The gambling revenue figures speak for themselves and what is clear to see is that the most popular form of gambling is slots and more especially, online slots. Revenue recently exceeded £2 billion and an increasing amount of female gamblers are contributing to the growth of the slots industry - play here. It is thought that 39% of slot players are now women. So what are the reasons behind the popularity of the online slot?
1. Accessibility
Ever since slots went digital and began to appear at online casino sites, more people have tried them out. This is because they are available at a click of a computer key and they can be accessed 24/7 from the comfort of your own home. You no longer need to visit a betting shop or a land-based casino to play slots. They can even be accessed through mobile devices and you can play anonymously, even when you are out and about
2. Targeted Advertising
Most adverts for online casinos are shown on channels watched by the young. This demographic just happens to be the future of gambling and it is vital that casino brands and their games appeal to this audience. This is also the reason why gambling companies sponsor popular programs and TV channels.
3. Movie and TV Crossovers
Slot developers are wealthier than they have ever been and this is now allowing them to compete with each other to buy the rights to lucrative film and TV franchises at the right price. The majority of moviegoers are young and tech savvy, two characteristics that fit well with online casino creators. Furthermore, film and TV shows come with an obsessive preexisting fan base that is eager to lap up anything that is based on their favourite films or TV shows. This of course includes immersive slot games that contain characters from film and TV on the reels.
4. The Video Gaming Audience
Much like the film and TV crossover, video games have also been successfully transported to the world of slots. Tomb Raider and Street Fighter are two examples. The slots do not recreate the superb graphics that the video games come with, but what they have done is introduce a new generation to the thrills of gambling. Some land-based casinos have also allowed non-gambling video games to sit by their slot machines for this very reason.
5. A Different Form Of Escapism
Slots offer people a different form of escapism that rivals watching movies or playing video games for excitement. The recent pandemic lock down saw a huge increase in the amount of people gambling online, as it is another form of entertainment that can help pass the time. The difference here is that it is more immersive than other forms of entertainment and this is particularly the case with online slots. It is the only form of entertainment where you can win or lose money and this adds an extra dimension to this form of entertainment.