Slots are even known by those who have zero interest in the world of online gambling. They are considered one of the simplest casino games to play, and this is probably a big factor in why they are so popular. There’s no real strategy, rules, or practice. Just insert the money and spin. Unlike other major casino games, slots allow the chance of winning jackpots.
Slots have been around since the nineteenth century. Back then, they used to be mechanical devices, operating on gears and levers. Since then, the game has come a long way, with these games generating 70% of the total casino revenue.
Our guide covers everything from the history of slot machines to a detailed explanation of online slots and how they work. Furthermore, it offers reviews on the best software providers, popular slot themes, features, and promotions. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to call yourself a slots expert.
Online Casino Slot Promotions
This is the thing that gets the player’s bankrolls boosting and something they pay heed to while choosing an online casino. Here are some of the most common types of promotions, which you can find in most online casinos.
Sign Up Bonuses
There are two main kinds – welcome and a no deposit bonus. Most, if not all, online casinos offer these bonuses. The main difference is that you can only claim a welcome bonus upon depositing money into your casino account. However, a no-deposit bonus, as evident by its name, can be enjoyed without depositing any money whatsoever. All you need is a verified account at an online casino. Even though this amount is little, you can still build up a lot of balance and cash out real money.
Weekly/ Monthly Rounds
These recurring offers, mainly found in newer casinos, run weekly and monthly to allow players to cash more. It is a marketing tactic to drive traffic on days that generate less revenue. A Monday Reload or Triple Tuesdays are some weekly bonus examples. Often, operators run promotion rounds that last a week, or sometimes even a month, and then replace them with another similar bonus to keep the bonus offer going.
Loyalty Program
As apparent by its name, a loyalty program aims to hook the player by offering loyalty incentives from time to time. The idea is that the player has to accumulate points by wagering over different games and later getting a reward. You can exchange these for real-world gifts like match tickets, electronics, etc. Or you can simply withdraw the cash prize through your account. How these programs work varies from site to site, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule that applies.
Special Occasions
Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are some of the days these promotions go live. Gambling sites strategize their marketing approach according to the festive season to make the most of it. So, all online gamblers should keep an eye out during the holiday season.
Giveaways
In the past, some land-based casinos rewarded their loyal players with in-casino gifts like extra chips or free spins. Some even gave away luxurious rewards like vacations, expensive electronics, and even cars! Online casinos caught onto this practice from their land-based counterparts. Now, many of these sites randomly arrange giveaways where they give out raw cash to their players. Even though giveaways are rare, they are so worth the wait.
Slots History
Slot machines are believed to have their origins in 1880, when the first mechanical slot machine was invented (sort of). Constructed with poor metal and springs, these games were found in bars and restaurants. More popular were the ones that paid in the form of real gifts from the bartender (drinks, cigars, etc.). Later, Charles Fey introduced a sturdier version of this game.
The Charles Fey Machine
Charles August Fey, an American mechanic, designed the first coin-operated slot machine in 1884. Two years later, his game was revamped as the classic three-reel slot machine with an automatic cash payout system. This was the invention that put Fey on the map. He became so popular that he left his job to produce many Card Bell slot machine units.
Since the game had traditional poker card symbols, Fey faced much opposition from those who wanted to eradicate gambling from society. To expand his gaming empire, he invented another slot with a similar idea called the Liberty Bell. This time, the slot symbols had no link to poker cards. Completed in 1899, the first Liberty Bell slot featured bells, numbers, and horseshoes as symbols. Some of these are still seen in modern slot machines today.
20th Century Evolution
By the early 20th century, gambling and casinos in almost all states of America were illegal. However, in the 1930s, Las Vegas re-legalized gambling. So, it’s fair to say that Vegas is responsible for preserving and (somewhat) enhancing casino slots.
With the introduction of electro-mechanical slots in the 1950s, designers became craftier than ever: new sound effects, themes, and graphics were used. For the first time, they introduced payout schemes, jackpots, and features like multipliers. They attracted a new young audience of gamblers.
Near the end of the 20th century, video slots were becoming very popular. Vegas was home to the first ever video slot machines, and their revenues were increasing year by year. Later, with the incorporation of the internet, web-based slots were introduced. Many saw these as more lucrative than traditional slot machines.
Online Slots Explained
Online slots are essentially the same as their typical land-based counterparts. All the action, however, is carried out through computer systems. Graphic interfaces and computer software replace the mechanical wheels, gears, and levers.
RNG and RTP
Random number generators (RNG) were tools used in early slot machines to generate fair outcomes. Once the player pulled the lever, mechanical gears would trigger reels to rotate. They would repeatedly go in order from left to right until it came to a stop. The reels would generate random symbols.
Now, while the idea remains the same, the operation has changed. Instead of gears, microchips have taken over the task and enabled digital RNGs. These activate numerical functions that generate random results, making these games unpredictable and fair. Regarding online slots, RNG refers to software that allows games to be operated without active human intervention.
Return to Player (or RTP) refers to the estimated percentage of money that you recover while betting on an online slot. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 96.46%, the average return you’ll get from that particular game on every $100 you invest is $96.46. Slots with a lower RTP (92-94%) fetch fewer returns, but the chances of you winning bigger rewards are slightly higher.
How to Play Slots
Playing an online slot is pretty straightforward, for the most part. First, you sign up for an online casino. There you will find plenty of games with different minimum bet amounts, features, and themes. Once you have picked your game, choose your wager and hit spin.
You can opt for single or multiple spins at a time. Eventually, the reels come to a stop. The symbols appearing in a line determine how big of a reward a player can win. If you manage to earn something, it will show on the screen and instantly be credited to your account.
Most Popular Slots Themes
There are hundreds of slot games on the market, each with a unique theme that makes it stand out. Including films, fantasy, adventure, and horror, there are many other slot themes to cater to different tastes. Here are some all-time favorites:
This is the oldest and most popular theme for slots, dating back to the 20th century. It is a non-controversial, kids-friendly theme that suits all. Most of the fruit-themed slots are simple – the classic spin and win. So, even for a beginner, it is perfect to start with.
Add vampires, ghosts, and goblins with slots, and all fantasy fans get a treat. Some, based on popular movies like Twilight or the Harry Potter series – slots with gothic themes and fictional characters are sought after by fans.
Ancient Egyptian culture was the talk of the town in the 20th century when slots first started gaining popularity. Its heritage was showcased in museums, movies, and eventually in slots. Ancient Egypt has become one of the most popular themes – associated with wealth and luxury.
Once you start searching, you will come across a zoo-load of animal slot games. From Siberian tigers to African rhinos, you will find it all. With so many choices, animal lovers can head on a hunt for their favorite animal-themed slot game.
There are plenty of sports fans who are gamblers too. Incorporating their favorite sports with online slots is something they are unable to say not to. So, whether you are a sports enthusiast or just looking for something different, there are plenty of sports-themed options.
Fun Slot Features and Bonuses
Features and bonuses are key factors that players pay heed to when deciding on playing a game. Not only does it add value to your slot, but it affects winnings too. Some of these features are unlocked right off the bat. In contrast, availing of others requires you to climb levels and accumulate points. Here are some fun slot features and bonuses to look out for in online slots:
Free Spins
Once triggered, you will get free spins to score winnings. These spins do not affect your wagering balance, so you have nothing to lose. The number of free spins you get changes from game to game. But, these complemented with other bonus features (more on it below) are the way to big wins.
Wild / Scatters
Wilds are represented by a sticker that appears in place of other symbols to make a winning combination that you ordinarily wouldn’t score. For instance, in a fruit theme slot, you have 4 cherries in a line, but if a wild card shows up in the 5th reel, it will automatically result in a win. Wilds can replace all sorts of symbols except those of other features such as scatter or jackpots.
Scatters is a feature that triggers other bonus games. They appear just like the wilds, replacing other symbols on multiple reels. Usually, you need 3 or more scatter symbols to activate certain bonus rounds like mini-games and free spins.
Bonus Rounds
This is where the biggest wins happen. These bonus rounds unlock another dimension to a game that doesn’t cost you your wagering balance. So, you can go all in. Usually, bonus rounds are classified into free spins and other mini-games.
Developers who want to make things more interesting add levels that players can only unlock through the bonus rounds. These include progressive multipliers, jumping wilds, and other mini-games. However, the number of additional features in these rounds depends entirely on the game you’re playing.
Multipliers
When activated, this feature multiplies your money by a predetermined number. In most cases, multipliers are activated during other bonus features like free spins. When this happens, they only apply to your winnings in that particular bonus round. But, if the multiplier level is achieved in the base game, it is applied to your original bet. The multipliers usually range anywhere from x2 to x1000.
Best Slots Software Providers
When playing in an online casino, choosing a trusted software provider is essential. Not only for the premium gaming experience but for your security as well.Here are some things to look for when choosing a slot software provider:
Variety of High-Quality Games
A good software provider must have a wide range of games to cater to people with different tastes online. Not just variations in themes, but – volatility, features, rewards, even the number of reels, etc. It will help them funnel many players into their userbase, and they can quickly become a well-known, trusted slot provider.
Innovation
Software providers must be creative and experimental. To stay in it for the long run, it is important to have a sense of progression that is visible in their work. They must attract new players while at the same time keeping the existing ones engaged. If the slot game you’ve got your hands on isn’t fun to play or doesn’t give you the chance to score big, then it’s probably not worth spending your time on.
Mobile Optimisation
You must choose a software provider that has its games optimized for all kinds of mobile phones. It can be a major red flag if their games are not optimized for your mobile or operating system, as even the smallest glitch can cause massive frustration over time. Along with the slot game, choosing a mobile-optimized casino is also important, so the whole thing is adaptable to any device.
License
Using an unlicensed software provider can cost you more than you think. Not only does it jeopardize your security, but there is a high chance that the winnings you end up with might not even be legit. The last thing you want while playing a slot game is to worry about that and potential viruses creeping into your computer. Hence, choose an authentic, licensed software provider to have peace of mind and put your money in the right place.
Reputation
Finally, play safe and side with the majority. The safest way is to choose something with over a 4-star rating, which is a respected and well-known entity in most cases. You can rest assured knowing that the software company you’re going for provides high-quality games as well as a safe and fun experience for everyone.
Playing Slots on Mobile Devices
Many players new to online casinos aren’t sure if they can play their favorite slot games on mobile phones. Precisely, the answer is yes. However, the games need to be mobile optimized. If the slot game is built with HTML 5 technology and a responsive design, it can easily be operated on your smartphone. All you need is a browser and an internet connection.
FAQ
How do you play online slots?
To play slots for beginners, make an online casino account, deposit money, and choose a slot game. Pick your minimum bet amount and hit spin.
How to win the slot?
Slots are completely random. There is no strategy to ‘win,’ whether a traditional slot machine or an online game.
Is it better to play slot games slow or fast?
It makes no difference. Since all slot machines and online games use random number generators to produce results, playing slow or fast will not affect your winnings.
Should I play multiple slots or stick to one slot game?
If you think you have found a slot game that suits you, nothing should stop you from sticking to it alone. However, the world is your oyster, and there are so many other slot games you can try out.
Do slot sites track winnings?
Yes, slot sites do track your winnings and give you access to this data. But, they in no way penalize you for your winnings or losses.