How Online Slots Took Over the Online Gambling Industry
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This might come as a surprise to some, but slots haven’t always been the most popular casino games. Before they were colorful and loud, not many people liked these games.
Video poker was the most popular casino game during the ‘70s and ‘80s. Then technology improved, and slots slowly overtook video poker to reign supreme in Las Vegas.
In this article, we’ll explain how casino players fell in love with real money online slots. We’ll also talk more about why these games have held their dominance in the industry for so long. Let’s dive right in.
Online Slots in the 1990s
The first online slot machine was launched in 1994. It was a simple fruit game created by Microgaming. The Isle-of-Man-based software developer created most of the first generation of online slots.
The games had dated graphics, repetitive soundtracks, and low payouts. But this didn’t stop gamblers from becoming fans. Most slots were replicas of games played in Las Vegas.
However, the Internet provided convenience. You didn’t need to leave your home to play casino games. Additionally, online games came in a wide variety. You could play dozens of machines without worrying that you were hogging a specific game.
Modern Video Slots
The first generation of online slots were bland and uninspiring. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before developers worked on better casino games. Modern slots revolutionized the iGaming industry with their advanced features. Below are some of them:
High RTPs
One of the reasons slots took over the online casino industry is that they have impressive payouts. The average video slot has a 96% RTP. Some of them have 98% and 99% RTPs.
RTP stands for Return to Player. It’s an important metric for checking the quality of online slots. If it’s high, that’s a good slot to play. If it’s slow, you should avoid the slot.
Modern slots have much higher payouts than classic games. And that’s why they’re so popular. High RTPs give you a better chance of winning. But for clarity, RTP refers to a game’s expected payout in the long term.
Intriguing Themes and Storylines
There was a time the online slot industry was in danger of dying. Young people didn’t want to play slots because they were boring. The solution: software providers spiced up the storylines in these games.
Instead of sticking to fruits as symbols, developers infused sports, celebrities, ancient Egypt, politics, and other topics into their games. This expanded the slots’ target market because everyone could choose a game inspired by something they loved.
The best slots look like video games. They tell you a story in as much as they also entertain you. Take Gonzo’s Quest as an example. The slot stars a Spanish conquistador searching for gold in an ancient South American jungle.
The slot explains that Gonzo’s is generous but not sharp. As search, he needs your wits to help you discover gold. In return, he will share some of his loot with you. The slot runs against a background of a forest with Aztec themes—the perfect place to find lost treasures in South America.
Interesting In-Game Features
As mentioned, a high RTP alone doesn’t make a slot machine worth your time and money. The best slots are packed with interesting features:
- Wilds
- Scatters
- Jackpots
- Multipliers
- Bonus Buy
- Pays both Ways
Wilds replace regular icons on a slot to increase your chances of winning. When three or more scatters line up on the reels, you win free spins. To a win slot jackpot, you need to trigger specific symbols.
Multipliers magnify your winnings. Let’s say you hit a jackpot that pays 100 coins. A multiplier feature could magnify your profits by paying you 50x your stake.
If a slot has a bonus buy feature, you don’t need to rely on hope to access the bonus round. You can pay to access the bonus round. This part of slots triggers rewards like wilds, scatters, and multipliers.
Another interesting feature of modern slots is that they pay on both sides. Conventionally, you win money if winning symbols appear from left to right. With some slots, you also win if symbols appear from right to left.
That said, jackpots come in two types: random and progressive. Random pots have a hard limit of 2000 coins or 5000x your stake. Progressive jackpots increase gradually and can pay up to $20 million.
Visuals and Mechanics
Put simply, modern slots are beautiful. They have 3D graphics. Some of them support 4K resolutions. They have advanced animations, soundtracks, and artwork that enhance your experience.
On the other hand, these games have intuitive mechanics. To play a slot, you interact with just a couple of features. Adjust your bet amount. This usually means deciding on the number of lines and the amount to spend per line.
You also choose whether to spin reels manually. Or, you can hit an auto-spin feature to let the computer do the work for you. Some modern slots have more features that make them more interactive.
Good Girl, Bad Girl slot is a case in point. This game lets you decide whether to play as the good girl or the bad girl. Depending on your choice, you interact with different symbols on the reels.
Mobile Support
Slots got incredibly popular after the launch of mobile casinos a decade ago. The thing is, not everyone can afford an expensive PC computer. In fact, not everyone needs a laptop.
However, people need mobile phones. They help you communicate, stay in touch with friends and browse the Internet. Smartphones also support mobile games like slots, poker, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.
Because mobile devices are ubiquitous, they’re the devices of choice for most mobile casino games. You can play hundreds of slots on your smartphone. But there are a few exceptions: classic slots and card games.
Slots created before the iPhone don’t really work on smartphones. No one really cares about these games, though. As we mentioned earlier, they have low payouts, ugly visuals, and repetitive music.
