Genie Answers:
Just like with so many things in life, there’s no real answer, as it all depends on what you, the consumer, want from your casino experience. There are pros and cons to both forms of slot machines, and in this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at all the elements to help you make the best choice for you. Keep on reading to find out more!
Physical Slots: The Good and The Bad
The fact that land-based slot machines are physically there is probably their most significant advantage. You can interact with them by touching them, pressing the buttons with your finger, or pulling the handle with your hand. It's similar to why so many book enthusiasts prefer to read physical books rather than electronic versions. The feeling of going one-on-one with the slot machine gives the experience a unique flavor.
Second, there's the ambiance of playing slots in a real casino. If you go to a more upscale establishment, you'll find free beverages, nice service, and like-minded people all around you. There's an entire atmosphere that surrounds your gaming that adds to the overall experience.
Convenience, on the other hand, is a significant disadvantage. You can't just play whenever you want and wherever you want. To play slot machines, you must travel to a specified location in your neighborhood. There are numerous obstacles that can prevent you from traveling from point A to point B and spending time there. And, as previously indicated, there may be additional obstacles based on the sort of location. (Some casinos have a dress code, so don't show up there in your shorts and flip-flops.)
One of the biggest drawbacks to brick-and-mortar casinos is the finite availability of machines. A casino will only have a set number of machines playing a set number of games. If you’re looking to play one of the most popular slot machines then you might have a wait on your hands because someone else might already be playing it, which as we know is an issue you’ll never come across in online casinos.
Brick and mortar casinos can also feel pretty daunting to new players. Everyone else feels like they’re already in the know, and when it comes to the machines in question you may have to undertake some costly trial and error to find the game that suits your playstyle.
It's tough to determine the RTP at a land-based casino's slot machines. One alternative is to conduct preliminary research online and then locate the slot machine of your choice once you are at the casino. However, the casino can change the RTP for their machines, so you'll have to double-check once you've sat down – if you can. Some games don't disclose their RTP at all, making it impossible to figure out how much money you'll win.
In most cases, brick-and-mortar casinos are just competing in terms of location. That implies that if you're on the Las Vegas Strip, you might be able to find slots with RTPs comparable to those offered by online casinos. However, the average house edge of brick and mortar casinos is 20 percent higher than that of their online equivalents, especially in areas where there is no nearby competition.
Though lower in RTP brick and mortar slot machines do offer higher jackpots. Nothing on the internet comes close to matching the Las Vegas Strip's progressive jackpots. For example, with a $39.7 million payout, the Megabucks slot set a new world record for the largest slot win.
Online Slots: Perks and Drawbacks
When you think about playing online, the first thing that springs to mind is convenience. You can play wherever you want, whenever you want, at any time of day or night. Nobody cares if it's a public holiday or after hours when you're playing in an online casino. You also don't have to make plans or preparations to be somewhere on a specific day or at a specific time. You won't have to worry about finding parking, eating, or even getting to your destination. Because most slots are now available on mobile devices, gaming has never been more convenient. You can play on the beach, on a plane, or in a restaurant as long as you have an internet connection.
Another prominent and crucial advantage of playing online rather than in person is the game selection. Once you've entered the realm of online gambling, you'll find that there are a plethora of games to pick from that traditional casinos simply cannot match.
Online casino games also give players far greater control when it comes to customizing their gaming experience players can tweak controls, adjust stake amounts, and experiment paylines of many online slot games. Traditional slot machines have an RTP of around 80-85%, while online slot machines have an RTP of 95 percent to 96 percent. (There are even slots with RTPs as high as 98 percent and 99 percent!)
Online slots can also provide progressive jackpots that land-based slots just cannot match. Once again, thanks to the miracles of the internet, many slots can be linked to the same prize. Every bet placed on any of these slots will contribute a little fraction of the pot to the pot. As a result, you can imagine how large these jackpots can be.
Last but not least, you can play games for free online giving you a chance to try out new slots without risking your hard-earned cash. In live casinos, there is no such thing.
Responsible Gaming
It's much more difficult to sit at a traditional slot machine for hours on end than it is to tap "spin" on your mobile device. When compared to driving in the car or boarding a plane, it's also frighteningly easy to launch an online casino app and start playing.
Even if the casino is only a five-minute drive away, you still have that buffer between betting and not betting that an online casino lacks. It is critical to practice responsible gaming regardless of how you play slots to safeguard your wellbeing and your cash flow.
While, of course, there can be concerns regarding responsible gaming and online casinos, there have been many steps made by providers in recent years. Most online casinos are affiliated with ‘Be Gambling Aware’ or other responsible gambling charities and services. A lot of online slots will also allow players to set session limits in order to encourage safe choices. Lastly, in the UK plenty of steps have been taken to ensure better gambling practices on online slots with options such as autoplay and turbo spins being removed from games, meaning that each time players press spin it has to be a thorough and manual process.
Sign up and Play Online Slots at Spin Genie
As you can see there are reasons for and against both gambling options and it all depends on what you want to get out of your casino experience. Regular players tend to prefer online casinos because of the convenience and wealth of options, but if you’re looking for an in-person atmosphere, well, the choice is clear. Either way, if you’re curious about online slots and want to give them a try, here at Spin Genie we offer a huge range of great slot machines that can be played whenever and wherever you like, and on any device. Sign up and play today to discover more.
