Slots machines at online casinos offer an average return of about 95% to the player. Blackjack and video poker games offer an average of return of over 99%. Yet, slots machines are by far the most popular of online casino games. About 70% of the games offered at online casinos are slots machines. Over 90% of the new game additions are in online slots. The question naturally arises that why online slots are so popular despite the lower average return.

The higher average return of blackjack and video poker games comes with a qualification. In order to achieve these returns the player has to acquire the necessary skill. Players who wager on blackjack and video poker games without using the optimal strategy will have to be satisfied with much lower returns. In the worst case this can fall below even 95%. Online slots, on the other hand, do not require any skill. The 95% average return in the long run is assured to each and every player. Many online casino players do not have the time and inclination to learn optimal blackjack and video poker strategies. Therefore they do not find an advantage in playing these games as compared to online slots.

The most important reason for the popularity of online slots is the payouts that they offer. In blackjack games the maximum payout is 3 to 2. In online roulette the payouts range from even money to 35 to 1. In video poker games the maximum payout can go to as high as 1,000 to 1. In online slots even the lowest payouts are usually more than 50 to 1. The highest payouts can go up to 10,000 to 1. And this is not taking into consideration the progressive jackpot payouts which can be truly life changing. Most online casino players are there for the entertainment. They are willing to sacrifice the potential loss in average return for the possible huge payouts.

Most other online casino games can get boring and repetitive after a while. But with online slots there is so much variety that this problem does not arise. Even online slot machines that are structured identically as far as the gaming parameters and payouts go can be a completely different visual experience. The entertainment quotient of online slots comes from the audiovisual features and the animations, the likes of which cannot be incorporated in other casino games.

There is constant innovation taking place in online slots. New features in wild symbols, bonus games and free spins are continuously being developed. This has created a curiosity of waiting for what the latest games will offer, and when the new games are released then to try out the features. Innovations in other casino games are less frequent.

Another feature in online slot games that has contributed to its popularity is the thematic nature of online slots. The symbols on the reels are not random choices but are drawn from a central theme. Just as movies have different genres and people are drawn to the genres of their liking, so are players drawn to slots machines based on themes they like. Sports loving persons will be drawn to sports themed slots, foodies will be drawn to cuisine themed slots and so on. For players interested in more than gaming slots machines can be an eye opener on cultures, history and other areas.