Over 19.3 million Canadians regularly engage in online gambling. While preferences vary, most of them play slots more than other casino game types. Indeed, slots are the most popular type of casino games not only in Canada but all over the world. The online slots Ontario market is especially huge and growing exponentially since regulation began.
The growing popularity of slots among Canadian players isn’t without a good reason. You can observe the method in the madness by observing certain game-changing Canadian slot trends among players. So, what are the trends driving slots’ popularity in Canada?
Why Are Slots Becoming Increasingly Popular in Canada?
Canadians can access all casino game types. Besides slots, they can also play table and card games like blackjack and roulette. They can also enjoy specialties like Bingo and Keno. However, slots are the most popular type among most players. In fact, many Canadians play slots exclusively without bothering with table games or specialties. So, why’s this the case?
Simplicity & Quick Rewards
Slots are easy to play, unlike most table and card games. In fact, you can say that they are a no-brainer. You only need to spin and cross your fingers hoping for a win. Outcomes are completely random. As such, there are no rules or strategies to remember. In contrast, table games have many rules and complex strategies, which can be overwhelming for most players.
Slots also offer quick gratification. Rounds can play out within seconds or minutes, yielding quick wins (or losses).
Affordable Bet Limits
Online gambling can be expensive. Fortunately, slots are cheap, so to speak. Players can wager cents per spin, which is a negligible amount. What’s more, they can win many more times that amount. Low-cost wagers and potentially big wins; it doesn’t get any better than that for many Canadians.
Casino & In-Game Bonuses
Many casino bonuses target slots. For example, most welcome cash bonuses only work on slots. Besides, many cash bonuses also come with bonus spins, which you can only use on slots.
Besides casino bonuses, modern slots also come with in-game bonuses. Players can buy or trigger bonuses like bonus spins and extra rounds. In fact, this is one of the biggest factors driving most Canadian slot trends.
Visual & Audio Stimulation
Last but not least, slots are simply fun to play. They have audio and visual stimulations that make players feel joyful. The playful sounds and vibrant colors can stimulate a sense of enjoyment and positive feeling in players. What’s more, many slots are based on themes that appeal to Canadian players.
Player Trends Driving Slot Popularity
The growing popularity of slots comes down to what players like. Certain behaviors or trends among Canadian players are driving slots’ popularity. Take a look at the four most impactful Canadian slot trends:
A Growing Preference for High-Volatility Slots
For most Canadians, fun is the main appeal of playing slots. However, no one can ignore the money part. Of course, everyone hopes to win big playing slots. To this end, many Canadians prefer playing high-volatility slots, as they have the biggest rewards.
Volatility in slots directly affects your likelihood of winning. Slots with low volatility are considered safe because their yield wins more frequently. However, those wins are usually small. In contrast, high-volatility slots are considered risky because wins are rare. However, the wins are usually huge and well worth the risk.
As such, you could say that Canadian gamblers are risk-takers; slot variance player preference clearly leans towards high-volatility slots. However, more cautious players prefer slots with adjustable volatility levels, of which there are many.
A Growing Demand for Bonus-Buy Features
Bonuses go a long way when playing slots. Players get to save money by playing using bonus spins or cash bonuses. What’s more, every additional spin creates another opportunity for a potential win.
Unfortunately, there can never be enough bonuses. Casino bonuses are limited. As such, many players prefer slots with their own in-game bonus features. They come in many types, most commonly bonus spins and extra rounds. They can also be multipliers and wilds. Players can trigger these features when playing. Alternatively, they can purchase them at a small fee.
An Ongoing Shift to Mobile Gambling
There are many different ways and platforms for Canadians to play slot games. Some prefer doing it the good old way; at a physical slot machine in a walk-in casino. Others prefer playing online on their computers. However, most Canadians now prefer playing online on their mobile devices (smartphones or tablets).
Playing slots on mobile is convenient in many ways. Most notably, many Canadians are always on the move, and they always carry their smartphones. As such, they can play anywhere and at any time. Moreover, slots feel somewhat more compact and smoother on mobile devices. Moreover, the swipe controls are easier to use than clicking a mouse or pulling a lever. What’s more, some slots have mobile-exclusive bonuses.
Localized Content
Slots feature diverse themes. The themes can be inspired by virtually anything, such as nationality and sports. The number of slots featuring Canada-inspired themes is growing. For example, Canadians like slots with themes based on hockey. There are even indigenous-themed slots, like Spirit of the Inca. This is appealing to Canadian slot players, which is not surprising, considering how patriotic people here are.
Besides themes Canadians can relate to, slots also feature other localized content like languages. For example, more slots targeting Canadian players now also support French to accommodate players from Quebec.
Gambling Responsibly
The growing popularity of slots in Canada seems unstoppable. For most Canadians, it is simply harmless, potentially rewarding fun. However, some players can over-indulge to the point of addiction. As such, responsible gambling is always advisable.
Responsible gambling starts with the player. It’s all in the mind; learn when to stop. However, if you can’t, then you can use various responsible gambling tools available at most online casinos. For example, you can set limits on how much money you can deposit. You can even set limits on how much you can bet per spin. You can also limit how much time you spend at an online casino. If that doesn’t work, you can use the self-exclusion option to suspend your account temporarily or permanently.
Gambling addiction can run deep and may require greater intervention. In that case, you can seek professional help from counselors and therapists. There are several organizations that offer free gambling counselling services. Talking to friends and loved ones also helps.
Conclusion
The growing popularity of slots in Canada was always inevitable. Online gambling is legal in Ontario. Moreover, Canadians in other provinces can always play at offshore casinos.
With more slots now being mobile-compatible, Canadian gamblers can now play more often as they switch to mobile gambling. Besides mobile betting, the growing demand for high-volatility slots and bonus-buy features are the biggest Canadian slot trends fueling the games’ popularity. The emergence of more slots with Canadian-inspired themes also has a notable impact.
