When someone thinks of casinos, slots are probably the first thing that comes to mind. They have been around since 1895, and today online slots are one of the leading games among players far and wide. There are a few reasons slots are so popular today and the gaming industry is constantly investing in new games and features.
Apart from providing fast-paced entertainment, slots are easy to play. Players don’t need any previous experience to play them. Moreover, they are always accessible, and most top UK minimum deposit casinos offer excellent mobile apps to keep players entertained. Let’s take a closer look at what makes online slots so valuable.
The Beginnings of Slots
Slot machines have a long history. The first machine was introduced back in 1891 in New York. It had 5 drums with 50 playing cards and the first-ever direct payout mechanism. The bar owner paid all winners on the spot. As the first slots became very popular, they were improved over the next 17 years.
Since Herbert Mills created the first extremely popular slot starting in 1908, which was available in most bowling alleys, stores, and saloons, the next big step didn’t happen until 1964. That was the year the first electromechanical slot was created, and it quickly became a trend. However, video slots as we know them today were released in 1996 and took the industry by storm.
Today, most slot machines in land-based casinos are video slots.
The Introduction of Online Slots
As the Internet became an integral part of everyday life, casinos saw it as an opportunity to distribute games to players around the world. The first online slots appeared in 1996, and they became an instant hit and their player base grew steadily.
Things stood still for a few decades, but when mobile devices became popular, casinos realized they had a perfect platform for further expansion. Many casinos and developers created apps that allowed players to choose between hundreds of different online slots with a higher return to player (RTP) and lower buy-ins. Today, players can simply log in and spin a few slots whenever they want. Many of the available options are free, so slots have become even more popular.
Slots are Easy to Play
One great thing about slots is that they require no experience to play. The focus is on entertainment, and they are designed to be as simple as possible. Players just have to spin the wheel and hope they get lucky enough to win. There are no strategies, no complicated rules, just a simple action repeated over and over again.
In fact, it’s the simplicity that made slots so popular in the first place. Back when most casinos focused on table games like roulette, slots quickly gained popularity because anyone could play and win. Many players who visit online casinos nowadays, like Raging Bull Casino, still prefer to play slots over other games because slots are relaxing and entertaining. In addition, they are cheaper, as many can be played for as little as one cent.
They Have Mass Appeal
If traditional slots are very appealing, online slots are even better since anyone can play them on their mobile device. Many online casinos are constantly working to attract new players, keeping the gambling industry on the rise. Online slots are great for attracting younger players and pushing the industry forward. The fact that anyone with a mobile device can play them gives slots more appeal than any other gambling game.
New technologies for online slots are constantly expanding and since anyone can play online slots at any time, it is only logical that they will become even more popular in the future.
Easy to Develop
All slots work on the same principle. A player spins the reels and hopes to hit several matching symbols to get the biggest prize. Since the first video slots in 1996, the game’s core has not changed. This means that casinos and slot developers can easily create new slot themes and continue to expand the games’ reach.
Today you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of different slot themes. They look different, the symbols are not the same and some of them may even unlock a backstory to keep players interested, but the core has not changed. Online casinos like CoolCat Casino are always releasing new slots. It is obvious that making them doesn’t take much effort or money.
There are also Free Slots
Online casinos have blurred the lines between gambling and gaming with free slots, spins, and other games. The market is full of free casino apps and slot players can enjoy them without spending a euro. They were created as a form of pure entertainment, but they also help casinos bring new players closer to trying paid slots.
The industry is always looking for new ways to attract younger generations, and free online slots are one of the most effective methods so far. Developers have practically gamified slot machines and give players all sorts of challenges. Players continue to spin the wheel to get a sense of achievement, which is one of the reasons why online slots are so popular today.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that online slots have become a popular part of the gaming industry since they became available on mobile devices. Years ago, slots were reserved only for players who physically traveled to casinos, but today, anyone can play online slots whenever they want.
Casinos realized long ago that slots can help them grow their user base, so they continue to invest in new games and features. The future will introduce us to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) slots, which will offer the most complete experience yet.
