Should You Play On or Offline Slots?

Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, September 15, 2017

Slot machines have always been a staple feature of the bricks-and-mortar casino world, and they are now becoming increasingly seminal in the virtual realm. While this creates a diversity of choice for those who want to play slot games in the digital age, it can also be hard to select the right platform to suit your outlook, budget and expectations as a player.

The challenge is also getting harder, particularly as the appeal of both is constantly laid bare for players to see. Just recently, it was reported that a Californian man scooped $11.8 million from a $3 slot machine wager, while playing at the Fremont Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.

With both on and offline platforms offering benefits and lucrative wins in equal measure, we look at the key considerations that can help you to make an informed choice.

1. Your Potential Winnings

Let’s start with the basics, as the vast majority of us play slots in order to enjoy the timeless thrill of winning money.

Typically, it offline slot machines that offer the biggest returns, with the aforementioned win not even half of the largest prize ever scooped in Las Vegas. Back in 2003, a 25-year old software engineer for Los Angeles won a staggering $39.7 million from a $100 stake on the Megabucks slot at the Excalibur. This remains the single biggest slot win of all time, even though it was delivered at odds of 16,700,000/1.

Online slots are closing the gap, however, thanks to the prosperous nature of the sector and the rising number of progressive jackpot casinos across the globe. The diversity of base game and bonus round features online also makes it possible to win big frequently, potentially improving your returns over time.

So even though the biggest online slot win currently stands at a relatively paltry $13,209,300, this is likely to increase dramatically (along with the frequency of wins) as the platform evolves further.

2. Your Outlook as a Gambler

This is another important consideration, as you should base your decision largely on your outlook as a gambler and your primary motivation for playing.

If you are a casual gambler, for example, the virtual and mobile realms are ideal. Not only do they enable you to access games at any time you please (such as during your daily commute to and from work), but the proliferation of welcome bonuses and packages can actively reduce the cost of gaming and make money far less of a consideration.

In contrast, traditional or serious gamblers may prefer land-based slot machines, which are familiar and may in some instances deliver more obvious pay-out patterns.

There are instances in which these observations may vary, of course, but they provide general rules for gamblers to adhere to.

3. Gameplay and Diversity

If you are in the market for a diverse and immersive gameplay experience, there is only really one choice as an aspiring slot gamer.

For the benefits of offline slot machines, they tend to be quite generic in their design and offer limited base gameplay to hook participants.

In contrast, online slots boast a huge range of themes and narratives, many of which have been based on pop-culture icons from film, television and video games. These titles also offer immersive gameplay along with increasingly creative bonus features, creating a wider range of choice and some uniquely appealing slots.

Make no mistake; if you are a casual player with a love of high quality gameplay, virtual slots and casinos are your best and most rewarding bet!