VIRTUAL SLOTS — ONLINE CASINO GAMES

Nearly 50% of all casino visitors prefer playing on slot machines — colorful gaming terminals with flashing lights and a handful of games. This statistic jumps up to a whopping 70% in online casinos, where you can find hundreds and even thousands of these vibrant casino games. Players all over the world enjoy the thrill of spinning the reels for a chance of pocketing a win and just to have some fun — ever wondered what the buzz is all about? Join us as we dive into the world of online casino slots and learn more about what the hottest games are all about!

VIRTUAL SLOT HISTORY

Online slots have humble beginnings in parlors and bars of the late 19th century, when New York-based Sittman and Pitt created the first mechanical gambling machine. This slot machine precursor featured five drums and 50 playing cards — the game’s objective was to form a poker hand by spinning the drums. Players would insert a nickel into the machine and pull the lever, which would spin the drums to reveal a series of cards. Instead of payouts, this first slot machine would offer players free drinks and cigars, and the prizes would vary from one establishment to another. To give the house an edge, two cards were purposefully removed from the deck; the drums could also be easily detached to further reduce the player’s winnings.

These poker machines were incredibly popular and quickly made their way to hundreds of bars in the United States, but it wasn’t until 1894 that the first one-armed bandit fruit machine made its appearance. Invented by Charles Fey, this entertaining slot machine — dubbed the ‘Liberty Bell’ — was the first of its kind to feature automated payouts, unique graphics and mechanical reels. Players would try to land horseshoes, spades, diamonds, hearts and the valuable Liberty Bells for monetary payouts — which is precisely what contemporary online slots are all about.

The first electromechanical slot machines were introduced in 1963, when Bally released Money Honey. Although Money Honey didn’t differ from the Liberty Bell too significantly, this innovative design paved the way for the next leap in the industry — video slots. The Las Vegas-based Fortune Coin Co. developed the first video slot on a Sony Trinitron display and tested the game at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. Since the days of Charles Fey, not much has changed in terms of gameplay; players spin the reels and hope to land fruity symbols for a win.

All had changed at the turn of the century, when Reel ‘Em In by WMS shook the industry in 1996. This incredible video slot offered an additional bonus round, where players had another chance to pocket even more rewards. At the same time, video slot machines gradually got rid of the levers, replaced them with physical or on-screen buttons, and introduced multi-payline games that are the foundation of modern online slots.

WHAT ARE VIRTUAL SLOTS?

With the rise of the internet and acceptance of gambling as a pastime activity, game developers realized that while the traditional one-armed bandits and video slots had mechanical limitations, online slots opened new creative opportunities. These casino games have a similar setup, with spinning reels, symbols and payouts, but offer a much broader range of bonus features than classic video slots on gambling terminals. While classic slots tend to stick to the same fruity symbols, bells and sevens, online slots incorporate thematic graphics and soundtracks to give players a more exciting and atmospheric gambling experience. Today, online casino portfolios are brimming with thousands of incredible games with unique themes and features.

HOW DO VIRTUAL SLOTS WORK?

Online slots are games of chance, in which all outcomes are generated through an in-built Random Number Generation algorithm (RNG). Characterized by several spinning reels, symbols and paylines, these slots generally require players to land an identical sequence to win. Although the base game is largely the same across all slots, many offer more complicated features and specific rules. These games may have more reels, more paylines, multiple bonus features and an array of other unique functions. 

While the complexity of advanced slots may put off a casino newcomer, plenty of developers and game studios stay true to their roots and stick to the tried-and-tested formula of classic slots. If you prefer the look and feel of casino slot machines, then rest assured that you’ll be able to enjoy the same classic gameplay online as well!

TYPES OF VIRTUAL SLOT GAMES

When it comes to the variety of online slots, if you can think of it — then it probably exists. Slot providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, BF Games and Red Tiger go out of their way to deliver unparalleled gameplay in every theme and genre you can imagine. From Wild West adventures to intergalactic voyages and the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, the creativity of online slot providers knows no bounds.

Before you wager real cash, we recommend checking out the games through the free demo mode, which allows you to enjoy all of the same features and mechanics for free. You can try out a multitude of game themes to see which you enjoy best! Take a look at the classics, like Twin Spin™, Starburst™ and Stunning Hot™, or check out more complex, innovative slots like Bonanza, Cubes, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways™ and Laser Fruit.

VIRTUAL SLOT RTP AND VOLATILITY

Every regulated and licensed online casino guarantees that all outcomes will be randomized; however, players can get more information on average returns and wins through the game’s volatility rating and RTP. 

• Volatility — A slot’s volatility rating indicates the size of wins and the frequency at which they drop. Low-volatility games offer smaller but more frequent wins, while high-volatility slots offer a chance to pocket bigger wins, but they are few and far between. The volatility scale is not immovable — slots can be of low, high, medium volatility or anywhere in between; some casino slots may even allow the players to choose which volatility setting they prefer to play with.

• RTP — The Return To Player is the average percentage of all bets returned to the player over time. This statistic is obtained over millions of game rounds and is the mean, which means that results may vary from one player to another.

BONUS FEATURES IN VIRTUAL SLOTS

When you’re ready to start exploring and experimenting with online casino slot games, you’ll be running into plenty of bonus features. Apart from making slots more entertaining, these bonus features may also help you trigger larger wins or additional features, such as multipliers and extra spins. Here are some of the most common and popular slot bonuses that you’ll encounter:

• Free Spins — A Free Spins bonus is on every player’s list of favourite bonuses. As the name suggests, this feature awards a handful of free spins when the player meets the triggering conditions, such as landing three or more Scatters anywhere on the reels. Popular slot games with a Free Spins bonus are Lord of the Ocean™, Bonanza and Book of Dead.

• Gamble Mode — The Gamble mode is a remnant of classic slot machine design and is available on many online slots, like Stunning Hot™ and Book of Gods™. The feature is usually activated after a win, offering players a chance to increase their winnings through a 50-50 gamble (variations exist). The most common is the Card Gamble, in which players must correctly guess the suit color of a card to double their winnings. The Gamble mode is entirely optional, and in some games, players may choose to gamble only half of their last win. 

• Win Multipliers — Multipliers are offered in many shapes and sizes, most commonly through special symbols or landing consecutive wins. Many Free Spins bonuses are also accompanied by a stacking or even unlimited multiplier, making these bonuses that much more rewarding.

• Progressive Jackpots — When it comes to big wins and jaw-dropping gameplay, jackpot slots are the way to go. Jackpots can be fixed, offering a predetermined sum, or progressive. A progressive jackpot is an additional prize pot in the game, which grows with every wager placed.

Typically spanning the provider’s entire network, these jackpots can accumulate to seven or even eight-figure sums. Winning the jackpot is no easy feat — they may take months or even years to drop, and can be triggered through a special bonus round or at random. Online slot providers like BF Games and Red Tiger offer daily and even hourly progressive jackpots, giving players a chance to win the jackpot more frequently. While jackpots may seem appealing, don’t forget that very, very few players are that lucky.

SPECIAL SLOT SYMBOLS

Apart from the popular bonuses, online casino slots also offer plenty of special symbols to spice up the gameplay.

• Wild Symbol — The Wild is much like the Joker in a deck of cards; it can substitute for any regular symbol, helping players secure winning sequences. Generally, the Wild cannot replace a special symbol, like a Scatter, but it may have additional features, like multipliers or the ability to expand over multiple reel positions. 

• Scatter Symbol — The Scatter is often the game’s key to unlocking a special bonus round, like a Free Spins bonus. Typically, this symbol can land anywhere on the reels and landing extra Scatters will award more free spins. The function of this symbol will vary from one game to another, so always make sure to check out the game’s rules before you play. 

• Other Bonus Symbols — Aside from Wilds and Scatters, there are dozens of other special symbols that you may encounter, ranging from Sticky, Expanding and Jiving symbols to stacked multipliers and others that unlock even more features, like bonus games and wheel spins. Always have a look at the game’s rules before you play — you never know what’s in store!

HOW TO WIN WHEN PLAYING VIRTUAL SLOTS

Online slot machines are games of chance, as are all casino gaming products. No amount of knowledge, strategy or skill can guarantee winning in online slot games, and unlike blackjack and video poker, there is no way to reduce the RTP. Remember to manage your bankroll and to always play responsibly; never wager money that you cannot afford to lose and if you aren’t ready to stake real cash, then play for free through the demo mode.

PLAY FREE VIRTUAL SLOTS

Want to enjoy the best of casino gaming without gambling your hard-earned cash? Free demos are the way to go! Most casino slot providers and casinos offer a free-to-play version of the game, called the ‘demo’ mode. Players can enjoy all of the same features and mechanics without tapping into their real bankroll, which is a great way to try new games or put betting strategies to the test. These games will have the same paylines, the same reel setup and the same exact bonuses for you to enjoy. All wagers and winnings in these free casino games are virtual, and the players are provided with a purse of funds to use at their discretion. Some games, like Microgaming’s Mega Moolah jackpot slot, are unavailable in the demo mode.

To play slots for free at EnergyCasino, head to the Casino lobby and browse through our portfolio of games. Once you find a casino slot that interests you, hover over its thumbnail until you see a ‘DEMO’ button. Click, and enjoy! Depending on your jurisdiction, you may be asked to register and complete the verification process to access the demos. In cases where verification is not necessary, you may be able to play free casino games as a visitor.

PLAY VIRTUAL SLOTS FOR REAL MONEY

If you are gaming for a chance to snatch real wins, then the only way to do so is by wagering real money. To get started, register a new account at EnergyCasino, place a deposit, claim a casino bonus (if you wish to) and set the reels on fire! To help you manage your gambling, you can use our Responsible Gaming tools to set limits on wagers, losses, deposits and session duration. If you ever feel like casino gaming is no longer fun and you find yourself dipping into personal finances to fund gambling, then you may opt to self-exclude from gambling at our casino entirely. 

BONUSES & PROMOTIONS IN ONLINE CASINOS

Claiming a casino bonus is a great way to get started on your journey with some extra funds in your pocket. Bonuses vary by jurisdiction, so make sure to view the ‘Promotions’ page and read through every offer’s Terms and Conditions before opting in. A typical casino bonus will award either bonus funds or free spins when you make a deposit, but other offers — like Win Multipliers and No Deposit bonuses — also exist. Keep in mind that most bonuses come with additional restrictions, such as expiration dates, a limited selection of qualifying games and wagering requirements. The latter is the number of times that your bonus funds, or winnings obtained from free spins, must be turned over before the bonus money is converted to cash and can be withdrawn. Pay very close attention to these requirements, as they can make or break the deal!

MOBILE VIRTUAL SLOTS

As online casinos tread their way through the digital era, online gambling is gradually shifting to mobile gaming. With more and more players preferring to play on the go, casinos and online slot providers make sure to offer games that are perfectly optimized for mobile play — now you can enjoy all of your favourite slot games anywhere and at any time. All you need is a compatible Windows, iOS or Android device, a stable internet connection and some free time!

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