THE BEAST

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Not many of the games that people enjoy playing so much at casinos can truly be said to be new. Most of them have been around in one format or another for at least a hundred years.

Take the slot machines for example. Legend has it that the very first of those was invented towards the end of the 19 th century. This initial machine was called the Liberty Bell and it was not all that different from the later one-armed bandits.

The machines became associated with casinos during the 1930s, after the development of Las Vegas. By the 1970s, gaming arcades were opening and featuring slot machines among their selections.

We arrived at the kind of slots online that so many know and love today in the 1990s. That was when the first casino sites popped up on the internet.

Now that has become the main way that people play games. There are certain things that anyone should consider before doing so though, which this article will cover.

Is It Legal?

Every country in the world has its own laws concerning gambling online and it is advisable to check the legal status before starting to play slots. This will ensure that you are not risking breaking the law in any way.

It is unlikely to be a problem in most places though. European gambling laws are fairly light these days, as long as you are over 18.

Where it may be more of an issue is if you are based within the US. Casino gaming regulations are now decided at the state level, so whether it is lawful or not will depend on what state you live in.

Is the Casino Site Reputable?

This is a very important matter to consider before beginning to play an online slot. There are an awful lot of sites on the internet that offer slot games, but not all of them are safe to play.

The main thing that you should be looking for is evidence that the site is licensed. It should prominently display a license from an established regulatory body such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.

You should also check to see that it has cutting-edge software for protecting data security. SSL encryption software for all transactions is an indicator that it is reputable. If you are unsure, try reading some reviews online.

Is the Game a Good One?

Nobody wants to waste their time or money on a poor-quality slot, but what makes a game good can vary from person to person. For some people, it is about a theme that connects with their interests and there are plenty of slot games with metal themes out there.

For others, the important aspects will be the financial ones. That means regular payouts and a jackpot worth playing for. 

Then there are the people who prioritise good gaming, with interesting bonus rounds and special features. Knowing what the most important thing is about a slot game for you will help you to pick a game that you will enjoy.

What Does the Terminology Mean?

Slot games are not difficult to understand, but they do feature some terminology that you should grasp the meaning of before starting. That way you can concentrate fully on the play rather than trying to figure out what all the terms mean as you go along.

• RTP

This stands for return to player. It is calculated as a percentage and tells you what you are likely to win in payouts for each $100 you bet. A standard RTP for an online slot is around 96% and avoiding games where it is lower than that is a key part of playing them well.

• RNG

RNG is the acronym for random number generator. That is the technology that guarantees random results from each online slot spin and is proof that the game is fair.

• Volatility

What the volatility of a slot game means is how often it pays out. High volatility slots produce less frequent, but larger, wins. Low-volatility ones provide regular small payouts.

A low-volatility online slot will be better for people who have tight budgets.

Explore the Games First

The majority of online casino sites will let registered players try a slot game in demo mode first. Taking advantage of that is the last piece of advice for new players.

Sampling a game in that way before starting to play it for actual money will allow you to familiarize yourself with the play. That will really improve your chances once you are betting on it for real.

If you make sure to think about these things before playing a slot online you should have a great time.