The popularity of the slots

Slot games are hugely popular, with 53% of social casino players in the UK, US and Australia playing slots on a regular basis. According to Statista, almost 50% of casino visitors in the US play slots, compared to just 16% playing blackjack and 6% playing poker. 

Slots are hugely popular for a number of reasons:

• Easy to play. Unlike other casino games like poker and blackjack, there is no skill involved, so anyone can play.
• Unlike other luck-based games in casinos like roulette, an individual can play slots in their own time; there is no need to wait for a dealer or for other players to gather and place their bets.
• Potential for big wins. Whereas slots were traditionally only set up for small pay-outs, they have developed and now some progressive bonuses can see life changing sums being paid out. The top win was almost US$40 million in a Las Vegas casino in 2003; not bad for a couple of hours unskilled work!

Slots: a gateway to casinos

Many slot players do so because it is an easy route into gambling and casinos. It requires a small investment, low rewards, and no skill. Once in the casino environment, be it online or in person, players begin to be exposed to other games and many will diversify and start playing a range of other games. Brands such as Wink Slots have some of the best slot machines to play.

Operator Response 

The response from operators and developers has been to increase their offering of slots to their players. This includes welcome bonuses, rewards for frequent players, investment in technology to create an immersive experience, as well as producing new games on a regular basis with different in-game mechanics to suit entry level players and high rollers. Some have even created whole series of slot games based on a specific character or theme.

The low barriers to entry in the online market has led to a huge amount of competition, and operators taking all steps they can to attract new players, and to retain their existing clientele. 

Operators are leveraging existing technology, as well as being trailblazers with Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, to stay one step ahead of the competition. They are also ensuring a wide range of different games for players, from traditional slot machines to themed games.

Horror slots

One of the most popular genre of slots is horror:

• People enjoy being scared when they know deep down that they are safe. Jamie Madigan, author of Getting Gamers: The Psychology of Video Games, says that experiencing horror in this way can help us master our fears.
• There is a sense of control when playing a horror game; as the player, we can simply go around the scary bit, or even switch it off.
• Something known as ‘excitation transfer theory’: the feeling of relief, almost a port-horror high.
• More than a horror film, or literature, a horror game is more immersive and elicits more feelings from players.
• In the age of social media, playing horror films can be seen as a badge of honour, and impressive to peers.

Horror is a popular theme for slot games.

Although slots are not as linear in narrative as other types of games, operators have created immersive and engaging experience for players.

Blood Suckers

Developed by NetEnt, one of the world leading slot software providers, Blood Suckers is one of the most popular horror-themes slot games on the market. With exceptional special effects and atmospheric music, it creates an immersive player experience, and provides a great game for lovers of all thing’s vampire. There are bonuses and free spins, as well as prizes that are triggered randomly, providing excitement for players. There is even a sequel, featuring updated graphics and even more bonuses, but the original, perhaps with a bit of nostalgia, remains the more popular of the two.

Lucky Count

A little more tongue in cheek horror than Blood Suckers, this game is full of cartoons featuring traditional vampire-related images like goblets of blood, bats, and haunted castles. The horror is slightly tempered by the graphics, making this a bit more universally appealing to even non-horror fans. The vampire wilds in the game provide 3x multipliers and 40 free spins in the bonus round.

Circus of Horror

One of the most lucrative games out there, with a RTP of 96.68%, this game has mummies (though they are gothic rather than Egyptian), necro nurses and a freaky clown as a wild card.

Transylvania

The Transylvania slot game has many mythical creatures.

This is a hard-core horror game designed to really creep players out. There are werewolves, vampires and other creatures of the night, and haunted houses and spiders on the reel. Designed with exquisite graphics, the haunting atmosphere keeps players on the edge of their seats throughout, with the added bonus of free spins and extra points.

Lost Vegas

Set in a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas, players can play as the survivor or the zombie, providing an added element to this game. The game has been optimised for mobile play, and there are a number of different bonuses available, including three scatters activating free spins and bonuses from the Zombie Fist of Cash. The creepy music and grotesque characters are sure to keep your heart pumping, and the big wins make this a top horror game.