Casino games spark interest among players for various reasons, yet the themes and basic gamification features are among the biggest attractions. From Manchester and the rest of the UK’s casino gambling beginnings in 1550 to immersive games found in today’s online slots, here you will learn all about slot machine history, themes, and gamification.
Rich History of Slot Machines
For over a century, slot games have been considered the most popular form of gambling, with the first machine (Liberty Bell) being built in 1894. With mesmerising colourful designs and great prizes as potential wins, slot games have also retained their popularity in the world of iGaming. Now, slots provide players with 3D designs, progressive jackpots that offer 6-figure win potential, innovative graphics, bonus features, and more.
The Mechanical Side of Things: The Inner Workings of Online Slots
Online slot games can be mastered in no time as long as you understand the basic principles behind the features, what determines a win, RTP, Volatility, and a few other factors.
Reels and Paylines
Depending on the type of slot game you are playing, you can expect anything between 3 and 6 reels that will turn with each spin. Paylines run across the reels and determine whether you will trigger a win or not. Some slot games may provide adjustable paylines; remember that more paylines would require larger minimum wager amounts.
Symbols and Winning Combinations
Symbols in slots include wild, scatter, and general slot symbols that will appear over the reels with each spin. Symbols are always designed to reflect the slot game’s theme, creating a more appealing design. Different combinations will determine whether you win, lose, or maybe activate a feature that could potentially help with a greater chance of winning.
Random Number Generators (RNG)
RNGs are found in all slot games and play a vital role in creating fair gaming for all players. Third-party testing agencies frequently test RNG (Random Number Generator) software for fairness, and it stands as a UK Gambling Commission requirement.
Payout Percentages and Volatility
Slot games are considered to be among the highest percentage payout casino games found online, with an average of 96% RTP rating. If you choose a casino game, RTP and Volatility will be clearly stipulated and will determine whether you win more frequently smaller or less frequently larger amounts.
- High RTP vs High Volatility: More frequent small payouts
- Low RTP vs Low Volatility: Less frequent larger payouts
The Most Popular Slot Machine Themes
One of the main attractions that draw players to play slot games is the themes. You can play slot games with various themes that revolve around pop culture, retro slot machines, and many other popular categories.
Fruit Machines
Fruit machines will take you back to a time when the ‘BAR’ symbols were predominantly used to display a win over the reels. Fruit machines generally only have three reels with fruit symbols; however, in modern times, fruit machines are categorised as classic slots.
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Adventures
Adventure games have recently started with new innovative titles released with stories and characters that follow a story. Adventure slot games generally fall under the ‘Video Slots’ category and present players with a minimum of 5 reels, animation, music, and bonus features such as mini-games and free spins.
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Film
With online gambling focusing on pop culture elements, players can look forward to many titles representing their favourite films. Online slot games themed around films generally provide an accurate representation of the essential aspects of the film through symbols, reels, music, animations, and more.
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Music
Music-themed slots have gained a lot of popularity among online gamblers. Once you start your journey into the world of theme slows, you will immediately notice a mirage of slot games themed around the biggest names in rock n roll, including Guns n Roses, Motorhead, and KISS.
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Gamification in Slot Games: Purpose and Benefits to the Player
Gamification can be classified simply as being features unique to online slot games and considered vital in today’s online slot games. Some of the most important gamification elements you can expect from online slot games include bonus rounds, special symbols such as scatters and wilds, free spins, and more. When considering playing other ‘hybrid’ slot/live games such as crash games, one of the most prominent gamification elements can be seen as “leaderboards”, where players can see how they are progressing against other players.
Rewards and Potential Winnings with Slot Games
Rewards can be obtained in many different forms, including bonuses, loyalty points, and winnings. It is advised to start your online gaming journey with a no-deposit bonus to have the best start with no risk of losing your cash balance. With a no-deposit bonus, players can expect to receive bonus credit that is usable on slot games and other casino games without making a deposit. Looking for big wins? It is vital to remember that all casino games are up to chance and that RTP potential wins are just theoretical values rather than a stipulated win ratio. As there are no ways to predict the outcome of a spin, games are fair towards both the player and the “house”. As long as you are playing casino slot games from a licenced and regulated online casino, you have a fair chance at potential winnings and enjoy casino games for what they are: the perfect online entertainment with tremendous rewards. Choose your casino from a trusted online gambling review site such as Casino Legends and experience the best in online gambling.
