Will Conventional Slots Fade Away In An Increasingly Digital World

Slot gaming has been the bedrock of casino gaming for over 100 years, back in the days when slot gaming was confined to taverns, small unlicensed casinos and the meccas of Vegas, they really channeled into the underlying demand that existed for betting right throughout the globe.

Although the same can be said for every type of casino game, slots have been able to smash through many of the cultural and language barriers that have existed in a multitude of other entertainment markets for centuries.

Slots have adapted to the times, online slots are now the dominant force in the industry, but they have also adjusted to the demands of smartphones, and tablets, too. In a world where VR and AI are set to become the next two big disruptive innovations, how much of a demand could there be for conventional, physical slot gaming companies over the next couple of decades? Is there a potential that they could fade away as millions of bettors move from physical branches to playing on their smartphones and tablets? Let’s take a look.

The Power Of Digital Slots

On almost every possible measurement, online slots have enhanced the slot gaming experience for those who enjoy sitting down and having a spin or two. Conventional slots have not been able to keep up with the variety, promotional strategies, and the convenience of online slots.

In the early days of online casinos, conventional brands relied on the fact that mass adoption was limited due to the high cost of computers and slow internet connectivity speeds. That said, there were still plenty of brands that wanted to try their hand at carving out some of this market for themselves.

One of the many myths about online slots, that has since been disproven by multiple experts, was that they were rigged or did not have the cyclical styles of payouts that some believe conventional slot games do. The fact of the matter is - neither of them does.

Online slots use RNG technology, which is short for Random Number Generator, meaning that independently audited third-party technology to ensure that each spin is random and fair. In addition to this, other elements of cutting-edge tech, such as rapid RTP monitoring, are able to fire through thousands of quickfire spins to determine how often they deliver a successful spin.

Broadening Horizons

Unlike conventional slots, which often feature rows and rows of the same games or different titles from the same provider, the wealth of gaming options available to online slots players is an entirely different dimension.

Now, this doesn’t come without its risks. Different online slot providers have a better reputation than others, which is why it pays to seek out expert opinions and understand the importance of what people are saying about a brand on social media before signing up for their site.

It’s believed that over 20% of Americans get the bulk of their news and opinions via social media. That’s not to say that every review you come across on YouTube or Instagram is going to be brimming with facts and well-sourced.

Still, in a world where it’s easy to check out the validity of a site and what other people have to say about a brand, if there are pages and pages of people offering the same criticisms, then it’s essential to take notice. Once you have the tools to dissect which brands have a quality service, the difference in choice between conventional providers and the global digital slots market is night and day.

Keeping It Social

One area where conventional slot gaming will struggle to replicate is the social element of traditional slots. While they’re not known for being social in the way a busy roulette or blackjack table is known to be, they’re part of a broader package that conventional slots have been selling to customers for over a century.

Physical casinos aim to entertain, including live bands, cabaret, and stand-up comedy, types of entertainment that are not feasible for digital casinos to replicate. Not all customers are looking for this multi-faceted approach. Still, for those who want to keep their casino gaming social and use it as a means to socialize with like-minded players and enjoy live entertainment, this is the angle that will keep the industry alive.

Will VR Casinos Be The Final Nail?

Online casinos have been investing significantly in the development and research of VR gaming. Currently, it may seem that gamers who prefer to play at a conventional casino are not the same types of players who would spend $1,000 on a VR headset and all the underlying technology that comes with it.

However, as more experts continue to point out that the future of gaming is the future of tech, and VR has the might of Meta and other Big Tech companies investing billions into its development, if casino companies can harness this and use it to take a bite out of the conventional market - this could further disrupt the market share of conventional slots - but we will see how this pans out over the next decade.