It has been over 130 years since the first slot machine was introduced to the world. The poker-themed slot became a novelty in bars where patrons would play and be rewarded either with drinks or cigarettes based on the spun poker hand. Through the years slots have evolved a great deal.
Currently, in Canada, provinces are responsible for all gambling activities within their jurisdictions as solidified by the article in sumsub.com/blog/gambling-in-canada/. In the past years, Ontario has been able to generate the largest gambling revenue at $3.8 billion, Quebeck at $2.73 billion and British Columbia at $1.2 billion. Slot games accounted for approximately 11% of betting activities, with the lottery accounting for 65%.
Online gambling game developers have worked on ensuring that slot games are as diverse as they are plentiful. their online look and experiences are like watching a video game being played. Slots’ technological advancements have allowed for computerised graphic reels which have moved from your three-reel offering and can now include up to 7 reels.
Types of Slots
There has been a steady decline in patrons in bricks and mortar casinos, with preference being given to the convenience of online casino sites. Slots are a favourite for online players as they have shown higher returns to players of 96%.
Not only this, there is a better selection of online slot games accessible through multiple devices at any time of the day. This is further reflected by the number of operators reviewed on gambleonline.co/en-ca/casino/games/slots/, which house the selections in their gaming libraries.
The multiple variations of slot games also mean there will be a lot more types that would be offered. The built-in features not only provide for a better experience and entertainment but provide more play options as well.
Progressive Jackpots Slots
The slot game is connected to a network which connects all players who play the game. For each spin made no win is recorded, as a portion of their wager is added towards the jackpot. Therefore, the jackpot will gradually accumulate or progress.
Playing a progressive jackpot, the player will have to make the maximum wager on the spins. Though the jackpot could grow into the millions, the chances of winning are similar to those found in lottery tickets. Either than the increasing jackpot, progressive slots typically have a particular theme and spin with three or five reels.
Penny Slots
As the name suggests, a player makes use of pennies to play the slots. Since it’s not realistic to play with a penny, these are converted into tokens which are in turn converted into credits. With these credits, you would be able to play and meet wagering requirements.
On an online platform, it’s the name that no longer retains the actual function. With the advancements made in slot games, the pay line is the determinant of gains. These are the multiple winning combinations possibly generated which typically carry wagering requirements.
3D Slots
These slot games are available in multiple designs, with a common 3-dimensional element to them. They have a combination of features like having multiple pay lines and mini-games within the game. Due to their 3D graphic nature, they are also presented in popular culture themes or movies.
Features of the slots are typically no different than your normal slot game. The difference is the animated video graphics of the game which make for visual candy. The added experience is a bombardment to the senses through which the enhanced experience and feel when winning a game for the player is accentuated. It is an additional part of the broader RNG slot technology that is clearly explained in howtogeek.com/183051/htg-explains-how-computers-generate-random-numbers/.
VR Slots
Another aspect is the adoption of gaming into slots. The development of Virtual Reality VR-enabled slot games makes it possible for slot players to enter into an augmented space and play.
The offerings of VR technology make it conceivable to enter a virtual casino and play slots. No longer just the feeling of looking at your screen and pressing the buttons. Slot games still offer the same feature, but VR technology provides the experience of being in a virtual space while still in the comfort of your home.
Interactive Slots (i-Slots)
Rather than expecting to spin the reels for hours on end, interactive slots or i-slots provide a twist to the game. Interactive slots’ two main components are that they offer a mini-game within the game as well as a storyline. So each time the player spins is engaging and interactive while accessing bonus features and wins.
The player would typically play through a storyline which has obstacles and challenges. The game challenges in return would unlock bonus features intended to assist advance the player. Though the games may provide low volatility, RTP is typically high, which makes the play all the more worth it.
5 of The Most Played Slot Games
Slots are not games merely for fun and entertainment thus the player expects a return. A slot game whether online or not will need to meet this particular requirement for the player to feel it has been worth it to place a wager. That is why great care has been taken to deliver games which cater to the players’ expectations.
Factors like how often the game payout, wagering conditions, availability to bonus features and RTP are considerations to take into account. Features that make the game easy to play and understand, yet entertaining, make for an all-rounder in a gaming experience.
1 – Megah Moolah
This highly popular slot game has been developed by Microgaming who have an impressive record for offering great games. The slot game has been responsible for the highest slot machine win in the history of $23 million Canadian. Mega Moolah is an interactive game with a progressive jackpot of four jackpots within the game.
The slot game has a high RTP of 94%, though the volatility is low. Catering for all budgets, the player can make a spin for as little as 25 cents, with which they are eligible to enter one of 4 game jackpots and possibly earn some bonus features.
2 – Thor: The Trials of Asgard
One of the latest offerings with a Norse mythology theme following the trials of legendary comic hero Thor. The Asgardian leads players to spin in a slot with 5 reels with 3 lines, expanding to an impressive 1024 pay lines. So prepare yourself to play in castles, walk with dragons and immerse yourself in mystic Nordic lore.
The slot has a high RTP of 96% where players can win 10 free spins when if they can land on 3 scatters. Wild spins can offer small, medium or really big wins allowing the player to increase their chances of earnings and bonus features.
3 – Book of Dead
Book of Dead is an Egyptian-themed slot game developed by Play n Go which presents a 5 reel and 3 rows spin. The minimum wager is 10 cents whereas the maximum is 50 cents. The game takes the player into an adventurous storyline where symbols gained along the way bring rewards of almost 150x for your wager.
The game may not have a progressive jackpot, but it holds some impressive features for the player which increase its volatility. The combination of symbols could see a player win 200x to 5000x their wager. This does not include the free spins they unlock.
4 – Wheel of Wishes
Wheel of Wishes is a Microgaming offering from the Alchemy studio. This slot game has an RTP of 93%, with minimum bets from 20 cents and a 4x progressive jackpot to boot. The slot offers a 5×3 reel with 10 pay lines which could see the player gain 500x on their bet with 5 symbols anywhere on the reel.
One of the game’s features is the Power Mode where the player can increase the value of their bet 10x, which in turn could activate the Power Spin. This feature activates for the player 2 or more symbols allowing for increased chances of winning.
5 – 9 Masks of Fire Hyper Spins
This slot game is an old game from the developer Gameburger Studios and Microgaming. It can offer players a 5×3 reel grip, which is common. The game has been revived with new features offered as bonuses in the form of extra spins, which are played at the players’ discretion.
With a progressive jackpot in play, the 96% RTP is accompanied by medium volatility. The minimum bet that can be made is 60 credits on a spin, able to access any online and mobile device platform. Masks on the reels provide the player with different prize offerings, with different payout values.
Conclusion
Though the thrill of making a wager may be exciting, it is prudent to review some of the game choices you make. Understanding the different features in each slot game also helps the player not only fulfil their wagering requirements but also work to gain the most out of the gaming experience.
NEW YORK – Toronto Blue Jays reliever Chad Green and Canadian slugger Tyler O’Neill of the Boston Red Sox were named finalists for the Major League Baseball Players’ Association’s American League comeback player award on Monday.
Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet was the other nominee.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. were named player of the year finalists.
The award winners, selected via player voting, will be named Saturday before Game 2 of the World Series.
Green, who missed most of the 2022 and ’23 seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery, was a high-leverage option for the Blue Jays this past season and filled in at closer over the second half of the campaign.
The right-hander converted his first 16 save opportunities and finished the year with a 4-6 record, 17 saves and a 3.21 earned-run average over 53 appearances.
O’Neill, a native of Burnaby, B.C., also endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons in ’22 and ’23.
After being traded to the Red Sox in the off-season, O’Neill set an MLB record by hitting a homer in his fifth straight Opening Day. He finished with 31 homers on the year and had an OPS of .847.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
Alabama’s Mark Sears and North Carolina‘s RJ Davis looked into the possibility of leaving for the NBA before deciding to return for another college season.
Their decisions helped their teams earn top-10 rankings in the AP Top 25 and earned both players some preseason honors, too.
Sears was a near-unanimous selection for The Associated Press preseason All-America men’s basketball team released Monday, earning all but one vote from a 55-person national media panel. Davis was right behind him, nabbing 51 votes.
They were joined by Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson, Auburn forward Johni Broome, Arizona guard Caleb Love and Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. Love and Flagg tied for the final spot, creating a six-man team that includes only the ACC, Big 12 and SEC.
Alabama twin bill
Sears was a key cog in the Crimson Tide’s first trip to the Final Four a year ago, orchestrating one of college basketball’s highest-scoring teams.
The 6-foot-1 guard was named a second-team AP All-America after averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He was the first Division I player in 31 years to have 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists and 95 three-pointers in a single season while breaking the Alabama single-season record with 26 games with at least 20 points.
Sears worked out for NBA scouts during the offseason before deciding to return to Alabama, earning the Crimson Tide a No. 2 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25.
“I saw the team that we had and I wanted to be a part of it, and bring home Alabama’s first national championship in basketball,” Sears said.
Across the state at rival Auburn, Broome made a quick decision about his future, announcing in April that he would be back for a fifth season.
The 6-10 forward was a third-team AP All-American last season after averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 55% from the floor. With an eye on an NBA future, Broome worked hard on his perimeter shooting during the offseason and his return earned Auburn a No. 11 preseason ranking.
“My main goal is a team goal, which is to win the national championship, to make it as far as I can in March Madness,” Broome said. “When a team shines, everyone shines individually.”
Along Tobacco Road
Like Sears, Davis has similar aspirations after opting to return for his fifth season at North Carolina.
The 6-foot guard was an AP All-American last season and the ACC player of the year after averaging 21.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists on a team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Davis enters this year within reach of former North Carolina big man Tyler Hansbrough’s all-time ACC scoring record.
“I know there’s more work to be done,” Davis said. “I know my jersey’s not going up until I leave. So there’s some more records to break and some more work to be done. I’m satisfied but I’m not satisfied, if that makes sense.”
Up the road at Duke, Flagg was the only underclassman on the preseason All-America team after arriving with tons of hype. The 6-9 swingman was the No. 1-rated high school recruit out of Newport, Maine and has been projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
Flagg has the skills of a guard, but can also play inside and has worked hard on his perimeter shooting, giving him the potential to be one of college basketball’s most versatile players. He’s part of a stellar recruiting class that has No. 7 Duke eyeing a deep March run.
Big 12 duo
Dickinson was the biggest move in the transfer portal last spring after leaving Michigan for Kansas. The 7-2 center lived up to the billing, averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds while leading the Jayhawks back to the NCAA Tournament.
Love’s decision to return for a second season at No. 10 Arizona has ratcheted up expectations in the desert for the Big 12 rival of Kansas.
The athletic 6-4 guard had a high-scoring career at North Carolina and continued it after transferring to Arizona last season. He was the Pac-12 player of the year and a third-team All-American after averaging 18 points per game and making 92 3-pointers.
Love tested the NBA waters this summer before deciding to return.
“He’s had a very successful college career thus far,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “He’s kind of this last generation of player that’s going to get better with this extra year, and so I just encourage him to take advantage of it.”
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CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of Cleveland‘s season after rupturing his right Achilles tendon on Sunday against Cincinnati, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.
Watson will soon undergo surgery, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the results of imaging tests taken on his leg.
It’s the second significant injury in two seasons for Watson, who broke the glenoid (socket) bone in his throwing shoulder last year.
The 29-year-old Watson went down without being touched on a draw play late in the first half. His right leg buckled and Watson collapsed to the turf. TV replays showed his calf rippling, consistent with an Achilles injury.
As he laid on the ground, there was cheering by some Cleveland fans, leading to some of Watson’s teammates criticizing that behavior during the team’s fifth straight loss.
The injury is yet another twist in Watson’s divisive stay with the Browns.
Cleveland traded three first-round draft picks to Houston and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million in 2022. The deal came amid Watson being accused by more than two dozen women of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions. He settled civil lawsuits in all but one of those cases.
Watson was suspended by the NFL for his first 11 games with the Browns and then made just six starts last season before hurting his shoulder.
