Traditional vs Online Slots: How to Choose the Best Option

In the 1890s, Charles Fey built the world’s first coin-operated slot machine, and they soon became a mainstay in bars and casinos. A century later, they went digital with the first online slot. Both forms have come a long way since then, so let’s compare traditional vs online slots and see how they match up.

‍What Are Traditional Slot Machines?

Traditional slot machines are the large, bold, and loud gaming cabinets that line casino floors, with their constant jingles and coin cascades enhancing the casino’s atmosphere. In their simplest form, these land-based slots feature three reels and up to three paylines, along with a big lever to turn the reels.

The term “traditional slot machine” doesn’t just refer to old-school gaming cabinets, though. It also covers the electromechanical slots that emerged in the 1960s and the video slots that followed a decade later. Rather than relying on gears and levers to randomly determine payouts, these slots use built-in software that delivers complex randomization.

What Are Online Slots?

Online slots replicate the excitement of land-based casino slots in a virtual setting. Available at licensed online casinos, they use complex random number generators (RNGs) to guarantee fair gameplay.

Online casino games are not limited by space or availability. There’s no physical casino floor. As a result, online casinos can host more games and target more players, allowing developers to fully express their creativity and develop a vast slot portfolio.

The online slot game development cycle is varied, with each developer adopting their own approach, and giving the iGaming industry everything from 3D slots to jackpot slots.

The sheer variety, combined with the convenience of playing on a computer or mobile, means online slots are often the most popular games online.

History and Evolution of Slot Games + Global Market Trends

The invention of the first modern slot machine is credited to Charles August Fey, a mechanic who dubbed his creation the “Liberty Bell”. 

Initially placed in a single saloon, the Liberty Bell soon took off and spread to dozens of bars, cigar shops, and barber shops. Other developers followed with their own iterations, including one that offered free gum and used fruit symbols to represent flavors.

The Liberty Bell and card suits used in Fey’s machine, along with the fruit symbols in later machines, were still being used by the 1960s when Bally developed the first electromechanical slot. In 1974, slots went digital with the creation of the first video slot.

The 1990s gave us the first second-screen bonus game and the first online slot, and in the decades since then, we’ve seen the meteoric rise of online slots. There are more developers than ever, and all are keen to create the next trend in the online casino slot market, including slot provider 1spin4win, a prolific creator that backs its games with solid metrics and advanced math models.

Today, the global slot machine market is worth over $10 billion, and is projected to surpass $16 billion by 2034. It’s the leading profit generator in online and offline casinos, accounting for up to half of a casino’s revenue in some instances.

Traditional vs Online Slots

To properly compare online slots vs real slots, we must discuss how these variations match up in key areas. After all, everything comes down to player preference. You might shy away from the hustle and bustle of the casino floor and seek a more convenient alternative, but others could be looking for a more tactile experience in an atmospheric setting.

Mechanics and Gameplay

A physical slot machine offers a high level of immersion. You’re actually pulling the lever or pressing the button. But these games are limited. The more complicated they become, the more expensive they are, and as only one player can spin at any one time, developers generally don’t want to invest so much that they price their cabinet out of the market.

After all, while exciting gameplay and eye-catching 3D graphics are key, casino game development is all about creating an exciting prospect for both the casino and the player.

Online slots have free rein in this department, as a single game can be pushed to many casinos and played by countless players. For that reason, online slots are more complex, with state-of-the-art graphics and engrossing gameplay. 

Convenience and Accessibility

An online slot will always be more accessible than a physical one. The iGaming sector has come a long way in the last couple of decades, transitioning from download-only casinos with limited functionality to instant-play casinos available on most platforms.

Land-based casinos will always have an appeal, as they offer an atmospheric and tactile experience, but they’re not as accessible, they’re not as convenient, and they don’t offer as many types of casino games. For that reason, most players see land-based slots as an occasional treat, while online slots are something they can play whenever and wherever.

Game Variety and Features

Variety is one of the greatest benefits of online casino games. A land-based casino has limited space, and slot cabinets take up a lot of that space. What’s more, if they only have room for 200 cabinets, they may only offer 20 or 30 different games, as they want all players to have access to the most popular titles.

Online casinos don’t have that problem. If someone else is playing the game you like, it doesn’t matter. There are no queues. No waiting. 

An online casino can offer various types of online slot games, and this gives developers more freedom. They don’t have to stick with the status quo and can try new things. This has given birth to slots that offer three-figure paylines, including titles like Very Lucky 1024 and Mega Cash’n Fruits, both with 1024 paylines.

It has also inspired innovative mechanics like Cascading Reels and Hold and Win, the latter featured in Golden Joker 243 Hold and Win.

Payouts and RTP

The return to player (RTP) is the average amount paid by the slot. It’s a requirement for all slots and is displayed as a percentage. So, if a developer simulates a million spins and the game returns 96% of their total wagers, that’s a 96% RTP.

You can win playing all slots, even those with very low RTPs, but the higher this figure is, the better your chances will be. It doesn’t mean you will always get $96 from every $100 wagered, as that’s where volatility and session length come into play, but it hints at the likelihood of getting payouts from a particular slot.

On average, land-based slots have lower RTPs than online slots. Competition is fierce online, and metrics such as the RTP are easy to find, so developers try to keep it high. Online slots have average RTPs of 95-96%. The best slots nudge above 97%, such as the 97.3% on Lucky Win Spins or the 97.1% on Lucky Sakura Hold and Win.

The average for land-based casino slots runs anywhere from 70% to 90%, depending on the region and local laws. For example, the tested RTPs in various US states (including Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and Indiana) fell below 90%, and many state laws allow RTPs to drop even lower. 

Visuals and Immersion

Online slots and traditional slots offer a high level of immersion. They’re on par in this aspect. In fact, many popular real slots eventually make their way to online casinos, and vice versa.

Over the years, we’ve also seen many popular themes cross the real and virtual worlds, such as the “Book Of” theme (as seen in the Book Of All Ways slot) that exploded online and can now be found in countless online and offline casinos, and the Greek mythology theme (seen in slots like Luck ‘n’ Power), which is incredibly popular in both worlds.

Land-based slots can offer a more tactile experience, but it’s hard for players to fully immerse themselves in a game when they’re sitting in a busy casino surrounded by noisy machines and players. Online slots are more convenient, especially when playing on mobile devices, and they can be enjoyed anywhere and at any time.

Technology Integration

Traditional slots are limited by their hardware and cost. Online slots have more freedom to integrate gameplay-enhancing technologies, from mobile optimization to changeable volatility levels, multiplier modifiers, integrated promotions, AI-driven personalization, and social interaction. The design, graphics, fluidity, and features are richer and more engaging, and online slot developers are also exploring technologies like virtual reality (VR) to increase immersion.

Player Experience

Ultimately, whether a player prefers traditional vs online slots is a matter of preference. Online slots can do more to enhance the player’s experience, and there are more types of casino games online than offline, but for players who enjoy the atmosphere of a real casino, as well as the tactility offered by big buttons and levers, land-based slots may be the preferred option.

Variety is key, though, and online slots cater to every theme, feature, and need, from retro-style classic slots like the Golden Joker game and Lucky 10 Bells to seasonal slots like Lucky Xmas 20, Fruity Christmas, and the Halloween-themed Mystical Luck Hold and Win.

Cost and Budget

A surprising amount of planning, developing, and testing goes into creating a slot machine, and that’s true for all formats. However, as online slot developers don’t need to manufacture large cabinets, they are cheaper to create. 

A single online slot can also be enjoyed by thousands of players at once, whereas only one player can sit at a traditional slot. For this reason, online slots typically offer more choice regarding stake sizes.

Security

Online and traditional slots are both secure. Developers and casinos must adhere to strict regulations regarding RNGs and RTPs, and also list metrics such as volatility and maximum payouts. These are easier to find online, though, and as metrics change from one land-based casino to the next, it can be difficult to know if the slot cabinet you’re playing adheres to the developer’s suggested RTP or has been changed by the casino.

Cons + Pros of Land-Based Slots

Land-based slot games have been around for a long time, so they must be doing something right. The average modern player may prefer online slots over traditional slot machines, but there will always be a time and place for these games, as these pros and cons show:

Pros of Traditional Slot Machines:

1. Cash payouts
2. Tactile gameplay
3. Played in a vibrant casino atmosphere
4. Available at most land-based casinos

Cons of Traditional Slot Machines

1. Few game options
2. Popular slots may be in use
3. Lower RTP than online slots
4. Tend to have fewer bonus features

Cons + Pros of Online Slots

Online slots offer a richer and more varied gambling experience for most players, but there are still a few areas in which they may not match up to traditional slots.

Pros of Online Slot Games:

1. More variety and no queues
2. Available 24/7
3. Engrossing themes and gameplay
4. Various features and bonus round options
5. Mobile optimization
6. Convenient and easy to play

Cons of Online Slot Games:

1. Require a compatibility device and internet connection
2. Less tactile than traditional slots
3. Payouts to preferred payment methods and not in cash

Key takeaways

When looking at online slots vs real slots, it’s not a question of which one looks better or has more features. It comes down to your preference. If you prefer to play in the comfort of your own home, enjoy a wider selection of games and features, and seek higher RTPs, online slots are a better option.

If you enjoy the atmosphere of a land-based casino and the feel of pushing a big button or pulling a lever, traditional slots are best. Either way, both have their place in the gambling sector, and you can enjoy both online and traditional slots.

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FAQs

What Are Traditional Slot Machines?

The term “traditional slot machines” references slot cabinets found in land-based casinos, but may also refer to the three-reel, retro-inspired slots that predate the electronic age.

What Are Online Slots?

Online slots are simply slot machines that you play at online casinos. In the early days, they were made to resemble their physical counterparts, but they have since taken on a style of their own.

‍What Are the Types of Online Slot?

Online slots can be categorized by type, such as jackpot slots (progressive jackpots) and 3D slots (3D illustrations). They are also grouped by theme (Wild West, ancient Greece, candy, retro) or feature (Hold and Win).

Are Online Slots Safe to Play?

Yes, they are very safe. Developers must adhere to a strict set of regulations that confirm payouts, certify fairness, and test the RTP and volatility.

‍Are Online Slots Better Than Land-Based Casino Slots?

For most players, yes. They are more convenient and varied, and they are available 24/7. As long as the player has an internet connection and a compatible device, they can enjoy these games.