The Rising Influence of Sports on Casino Slots
Figure 1 Slots have always been popular, but sports is beginning to play a part in that – Source: Unsplash
Whenever you see a casino featured in a film or TV show, it will probably be the action around a craps table, or someone trying their luck on the roulette table. Card games are also popular, allowing the hero or heroine to show their strategic skills and style, and win big.
The most popular games at real-life casinos tend to happen away from these cinematic locations, however. People who actually go to casinos flock to the slots. Now, there are so many online options, slots have become even more popular – with an even bigger fan demographic. If you are reading an honest Everygame review to see what the platform is like, you will probably want to know all about the slots selection.
Slots offer the chance of a top gaming experience, without the need for much specialist knowledge or experience. There are a whole host of more complex slots titles these days, but they are also usually pretty easy to pick up – even for a novice. The different themes are important in this regard, with sports playing a bigger role than ever before. In this article, we will look at how and why sports have become such a big thing in the world of slots.
Slots Themes
The first slots appeared towards the end of the 19th century, with players tasked with matching very basic symbols to win jackpots and prizes. It wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that we began to see the introduction of themed slots, usually influenced by popular culture. The themes were used to attract even more attention to the machines.
These days, even complete beginners are used to the common themes used with slots. Ancient Egypt, Ireland, and Asia are all used a lot, and any culture or pastime that is associated with luck or money is popular. With sports playing such a major role in society as a whole, we have also seen the rise of sports-themed slots in real-life casinos and online.
Licensing Sports
Although many players would not be too bothered about authenticity when it comes to slots, there is no doubt that an officially licensed product is going to attract more people. This can be seen with the rise in slots based on the biggest films and TV shows. A popular movie is always a popular theme for a new slots game.
The same can be said for officially licensed sports slots. Slots using football, basketball, or soccer as a basis for the gameplay will always be popular. But if the developer is able to officially license names and images from the NFL, NBA, or the English Premier League, for example, they will be able to attract fans of those leagues as well. These slots then become some of the most played.
Sports Features
Newcomers to slots play sometimes say that all the games are the same, and it doesn’t really matter what the theme is. It is true that there are a lot of basic similarities between most slots, but it is usually the theme and its related features that make it stand out from the crowd and also offer a unique game-playing experience.
The excitement and premise of sports – you win or you lose – is an obvious choice for slots, and the special features of a game can easily be taken from the sport it is associated with, especially if it is officially licensed. Playoffs, knockout rounds, and features that require the player to score goals or points can all be used to great effect and are able to replicate the tension and excitement of a sports event.
Big Events
Another area where slots developers can mine the world of sports for new ideas and features is the big events and tournaments. These can even be used as a theme for the slots game itself, if it is a big enough event. The Super Bowl, for example, is a sports event that has transcended football entirely. It has now become a cultural event, and there are plenty of people who would be attracted to a Super Bowl-themed game who have little interest in the NFL.
Slots developers are also able to time the launch of new titles with the sports calendar. Soccer’s World Cup comes around every four years, with the latest edition in North America in 2026. It would not be a surprise to see a range of World Cup-themed slots released at that time. Sports never stops, of course, so there is always scope for new games based on more regular events.
Mobile Slots
The rise of online and mobile gaming platforms has revolutionized the casino industry, bringing in a much wider range of people. Just about everyone has a mobile device these days, and we all spend so much of our lives online that it is unsurprising that slots and casinos have become popular with entirely new demographics.
The convenience of mobile slots has allowed so many more people to give them a go – and many of these newcomers will have not been what might be considered traditional casino gamers. The crossover of sports fans and online casino gamers cannot be ignored when we investigate the increase in popularity.
Figure 2 Big sports events make for perfect slots themes or features – Source: Unsplash
The Future of Sports Slots
Rapidly evolving technology will only increase the number of people playing slots online – and many will head for the sports-themed titles. Gaming has started to become more immersive, with the latest technological advancements allowing gamers to enjoy slots in a much more personal and involved way.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) already give players the chance to immerse themselves in online games, and the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) can tailor games to more personalized choices and preferences. As sports continues to play a huge role in many people’s lives, it is only natural that it will also become more popular as a theme for casino gaming and slots.