When Charles Fey invented the first slot machine during the 1890s, he could not have imagined that the impact they would have around the world.
His Liberty Bell machine was an extremely basic affair, with players able to scoop a 50 cents jackpot if they lined up three bells on the payline.
Fast forward to today the jackpots have increased a lot and you could find them in traditional slots, online slots or mobile slots.
Modern slots bear little resemblance to Fey’s creation, with the games now offering players an immersive gameplay experience powered by additional features and bonus levels.
Read on as we compare slot machines, online slots and mobile slots, before assessing why people may choose to play each type.
An introduction to slots
For many people, there is no better entertainment pastime than visiting a land-based casino and playing one of the slot machines.
The latest slots are very expansive, with the base game merely a precursor to the bonus levels which is where the action really starts.
Whereas it was once the case that winning the jackpot was the most important element on a slot machine, it is now all about the journey that takes you there.
In some respects, the gameplay experience provided by slots is now more closely aligned to gaming rather than pure gambling.
It is a similar story on the internet, with online and mobile slots offering players the same heightened levels of gameplay they can enjoy in brick-and-mortar casinos.
Regardless of which digital device you use to play slots, the games are designed to keep players engaged for hours on end.
Choosing which type of slots to play is purely down to personal preference, and there are certainly pros and cons attached to each one.
Why people play traditional slots
Visiting a land-based casino is a thrilling experience. People are drawn to traditional casinos by their glamorous reputation – they are a place to see and be seen.
Whether you are in Las Vegas, Monte Carlo or elsewhere, a night out at the casino is one of the best entertainment activities you can undertake.
The social aspect of playing traditional slot machines should not be underestimated – the atmosphere and ambience adds to their allure.
By contrast, playing online or mobile slots is a more personal affair. It is just you, your device and your chosen game. Still loads of fun, but without the glitz.
The attraction of online slots
If the prospect of travelling to and from a land-based venue leaves you feeling underwhelmed, playing online slots will be right up your street.
Convenience is undoubtedly the name of the game here – you can play whenever you want. Fancy a day on the settee in your pyjamas? No problem. Online slots are there for you.
There are also no time restrictions on when you can play. While some land-based casinos have lengthy opening hours, you will be hard pushed to find a venue that opens around the clock.
By contrast, online casinos are open for business on a 24/7/365 basis. This level of convenience is tough for brick-and-mortar casinos to match.
Mobile slots add another dimension into the mix
Many of the leading online casino operators have ramped up the convenience factor in recent years by investing significant resources into optimising their sites to work on mobile devices.
Some have gone even further by developing standalone apps, which make it even easier to play slots wherever you are in the world.
With a suitable device and stable Wi-Fi connection you can enjoy the best slots at home, on the move, at work, on holiday – the choice is yours.
One of the biggest benefits of playing slots on mobile is simplicity, with apps generally kept free from most of the overly annoying advertisements you find on desktop or laptop.
Digital platforms offer more variety
It is fair to say that slots players have never had it so good when it comes to the selection of games available in land-based, online or mobile casinos.
However, the choice on the internet is undoubtedly much greater than in brick-and-mortar casinos, as online sites are not bound by floor-space restrictions.
Whether you use desktop, laptop or mobile devices, there are thousands of different titles you can play across every budget level.
You don’t have to wait for your favourite slot machine to become available when you play online. Just sign-in, pick your game and start playing.
Online and mobile slots are more affordable
One of the biggest advantages online and mobile slots have over their land-based counterparts is their affordability.
It is much easier to set lower staking limits online, with many of the best casino operators allowing you play games for just a few cents.
You can also play online slots for free as most sites allow players to test out the games in demo mode before spending real money.
If you asked to play slots for free in a land-based casino it is highly likely the staff there would give you a very funny look.
Payout rates are higher online
Every casino is in business to make money, which explains why the phrase ‘the house always wins’ has become so synonymous with the industry.
With this in mind, it is imperative to play slots that offer a high return to player (RTP) rate – the nearer you can get to 100%, the more chance you have of winning.
Most slots in land-based casinos have an RTP of 90-95%, but it is not uncommon to see rates between 96-99% online.
On that basis, playing slots online or on mobile statistically gives you a greater chance of winning than if you visit a brick-and-mortar venue.
