If you’ve been playing online slots for a long time now, you know that these games are better than ever. A variety of different software developers have been producing games that have pushed the boundaries of what was once considered “standard” for online slots, improving the graphics, adding animations and video, incorporating voice acting and adding new and innovative special features that keep gameplay from getting stale (such as the 3D online slot games available at Betsoft Casinos which are the highest quality slots currently available online).
But these games are nothing compared to some of the most advanced slots seen in Las Vegas casinos or other high-end gambling resorts around the world. There, manufacturers like International Game Technology roll out their top-of-the-line games with giant video screens and an incredible array of betting options and bonus games that – if you’ve never had the chance to play them – are like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Now, IGT and other big name live slot machine developers are getting ready to port some of these games to the online slots world. In the case of IGT and other American developers, this move is coming in anticipation of state or federal regulations that will make it legal for American firms to take part in the online gambling world, while also providing regulated sites for American players to play on.
This regulation is slow in coming; the federal government in the United States doesn’t seem likely to have a nationwide online gambling system running any time soon, as the several bills that have been introduced to Congress have all died rather unceremoniously before even coming to a full vote. But at the state level, things are moving a bit faster. Nevada has already begun taking applications for licenses, and expects to have online casinos you can play for real money up and running for residents there by the end of the year. New Jersey is fast on their heels with legislation that would allow Atlantic City casinos to offer online gambling not only within the state, but also to players in other jurisdictions where such games are legal.
Though these online casinos are still a long way away, groups like IGT are already taking steps that show they are serious about the transition to online slots. Recently, IGT purchased Double Down Interactive for $500 million. Double Down is a social gaming company that developed a casino platform for Facebook. Now, IGT is going to use that interface to share their incredibly popular American Idol slot machine to an online audience – albeit in a free play mode.
Nonetheless, this is seen as a first step towards IGT launching their own games in the online world. While IGT already offers online slots to operators through their Wagerworks subsidiary, having resources like Double Down could allow IGT to run their own online casino someday, offering at least some of their games exclusively through their site. According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, some of IGT’s current customers have expressed concerns that IGT could become a potential competitor – though IGT says that providing games to casino operators is still the key part of their company strategy.
Regardless of how they get there, though, it’s likely that online slots players will soon be seeing more games from top brick-and-mortar slots developers in the near future. Bally Technologies, WMS, and other manufacturers have also taken steps to put their games online in free play modes. In the long term, this could mean a lot more real money online slots that perfectly emulate the games players play in live casinos – something both players and operators of online casinos would be excited to see.
