While casinos have been around for at least 500 years, slot games are a relatively new creation. After being developed in the 1970s, however, it didn’t take long for their popularity to spread.
In their classic form as three-reel “fruit machines”, slots became ubiquitous in UK bars and clubs through the 1980s. By the 1990s, “pokies” were also one of the most popular and easiest-to-access casino entertainments in Australia and New Zealand.
Similar situations occurred all over the world and the online revolution only served to enhance the popularity of slots. There has been a 21st-century explosion in the choice and appeal of online slot games, particularly since gaming went mobile.
Today, compelling slots such as 9 Pots of Gold from Jackpotjoy can be enjoyed at the touch of a button. This is all fantastic news for the gaming industry, but what does it have to do with sports fans?
Though it might not seem obvious on the surface, slots and sports have a lot in common. Both are fast-paced, unpredictable, and exciting, with big winners and frustrated losers in every instance they are played.
In the Venn diagram of people who enjoy watching sports and those who enjoy slot gaming, the overlap is significant. So, what is it about slot games that appeals so much to sports fans?
- Strategy and luck
While talent, training, and dedication are important, sports fans know both strategy and luck are key to getting results. Nowhere is this truth echoed more loudly than in slots, where strategy improves the odds, but luck provides the wins.
- Excitement and adrenaline
People watch sports for many reasons, such as pride in their team or appreciation of the talent on show. One of the major appeals, however, is the excitement and adrenaline rush which comes from the jeopardy and unpredictability.
When it comes to the thrill of the unexpected, slots are the pinnacle of casino gaming. Players know big wins could occur any moment, which is guaranteed to keep them on the edge of their seats.
- Focus
“Never take your eye off the ball” is a mantra commonly used whether you’re watching or playing any sport. Even if it’s not a ball sport, it’s used as a reminder that losing focus could mean missing out.
The same applies to slot games; if you’re not focussed, you could miss your opportunity to win. Sports fans who get into gaming will appreciate the dynamic of being rewarded for paying attention and keeping concentration.
- Big wins
Sports are about winning and losing, as is the sports wagering that often comes alongside them. Slots are exactly the same, and many sports fans enjoy having an on-demand and instant alternative to placing wagers.
- Always available
Slot games being available “on-demand” is a huge part of their appeal to sports fans in another way.
Most sports are not occurring at all times; games last a specific duration and are only played on certain dates. Slots, however, are always there and have no off-season, helping fans fill that gap when they need it.
- Time with friends
When you strip away all the action and drama, a big part of being a sports fan is socialising. Going to games, watching them on TV, even chatting about events, it’s all about connecting with friends.
Whether played in person or online, slot games can also be a focal point for coming together with like-minded people. Online gaming with headsets and text base chat functions allow us to connect with other players, wherever we are.
- Linking themes
One of the biggest ways sports fans find their way into slot gaming is through crossover themes. The types of games available have come a long way since the standard three-reel “fruit machine”.
Today, slot games are themed in thousands of ways and enjoy affiliations with everything from movies to international music acts. Thanks to the passionate loyalty of sports fans, sports-themed games have become some of the most popular variations available. Also Read – How To Become a Sports Agent (A Guide to Know)
In the Jackpotjoy range, sports-themed games include Lester Piggott’s Perfect Nine, Maradona, Subbuteo Star Striker, and the Spin & Score Megaways. Variations of these ideas can be found across every platform, creating an almost endless range of sports-affiliated slots.
With all this crossover appeal and shared features, it’s easy to see why sports fans can get into slot gaming. Many sports fans have already begun playing slot games, and many slot players have taken more interest in sports.
As new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality develop, it’s likely these crossovers will go even further. With two vast global entertainments and revolutionary new technology so ripe for combination, the only limits are imagination.
So, are you a sports fan looking for new entertainment that might bring you similar thrills and advantages? Why not take your first steps into slot gaming today, and see what all the fuss is about?
