Online betting has become the largest combined sector within the gambling industry in the UK, generating £5.7bn between April 2019 and March 2020. That is almost 40% of the entire gambling industry.
The online sector is dominated by casino games, which drummed up £3.2bn in the same time period. Slots are one of the most popular games, and how much slots make a day can vary, but each game will usually take hundreds of pounds.
What makes slot games so popular?
There are a wide variety of online casino games on offer – pretty much anything you would find in a physical casino – but slots are undoubtedly the main attraction. Part of the appeal, both online and offline, is how accessible slots are.
Most slot games have a low barrier of entry as they do not require a high minimum stake to play; some can be as cheap as a penny per spin. This means punters can spend a long time on one without spending too much money.
This lowers the risk of significant financial losses without compromising the enjoyment of gambling. It appeals to the general public as well as more seasoned gamblers.
Slots also offer significant pay-outs, with most offline ones generally giving 86% pay-outs, though this can rise to 90% for online slots. This makes them one of the most rewarding casino games.
Some slots also offer progressive jackpots, which can see lucky punters walking away with tens, even hundreds of thousands of pounds if the slots fall correctly.
They also do not require much specialist knowledge or, indeed, skill. They are purely based on luck, and so they are accessible to pretty much anyone of age. With the pull of a lever or the click of a button, the game is underway; it is as simple as that.
Of course, the games themselves need to pull people in and this is where their aesthetic comes in. As mentioned above, casinos, whether they’re online or offline, have a lot of different options for bettors.
Part of the reason slots are so popular is because they grab attention quickly with bright lights and sometimes sounds. While this might sound slightly reductive, it is a conscious design choice for these games because it works.
The bright lights, colours and sounds makes slot games more attractive.
Why themed slot games are more attractive
Over the years, more and more varieties of slots games have been developed, each with new and tweaked features to make them stand out. Many games also tie in with established sports or film and TV franchises, such as Batman or Game of Thrones.
This immediately appeals to fans of those franchises or topics, and makes slots stand out from other casino games. With so much choice on offer, players can choose games based on their personal preferences.
These themes and styles also help to keep people interested while they are playing. Some feature clips from the movies they are based on or include famous characters and quotes.
Slot game providers look to other entertainment industries for inspiration for themed slot games.
It is even easier for companies to incorporate these features into online versions of slots, thanks to advances in technology. Video clips are much easier to embed, and they can add more interactive elements to games.
Slots are also very convenient to play. In a casino, you can simply walk up to one, put a coin in, and begin. This is dramatically enhanced online, as you do not even need to leave your home to play slots.
Many of these online slot’s games are available on your smartphone and simply tapping your screen will begin the spins. The more established ones even have their own apps to make the experience even smoother.
Unlike other casino games like blackjack or poker, players have much more autonomy over how long they are involved for. Each spin on the slots is quick, so if you do not have much time to spare, then you can duck in and out with ease.
There is no commitment to playing a drawn-out game, you simply play for as long as you like, even if it’s only a handful of spins.
Some of the best slot games, both online and offline, are tied into movie franchises. Given the worldwide popularity of Batman and the various characters featured in the comics, it’s no surprise that The Dark Knight Slot Machine, which is tied to the 2008 blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan, is one of the most successful slot games in the world.
The game leans into the film’s focus on anarchy, which is portrayed through the movie’s antagonist, The Joker, who was of course played by Heath Ledger. The slot machine features a lot of the edgy and chaotic imagery used in the film and tied to The Joker.
Other characters like Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon are also included in the game to make the experience more immersive for players. In total, the game has 243 routes to victory and the Batman logo as well as a symbol for The Joker both pay out more.
Scarface is another iconic cinema franchise that spawned a standout casino game; NetEnt’s five-reel slot machine. What makes this game stand out is that when a winning combination appears, the machine will play a famous scene from the movie.
Players can even access a bonus level of the game where they assist Tony Montana, the film’s protagonist played by Al Pacino, in fighting off enemies. To unlock this, they need to get a fully-stacked wild symbol on the third reel. In the scene the player assists Tony Montana by battling with gunmen.
There is no denying that slots are one of the most popular casino games, and they may even take the top spot. Easy to access and play with a low minimum stake, these games appeal to a huge variety of people and offer tantalizing pay-outs.
