If you are not aware of just how huge the iGaming market has become, you might have been living in a parallel universe or something. No one with an interest in gaming can fail to have noticed the incredible boom in online casino gambling in Canada in recent years, with online slots as the dominant vertical. Their slick graphics, mesmeric animations and promise of possible financial reward make them almost irresistible.
If you have ever played online slots in Canada on your mobile phone, you’ll know how visually appealing they are. However, online slots are so much more than just a pretty face. There is so much going on behind the scenes. We sat down with Daisy Harrison of Casino.org to delve into the history of slot machines and explore how modern ones differ from the originals.
Everyone is familiar with slot machines, but has the design really changed so much?
Daisy Harrison
“Well, the concept of ‘inserting a coin to spin some reels ‘ has been around for a very long time. However, the delivery has been entirely revolutionized. Even before slot machines, there were automatic card machines that people liked to bet against. However, what we would recognize as a slot machine these days is The Liberty Bell. Invented by Charles Fey in 1898, the first slot machine had three reels. The device included an automatic payout mechanism and had a mechanical spring and lever that players pulled to spin the reels. That lever is what earned these machines the nickname of ‘one-armed bandits’.”
“When electricity was added, the reels spun without mechanical springs, but the reels still included automatic payout devices. We have probably all heard stories of arcade owners watching machines and knowing exactly when to get a friendly stooge to intervene, who takes the jackpot out of the machine.”
“However, video slot machines changed all of that as they no longer had physical reels but contained circuit boards and technical wizardry to display symbols randomly. While they appear to be tumbling reels, the mechanism relies on random number generators to select winners. As they were random, they were no longer predictable”.
“The slots that went online, deployed the same IT systems as the physical video slots, but rather than having to go to a physical venue to press the buttons, these can now be accessed through web browsers and apps, and payment made in a myriad of ways.”
So, how do Random Number Generators ensure fairness and equal odds across all machines?
Daisy Harrison
“Well, your readers will be pleased to hear that not all the online slots are the same – it would all be a bit boring otherwise, wouldn’t it. Online slots are so popular that there is clearly a lot going on behind the scenes to sustain their appeal. So while Random Number Generators (RNGs) are not terribly exciting, volatility, RTP (return to player rate), wilds, bonuses and free spins are what make everything zing!”
“An RNG is just that. It is a computer program that randomly throws up numbers, which are either winners or losers. The RNG randomly determines the outcome of each spin. The outcome of each spin is independent of previous spins, ensuring fair gameplay. However, even random number generators have been accused of being predictable, and therefore, continued monitoring is essential. eCOGRA is an independent testing body that ensures game results are random and RTP rates are correct. As software providers do not need to be eCOGRA certified to gain licenses, it’s a huge mark of trust when you see games that they verify”.
You mentioned RTP and volatility, could you please let our readers understand a bit more what you mean by that, how these are designed into online slot games and how they affect the player experience?
Daisy Harrison
“As I said earlier, not all games work in the same way. There are literally thousands of titles for players to choose from, so people can usually find something that aligns with their interests or hobbies. There are plenty of games out there that are licensed offshoots of popular game, movie, or comic franchises – some even appear to be side missions from a role-playing game. As well as different game themes, there is also great variation in player experience in how the game is delivered. You can choose from three and five-reel slots (remember they are video simulations of reels), Megaways slots (played with up to 6 reels where the number of symbols on each reel changes with each spin), grid slots and progressive jackpot slots.”
“We always advise players to use Free-to-Play demo versions and free spin options, to allow themselves to familiarise themselves with how the games actually function, because they are all quite different in many ways. Volatility and RTP can also make a huge difference to the player experience. While highly volatile games are often more exciting to play, and sometimes pay out huge jackpots, they are programmed to be unpredictable
and can be hard to beat.”
“Lower volatility games tend to have a steadier pace, paying out smaller amounts more frequently. It really is horses for courses – do you want a wild ride at breathtaking speed or more of a steady trot? Both are enjoyable, but vastly different experiences.
“RTP is measured as a percentage or payout versus money paid in. Online casinos are businesses, and they will always pay out less than they take in. However, RTP can vary enormously from game to game. It is often a good measure of volatility as well. A higher RTP game will pay out more frequently, and you will find that branded slots and progressive jackpot slots generally have much lower rates than some of the older classics”.
Are you saying the older games are better value for money?
Daisy Harrison
“Not necessarily, it really depends on what a player wants from a game. Older, unbranded titles have lower or no development costs, so that payouts can be more generous. However, play your bonus money right, and you could be in for a white-knuckle ride on a new title without spending out too much of your own cash.
So there you have it. Slots have been topping the popularity charts for over a hundred years. With the rising popularity of live dealer gaming, the new ultimate pipe dream for developers is to develop live dealer slots. We wonder if they could reconfigure that Liberty Bell for the modern day!
