If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas, you’ll understand perfectly the power of slots in the casino business.

These days, the modern casino earns 70 to 80 per cent of its revenue from slot machines. Compared to the 1970s, when slots pulled in less than 50%, it’s clear that slots have become more popular than ever.

It’s the same picture online too, with slots powering an industry which is expanding at a rate previously unimaginable, benefitting from the rise of smart mobile technologies. Indeed, it’s predicted that by 2024, the global online gambling market will approach 1 trillion dollars.

But whilst the public places huge value on games of skill like poker and blackjack, slots continue to be the backbone of the casino industry. Why? Join us as we take a look at some of the biggest reasons

Low Barrier of Entry

Unlike many casino games, slots have an extremely low barrier for entry. There’s no need to memorize complex rules or strategies, just tap and play. The ease of that gameplay makes playing dozens of times in a single sitting a simple and pleasurable experience.

Couple this with the very low cost of some slot machines and you’ve got a hugely accessible game. Slot machines can be played from just $0.25, although more expensive machines do promise bigger payouts, which brings us to…

Big Wins

Let’s face it, everyone wants to be rich. Slot machines promise that (if you’re lucky enough) you too could walk away with stacks of cash.

The biggest winner online was a Mr Jon Heywood who won £13.2m ($17.3m) playing online, whilst the largest Vegas slots win was $39.7m, won by an LA software engineer. These wins, alongside countless smaller wins, encourage slots players to keep going, keep investing and – hopefully – walk off with a big prize.

Huge Variety

You might think you know slots, but the online arena has given birth to countless variations on the game, each of which brings a twist to the formula.

Today, websites like CasinoEuro host the best European online slots you can play. The total number of unique slot games they offer? Close to one thousand. Some are tied into major motion pictures, like Jumanji or Planet of the Apes, whilst others simply change up the formula to keep it fresh.

This variety in slot design and game type means that there are more slots than you’re ever likely to be able to play. Truly, there’s something for everyone.

Repetition

Slots have one huge advantage over other casino games – they’re repetitive, just in a very good way. The short game time of slot machines and the potential for an instant win means that slot machines quickly get players to repeat their processes over and over again.

If slot machines took a long time to take a turn, this repetition would quickly prove frustrating. With a very short cycle, however, slot machines’ repetition becomes a huge strength.

Together with the big wins, huge variety and low barriers for entry that slot machines possess, it’s abundantly clear why slots have become the driving force for casino growth worldwide.