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The (Possible) Future of Online Slots

Published

7 years ago

June 25, 2019

The (Possible) Future of Online Slots Reading Time: 4 minutes

In online slots are about anything they are about technology. At every stage of the development of slot machines – from the earliest mechanical machines, through video slots and on to online provision – slots have taken the latest technological advances and used them to deliver an enhanced player experience. While it’s always difficult to predict what’s going to happen in the future of online slots – developers are keen to keep their best ideas under wraps – one safe bet is that the most exciting developments of 2020 will revolve around the latest technology being harnessed to change when, where and, most importantly, how players experience online slots.

Skill Based Slots

The line between game playing and slots has been blurring for some time. Slots like Jungle Jim: El Dorado and Immortal Romance have made use of the kind of characters, storylines, luscious graphics and different levels that are more familiar from console games than traditional slot machines. The key to these slots is still the spin of the wheels, perhaps, but there’s much more going on.

The next step in this evolution – and the point at which slots and games begin to merge – is likely to be the introduction of slots with skill based features. The appeal of this will be two fold; gamers who spend much of their leisure time exploring detailed 3D worlds via the latest generation of consoles will feel right at home with the slots, and the appeal will extend to players who a value a test of skill over a purely random spin of the wheels.

Female Friendly Slots

For many years gambling had a fairly masculine image. It was assumed that the people visiting casinos were mainly men, and the same was thought to apply to online casinos. The advertising for online gambling apps has often reflected this balance, both in terms of its’ content and how it has been targeted. More recently, however, this perception has shifted. A survey carried out by 888.com found that the divide in online gambling now fell at 56.2% men and 43.8% women. The developers of online slots will be aware of this shift, and it is likely to be reflected in the kind of imagery which slots are based around. Bikini clad babes and bunny girls are going to make way for figures of female empowerment like Wonder Woman or simply non-specific images which aren’t designed primarily to catch the eye of a passing man. The rise of access through social media like Facebook will also feed into this trend, with women known to value the social aspect of online gambling more highly than their male counterparts.

Welcome Bonuses

Virtually every online casino worth its’ salt now offers a dazzling range of welcome bonuses. The reason for this is that they mark a key way of casino being able to differentiate themselves. In a competitive market dominated by a relatively small number of developers, innovative, attractive and generous welcome bonuses are a relatively simple way for an online casino to set itself apart. Once a player has selected a specific casino – drawn by a generous bonus – they are likely to stay with that casino in the longer term. In 2020 we can expect welcome bonuses to become more generous and, in many cases, to be tied to specific games. These are often games like Mega Moolah which offer the chance to land a huge progressive jackpot, setting up the tantalising prospect of becoming a millionaire on the back of free spins.

Crypto Currency

Crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum often make the headlines on the back of lurid tales of people making or losing millions, or speculation on the degree to which they will eventually replace ‘conventional’ currencies. In the world of online gambling, the use of crypto currencies has been fairly slow to take off, but the obvious advantages they offer mean that this situation is likely to change in the future.

The advantages for crypto currencies when online gambling include the following:

Withdrawals are faster – because the funds don’t have to be processed by a bank – something which can sometimes take several days – crypto currency withdrawal are often virtually instant.
Anonymity – when you use a crypto currency to gamble the only information the casino has is your key number and how much you have deposited. Because you don’t have to leave details such as a payment card and your name and address you can play with complete discretion and relax in the knowledge that you’re not at risk from a data leak or malicious hacking.

Wearable Technology

The switch from desk based provision to mobile gaming was one of the biggest changes to hit online casinos in the last 5 years. Suddenly, people could play their favourite slots on the train while commuting, sitting at the kitchen table or even (if they were willing to risk their smart phone) in the bath. This switch meant that developers had to rise to the challenge of creating slots that worked equally well on hand held devices, and the next leap forward seems set to be a shift to wearable technology.

According to Statista, the market for smartwatches is set to boom in the next couple of years. The prediction is that, by 2022, 37 million smartwatches worldwide will be running the operating systems Wear OS and Android, while 34.5 million will be running the Apple Watch OS. In a world in which players can access their favourite slots without even having to take their phone out of their pocket, developers will be keen to create titles offering instant thrills, bold graphics that work well on a small scale and no-fuss playability.

Augmented Reality

Remember Pokemon Go? That was the moment that the technology of augmented reality crossed the line from being a tool that was useful if you wanted to see what a chair would look like in your lounge, to being part of the world of mas entertainment/gaming. In simple terms, augmented reality allows users to impose video graphics onto real world solutions, via a device like a smart phone or a tablet. Augmented reality slots will bring the sights and sounds of a real world slot machine into the environment in which the player is located, including special effects like fireworks and raining coins to celebrate a big jackpot win.

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: The (Possible) Future of Online Slots

Related Topics:gambling industry in Europe

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: