As competitive gaming continues growing more widespread, many well-known esports titles have been expanding into the casino industry. More and more game developers have been crafting really fun games that appeal to both committed gamers and regular casino-goers.
Experts are predicting that by the end of 2024, the whole esports scene will be generating over $2.39 billion in annual revenue. With millions of global viewers tuning in to esports events, casinos have recognized the potential of adapting these games into some of the best online slots and other gambling formats.
Their argument is that by adopting esports titles to casino format, more esports players will find a smooth shift to casino gaming. Three standout esports games that have successfully transitioned into the casino environment are Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Call of Duty.
Counter-Strike
Slots based on the Counter-Strike franchise have really carved out their own niche in the gaming world by blending the tense tactical gameplay of CS with the thrills of casino games. These slots fully immerse you with spinning symbols like weapons, weapon crates, and bomb-defusing kits. Merging elements of CS strategy with slot reels really resonates with fans who love both video and casino gaming.
Nostalgia seems to be a big driving force behind popularity. CS online slots engage players with fun reminders of iconic in-game moments and battles they’ve had over the years. Studies have shown that CS slots see about 35% higher levels of player engagement than regular slots.
Beyond just cool visuals, the actual gameplay features dynamic elements like bonus rounds and free spins. These layers of extra excitement help mirror the strategic thinking required in CS. Players get to defuse bombs or unlock special weapons during spins virtually.
League of Legends
With a massive monthly player base exceeding 150 million in the video gaming realm, it’s hardly surprising that League of Legends (LoL) has ventured into the casino scene through a variety of themed slot games.
Featuring vibrant graphics and soundtracks directly inspired by the game itself, these slots truly elevate the gaming experience. Research even indicates that individuals are inclined to spend approximately 25% more time engaging with slots that tie into their beloved video games. With features that replicate champion battles and special abilities, fans can fully immerse themselves in a familiar world while taking a chance at winning some cash.
It’s quite clever to tap into the essence of what makes LoL so captivating—the gameplay and the strong sense of community. The successful integration of these beloved elements from the original game into casino games is truly remarkable. Undoubtedly, this strong connection plays a pivotal role in keeping players engaged and entertained.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was an absolute blockbuster when it launched in 2019, raking in over a billion dollars in its first three days alone. Is it any wonder that massive success-inspired branded slot machines resonated deeply with fans? These slots integrate iconic elements from the game, like weapons, maps, and characters, transporting that gaming experience to the casino floor.
Beyond just free spins and bonuses normally found in slots, these COD-themed games truly channel the nerve-on-edge action feel that made the franchise so beloved.
The features emulate missions through bonus rounds and progressive jackpots, where players infiltrate bases or defuse bombs on their way to big payouts. In fact, studies show these slots boasted almost double the typical retention rate at 60%: a clear sign that remaining faithful to the source engages fans.
For COD fans, these slot adaptations offer an opportunity to relive the raw excitement of Modern Warfare while enjoying casino games. Whether it’s intense firefights or stealth operations, the slots deliver both that adrenaline rush and a chance at substantial winnings.
Bottom Line
It’s so cool to see how esports and casinos are joining forces these days. Having big games like Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and Call of Duty show up in actual casinos lets fans engage with their favorite titles in a whole new light. Casinos are always coming up with new incentives to keep people entertained. Things like bonus spins plus special promotions go a long way. But blending the nerve-wracking fun of competitive gaming with chances to win real cash—that takes it to another level. These hybrid concepts offer experiences you just can’t find anywhere else
September 2024 Update: Yes, Gregg’s at it again. At a Guiness World Records Event in October 2024 at Spinetti’s Gaming Supplies he’s again flexed his casino chip world record muscles upping his 2222 items record to a dizzying 3113 chips. The event was open to the Vegas with part of this special collection on display
On multiple occasions in the past we have highlighted Las Vegas based collector Gregg Fisher’s casino chip and token collecting achievements. Such passion for a hobby or interest certainly stands out from the crowd.
We’re happy to now report that he has once again outdone himself. The following world record has now been approved: ‘The largest collection of casino chips consists of 2,222 items (see above, now beaten!), achieved by Gregg Fisher (USA) , in Las Vegas , Nevada, USA, on 26th September 2021’.
Achieving a Guinness World Record is far from a formality and involves crossing more t’s and dotting more i’s than you could ever imagine. Impressive in its own right, this now makes Gregg a two time Guinness world records holder! It just goes to show what can be achieved through hard work and determination.
January 1st 2023 update… Long time friend of ths site, Gregg has contacted us with the record entry as featured in the 2023 Guinness Book of World Records. He added that only 10 percent of records get into the book, so it really is quite some achievement!
Update: Stop the press. Gregg has informed us that he’s now purchased a collection of 3,500 to 4,000 pieces (some pictures below). Now that’s dedication to a cause!
Gamblers are often met with suspicion. If you are in the business of selling you may be met with ridicule or haters. If you want a social media following, then you will need a thick skin because you will be tarnished with the same brush as a million ‘prodigies’ who failed before you. True, some gamblers are liked more than others but it’s one subject that’s made for problems. In truth, it is a good reason to keep your name, personality and opinions to yourself. Fame comes at a cost. And bar a few professional poker players I don’t think fame is a word most professional gamblers achieve.
You have more chance of becoming infamous.
I say this with regard to Mikki Mase, the US professional gambler who has been something of a social media revelation over the last three or four years. His distinctive tattooed appearance and reference to making $30M from his love of baccarat and poker have seen him ascend a higher level of fame. Mase said he was naive to social media when appearing on one YouTube channel and asked about every aspect of his life when he said prior to being interviewed that he wanted the conversation kept to gambling. In fact, he said it took him 18-months to put that interview behind him with haters knocking his reputation. Any gambler who says they have won a fortune and have reverse engineered how the casinos cheat punters out of money will have to battle through a depth of naysayers. It’s hardly surprising. People will always question how anyone can defy the house edge. Perhaps on poker, which is skill based, but baccarat doesn’t leave that much room to manoeuvre.
Mikki Mase is a fascinating character and I tend to believe his story. He said himself that he got lucky in that first year or two but then thought about his process and worked to understand how to beat the casino. Once again, the haters thought this was a scam or just pie in the sky. However, it isn’t beyond the realms for a gambler, who bets big money, to make many millions. The difficulty for most is keeping hold of the cash.
What I like about Mikki is his character. He is clearly intelligent and knows a lot about life which he puts down to a troubled upbringing, mostly due to his adventurous and creative mind. He is wise beyond his years and he has something about him – a touch of mystery which I’m sure he wishes he had kept even closer to his chest. His rapid rise to fame via social media has seen him meet and partner the most famous names often helping them win big at the casino. He has made a lot of money but wisely says the biggest problems in life cannot be resolved with money. He has been involved in the acting world and its something he enjoys. In addition, he has helped with many charities such as building a school and chatting and feed the homeless in Las Vegas.
I have seen a lot of professional gamblers and Mikki Mase has that x-factor. His appearance catches the attention and his story takes you on a journey of wonder. However, he also has is a heart and soul. He has gone out of his way to be transparent about his winnings even though there will always be someone who knock him. By all accounts he has nothing to sell. So it makes me consider he is someone who is simply enjoying fame and fortune. He says he wants to tell people they shouldn’t gamble. I don’t hear many professional gamblers say that and it goes a little deeper than the many self interested lonesome characters who are akin to spin doctors.
It’s interesting to consider why he wanted to be known but I guess with his winning story it was certain people would be interested in interviewing him and perhaps once the genie comes out of the bottle it is difficult to put it back in.
I don’t think he is someone to have too many regrets on the fame aspect and I for one would enjoy seeing and hearing more of this fascinating man.
His story on social media has been hard and fast. He has achieved equal measures of amazement and scepticism. He has fought the tide of vitriol to find numerous fans to fight his corner and proclaim his success.
He’s someone we will be hearing much more about and I am looking forward to enjoying every last word.
Out of the tens of thousands of casino games ever created, it’s natural that a few of them would share some similar features. Apart from the classic bell and cherry symbols common to so many of the ‘fruit machine’ slots, certain game features have managed to jump across themes and developers. Here are some of the most prolific features that you can find across slot libraries.
Megaways
There are few slot features out there quite as famous as Megaways. It has hopped between developers and themes, being applied to some of the biggest and most famous slot series. Enough people wanted to play the Temple Tumble slot or the Gonzo’s Quest slot that these became natural choices for extra entries in the series, and both of these classics were among the first to get a Megaways version.
The system essentially works by randomising how many symbols could appear on each reel with each spin, and removing any specific paylines. It means that on any particular spin, the number of winning lines can vary between a few hundred to over 100,000. It adds a huge amount of excitement for players as the higher amount of lines means there’s a much higher win potential on that spin.
Slingo
By comparison to Megaways, the Slingo mechanic is a far less flashy feature but has proven just as popular among players. It has been attached to a number of big slot series such as Money Train and Fire & Ice, bringing a touch of bingo gameplay to each one, and has even been used for major game show franchises like Deal or No Deal.
A game of Slingo essentially is a bingo card where instead of having a single number drawn each time, each space on the card spins like a slot reel and gets marked off if the number matches. The player gets a set number of spins at the start to try and fill as many lines on the card as possible, and can then buy some extra spins afterwards to try and mark off any remaining gaps.
Jackpot King
The Jackpot King network is a massive system connecting dozens of games across many different major casino sites. It is a progressive jackpot system where contributions to the jackpot are made by every player playing any linked game from anywhere in the world. This means that the prizes are always rising unless someone actually wins, and the top tier of jackpot, appropriately called Jackpot King, regularly reaches into the millions of pounds.
While the odds of winning one of the Jackpot King prizes are naturally lower than winning on the regular games themselves, adding it as a possibility on top of the existing slot adds a whole other level. More than a few big slot titles like Fishin’ Frenzy, Luck O’ The Irish and the slot adaption of the Ted movie have had the Jackpot King treatment already.
There are plenty more big brand mechanics out there to discover. Just remember though that if you see one of these big names attached to a game, then it’s a mark of quality for both that and the original.
