinos and play their slot machines with a flick of your hand. The scope for new venues, designs, and games is endless, and slot fans are already excited about what the future will bring.
In Summary
The online slot industry is outperforming other online games and rapidly becoming the dominant force of the online casino sector. Slot games are popular with all types of players, because they come in themes to cater for every taste. And with new technology bringing new possibilities, the future looks bright.
