The UK Online Slots Conundrum
UK online slots are facing a bit of a problem, and it’s a very unique and peculiar one, a problem that really isn’t shared by a lot of other countries around the world. It’s a problem that stems from several places, and, if left unchecked, can seriously cause the slot bubble in the country to burst, which is really, really bad news considering the fact that online slots are the main source of online casino revenue in the country. The problem is that there are way too many slots, most of which are not good, and not enough variety between them to keep players satisfied.
It might not seem like a huge issue, but honestly, market oversaturation is a very real problem in any industry, not just in casino, and a single look at a site like http://www.casinoreviews.co.uk/slots/ can tell you that there’s already way more online slots than anyone could possibly need. I mean, off the top of your head, how many slots do you personally think are necessary to satisfy every possible taste? 10? 20? 50? Well, what if I told you that the number of unique slot machines playable in the UK at this very moment exceeds that number ten-fold? And what’s more, most of these slots aren’t actually any good, nor are they trying to be. They’re just fodder, they’re there to allow online casinos to display impressive numbers. So while most of us can try out Rainbow Riches online and enjoy it, the same can’t be said for all of the other practically identical slots that big developers keep churning out. The sad truth is that nobody likes nor plays the overwhelming majority of online slots being made.
“But so what”, you might be asking. “Just let them be in the background, they can be perfectly ignored and people can focus on the relatively small number of slots which are actually great, right?” Well, it’s not that simple. The hundreds upon hundreds of disposable slots don’t just stop existing because people don’t play them – they pile up, and become more and more intimidating for new players who want to get into gambling. I mean, imagine if you’re a young 20-something who has just signed up for his or her first online casino, and suddenly you’re faced with a choice of 200+ slots, most of which are terrible. Wouldn’t you feel overwhelmed and alienated? You might think that these are just hypothetical situations, but that’s literally exactly what happened during the Great Videogame Crash of ’83, which almost killed the videogame industry, which was blooming and prosperous at the time. Developers were trying to make too many games with too little effort put into them literally just to fill their deadlines and their quotas, with absolutely no regard for quality or diversity, and at the end of the day thousands of games ended up buried in landfills because no one knew what to do with them. The videogame market got so oversaturated that it crashed under its own weight.
So, what can be done to make sure slots don’t follow the same fate? Well, there are two problems here – oversaturation of the market and lack of variety. Thankfully, they both have very easy solutions. First and foremost, online casinos should place an emphasis on quality rather than on quantity. Instead of proudly proclaiming how many slots they have, the selling point should be how many of these slots are highly rated by reviewers and have proven to be financially successful. As for variety, there’s not much that can be done with the current limitations in place, but maybe very soon the limitations that prevent skill-based slots from being created will be lifted, like they were in the US. If those two conditions are met, I believe that we’re looking at a slot renaissance!
Read MoreWhat Do Good Casinos Have in Common?
If you are a newcomer to the UK online casino world, you will most likely be shocked by the huge number of available operators. As you probably suspect, only a small number of them are trustworthy, and can be played at without substantial risk for your cash and sensitive data. If you’ve been around the block, it is easy to determine several features that all reputable casinos have in common. We have decided to create this small guide so that you can take one peek at a casino and figure out if it’s good or not.
Licenses & Certificates
Gambling is a ‘regulated’ market for a reason – there are certain rules and standards that all operators must adhere to. One of them is licensure by the local government authority in charge of gambling operations. For the UK, that would be the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. All casino operators must apply for a license in order to legally operate. In other words – a casino that does not have a license by the UKGC is illegal, and should not be played at! Upon entering an online casino site, look for the UKGS’s seal near the bottom of the home page. If you do not see it, exercise caution.
Bonuses & Special Offers
Great casinos go out of their way to attract new players and retain their existing ones. The best tool operators have to achieve that are bonuses and promotions. All reputable casinos usually offer some incentive for signing up with them – the most common thing is the so-called ‘Welcome Bonus’, which is basically free money with which you can play at the casino. Each operator creates its own custom offer, with different conditions for cashing out the bonus – the so-called ‘wagering requirements’.
Aside from that, reputable operators offer a variety of special offers for their recurring players. Cash bonuses, free spins, promotional offers, and different loyalty programs. Before registering at a casino, make sure you check out what promotions are available to existing players.
Game Library
Of course, the quantity and quality of available games are one of the most important things to consider when choosing an online casino. Good casinos generally have several hundred games, most of which are usually slots. However, other casino classics should be present – blackjack, roulette, video poker, baccarat, etc. Some operators choose to include software by only one provider, while others feature games by many developers. In our opinion, diversity is just as important as quality, so we tend to favour casinos that feature many and unique games.
A good example of a casino that features a ton of great games by a variety of different developers would be Leo Vegas. Head over there and you will see just what we are talking about.
Read MoreOur Favourite Microgaming Slots
When it comes to online casino software, Microgaming is perhaps the most important company to have ever existed. The software developers there were responsible for the creation of the world’s first online casino in 1994, and since then have been one of the main driving forces of the industry. Over the years, Microgaming have developed a huge number of games, most of which are slots. In this article, we will share with you our all-time favourite slot games developed by this software giant.
Mega Moolah
If you are into slots, you definitely know this one. Mega Moolah is famous as the ‘millionaire maker’ its huge progressive jackpot has been enticing players for many years. The best part is that people win it from time to time, and really change their lives for the better. The game itself is a colourful video slot with a safari theme and classic gameplay. You can play Mega Moolah at all casinos that feature software by Microgaming.
Game of Thrones
Based on the highly successful HBO series, the Game of Thrones slot by Microgaming is a huge hit among both fans of the show and slot players. It is one of the few slots with 243 paylines – which means that there are many, many ways to win. On top of that, the game also features a fun bonus round and a Gamble feature – both of which can increase your winnings exponentially. Also, the visual style and music really nail the style of the show.
King Arthur
One of the true classics by Microgaming, King Arthur is a video slot that still has its charms even today. Based on the popular legend about a brave king and his knights, the slot is one of the studio’s finest works, at least in our opinion. Aside from the outstanding theme and visuals, the game offers two types of Wild symbols, a bonus game, and many other exciting features. If you come across the King Arthur slot, make sure you give it a try!
Read MoreWelcome to SCSCB.org!
Hello and welcome to the official website of the Society for the Control of Slot Casino Brands! SCSCB.org is dedicated to bringing you the latest news from the field of online gambling, and review the very best casino operators that focus on our favourite game – slots. We will also share with you our favourite slot games, and where to play them. This website aims to provide you with honest, thorough articles on the topic, while helping you pick a casino that offers just the experience you are looking for.
We are a small team of avid casino players, who have pretty much seen it all. Based in the UK, we have tried out most of, if not all, online casino operators available to the public, and we have a first-hand experience with the best and the worst of them. That gives us the confidence that we can supply you with adequate information, based on which you can make your own choice of online casinos. Back when we first started playing with real money, we didn’t know which operators are honest, which resulted in quite a bit of nerves and lost money. We are here to make sure you do not make the same mistake we did.
SCSCB.org will be regularly updated with new content, and we will strive to keep our articles both informative and entertaining – of course, keep in mind that the subject is quite serious, as it involves actual money. Also, if you would like us to write on a specific topic, make sure you get in touch with us via the provided contact form. We will do our best to fulfill all requests!
Feel free to browse our website, share it with your friends, and make sure you always gamble responsibly!
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