Which online casino games are the most popular - and why
The online gambling industry has gone from strength to strength over the course of the last decade and is now looking to eclipse the traditional brick-and-mortar casino industry in revenue generated and in popularity. The increase in disposable income seen throughout many Western countries has been a huge catalyst for this, but the maturation of the iGaming industry itself has to be given credit.
If you have ever browsed through an online casino platform, you will know that every online casino has a games library with hundreds of different game titles listed under each game category. If you do not already have a few favourite games lined up, or if you are looking for a new game to play, you would be forgiven for not knowing where to start.
There are a number of different game titles in each games category that have slowly risen to the top and become some of the most popular gambling games played around the world. Below is a breakdown of the most popular gambling game categories, and the top titles in those categories.
The major developers in the industry
If you are at all familiar with the online casino industry, you will likely recognise some of these names: NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, Betsoft and Playtech. These are the biggest game developers in the online casino industry, and they are leading the industry in terms of quality, output and number of games produced. Many of the top games listed below were created by these companies, as they have the leading technology and they know what it takes to create an engaging game; namely, audio, ease of use, engrossing graphics and captivating animation.
Although the industry has been thoroughly dominated by these players for the last decade, we are now seeing an exciting development in this space. More small companies and niche production companies are starting up and creating new, innovative games. Companies such as Yggdrasil and EveryMatrix are breaking through the barriers and designing imaginative games that are now competing with the games that were produced by massive production companies. As the industry continues to grow, we are likely to see even more innovation in the sector – something that can only benefit individual gamblers.
Slots
Slot games are the most popular games played on online casinos and it is not hard to see why. These games are easy to play, they are fun and exciting, and there are many different types of slot games to choose from. Online casinos such as Rizk Casino have comprehensive libraries of the best slot games available for gamblers to try and choose from.
One of the most popular online slot games is Starburst, created by NetEnt. The game is a fan favourite because it is easy to use, the graphics are pared down so gamblers are not distracted, and the top prize of 50,000x is definitely a draw for gamblers who enjoy playing slot games.
Desert Treasure, created by Playtech, is another prominent slot game. Desert Treasure is Playtech’s most popular game, in part because of its progressive jackpot Dollar Ball feature, the interactive bonus features, and the Golden Cobra Win, which gives lucky players a 5,000x jackpot.
It should not surprise you to learn that the Age of Gods slot machine games are also some of the most established online casino games played around the world. The Age of Gods slot games are so popular that there has actually been a number of spin-off games, such as Fate Sisters, Goddess of Wisdom, King of Olympus, Prince of Olympus and Furious 4, among others. These games have excellent progressive jackpots and bonus features that players can enjoy. They also have undeniably engrossing graphics and audio effects – who would not want to feel divine once in a while?
Card games
Card games are also, of course, extremely popular on online casinos. Poker and video poker games are typically, for most online casinos, some of the most popular card game categories that gamblers play. Baccarat and blackjack are also very popular and millions of games are played every month around the world.
Typically, however, much of the name recognition and creativity in game design can be found in the slot games. Slots provide production companies with the most flexibility for design and creativity, as the aesthetics and game play can be completely unique. Card games have traditionally been more toned down in their style and presentation, and as a result, individual games have reduced name recognition. However, that being said, games such as Dragon Tiger, Vegas Strip Blackjack and Football Studio are reversing this trend by creating unique, recognisable table games.