Slot Machines that transformed into online and became popular
The gaming industry has changed significantly over the years, and slot games were not left untouched. While many slot games were popular in the brick and mortar on the street casinos, the online scene's transformation was not the easiest thing. Some lost traction in the process while others gained a significant following, they would never have achieved if they remained in the casino walls' confines.
And even if the gameplay still requires you to spin the reels, you will agree that online slot games are convenient and very accessible compared to the traditional counterparts. In this article, I will be taking you through what has changed in the gaming industry with a special focus on slot machines that moved from the confines of walls only to get popular in the opportunity abundant internet.
A Brief History of Slot Machines
The first slot machine is credited to Sittman and Pitt, who built a 50-card and 5- drums gaming machine in 1891. The slot game played on this machine had a poker theme: to win, one had to pair kings and get a royal rush, among other things. However, unlike modern slot machines, this and others that can later did pay the players directly. In fact, the players did not get cash rewards but were instead given free beers because the slots were usually located in popular booze joints on the streets.
Years later and when slots had undergone some changes, Bally created the Money Honey using electrochemical parts, and this was a major turn for slot lovers. Unlike the predecessors, money honey paid the players directly is considered the first-ever automated slot machine. The game would pay up to 500 coins in a single spin of the reels. However, Money Honey and other machines were limited to three reels and about ten symbols, which prevented the operators from offering bonuses and jackpots. As time passed, more symbols were added to make the slots more complex and create a chance to provide jackpots and the now popular free spins and bonuses.
Modern Pokies
In the late '80s, the gaming industry was growing very fast, and it is during this period that the size of the slot machines reduced significantly. The microchip technology was also booming and credited for helping reduce the size of the machines. Furthermore, the chips allowed slot machine makers to store more data and design complex instructions sets to make winning somewhat complex and significantly random.
Electronic slot games were accepted well in the gaming industry after computers came to the scene, and in the early '90s, both computers and chip-controlled slot machines became more powerful. As such, the pay lines and bonuses and promotions increased. Progressive jackpots were also introduced to various slot games playing at brick and mortar casinos at the time.
The Year 1994 is perhaps one of the most important in casino gaming since it was during this time when the Free Trade and Processing Act was passed in Antigua and Barbados of the Caribbean. Some of today’s popular game providers sprouted and acquired licenses to operate the trade in the same period. Online gaming, including online casino games, was born in 1994.
How the Internet Changed Slot Machines
Rich Graphics
While slot machines originally had graphic symbols on them, they were poor in quality and out of sync with what they represented. Therefore, there was a dire need to change this when any slot machine transformed into an online casino game. The internet is home for rich graphics content, and this has helped game providers to perfect the art of presenting the game using meaningful symbols.
Modern free online slots are characterized by appealing animations that do not cause a speed lag, well-designed meaningful symbols, enhanced backdrops, and engaging experience.
Accessibility
The transformation of slot games to online casino games was a great plus to the accessibility and ease of using these games. Further, the transformation brought along variety, making it very easy to choose between games. Unlike the traditional brick and mortar casino, there was a limited selection of games in each casino.
Technology also helped casinos reach more people, and today, you can play online casino slots through various devices, including your mobile phone, a laptop, or a tablet. In turn, this has helped many online slots to build a face for themselves, thereby amassing a huge following.
Increased Cash Prizes and Other Player Benefits
The coming of technology to the gambling industry enabled game providers to create complex slot machines. Such machines randomized the winning chances of a player, enabling them to hold onto more cash than ever before. In return, the companies provided players with progressive jackpots, free spins, and various other player benefits. The transformation of slots online also led to the increase in the profit margins for players, and thus most online slot games have an RTP of about 90% and above.
Slot Machines That Transformed Into Online and Became Popular
- Mega Moolah
- League of fortunes
- Break away
- SunQuest
- Extra Stars
Comparison Between Land-Based Casinos and Online Casino Slots
Legislation
Different countries have different rules and regulations regarding how gambling is done within their borders. Even worse, gambling of any form is illegal in some countries, while others have strict rules and excessively high taxes on gambling proceeds. However, comparing the legislation for land-based and online casinos, you will notice some differences or what some other people will call loopholes in the law. For instance, online casinos have policies restricting access to people from countries where gambling is illegal or where the tax laws are oppressive to the company. However, land-based casinos are usually not affected by such regulations, and citizens of countries described herein are allowed to play.
Another difference with the legislation is that all land-based casinos are licensed within their jurisdictions, while international gambling licensing bodies regulate some online casinos. It is also worth noting that some countries will only allow online casinos to operate if they are licensed within those countries. Examples of countries with strict licensing regulations include France, UK, Belgium, and Denmark.
Jackpot and Bonus Amounts
Virtual casinos slot games are popular for offering staggering jackpot amounts. On the other hand, not many offline casino slots will have jackpots pegged on them, and those attempting to copy online casinos have limited funds to support the cause. Brick and mortar casinos cannot compare well with online casinos because the latter has worldwide exposure and can thus get higher profits from the millions of worldwide players to support the jackpots. Regardless, land-based casinos still offer progressive jackpots from what they make to retain customers.
Similarly, online casino slots can offer players high bonuses due to the availability of funds and strict wagering requirements. At the same time, it is rare for merchants to offer bonuses of any kind to people playing on slots. In the rare case that a bonus is awarded to a player in an offline casino, the amount would be negligible compared to the bonuses offered in modern online casinos.
Profit Margin
Online casino slot games usually have RTPs bordering 90% or above. Similarly, the casino makes significant profits from slot games. However, the case is completely different for land-based casinos since the revenue flow is somewhat low compared to the online counterparts. Generally speaking, land-based casinos slot games offer players considerably low RTPs–way below 90% that is almost becoming a standard for online casinos. Therefore, it is an honest conclusion that online slot games are bringing more revenue to the casino operators than offline counterparts.
Also, it is worth noting that with the current trends in people's behaviour, there is no way a brick and mortar casino will compare with a modern online casino accessible to people in at least a whole country. However, the land-based casino environments compensate for the lost casino margin and cannot be found anywhere on the digitized platforms. Therefore, it is still worth it to play in the local casino.
Payout and Payment Terms
When it comes to payout and payment terms, land-based and online casinos stand facing each other on a deep valley's crests. Notably, land-based casinos have very fast payout processes. Perhaps this is because there are no verifications needed from the game. Therefore, there is no single case of pending withdrawals or refunded withdrawals. This is a major benefit to land-based gamers. The case is a complete opposite of online casinos where payouts may be delayed in the hours and sometimes.
Unlike with the low payout time, land-based casinos have poor payment terms compared to their online counterparts. For instance, most land-based casinos will only accept one currency for all transactions. Some automated slot machines may also limit the user on what denomination of the currency must be used. On the other hand, online casinos have flexible payment terms and are likely to accept different currencies in different denominations. It is also worth noting that some online casinos have gone a step ahead and are accepting payments via bitcoin, a feat that may never be achieved in an offline casino.
