Slots are the fourth most popular casino games, right behind the lottery, poker, and sports betting. Now, seeing as how lottery and sports betting don’t require you to actively play, an argument could be made for สล็อต being the second most popular casino game worldwide.
More importantly, slot machines are, by far, the biggest moneymaker for casinos worldwide. According to one survey, out of $6 billion made in casino revenue $4 billion are made on slot machines alone.
Why are slot machines so popular?
Here are the top 5 reasons!
- The Lack of Error in Decision-Making
There’s really not that much decision-making in slots. Now, while some may see this as a negative thing when compared to games like roulette, poker, and blackjack, the lack of decision-making and reliance on pure luck can be quite liberating.
You see, it’s not losing that hurts the most but the pressure of making the wrong choice that torments a lot of players.
- If you had only kept that one card you chose to discard…
- If you had only put your chips on 25 (like you felt you should) …
- If you had only stopped at 17 and didn’t ask the dealer to hit you once more…
While this may sound ridiculous, it’s a real issue for a lot of players. You see, there’s a psychological phenomenon called the paradox of choice. This means that the more options they have, the less likely they are to actually make up their mind. Slots resolve this issue quite elegantly.
- It’s Quick
With slot machines, you get to gamble on demand. Regardless of the time and place, if there’s a casino, there are slot machines present. All you have to do is walk up to one and push the button/pull the lever. That’s it really. Your results will be displayed in a matter of seconds.
Even without a casino, in the modern era, online casinos are becoming more and more popular. This means that you can just whip out your phone and play a quick game while standing in the line at the bank or carpooling. Unlike a game of poker (even online poker) a single game takes seconds.
The length of your gambling session depends exclusively on your own preference. In other words, it can last as long as you want. This is why it’s important to mention that some people just don’t know how and when to quit.
- Easy to Get Started
Having to learn the ropes in order to start playing the game is a deterrent for a lot of people. The more complex the learning curve, the more likely it is that people will drop off early on (or not even get started). Slot machines are the opposite of this.
The odds are what they are, although the type of slot machines may change this up a bit. For instance, odds for high variance slot machines are a bit different than with their regular counterparts. However, this means that it matters not if this is your first time even seeing a slot machine or if you’re a regular – your chances of winning are always the same.
- The experience doesn’t play a part in your chance to win.
- There are no slot machine strategies for you to master.
On the other hand, if you were to play poker against a seasoned poker player, your odds of making it wouldn’t be that high. Here, even as a starter, you have the same odds as anyone else.
- It Doesn’t Require a Lot of Capital
Another thing you need to consider is the fact that slot machines really don’t require too much starting capital. What does this mean? Well, you can start playing with your pocket change. Do some people push this too far? Sure. But compared to roulette, it will take you hours to lose the same amount of money playing slots.
Seeing as how gambling is not a money-making activity but rather a form of entertainment, the longer the session lasts, the better it is. This being said, you can get more hours of entertainment with slot machines for the same amount of money.
This is even advantageous from the strategic point of view. Previously, we’ve mentioned that there are no slot game strategies. Well, this is not necessarily true, seeing as how there is one – playing as long as you can. You see, slot machines are programmed to give you a payoff after a certain number of rolls. This is why the longer you play, the higher the odds of a payoff.
- They’re Really Simple
One of the main reasons why soccer is the most popular sport in the world is its simplicity. The rules are simple and all it takes is a ball and four rocks/bags/shoes to recreate goalposts for neighborhood kids to recreate their own field. A similar reason lies behind the popularity of slot games, as well.
Slot machines are incredibly simple to make. Sure, they look different but the mechanism itself is always the same. This is what makes them inexpensive to mass-produce and cheap for casinos to acquire. Online casino games follow this same principle, with the RNG taking the role of the mechanism.
Now, from the infrastructural and logistical standpoints, this is a great investment for the casino. They are an inexpensive investment that generates an insane ROI. After all, they’re one of the most popular casino games and since they have a programmed payoff, they always generate revenue. This is an endless loop of profitability for the casino and an endless pool of fun for the player.
Final thoughts
As you can see, slot machines are simple, don’t require much experience, are universally available, and are a quick form of entertainment. All of this makes them the biggest casino moneymaker and one of the most popular casino games overall. Those who have tried playing slot machines understand this appeal first-hand.
