In an ideal gambling world, video slot gaming would continue as it is now with hundreds of games been added to slot libraries at casinos every year. The problem is that we do not live in a gambling utopia and unfortunately people do become addicted to these games. Therefore, society feels obliged to put the brakes on the industry to save those most vulnerable amongst us.
What this could mean for the future of jackpot slots is that the games themselves will face more restrictions being placed upon them by governments or licensing bodies and this could affect their popularity and development. The greatest threat to the future of slots is whether max bets will be banned and a universal maximum wager of £2 will apply to all slot games. If this does happen then revenue will collapse and so may the interest in slot gaming in general. High staking gamblers may go elsewhere for their kicks and the knock-on effect could hit slot development houses hard.
The Current Situation
At present, the video slot industry is still thriving, and games are more creative than ever. Revenue is up and the public is still flocking to these games in their millions. Innovations such as Megaways slots have proved a big hit as well and slot development companies have the finances to push the boundaries to create bigger and better games. It is obvious what path the industry would like to go down if it continues in its present healthy state and the ultimate aim is to offer fully immersive 3D and virtual reality video slots.
A Glimpse into The Future
Imagine if you could put on a virtual reality headset and walk into your favourite slot surrounded by the reels and the sites and sounds of slot games. If this doesn’t paint a thrilling vision of the future, then don’t forget to add the gambling element to this image of future gaming. Already experiments are underway with VR slots and VR online casinos. You can already walk through a virtual casino lounge and interact with others whilst you choose the game you want to immerse yourself in. All entertainment is heading in this direction so you can expect to see VR video gaming and fully immersive cinema as well.
When it comes to gambling, there is the risk once again that losing yourself in a virtual slot world can create more gambling addicts who will end up losing touch with reality along with how much they are spending. So where do we draw the line in the expansion and development of the slot industry?
Final Thoughts
Slots are part of the entertainment industry and because of this, the natural progression is to use the latest technological advances to produce bigger and better products. Slot gaming also needs to keep up with other forms of entertainment, so it is highly unlikely that the spectre of gambling addiction will prevent this industry from doing its best to develop the ultimate slot-playing experience.