Igaming is a popular activity that is only going to get bigger and bigger as time goes by. According to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista, revenue in the worldwide market is expected to reach around $97.70 billion in 2024. The site also informs visitors that there the number of users could amount to 281.1 million by 2029.
The sheer size and potential of the market is one of the many reasons brands are scrambling to get in on the action. Investing in gaming is a chance to diversify revenue streams and appeal to new target demographics. Gaming is also a chance to learn more about players and to get ahead of competitors.
Playing on online slots is one type of incredibly popular gaming. Below is a look at the evolution of slots, the tech that has made them so advanced, why slots have grown such a huge fanbase and what the future could hold for online slots.
Evolving in the digital world
Ever since the conception of the first slot, way back in the late 19th century, slots have always been something of an innovation. The birth of computers, however, saw the traditional mechanical slots clear more of a path for video slots. These slots boasted creative animations, bonuses and themes their mechanical counterparts. As well as all this, the slots featured random numbers generators (RNGs), software which introduced more fairness for players.
Then the internet and online casinos arrived, making slot gaming more accessible. Players no longer had to go to an arcade or casino to play on slot machines. They could just go online instead. Better still, they could play any time they wanted since the online casinos operated their services around the clock.
Each casino is home to a wide range of games. The themes and graphics of slots have got even better, and thanks to the emergence of mobile gaming, slot gaming has become even more accessible than before. Slot makers have designed their games so that players can view them and play them on mobile devices without the smaller screens hampering their enjoyment.
Driving the popularity of online slots
The sophisticated technology behind slots has done a major amount to attract a large fanbase for this style of gaming, but there have been lots of other factors as well. Variety has been one of these significant other factors. Slot games come in a massive variety of themes to help attract players. Operators know that if they don’t provide a wide enough selection of games, players can grow bored and switch to one of the many, many other operators out there.
Bonuses and promotions have been another decisive factor. In their quest to attract players and retain existing ones, operators are spoiling slot fans with a wealth of bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, free spins bonuses, no deposit bonuses and loyalty bonuses. Slots fans are making the most of them to get more value for money.
Progressive jackpots and jackpots slots are another part of the draw for many players. In a progressive jackpot, the jackpot increases every time someone plays the game but fails to win it. The more people who play, the bigger the jackpot becomes. The game reverts to the baseline jackpot when someone wins, and gradually builds up again until someone else hits the jackpot.
Chiefly though, besides the technology, online slots have grown popular because they’re so easy and engaging to play. You just hit the button and hope the symbols will land in your favor. It’s all random, which is what makes playing them so exciting.
The future of online slots
The online casino industry is constantly innovating, which means slots fans can expect to see developments in the slot gaming world.
Mobile gaming
Mobile gaming is already huge. Fans of slots can expect to see more slots optimized for mobile, whether on apps or on browsers.
Virtual reality
Virtual reality has begun to find its way into the igaming space and the slots industry is still exploring how it could incorporate this technology into slot gaming. If companies can find a viable way to achieve this, fans will be able to enjoy a more immersive experience when playing slots.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Online casino operators are already making use of artificial intelligence (AI) so that, based on their preferences and behaviors, players can enjoy a more personalized experience. AI technology is improving constantly and slots players can expect operators to use this more extensively in slots and other online games.
Online slots, and igaming in general, have grown immensely popular. Powerful technology keeps them accessible and engaging, as does their ease of play. Meanwhile, the variety, bonuses and jackpots available enable them to remain as popular as ever. It’s a perfect recipe for success for slot makers and slot providers.