Slots are incredibly popular in the UK. In February 2021, British newspaper The Guardian, reporting data from the industry’s regulating body, The Gambling Commission, informed readers online that citizens spend an average of £67 per month on slots, compared to the £36 for casino products and £45 for real event betting. The same article also revealed that in the year to March 2020, online revenue had reached £3.18 billion: slots were behind 70% of the figure, displaying the immense appetite of UK citizens for slots.
The most favoured games
There’s no denying that slots are exciting. The flashing lights. The sounds. They all add to the engagement, giving the player a subtle rush. Games are fast moving, too. Whereas in table games, the player is either up against other players or against the dealer, online slots are an individual pursuit and the player doesn’t have to wait for anyone else. They can just get on with the gaming.
Some might consider the popularity of slots and the fact people love them so much more than other casino games quite surprising. Slots have a greater house edge, the casino’s built-in advantage, than several of the other games, which means that the player stands more chance of losing.
So why are slots so much more popular than other casino games?
Individuality and privacy
Online slots, as mentioned, enable players to enjoy the game at their own pace because they’re a solo activity. Not only this, however, but the player can relax more, since they don’t have the pressure of onlookers around them while they’re playing, unlike in other table games, whether it’s other players or people standing around the table and watching the game.
Immense variety
Although it’s possible to play variations of table games, sooner or later, they may all feel the same because the rules are likely to be similar. This isn’t the case with slots. Each game has a different theme, different graphics, different music, different prizes, different bonuses and more, all of which keeps online slot gaming highly engaging for the player.
Placing a wide variety of slots at the player’s disposal is also a way for operators to attract new players, who are likely to find a theme in their area of interest, and to retain existing players. If a player gets bored of one slot, there are plenty of others they can play instead of logging out and visiting another gaming website.
Easy to play
This is a big factor. Whereas poker, blackjack and, to a lesser extent, roulette require some form of strategy, online slot gaming is more straightforward. Although choosing the right game involves a little careful consideration, once the player begins the game, things are relatively plain sailing. The simple nature of slots contributes to the enjoyment. In any case, online casinos often make it possible for players to try games and practise before they decide to play for real.
Staying competitive and attracting new players
The online slots industry is a battlefield. There are so many operators out there, but they have some tricks up their sleeve to keep attracting new players and remain competitive. Here are a couple of tactics they’ll use to encourage players to use their services:
Offers and promotions
Operators run a variety of different offers and promotions to tempt players into signing up with them. These can include no deposit bonuses, bonuses for a first deposit, free spins and more.
Meanwhile, they run exclusive offers for players who already hold an account with the operator. This helps them to retain players and to keep the operator competitive. Loyalty programmes, which reward players with freebies for their spending on the website, are another way to keep players happy and remain competitive.
Flexibility through varying volatility
Some slots pay out frequently, but only in small sums. Others pay out much less often, but the pay-out is much bigger. Online slot operators give players the chance to win constantly or to win rarely but make the investment worthwhile. It’s also possible to win a lot of money without betting a lot of money. Online slots are cheap to play and only require a low minimum bet.
Note that operators make effective use of digital marketing and content marketing to attract new players. Harnessing the power of the internet for marketing can get operators in front of potential new players and, eventually, transform them into customers.
Will online slots remain as popular as they are now?
Playing online slots isn’t just a way for players to potentially win a little money. They’re a form of leisure. Operators understand this and follow technological trends closely so that they can continue to offer their customers the best user experience possible. For instance, they’ve begun to accept payment through PayPal and other electronic wallets, making it more convenient and comfortable for players to credit their accounts. This close observation of trends and follow-up of them is likely to enable them to remain as popular as always.
Online slots are incredibly popular, even more so than many casinos table games, thanks to the variety and ease of use, not to mention some simple strategies by the operators to appeal to new players and retain them. Players can play without the pressure of onlookers and could even win some big money. It’s all part of the magic of online slots.
