It seems hard to imagine now, but the slots game has been with us for around 130 years. Of course, the decades have seen many changes since a young engineer called Charles Fey invented the Liberty Bell in the 1890s. For a start, the first jackpot was a paltry 50 cents. Today’s big winners will be looking at truly life-changing sums.
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But something else that helped to make the great leap forward for these games – the internet. Now it’s arguably easier to play them online than it is in a casino or bar. But which is the better experience? Well, it all depends on your individual point of view and what matters to you the most.
In terms of the technology behind the games themselves, and the way that you play them, there’s not much to choose between the two kinds these days. The real differences come from the experience itself, as these categories will show you.
The atmosphere
Think of a typical casino and in your mind’s eye you’ll probably envisage row upon row of machines. They’re probably flashing and making noise too, with many people playing on them. It’s an undoubtedly exciting place to be. Then there’s the thrill of the win. When the coins start pumping out it’s certain to attract attention, with you at its centre.
On the other hand, playing an online slot can be a very different experience. The chances are that you’re alone and the only noise is coming from the game that you’re playing. Lots of people prefer this because it means that they can give the game 100% concentration. This can be especially important when there are decisions to make during bonus rounds. In these situations, having as few distractions as possible is definitely a benefit.
Pay-outs
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Naturally, you will probably be most interested in which kind of game has the highest level of pay-outs. This is generally measured by an individual game’s Return To Player, or RTP. This is given as a percentage and represents how much of the money staked is given back as prizes. Generally this is somewhere between 85% and 95% and it is a requirement that this figure is available for all games. For UK slots, the Gambling Commission is the body that sees that it is provided and checks that the information is accurate, both for online and land-based slots.
The fact is that the figures are fairly close for both kinds of game, so there isn’t much to choose between them on this front.
However, if you’re looking for games with very substantial pay-outs, called progressive jackpots, you’re more likely to find them in online games where most leading sites have a good selection of them to play.
Choice of stake
Another feature of online slots that many players find very useful is the wide range of stakes that they can play for. The games make it easy to choose which unit you want to use for each spin of the reels. The prize for a particular combination of symbols is also generally given as a multiple of the stake.
This flexibility makes it possible to budget more closely on the amount that you’re spending to play and can be varied as the game progresses.
With land-based slots you are generally limited to the denomination of the coins or the tokens that the machine takes. Big wins can also sometimes be paid out as tokens, while with สล็อตวอเลท online slots it’s always money that can be instantly transferred to your account with that particular online casino.
Convenience
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This is one area in which the online version of the game will definitely come out on top. To play on a land-based slot game, you will inevitably have to travel some distance. It may only be to the bar round the corner, or it could mean heading into town to a casino. Either way, it’s going to mean getting up and getting out. Online slots, on the other hand, can be played whenever and wherever you want.
Because all the major online casinos also have apps that you can download, they’re perfect for adding to all the others that you might want to take away on holiday with you. After all, a quick game on the slots could be the perfect way to fill up a little time while you’re waiting in a departure lounge, or even relaxing by the pool. All you need is a good Wi-Fi connection and you’ll be ready to go.
Variety of games
This is another area in which both kinds of slot are fairly evenly matched. You’ll even find the most popular land-based games have online versions to enjoy. In terms of themes, it’s almost never-ending from games where you’re chasing a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow to others tied in with TV or movie franchises.
But the main difference is that, online, you’ll always be able to play your favourite. In a casino you might find someone else is playing it and you’ll have to wait until they’ve finished.
So, as you can see, there are many similarities, and just as many differences between the two kinds of slot. As to which to play, it’s going to depend on availability, situation and preference. And that, ultimately, is going to be all down to you.