A lot of day-to-day transactions that consumers carry out can now be done online, including grocery shopping, banking, and some jobs. Many leisure activities are also carried out with help from the internet including watching sports, movies, and TV, gaming, and gambling.
The online gambling industry is worth billions of dollars every year, and online casinos are a huge part of that. iGaming expert Narathip regularly reviews online casinos and Thai slots sites and is ideally positioned to discuss the benefits they offer over land-based slot games.
We take a look at some of the top factors used for finding the best online slot games and compare them with land-based gaming experiences.
The Top 10 Differences Between Online Slots and Land-Based Alternatives
Consumers will always have their preferences over how they gamble, with online and land-based options both having their benefits. We compare how they match up against one another below so you can make an informed decision about what type of slot games you want to try.
Convenience
One of the biggest benefits that online slots offer over land-based alternatives is how they can be accessed at any time of the day or night and anywhere that the user can get access to the internet on a mobile device.
Many land-based casinos or gambling locations will be restricted by operating times, and even 24-hour facilities require players to travel to them. This can be time-consuming and costly, whereas consumers can just log on to their home computers, tablets, laptops, or mobile devices and access dedicated slot sites or apps.
Variety of Games
Online slot sites and apps typically have a wider variety of games for consumers to choose from. This is because they aren’t restricted by physical space.
Online operators tend to update their games regularly and move quickly with trends. Themed slots can often use pop culture-related games to attract customers, with movie franchises proving to be popular.
Customers can log in and choose from thousands of games whenever they like, whereas land-based slots require slot machines to be free before you can start to play.
Betting Limitations
Consumers can come up against limitations to how they can gamble in a few different ways. The biggest hurdle many face is living in a country or jurisdiction that bans online and in-person casino gambling.
Gamblers can get around this by accessing offshore operators that are licensed in other areas, this allows them to play without breaking laws.
Stake limitations can also hold some bettors back, with land-based slot machines having set minimum and maximum stakes. Online operators tend to be a bit more flexible in their limitations, making it easier for low or high-stakes gamblers.
Social Experience
There aren’t many ways that land-based slots or casinos beat online operators, but players looking for a social experience might find the glitz and glamor of a night at the casino to be a fun evening.
However, things are beginning to change and the social element is creeping into online operations. Players can chat online and interact with other players from the comfort of their own homes, and this can be a better option for people who find it a bit more difficult to deal with social situations.
RTP Payout Rates
The RTP (Return to Player) percentages offered by slot machines refer to the percentage of prize money returned to players based on their stake. Higher RTPs mean players are more likely to see a return of some sort on their bet.
Online operators can offer a higher RTP as they don’t have the same overheads associated with running a physical casino. and RTP of between 95-98% is standard among online operators, compared with 85-93% in physical casinos.
Security and Fairness
Both online and land-based slot games are regulated by gaming authorities and it is possible for players to check reviews before playing either.
Land-based operations don’t require players to provide sensitive personal data online which can work in their favor. Using cryptocurrency to pay at online casinos is one way to mitigate online security risks, and the transparency of having transactions recorded on the blockchain means external audits can be carried out to ensure fair gaming.
Gaming Experience
Modern slot machines provide players with a fully immersive gaming experience that includes musical scores, animated actions, and exciting storylines. Both casinos and online operators offer excellent gaming experiences, but online operators are not restricted by hardware.
Consumers will regulalry update mobile devices and computers as technology develops. This gives game developers the opportunity to create even more impressive gaming experiences for consumers.
However, land-based casinos will not want to update expensive machinery quite as often, meaning that they can get left behind on occasion.
Payment Methods
Land-based casinos will accept cash and card payments, but anything beyond this is typically not permitted. In comparison, online operators accept most types of digital payments, making it easy for all customers to play.
Traditional card payments and bank transfers are the most common payment methods, but online payment systems like PayPal and Apple Pay also provide quick and easy ways for players to make deposits.
Dedicated crypto casinos cater to a growing market, with the decentralized currency perfect for international transactions and quick withdrawals.
Conclusion
Land-based slot machines and online alternatives have come a long way from traditional fruit machines that work using a reel system. While this can still be found in casinos for purists, modern gaming technology is being used to provide a more immersive and entertaining gambling experience for consumers.
As technology and connectivity continue to improve, betting operators have realized they can offer consumers a gambling experience that suits their needs. Things like location and opening times are no longer an issue and players can enjoy the latest games whenever they want.
Innovative features and advanced graphics mean that online operators are in a position to move quickly with new gaming trends, while land-based operators will typically focus on more simple and traditional games.
There is plenty of room in the global betting industry for both types of slots, and they both continue to be a favorite option for the millions of consumers who use them each year.
