Online Casino Slots vs. Land-based Slots

With approximately 2,300 online casinos on the Internet, playing online casino games is getting increasingly popular and safer than ever before. When online casinos first emerged in the 1990’s they were considered rogue, cheated winners and did not pay affiliate commissions. These days much of that has changed. 99% of online casinos are legitimate businesses with an occasional bad apple, which is usually a result of poor management rather than anything else.

Today, the online casino gaming industry is booming, topping $6 billion in gross revenue in 2005 and is expected to grow to more than $16 billion by 2009. In comparison, state operated land-based casinos topped $29 billion in 2005.

If you’ve never played online casino games but have played the free AOL or Yahoo games then you’ll have a good idea of what playing online casino slots and other casino games is like. For one, they run much smoother, have larger screens and better graphics and sound effects than the AOL and Yahoo games.

But how do the online casino video slots stack up when compared to land-based casino video slots?

From an entertainment standpoint both are strikingly similar. Each capable of spectacular graphics and incredible sound effects. Online slot games allow unlimited play in guest or demo mode to see if you like a particular game before using real money, not so with land-based slots. While many of the land-based casino slots do accept multiple denominations, casino operators tend to group their slot machines by coin denomination. If you want to play the penny, nickel, dime or quarter slots you simple head to that section of the casino.

The online casino video slots allow you set the coin denomination to a much wider range. You can easily change your game from a quarter slot to a penny slot with the click of the mouse. With the online casino slots, your favorite game is always available, unless of course the game server is down or you lose electrical power. With land-based casinos you may have to wait until a machine becomes available before you can sit down and try your luck at your favorite game, which can be somewhat annoying when the casino is crowded.

Tribal operated land-based casinos offer patrons a compensation system or more commonly know as “comp points". The more you play the more points you accumulate which can be redeemed for various items in the casino’s gift shop. Most state operated land-based casinos don’t offer “comp points" but do offer many contests that award free cash to play with.

Most online casinos offer both a point system and a cash award. When you first register and make an initial deposit you usually receive a cash signup bonus. Sometimes the signup bonus equals or matches your deposit while other times the signup bonus is a multiple of your deposit. Some casinos offer cash signup bonuses without requiring an initial deposit

Once you start playing you accumulate points that can be redeemed for cash. Like the tribal casinos the more you play the more points you accumulate.

Payback percentage is an average of total winnings paid out to total wagers placed. Neither online nor land-based casinos can randomly change the payback percentage. When a land-based casino orders a slot machine it orders the slot machine set with a certain payback percentage. The software that controls the payback percentage is sent to an independent lab for certification before it is placed on the casino floor. Changing the payback percentage once it is on the casino floor requires recertification. Many land-based casinos post their monthly payback percentage audit reports on their web sites.

Similarly, an independent auditing firm closely monitors the online casino's software for payback percentage accuracy. The online casino also post the independent auditors payback percentage reports on their web site.

Both the online and land-based casino reports usually list the overall payback percentage for the entire casino and then a breakdown for each type of game. You can also contact any online or land-based casino and ask what the payback percentage for a particular genre of game is. The payback percentage for online casino slots is the same in guest or demo mode as it is in real money mode. Playing in guest mode is a good way of testing any slot tips or strategies you may have.

Tribe and State operated land-based casino slots typically have an average payback percentage of approximately 92% while online casino slots are at 94% or higher. Las Vegas slots are usually close to 98% due to the heavy competiton.

Weather you play for entertainment or to make a few extra bucks you’ll find the online casino games everything the land-based slots are and then some.

Visit Winning at the Slot Tips & Strategy for more information on playing online and land casino slots.