If you love playing slots, you must have heard of branded slots.
Branded slots form a special category of online slots that draw inspiration from popular movies, TV shows, games, and music.
Because there are thousands of video games in the slot community, picking a game might be a challenge for you. You get to explore broad categories that are thematically complete opposites, often stumbling upon new titles that you never played before. But you also get to meet games that instantly remind you of your favourite TV show or movie. If you ever wanted to explore the subject of branded slots, you have come to the right place.
Let’s see what the deal is with branded slots and why they are so popular. We also added our top 3 branded online slots that you must try below!
What’s in a Name
Understanding the concept behind branded games is not difficult at all. The definition is easy – they are regular slots with a particular theme taken from a popular movie or TV show. What is more, it doesn’t have to be only movies or shows. Nowadays, you can find dozens of video slots that are directly linked with popular video games, books, board games, and even music bands.
All games that belong in this category are products of collaborations between the developer and a famous brand. For a slot to be tagged as branded, the provider must sign an official deal to receive the license. After the companies sign a contract, the developer must pay a certain percentage of profits to the brand owner. The fees cover image rights, soundtrack, and the license for the usage of the brand.
You would not believe how often this happens. Creating slots by linking with popular brands is a lucrative business. Most prominent providers have a title or two that carries the stamp of approval from significant pop-culture brands. Today, the most famous providers known for their branded releases are Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, and IGT.
The first branded title was Microgaming’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider slot game that appeared in 2004. The industry had to wait a couple of more years for the next breakthrough title in a similar fashion. The branded industry was not that much marketable at first. However, after 2015, the number of branded games quickly started to grow. Strong appeal and popularity led to an outburst of licensed games across the globe.
The Power of Brands
In online casino lobbies, it’s impossible to miss them because they offer recognizable graphics, themes, and soundtracks.
That is why they are quite popular in the slot community. The reason why punters enjoy them so much is that they connect the casino entertainment with popular culture. For example, everybody knows the TV show Game of Thrones, right? Well, Microgaming released an eponymous online slot. If Microgaming hadn’t signed a deal with HBO to acquire a license for the brand, casinos wouldn’t offer the game.
Each of these titles combines familiar topics with innovative features. The result? You get a game that connects something quite familiar to you in an inventive way. Furthermore, they boost loyalty. Players are more likely to play a title that brings back a story they already know instead of something unfamiliar.
Top Branded Slots
As we promised, we included a list of best-branded video slots that you must try out. If you are new to the category, these games will be perfect for a fresh start. Here are our top branded game picks.
- Vikings – NetEnt
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways – Big Time Gaming
- Beavis and Butt-head – Blueprint Gaming
- Narcos – NetEnt
- Nitro Circus – Yggdrasil
- House of Doom – Play’n GO
- The Matrix – Playtech
- Gladiator – Playtech
- Ozzy Osbourne – NetEnt
- Wizard of Oz – WMS
- Batman Begins – Playtech
- Rick and Morty – Blueprint Gaming
Branded slot games from this list and many other notable titles can be played at some of the best online casinos we’ve highlighted for you right here.
In one of our previous articles, we talked about upcoming 2020 casino trends.
We mentioned technology and innovation in every facet of digital gambling and how it will influence casinos further. One significant trend that we didn’t really talk about and it is quite prominent are the cryptocurrencies.
As a casino player, you probably know all the different ways casinos have to improve your experience. An essential aspect of customer safety and satisfaction is banking methods and currencies. In this article, we will talk about digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum and try to explain why they are so popular.
What are Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that employ encryption to create new units (or tokens) as well as verify the transactions. Virtual currencies typically use online public ledgers known as the blockchain. The blockchain is there to trace payments. Every cryptocurrency has native coins that circulate the web. This process of creation of new tokens is called mining.
Today, over 6,000 cryptocurrencies exist. Of course, wider audiences heard about cryptocurrencies only when Bitcoin appeared on the market. What is interesting about Bitcoin is that it isn’t the first cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, which means that it functions on a peer-to-peer basis. There is no central bank or regulatory body that oversees transactions. Users make payments directly to other users, where the only personal info available is the wallet ID.
Benefits of Digital Currencies
If you are confused about what we have just said about cryptocurrencies, do not worry. These digitalized coins are very confusing to most people. The most important thing about them is that they are very safe for users.
In the beginning, financial experts criticized Bitcoin and other digital currencies for their virtual nature. Everything happens online, so people were worried that it would not be safe for use.
In reality, it’s quite the opposite. Cryptocurrencies are one of the safest payment methods in the world. All transactions are entirely anonymous, so the other side knows only your wallet ID. There is no way to steal your personal information or credit card information.
So, of course, cryptocurrencies have many benefits for casino players as well. They enable safe deposits, high transfer limits, and complete user privacy. Plus, they are swift. Deposits and even withdrawals check out in a heartbeat. And compared to other payment options, it is clear that they have no real competition in online casino banking.
The Rise of Crypto
Nowadays, it is hard to find an online gaming site that doesn’t offer cryptocurrencies on its banking options list. But the situation wasn’t always so stellar.
When Bitcoin first appeared, online casinos were still in the process of gaining attention from players. The comfort of playing at home instead of visiting far-away gaming halls was brilliant. Transferring games to the virtual world was an easy task but getting used to virtual money was different.
Online gaming sites have a lot of rules to follow to get licenses from regulators. That includes a string of permits and contracts with banking companies to offer their services. With cryptocurrencies, the situation is a little bit complex. There is no central bank, as we mentioned, so using this mechanism is not easy.
That is why first Bitcoin casinos offered only Bitcoin as a banking option.
As technology advanced, more cryptocurrencies emerged. Slowly, the players got used to virtual money, which led to an increase in user engagement in Bitcoin casinos.
Soon after Bitcoin became famous, Litecoin launched as a rival. Litecoin is prevalent in many casinos. However, Bitcoin is the undisputed star of the crypto community.
Another prominent cryptocurrency is Ethereum, a blockchain platform that offers Ethers as its native coins. A host of digital casinos give their players a chance to deposit and withdraw winnings using Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.
As you can see, this is a trend that is yet to reach its peak. Many financial experts now predict a bright future for all cryptocurrencies, especially in the casino industry.
Slot machines are known as one of the easiest game categories in the casino industry. They are easy to use and do not require any special skills for efficient playing.
However, there are dozens of details to remember before you start playing. Classes, types, different technical details – all this is important for slot players.
We already explained the importance of paylines in slots. Paylines represent the number of available combinations that you can form to get a prize. The number of paying lines varies from slot to slot.
Some games offer 3 paylines, some offer 40. In some games, you can encounter 243 winning ways, or even have a chance to boost them up to 117,649. No matter how many paylines you have, the point is the same – they represent your chances of winning.
Now, winning ways and paylines are different in casino terms, so for today, we will focus exclusively on paylines.
As you know, you can have up to 40 paylines in a slot (after that they are called winning ways). However, some slots offer fixed paylines, while in some slots you can adjust the paylines. Knowing how and why that is possible is important for every player that enjoys this type of casino entertainment.
Fixing the Lines
The first slot machines came with only one payline. The one-armed bandits boasted three rows and three reels, which meant that only striking a combo on the middle row resulted in a win.
Innovative technology brought in an expansion of slot functionalities, including a revolution in the number of paylines. Nowadays, classic slots are equipped with more paylines and consequently, provide bigger chances of winning.
But if you have, for example, 10 fixed paylines, you cannot change them. That means that you do not have the option to choose how many paylines you want to use, so you must use them all. That might not be a problem per se, but it does restrict your autonomy. On the other hand, you still have autonomy over the bet amount. You can choose how much you want to bet on each round.
Adjustable Lines
Fixed lines were not the peak of innovation, but rather a beginning of it. After years of experimentation, game developers came up with a way to increase the winning chances of players by adding more paylines.
Some slots that have more than 10 paylines (and less than 40) give you an option to choose how many paylines you want to use. For example, if you activate all paylines, you have more ways to land a win. If you do not want to use all paylines, you have the option to exclude them.
This is great if you want to make sure you will claim every combination that lands on the reel grid. It would be a pity if you lost a win that landed on a sequence that you excluded by opting for fewer paylines.
But this mechanism has a drawback. Extra paylines come with a price. You must pay additionally for every payline that you choose to include. That means you will have to devise tactics for bet and coin levels.
To illustrate, imagine betting €5 on a spin. If you use 5 paylines, you must play with 2 coins each with a value of €0.5. This way, you bet €1 per payline, so if you win, the prize will be decent.
On the other hand, if you want to bet €5 using 10 paylines, you must play with 1 coin per line with a value of €0.50. Ultimately, your €0.50 bet per line will bring a smaller prize, but you will have more chances to grab it.
Conclusion
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Fixed lines bring bigger wins, but very rarely as you have fewer combos to hit. With adjustable lines, you have more available combinations, but the reward will be smaller than with fixed paylines.
It is important to note that slots with adjustable paylines affect volatility. High volatility equals to sporadic wins accompanied by long dry spells. With more lines, you will win more frequently, which is a sign of lower volatility and less risk.
By giving you the option to choose how many paylines you want, adjustable slots provide more stable gameplay. This has a bigger appeal for various types of players, including low-rollers and high-rollers. But it is up to you to decide which version suits you better. If you like to play just for fun, you will avoid risk with adjustable paylines. If that is not the case, fixed paylines should be right up your alley.
Online casinos were introduced thanks to the desire to transport luxurious land-based casinos straight to your living room.
When virtual casinos appeared, the land-based casino industry became worried about their effect on the old-school gambling venues. Predictions were grave. The potential harm to the established sector loomed over as people turned to websites rather than familiar venues.
However, the doubts were soon dispelled. It was quickly proven that there are still players that like to frequent the good old venues that they are accustomed to. The sense of familiarity, in the face of the digital revolution, prevailed.
But the threat never disappeared. As technology progressed, so did the digital gambling spots. Year after year, new trends emerged – live casinos, mobile casinos, social casinos. The gambling industry adapted to every digital change. And year after year, we ask the same question: can land-based casinos preserve their spot under the spotlight? Or will they eventually succumb to the will of the technological society? Let’s discuss that.
Chameleon
The history of land-based casinos is quite colourful and eventful. A lot of things have transpired within the walls of one single venue. But one point always stood – people enjoy playing there.
When we first met digital casino sites, the land-based casino sector stood before numerous obstacles. Constantly updating offers to keep pace with the new technology was paramount. In a way, brands were competing with their shiny, polished, more accessible clones.
But land-based casinos had several aces up their sleeve. For example, no one can compete with the authenticity of such venues. Playing online might be excellent for various reasons, but the feeling of entering a massive gaming floor? It was priceless. It could not be replicated, no matter how many advantages online casinos offered.
After online casinos launched live dealer games and accompanying studios, the ground sector was again endangered. Live casino games, with real dealers at tables in real-time, challenged the authenticity. Venues pulled another trick from the sleeve: bonuses tailored to individual players.
Each player, regardless of his status, was complimented by the host. Drinks during playtime, dinners, and similar treats were in store for the players. In a way, an online casino could not compete with that considering they represent virtual interaction. Then came mobile games and an increase in slot machines. Ground casinos overcame each obstacle graciously, by updating their lobbies, offers, and bonuses. And they kept their place under the spotlight.
In a true chameleon manner, land-based casinos changed colours and shape to adapt to each wave of changes in the industry.
Dual Nature
The entire industry depends on the clients. What the audience wants, the audience gets, as always. However, one would think that land-based casinos might go extinct once live casinos go live.
But an interesting happened – the audience wants both. While many players enjoy the versatility and flexibility of mobile and online casinos, some like tangible experiences. For them, the glamour, luxury, and opulence cannot be felt on an iPhone. Instead, they choose to visit real, brick-and-mortar casinos.
This trend led to a multitude of casino openings and launches. Popular tourist locations have transformed into attractive gambling hotspots. People from all over the world flock to new spots for a slice of the gambling paradise. The dual nature of the gambling community created enough space where land-based casinos and digital sites co-exist in harmony.
The technology that separated them at first now unites them at last. Land-based casinos with top gaming units sport the latest tech. And online, real-time casino sites create a genuine atmosphere.
Suffice it to say, the future of land-based casinos might be rocky, but it certainly won’t be bleak.
More than a week ago, we stepped into a new year, and a new decade.
Great things are expected to come our way in 2020, especially regarding the online casino industry. Between consistent advancements in technology and intrepid achievements across all sectors of gaming, borders and lines will be blurred. And that is an understatement. Here is what we can expect in 2020.
More Technology for More Authenticity
Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and the possibility of slowing down is gradually disappearing. It seems that no one wants to slow down technological progress. In the new decade, we can expect stronger performances across numerous devices, as well as shared experiences between multiple platforms that support gaming.
And we are not talking only about mobile gaming. Mobile casinos became a hit in 2018 and 2019. The industry quickly filled with mobile casinos vying for the attention of the players around the globe. In a way, mobile casino gaming mirrors the mindset of a modern gamer. Speed, flexibility, and accessibility bring a wealth of possibilities to players, and that is only going to heighten in 2020.
One thing that we learned in 2019 is that enhanced individuality is not exactly what the punters are looking for. What they do want is authenticity. Authentic gaming experiences previously found only within the walls of land-based casinos are now a key requirement for online casinos. The best example of that is live casino gaming.
Live Casino is the New Black
In our previous articles, we talked about the appeal of the live casino offer. Online casinos incorporate live dealer titles into their libraries to emulate the original land-based casinos. Pure, effortless live casino entertainment brings online players closer to old-school casinos with just a click.
Near the end of 2019, we had a glimpse of what awaits us in the future. Playtech, the pioneer of digital casino entertainment, launched the first-ever live slot. The game is a hybrid of online slots and live dealer games that brings slot players together for a shared experience. The focus here is on the community, as players enter the presenter-led game in real-time and interact via live chat.
Live slots are still a revelation in the industry. They are just an example of the strong influence of live casinos on the gaming community. And they also hint at the all-encompassing nature of the live dealer games that will envelop iGaming in the years to come.
Different Realities
Speaking of hybrids, the online casino industry is no stranger to amalgamation. When 3D video slots appeared, we were all introduced to a new generation of games. But let’s not forget that evolution is an on-going process. It is just a matter of time before we meet the next generation of casino games.
Experts predict that in 2020 gaming will overcome challenges presented by reality. That means that VR games will become more pronounced as casinos transcend simple platforms to reach new dimensions.
And after 3D slots, live casino, and mobile gaming, VR gaming will undoubtedly crown the opening of the new decade.
Social Casino Expansion
As we mentioned above, players are not exactly looking for individual playtime anymore. Social media hijacked our daily routines and seeped into all spheres of our lives. Casino gaming included. The appearance of social casinos brought more ways to have fun and explore casinos without worrying about money.
The main characteristic of social casinos is that you play for fun, not money. In that way, entertainment is stressed, rather than winnings and profit. Moreover, you can play with your friends – using only your Facebook account. Gaming experts say that this type of gambling is yet to reach its full potential in 2020, as 2019 was just a preview.
Casino players are usually divided into two major groups – slot and table/card game fans. While many players enjoy playing a variety of games, gamers can sometimes be divided based on their preferred type of games.
One of the latest revolutions in casino gaming is the live casino.
The newfangled category of casino entertainment, live dealer, was introduced to boost the experience of table game players. Or at least, it was at first.
Live casino revolves around table games, right? Well, not anymore. News about the new live slot game made significant waves in the entire casino community. While we only had live Roulette or live Blackjack in the past, we now can enjoy a playful mixture of live casino and video slots – all thanks to Playtech.
It’s a Blitz
The new Playtech title, Buffalo Blitz Live is the product of live casinos and video slots.
The live slot is to spearhead an entirely new genre of casino entertainment. The main characteristics of the game come from both slots and live dealer titles.
A presenter is leading the game. We will avoid calling her a live dealer, as she does not deal with anything. Her only duty is to chat with the players that have joined the live chat and occasionally press the manual Spin Button.
In terms of scope, the game allows an unlimited number of players to join in. That essentially means that whilst playing, you will be able to communicate with other players that are playing the game at the same time as you do.
The regular version of Buffalo Blitz is a high-volatility video game. Of course, that translated into the live version as well. Wins are not so often, but when they come – they are glorious. Losses are much more frequent, but thankfully, you now have a community to share the bad – and the good – with.
How to Play the Game
The rules are easy. Think of it as Auto play in regular video slots. You can select the number of spins you want to play, your bet, and the loss limit. If you run out of cash or Spins, you will be automatically be eliminated from the game. In Buffalo Blitz Live, the minimum bet is €0.40 per spin.
Slot Community
While many players have repeatedly expressed their excitement over the new game (and genre), others were not so pleased. The division of sentiments lies in the nature of the new game. Slots are commonly known as individual games. That means that the players are used to playing on their own, choosing the pace of the game and the number of spins as they see fit.
Now, with this version, the gameplay depends on the community. The reels spin automatically, and if someone from the chat wants to see a manual spin, the presenter will do it. However, that happens rarely.
Conclusion
Generally, the idea of live slots was something we all thought about at least once. It is a spectacular idea. Live slots would combine fan-favorite video slots with the revolutionary live dealer mechanism. In a way, it would bring online slots one step closer to the authentic experience of land-based casinos.
However, after a closer inspection of the new game, we concluded that it might not be that case after all. Slots in land-based casinos provide individual experiences as well, so the best equivalent is still the online video slots. Following that logic, live slots create a whole new genre, completely detached from online and land-based machines.
We all have different tastes, so the new genre will not, most likely, affect everyone in the casino industry. But, as always, there is no doubt that a certain group of players will find the new creation quite interesting.
Online casinos offer a plethora of interesting deals for their customers. The deals, or better yet, promotions, are a great way to boost your balance and spice up your playtime. On the other hand, it is great for casinos too – the better the promotions, the more customers they attract.
You have probably encountered the VIP offers. VIP programs that are invitation-only bring exclusive perks for exclusive players. If you have ever thought about becoming a VIP casino player, here is everything you need to know.
What Are VIP Programs?
VIP programs represent a privileged part of the casino offer. They are, as the name suggests, not available to the bigger part of the casino community. To join the ranks of VIP players, one usually needs only an invitation. However, the invitation is not easy to come by.
Top online casinos pay close attention to the deposit and betting habits of the players. By paying close attention we mean tracking your deposits and bets to understand your gambling habits. A high roller, i.e. a player that usually deposits large amounts of money and places high bets, is the type of player that casinos want to lure into the VIP club.
Different casinos offer different VIP programs, too. In some casinos, the first deposit is a one-way ticket to the exclusive club. Such casinos usually operate via auto-sign up, or points. That means that there is a certain number of points that you need to collect before you acquire the first level of VIP. Or, in some cases, with the first deposit, you automatically become a first-level VIP player. However, most casinos use invitations.
To get into this kind of VIP program, you will have to place a certain number of deposits and bets that are very high before the casino decides to offer you VIP status. However, joining such casinos does not have to mean that you will necessarily become a VIP there. If you are lucky enough, the casino will send an invitation.
What Can You Expect to Get?
Now for the fun part! The perks that VIP players get are off-the-charts. Although you probably will not get a limousine or a presidential suite in a five-star hotel, you will get rewarded. And it will be spectacular.
Most Loyalty Clubs and VIP offers include extra benefits for tournaments, bets, and deposits. The type of bonuses depends on the game category that you prefer. If you like slots, the online casino will make sure to provide numerous betting advantages for video slots. That often includes Free Spins (a lot of them) and access to restricted slot tournaments.
If, on the other hand, you enjoy table games more, you will get bonuses for playing Blackjack, Roulette, or Baccarat. You can expect a plethora of exclusive chips, extra cash for wagers, or even cashback. In fact, cashback is one of the VIP perks that all players that are part of the exclusive club are privy to.
The casinos that offer live games have special offers for devoted clientele too. What all players get are personal betting managers, VIP Customer Support, and free withdrawals. Of course, every online casino reserves the right to create a unique VIP program. That is why most programs vary from casino to casino.
Are They a Good Option?
Casinos adore big spenders and usually go out of their way to be courteous to their favorite customers. If it is free to join the VIP ranks, then who are you to say no? Of course, before you decide to join a casino and start rolling, check the casino offer. As all casinos offer something different and unique, you need to find something that fits your needs perfectly.
Live Casino is the latest revolution in the online casino realm.
A growing number of gaming venues are incorporating live dealer titles into their offers and esteemed lobbies. Providers are launching live titles, exclusive tables, and opulent Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker rooms.
What’s the deal with live dealers, you ask? That is precisely what we are about to explore and hopefully, provide an answer for.
Real Casino Revival
When we started playing in online casinos, we were delighted by the prospects of casino entertainment brought straight to our homes. The journey to a land-based casino was shortened, or better yet, eliminated in total. Fun was now at our fingertips, easily accessible whenever we wanted. The entire player community was thrilled.
Then, we slowly started asking for more. Step by step, the technology advanced and birthed mobile gaming – another revolution! But that’s a story for another time. The objective became crystal clear – easy access to genuine casino entertainment is paramount.
What we simultaneously realized is that online and mobile casino gaming was just a beginning. In other words, that was just the start of a profound change in the concept of casino entertainment. What followed that shook the frame to such extent that we are still learning to consolidate everything under one single concept.
More Authenticity, Please
After the condition for easy access was fulfilled, it was time to focus on the authenticity of the experience provided.
Casino game developers began brainstorming ways to boost the atmosphere of online casinos to mimic the atmosphere found in land-based venues. At first, that was not such an easy task. The original, real casino experience was compiled of numerous elements that could not be recreated in the virtual world. After all, in land-based casinos, you are surrounded by real people, and your games are monitored by real croupiers, right?
That is precisely how developers got to the idea of creating live dealer rooms and titles. By employing new technologies, companies now enabled the players to access to rooms where a real croupier was controlling the game. Video cameras signal players’ responses and actions, and everything happens in real-time. This way, the effect was achieved – players get the feeling of being inside a real casino, all the while sitting in their favourite chairs at home.
Online Vs Live Gaming
The creation of Live Casino consequently brought the question of online casino’s fate into play. Some players even went as far as to predict that online gaming will become redundant, as live games provide more entertainment and better conditions for safe play. Others doubted whether Live Casino would manage to sustain in the long run.
Both views turned out to be wrong.
Not only is online gaming still alive and kicking, but both versions of casino developed in different directions and gathered unique groups of admirers. They might have similar characteristics – they happen online, from the comfort of your home, but certain differences are still in place. The nature of experience these two versions provide is the complete opposite.
Real-time, live action is not, after all, for everybody. Some players still prefer to mind their own business and play RNG games found in the regular lobby. On the other hand, some players are enchanted by the exclusive, high roller tables where charming live dealers orchestrate the rounds. As time goes by, both online and live casino titles gain popularity within their respected communities, without affecting each other.
Conclusion
Online and Live Casino do not exclude each other. On the contrary, they present two sides of the same coin that, after everything, is yours to flip however you like. If you like real-time action and want something more authentic, Live Dealer titles will be your forte.
If, on the other hand, you like the familiar gameswithout real croupiers, stick to online casino games.
Almost all reputable online casinos offer spectacular Welcome Offers. Not only that, but they include a series of nice bonuses that begin once you finish with the housewarming gift. For a typical casino player, these bonuses represent a no-brainer: use them and then wait for other bonuses.
However, you can often stumble upon various inconveniences regarding your bonus. The cash amount is not high enough, the wagering requirements are too high, or the bonus is generally sticky. All this represents a hassle for a player who just wanted to have fun. What is important to understand is that casinos offer such high wagering requirements as an incentive, but intentionally make it hard for the players to reach them.
The result? Most players fail to make use of their bonuses. The usual case is when they do not fulfil the requirements in time, so the bonus expires. However, Affactive is here to help you.
Here is how you can change this unfavourable situation and make the bonus work for you.
Check the Terms
This might seem like such a simple step that we do not even need to mention it, right?
Well, that is where you wrong. Most players throughout the world get dazzled with the glittery offer they found at the casinos. They rush to register and start playing, anxious to see the cash raining down on them. This impatience has one grave consequence – they miss the small print. And guess what happens then?
They realize that wagering requirements easily topple the amount that they can win, so they quickly lose it and need to invest their own money. That is why it is of utmost importance to check each detail before you sign up. The best-case scenario is that you find a casino with less than 35x wagering requirements. However, that is a rare occurrence. In most cases, casinos offer around 40x, while everything above that should be avoided.
Expiration Date
The other important step towards your bonus mastery is checking the expiration date. Online casinos typically give you a week to fulfil all conditions mentioned above.
Let’s be honest – that might be difficult to achieve. Seven days is not enough if you have astronomical wagering requirements and game stipulations. Nevertheless, nothing is set in stone. You always have options. The first thing that we suggest is to try looking for a better bonus with a longer expiry date in a different casino.
However, if you like the casino where you found the original Welcome Package offer, you do not need to leave. You can calculate the best way to fulfil the requirements by taking into consideration the games count for the bonus.
Slot Master or Roulette Whiz?
Finally, we would like to address the question of allowed games. As you might know, digital venues sometimes place a limit on the games from the lobby.
Consequently, some types of games do not count towards reaching the bonus. What this means is that, if your bonus terms exclude roulette, wins and any prizes from roulette will not count for the wagering requirements. No matter how much cash you win, the result will be the same.
That is why the smartest thing to do is check the games that are allowed in detail. If you are a slot fanatic, this won’t pose a problem for you. Slots are the most popular game category in the casino realm, so all casinos have a valid Welcome Offer designed for slot players.
On the other hand, a penchant for table games is somewhat trickier. You need to search for casinos that specifically have bonuses for table games, otherwise, you will be forced to play slots to reach the requirements.
Tips to Go
Getting used to casino bonuses might seem complex but trust us – it is not.
It is very easy once you get the hang of the Terms and Conditions (and the small print). The smartest way around the bonuses is going small. To put it simply, place smaller bets rather than big ones, and your balance will stay positive.
If you forget to keep track, you will soon end up placing massive bets that lead to a bonus balance bankruptcy. Be patient, read the T&C, and bet small.
And most importantly, have fun!
As we already mentioned several times, slots are appealing to players that don’t like a hassle.
Online slots are easy, rewarding, and fun – a definition of pure, effortless entertainment.
They also come in all shapes and sizes, displaying a thematical variety that no game can rival. However, one thing that is always in focus is the Spin button. Arguably, spinning is the definition of slot games. Right? Well, yes and no.
With the introduction of Auto Spin (or AutoPlay in some cases) that ease-of-use was yet again challenged. Players now have even easier access to their favorite pastime, but that posed several questions regarding the true nature of slot machines.
You are guessing right – today we are talking about the concept of Auto Play and its influence on the gameplay within slot machines.
Time of Your Life
The main argument for the Auto Spin button is the reason they invented it in the first place. The option is supposed to give you more accessibility and shorten the wait time. During spins, you can choose how many spins you want the computer to spin by itself. In turn, you are saved from the hassle of clicking the Spin button repeatedly every few seconds.
This way, you have more time on your hands, which means that you can even do other things while the rounds are spinning. Of course, many punters find the fact that you do not have to click all the time appealing. On the other hand, most of them are not interesting in doing anything else – because they are playing the game. But they are still able to choose what they want to do, all the while the game is spinning completely uninterrupted.
Non-believers also argue the question of money loss. In some way, they are not exactly wrong. During Auto Play, you cannot change bets, i.e. what you placed as the initial bet remains locked for the duration of all Auto Spins. For many players, that represents a high potential loss, as they might not want to invest that much money.
However, the developers had that in mind while they were creating the option. You can set the loss limit while you are adjusting the AutoPlay options. The game automatically stops when you reach that limit, so you are essentially protected from excessive losses of precious funds. Oh, and it also stops when you trigger the special features like Free Spins. As we all like to watch and play the Free Spins, this is a great consideration on the developers’ part.
Essence No More
Even with numerous advantages, some players simply are not fans of Auto Play. The reasons are also aplenty, but one argument stands out: it takes the essence of the game away. By clicking on the Auto Play, you are shortening the process of viewing what you’ve won/lost and heading straight to the goal. To illustrate, imagine driving through an amusement park. With AutoPlay, you are seeking factual entertainment, but with proper clicking, you might even have time to admire the scenery. In the example of video slots, that means that the visual aspect of the game is often disregarded for the sake of the prize. And it doesn’t bode well with all the players.
We already discussed loss limits, so you don’t have to worry about losing money here.
But you do lose time for strategies. Namely, many punters enjoy strategizing (yes, even with slots) and with Auto Spins, that option simply doesn’t exist. Strategies and tricks such as changing bet and coin levels cannot be used during automatic spins.
All Options Are Optional
If you tend to frequently change bets during playtime, AutoPlay is perhaps not the best solution for you. You can stick to the well-known, traditional approach – click and spin! If, on the other hand, you want a more hands-free experience, you’ll find the button right next to the main Spin button.
From supporters to naysayers, one fact remains – Auto Play exists as a cluster of adjustable options designed to make things easier for you. But, whether you like those options or not is completely up to you. The option is, after all, optional.
