Slots are still the most played game in casinos in most countries

[Maniés]

Slots are a game of chance that works by placing a (usually fixed) bet and winning an arbitrary amount of money. What started as a physical game has now become a true Internet phenomenon.

In Portugal the second quarter of 2022, had about 80% of the bets placed online destined for slots. This is impressive when you consider that classic games such as poker, blackjack, or French roulette accounted for less than 10% of all bets placed in the same period.

But why are slots so atractive?

There is no single factor that determines the popularity of slots, but an article from Oregon State University finds that the motivation to win without making a big effort is particularly appealing to "relaxation gamblers," i.e. people who just want to play online to have a good time.

Unlike games like poker, slots do not require any kind of advanced technical knowledge: regardless of experience, any player can be awarded a jackpot.
The popularity of slots is also related to the way our brains work. Since the days when slots were just physical gaming machines, manufacturers have been exploring how certain colors, images, or sounds contribute to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin. These neurotransmitters are associated with sensations such as pleasure or reward.