How online slots could be the future of iGaming

It’s a big prediction to say that any casino gaming genre could become the iGaming industry’s future. Although I wouldn’t be surprised to see any casino game rise to the top of the mountain, online slot gaming has one of the most compelling arguments.

Let’s look at why this is.

Gaming on the move

Gaming on the move became the unique selling point for the online casino gaming industry back in the mid-2000s. Once the smartphone entered the equation, online slots became the hottest ticket in town.

Instead of sitting in a land-based casino or at a home PC to play slot games, smartphones and the subsequent implementation of mobile apps opened a whole universe of new avenues for casino gamers and software developers.

Playing slot games on the train or the coach might not sound like the industry’s future; however, it’s more about how flexible online slots have become. Ultimately, they have become a blank canvas for designers working within the online casino industry. The emergence of online slots turned the sector into one full of modular designs, embracing the future. It’s an approach that still inspires some of the highest-rated games released over the last couple of years.

Beneficial regulatory landscape

The modular approach to slot design started to take hold in the late 2000s and has continued to pick up pace. However, companies would not have been able to fulfil their potential without the beneficial regulatory landscape, particularly in the UK. The sheer volume of games available has expanded to reach an almost incalculable sum; even average slot gaming platforms have thousands of games available.

All industries require regulation; there are growing calls for AI to be regulated, and we’ve seen how it has helped to bolster the electric vehicle industry too. When regulation is done fairly and effectively, casino gaming is a perfect example of how it can result in a boom in the sector while not neglecting the money that can come from a properly regulated tax base. It does require careful considerations though, and plenty of consultation with experts in the industry.

Range of genres available

Potentially the biggest reason for our bold prediction is that there is something for every kind of player, whether you’re a person who prefers novelty and enjoy a slot machine or prefer something more traditional such as blackjack. There have been several attempts by casino gaming platforms to put their own twist on the game, but it’s still blackjack at its heart. This is fine if you’re a blackjack enthusiast. In fact, it’s optimal; there are slot gamers who still only stick to the conventional, classic games rather than the sprawling, immersive games that emerge with the highest-quality graphics.

However, the range of gaming options is the most crucial reason that online slots have the best chance to rise to the top of the iGaming pyramid. Slot gaming platforms feature thousands of different genres, features and software designers, and dozens of fresh titles are uploaded to websites every day.

No other casino game genre boasts anywhere near the same level of quality and selection. Obviously, by having such a vast library of games, the market grows increasingly significant, with a higher ceiling for its maximum potential. This could be the final push it needs to become the top dog in the casino industry.

The eternal appeal of the game

Slot gaming has endured the rise of the internet, smartphones, and more recently, alternate payment options, such as cryptocurrency. When the first slot game was designed in the 1890s, over a century ago, nobody could’ve imagined that it would still be one of the most profitable types of games and a multibillion-dollar standalone sector.

Slots have done a lot more than just survive; they have thrived. Some of the best slot games out there currently are grand titles with the most sophisticated graphics and a variety of bonus features that make the primitive form of online slots look like they were made in a different century.

Throughout this period, slots have maintained an enormous audience. A new wave of players joined the revolution when smartphones transformed how people played all types of games, not just casino games.

I remember that happening in the late 2000s. By the mid-2010s, any slot game that wasn’t compatible with smartphones or mobile apps immediately was at a disadvantage and cornered itself off from what was, at the time, the fastest-growing area of casino gaming.

By sustaining this incredible level of popularity and constantly bolstering their appeal, online slots continue to have a bright future as they appeal to multiple demographics. The audience for slot gaming has a broad appeal that is more akin to the enduring popularity of video console gaming; that’s how expansive it is.

Conclusion

Slot gaming has the uncanny ability to entice all types of gamers, but it also has flexibility that no other casino game has. We used blackjack as a random example before, but you could say the same about poker or roulette.

While there are dozens of poker variations, they all still operate within the original’s framework and confines. Slot games can be fruit-based on a 3×3 reel, or they can be TV and film-themed games featuring six-figure jackpots and dynamic reels. It’s such a colossal scale that it’s hard to fathom. However, it highlights how online slots could be in a prime position to become the spearhead for a new era of iGaming innovation and popularity.

Nobody will deny that roulette, poker and other table games have a huge role, but they do not have anywhere near the same level of potential as slot games. Perhaps if they incorporate virtual reality technology, they might be able to close some of this gap. However, for now, slots are streets ahead, and if any sector is going to soar above the rest of the casino industry, my money would be on slot gaming ahead of everything else.