Online casino slots are continuing to grow in Ontario, partially due to the fact that many different regions and provinces are regulating gambling and making it easier for potential players. Slot games are the most popular form of online gambling worldwide, and there are many options for those who wish to play.
In this guide, we’re sharing some information for people considering gambling on casino slots, and the kinds of considerations that users should make before they part with their money.
Types of online slots
There are many different online slot games in Ontario to be played online. In fact, many of the top slot game manufacturers make dozens of different slot games each year. This means that there is an incredible amount of variety.
- Progressive slots are a type of slots where a percentage of the money staked goes into one progressive jackpot that is eventually triggered. Some progressive slot games even have jackpots that can be worth millions.
- Multi-line slots have many different paylines and may even have an unusual payout mechanism where certain criteria trigger a payout alongside the traditional paylines.
- Traditional slots are usually based on the older mechanical style of slot games that people were used to before things became computer based. These tend to have fewer paylines and more traditional slot mechanisms.
In addition to there being many different types of slots, there are also a lot of different themes and variations. Each slot game developer tends to have their own signature in terms of creating different mechanics and ways that the game may payout. On top of this, companies are getting more and more creative. Some casinos have hundreds or even thousands of different games available and there are always new minigames being added and bonuses as well as interesting features to keep the games fresh and intriguing.
How slot machines work
Slot machines work by spinning the reels, after which the users have a chance to potentially match symbols along paylines. Usually, three or more symbols must be matched to provide a win of some description. The different symbols all have their own values according to a paytable.
Slot machines may also have other mechanisms and ways to win. Developers continue to get more creative. There may also be bonuses within the games and other potential methods of triggering wins or instant payouts. Many slot machines have a free demo available to play, which can help users to understand exactly how the mechanisms work.
Online slots return to player (RTP)
Slot games each have a return to player (RTP) rate which is built into the mechanics. This indicates the percentage of the money staked that must be returned by the game as winnings overall. For example, a slot game might have an RTP rate of 95% which means that 95% of all money staked is returned to the pool of players.
Of course, this doesn’t guarantee that your experience will be exactly what the RTP says. Some players make much more out of the slot game while others make less, the RTP rate covers the whole game in general not an individual person’s transactions within the game.
Random number generator (RNG)
The random number generator is a crucial part of any online game and it is mandatory in most locations in terms of the mechanisms of any game.
When games where completely mechanical, the random element came from the way the wheels would spin, but now it needs to come from the coding of the game, and in turn this means an RNG is used to determine the outcome of each spin. This means that every spin is fair and has the same chance of winning.
Dispelling common slot myths
There are a lot of myths out there when it comes to slot games, and some people like to act like they know the precise ins and outs of slot games even when they don’t. The myths tend to spread quickly, but most can be disproven by the regulating bodies and the restrictions that they put into place.
Myth #1: Slots work in cycles of wins and losses
Some people think that slot games go through cycles, so there might be 1,000 losses before a jackpot is triggered. This is not true at all, and the RNG is one of the ways that this is avoided. The idea is that every spin has the same chance as any other, so a player that triggers the jackpot once might have the same chance of triggering it a second time in the next spin.
Myth #2: Slots will pay big and then not pay big again until they have recouped their losses
This is another absolute myth. People think that casinos and slot games will recoup any losses before they pay out on the game again, to ensure that they are always in profit. Again, this is something that is totally false and usually not allowed anyway due to the regulations and restrictions put in place by regulators.
Myth #3: Using autoplay for your spins always pays out less
The logic behind this myth is that those who have put the game on autoplay are less engaged somehow and won’t even notice as the money in their account ticks down. Once again, it is completely untrue. The outcome of slot games must be random and provide an equal opportunity for each player.
Understanding house edge in a slot
Businesses in Vancouver and other parts of Ontario are savvy and know that making money is essential, so there needs to be a house edge in slot games. This is also true of table games such as roulette. The house edge helps to ensure that overall, gambling companies tend to make a profit, but it doesn’t necessarily mean individuals won’t get lucky and win on a specific slot game.
The house edge is often small, at around 5% of the total staked amount, but it is good to be aware that there is an edge when you are gambling.
Volatility/variance on online casino games
Volatility and variance are concepts to get your head around before you play online casino games too. Volatile games may have higher potential payouts for users, but they may also trigger wins less frequently.
A game with a lower volatility may trigger more wins, but these wins are likely to be smaller, such as at 5x or 10x the game’s stake value. If you play a less volatile game, it is possible you’ll get far less paid out in potential wins, but more reliably get some return. If you play a high volatility game, it may take longer to trigger a win, but it may return more money if you do get a win.
Conclusion
The fundamentals of slot games in Ontario tend to work in the same way as anywhere else due to the fact that there are rules and regulations that slot developers and casinos have to stick to. It makes sense to do a bit of research before staking any money at a casino, which will help you to dispel any myths about the games and understand the stakes.