The world of online slot games offers a great variety of experiences. That diversity has developed over decades, with advancements in technology pushing the envelope.
From the earliest days of classic slot machines to modern casino slots, two categories of these games have emerged: classic and video slots. There are many commonalities in these categories, but also some crucial differences.
Familiarizing yourself with these differences, which you can do by reading BetMGM Casino’s guide to online slots, can help you decide whether you want to play one or both of these types of games. BetMGM Casino gives you plenty of opportunities to experiment in both classifications.
How Do Classic Slots Work
The first slot machines were rudimentary games of chance, most commonly fruit machine slots. These classic slot games still exist in the 21st century, including in online casinos.
These titles represent the very basics of how slot machines work. You merely pick a bet denomination to risk, initiate the game action, and then await the result.
Playing retro casino games online is like stepping back into the history of slots with traditional symbols like BAR and fruit that configure only a handful of paylines. These traditional slot games are the foundation on which software developers have built video slots.
How Do Video Slot Machines Work
People working on designing slots for new generations have taken advantage of several innovations. Their labors have significantly expanded the types of online slots. As a greater variety of games became available, more people have wondered what video slots are.
On the simplest level, those are slots that utilize video to display “reels” and “symbols” instead of containing physical reels made of paper or other materials. Otherwise, there’s not much difference in the basics of how these online slots work. Players still set their bets, start the game, and hope for the best.
How Classic Casino Slots and Video Slots Are Similar
Both classic and video slots contain visual elements, like iconic slot symbols. Both types can offer online slot features like scatters and wilds.
With both genres, you’ll get music and sound effects curated to match the moments of the game. In both experiences, you can find a wide selection of bet denominations to fit any budget, too.
Classic and video slots can both offer access to lucrative jackpots that constitute the rarest payouts in online gambling. The biggest differences between these classifications involve the veracity of these elements.
How Video Slots and Traditional Slot Games Are Different
Video slot developers have taken the advantages of playing slots online to the max. In this format, there’s far more room for creativity and innovation.
That space for ingenuity includes more varied online slot themes and game mechanics. For example, many popular online slots include expanding reels or expanding symbols, functions that are basically impossible to duplicate in mechanical slot machines.
Video slots can also be much more immersive experiences because many of the titles contain special mini-games that involve transitions to entirely new sets of reels or bonus wheels with unique animations, graphics, and sounds. However, none of these developments would have been possible without slots’ primitive beginnings.
The Transition from Land-Based to Online Slot Gaming
A review of why online slots are so popular has to begin with the games’ origins in 19th-century amusement halls. These were primitive gaming terminals that accepted coins and often paid out candy or other novelties to comply with contemporary gambling restrictions.
More sophisticated games evolved as gambling laws loosened, and physical slot games using video became standard in the 20th century. The advent of the 21st century brought that concept to small screens.
The early years of the 21st century saw the first online slot games. US states like Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia legalized online casino play for real money, which has further spurred the proliferation of online slots. These modern gambling opportunities include chances to appreciate humble beginnings.
The Thrill of Classic Casino Slot Gaming Captured Online
At BetMGM, it’s possible to get a glimpse into how slot graphics have developed over time. BetMGM has many retro slots that have been intentionally designed to represent a simpler gambling experience.
Many of the best classic slot games to try online also adhere to the traditional three-reel format with few features and jackpots. For example, you can play the BetMGM Jackpots slot to enjoy its nostalgic feel.
A simple presentation doesn’t mean a small potential return on your money and time, though. BetMGM Jackpots, to keep with the example, offers a maximum payout of 99,999x your wager.
Which Should You Play?
The choice of what online slot to play is an important one, as you don’t want to waste any of your money or time on a boring game. Both classic and video slots at BetMGM can entertain, though.
Ultimately, which of these categories is best for you is a matter of taste. You have the choice to stick to one genre or the other, or switch between them freely after you register for BetMGM.
Classic and video slots are available at BetMGM to anyone who is at least 21 years old. As long as you’re having fun and practicing responsible gambling, you can enjoy everything that sets these two slot categories apart.
