Between March 2020 and March 2024, the gross gambling yield of slots in the UK grew 11% year on year. Their sustained growth has made them one of the most popular iGaming options available in the UK right now.
The popularity of slots comes down to a number of factors, including their lower budget and risk options. They’re especially popular during times of economic difficulty, experiencing peaks during the COVID-19 pandemic and when inflation is the highest. The range of options and bonuses has also helped aid slot games’ success.
So, before we get to spinning, let’s check out why slots have become such a popular option with UK players.
How Popular are Slots in the UK?
There’s little denying that slots are one of the most popular iGaming products in the UK, with consistent growth in recent years. As well as seeing a growth in yield, slots also saw an increase in the number of spins between 2020 and 2024, peaking at an incredible 22 billion! Player numbers were also on the rise, with a 7% increase in the average number of monthly accounts playing slots.
Are There Any More Popular Forms of iGaming?
While these numbers paint an impressive picture, they still don’t top the UK’s most popular form of iGaming, sports betting. Sports betting dominates the market, with a 2024 survey by the UKGC finding that nearly half (47%) of all UK bettors said they’d placed a bet at an online sports bookmaker in the past 12 months.
Sports betting has consistently been the top iGaming product in the UK. It’s ingrained in some of the nation’s most popular sports. Whether it’s on football or horse racing, placing a bet is almost part of the routine. Although online slots aren’t yet challenging these numbers, they’re the fastest-growing form. In the future, if they continue their trend of growth, we could see online slots challenging sports betting for that number one spot.
What are the Reasons Behind the Popularity of Slots?
There are a number of reasons behind the popularity of slots, including their lower levels of risk and investment. The range of options, both in games and bonuses, gives them widespread appeal. Their vibrant graphics and easily understandable mechanics make them an eye-catching option. Let’s look at these reasons in more detail now.
Lower Risk, High Reward
For players on a budget, or looking to limit their gambling spend, online slots are a popular option. While it’s most common to see a single spin starting from 50p, thereat are some th go down to as little as 1p. These budget options make slots less of a financial commitment than other forms of gambling, and they allow players to stretch their budget further.
Players can also choose the level of risk they’re comfortable with by accounting for the return to player (RTP) when selecting a slot. The RTP refers to how much a player can expect to see returned on their investment as a percentage, usually around 90 to 96%. The higher the percentage, the lower the risk.
As well as RTP, there’s also volatility, which categorises slot games into different levels of risk. It looks at how often payouts occur and how big they are when they do. There are three different categories: low, medium, and high. Low volatility slots pay out little and often, whereas high volatility ones pay out larger amounts less frequently. Medium volatility slots sit somewhere in between the two. The volatility of a slot is usually clearly displayed in the game library, allowing players to choose the level of risk that best suits them. On some sites, it’s even possible to filter slot options depending on their volatility level.
Easy to Play
Other casino games, like craps or poker, can have complicated rules, which can be particularly intimidating for novices. Slots, in contrast, have simple rules and mechanics. In some cases, all a player has to do to play is press a button or pull a lever to spin the slot. This makes slots more accessible to all players.
It’s also common to have a trial of a slot machine, called a demo. These don’t use real money, and players can’t earn any rewards from them, but they’re a great opportunity to get used to how slots work. Demos are also the perfect chance for players to try out a new slot machine without committing any of their money.
Vibrant Graphics and Themes
Their vibrant graphics make slots some of the most exciting casino games on the market. There are choices for every player, with themes ranging from sports and adventure to history and fantasy. There are even slots that are themed around certain celebrities, television shows, or bands. To help convey these themes, slots often incorporate bright graphics and unique sound design. The wide range of choice means slots can appeal to a vast range of preferences.
Bonuses are the Cherry on Top
While in land-based casinos, the rare bonuses are reserved for high rollers, they’re commonplace in online slots. As soon as players join an online casino or slot site, they can make the most of welcome bonuses. These often offer free spins or funds to be used at slots.
Players can also make the most of a wide range of other bonus options. There are no and low deposit bonuses, which are great options for those on a budget, offering a reward for the smallest of deposits. Players can also keep an eye out for seasonal bonuses, including a birthday bonus. When they’re getting short on rewards, down to the last of their free spins, players can replenish them with reload bonuses. There are even bonuses that are exclusive to slots, usually offering free spins to entice players to try out new options.
More Games to Choose From
There’s a wide variety of choices within online slots. Whether players are looking for slots that make the most of innovative technology with virtual reality or 3D technology, or classic three-reel nostalgia, there are options for everyone. Let’s look at some of the most popular slots now.
Virtual Reality Slots
In virtual reality slots, players use VR headsets to immerse themselves within a bright casino environment. Intricate set and sound design help create an environment as close to the real thing as possible. Players can even interact with other characters and spinning slots in the virtual world.
Interactive Slots
Another popular option is interactive slots, which add an extra gaming element to the slot experience. Players complete mini-games, like puzzles, which influence the overall outcome of the slot. These games allow players to influence the result of a game, which is otherwise entirely dependent on chance.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
At progressive jackpot slots, players can win a share of an ever-growing jackpot. The more spins, the bigger the jackpot becomes. Usually, the prize is pooled in a certain area or for a specific slot. Players of progressive jackpots can find themselves winning a share of millions of pounds. They add an additional interactive element, with players able to watch as the jackpot climbs up and up.
Other Popular Slot Options
These are just some of the most popular slot varieties; there are further options, including classic slots. These slots most closely resemble the machines you’ll find in the corner of pubs, featuring all the iconic symbols, like cherries, money bags, and sevens. With so many choices on the market, players turn to one of the leading experts, Online-Slot.co.uk, to help them find the best options. Using their 40 plus years of industry experience, their experts compare slots across things like bonuses, potential returns, and themes to find the very best options in the UK. Players can also rest assured that they’re only choosing from safe and secure options, as they only work with licensed slots.
Why are Slots Becoming So Popular in the UK?
Slots are the fastest growing form of iGaming in the UK right now. They represent a lower level of risk, with players able to play for as little as 1p, making them popular with those on a budget. They’re not only more accessible in terms of price, but their simple rules and mechanics mean they have wide appeal.
Slot players also have more options to choose from, with a wide variety of types available. Whether they’re after a classic slot or they want to try a technology-forward option, like a VR slot, there are options for everyone. Combine this with generous and even exclusive bonuses and slots are an exciting choice. Thanks to their broad appeal, lower investment options, and vast library of choice, slots have become one of the most popular forms of iGaming in the UK right now.
