Is There An End To The Growth Of The Online Slot Industry

In 1996, gambling went digital and this experiment meant that gambling products could reach a larger audience than previously. These products came in the form of online casinos and the very earliest efforts were, traditional, casino table games focused. This was all about to change as digital technology also allowed the creation of the first virtual video slot to become a reality too. The natural home for these slot games were on the online casino platforms and the two proved to be an explosive and very successful mix. Both worked well together and this made online casinos like Easy Slots top online slots a huge hit across the globe. It wasn’t just the popularity of slots that led to the success of online gambling, the accessibility of virtual casinos also helped to attract far more people who had never gambled before. Once substantial parts of the gambling industry hit the internet, this left a trail of winners and losers.

Slots Reign Supreme

Since the birth of slots all the way back in 1895, it was clear that the public is fascinated by these machines. From the first electronic slot in 1963 to the online slot revolution of the digital age, this sector continues to grow rapidly. The reasons are numerous, but some pointers to this sharp growth can be attributed to the advancements in game design that has made them more fun to play.

Variety and Accessibility Leads To Success

Whilst technological advances have helped the rise of slots, the fact that there is a huge choice of games to play and the fact that they are available 24/7 also helps. Another factor of online slots is that they appeal to both males and females. Other forms of gambling like sports betting, continues to be a male-dominated affair. This is not the case for online slots, as 39% of players are female and this share is increasing steadily. Online slots now contribute to a major portion of the revenue that comes from gambling and this is predicted to increase further too. Recently, the UK saw revenue from online slots hit the £2 billion mark.

Law Changes

Slots have become victims of their own success and have enjoyed an extended honeymoon period. However, many individuals have developed gambling addiction whilst playing online slots and this has forced the government to introduce certain law changes that could end the continued growth of the online slot industry permanently. Hot on the heels of betting limits of £2 being applied to fixed odds betting terminals, comes a ban with betting by credit card.

The next logical step is to introduce betting limits to all online casino games including slots. These changes will squeeze the growth of virtual slots considerably. It is thought that casinos will be reluctant to open in the UK and that high rollers will go elsewhere for their kicks. Betting limits will help punters stay in control of their gambling, but this move will be detrimental to the slots business. However, with profits of £2 billion coming from punters, few players will care if the slots industry takes a financial hit.