If you’ve played in online casinos in the last twenty years, chances are you would have noticed some repeating patterns. Chief among these is the reliance that these casinos have on slot games, a long-time favourite in the much older physical casino market. Yet, in the physical market, these devices don’t quite have the selection and reliance of their online counterparts. So, what causes this, and why are slots likely to act as the frontline of digital casino games going forward?
A Simple Ruleset
Though most gambling games are simple once you get to know them, many can appear impenetrable from outside. This can be seen with many games, Craps, for example, is a breeze after a few games, but walking by a table can leave players confounded. Slots, on the other hand, are instantly understandable no matter your prior experience.
You sit down, put in a token, spin the reels, and aim to line up the symbols. As long as your brain can fathom the idea of matching patterns, which it naturally excels at, you’ll be ready to go. This is just as true for online opportunities as it is offline, with the idea of creating the basis of putting slots in the prime position.
The Importance of Flexibility and Choice
Most casino games, due to their strict rulesets, are limited in what sort of effect that themes and different designs can offer. Sure, you could put a theme on a poker night, and this can be fun, but the theme ultimately won’t change the nature of the game itself. Slots are different, in that their broad possible flexibility can be much better reflected in the games.
“Just Some Beach” (CC BY 2.0) by tdlucas5000
If a designer chose a tropical beach theme, for example, they could not just modify all the graphics around this theme, but could also create bonus games centred on the idea. Coconuts could drop through the reels, beach parties could add wild symbols, and big wins could be hidden behind the discovery of the washed-up treasure. The combination is unusually strong for slots, and with the only limit being imagination, it’s no surprise that sheer choice is an enormous driver of slot player-bases.
Mobile Implementation
Mobiles have completely reshaped the way we manage digital entertainment, with online casinos being a key recipient of their generous potential. The convenience factor alone serves to drive many players to the mobile experience, but more than that, the accidentally strong fit of casino games to mobiles has helped significantly.
While other games suffer from the smaller screens and touch-controls of mobile devices, the relative simplicity of mobile input and display make them a rare match. Extending out further than just directly play, players can click here to learn more about how to get a new mobile casino offer in the UK. Including free spins, deposit matches, and more, mobiles take what was already a strong pairing on PC and laptop and switch it over to a much more streamlined format.
“1898 Slot Machine” (CC BY 2.0) by Crown Star Images
Celebrating their 25th birthday in 2021, online casinos have come a long way in a few short decades. Nowhere is this better illustrated than with slots, which rose from simply included titles to the biggest players on the main stage. It might be easy to overlook for dedicated table gamers, but make no mistake; slots are the backbones keeping many online casinos together. Whatever comes next, slots will be there in the spotlight, of that we can be certain.