Live Slots
With the rise of Twitch slots, where casino players wager on online slots and thousands of viewers joining the action, there is another genre of games that is accumulating popularity – live slots. Playtech is the pioneer of live casino slots, with Evolution following, whereby a live host is presenting the game and narrates the action. Hundreds of players wager at once on the same live slot, with Age of the Gods and Buffalo Blitz live being the most prominent titles, while they can also engage with each other and the host through the live chat. Not sure what live slots are and how to play them? Join us as we provide you an overview of live slots.
Online Slots vs Live Slots
Online slots have many benefits over land-based slot machines, as many similarities. When it comes to live slots though, these games are less straightforward. Playtech went about developing live pokies so that it addresses the following weaknesses of slot machines online:
01.
Solo game
02.
Lack of comradery and teamplay
03.
Lack of interactivity and ability to communicate your thoughts
The above are all common across RNG-based online casino games, as dealers are not apparent, nor other players. Land based casinos offered dealers and communal gambling in table games but even pokies machines players often communicate with each other.
With live slots, players can enjoy luck based games that require no skill, feel that they are supported by a host, as well as communicate with other players that experience the same game with them with similar outcomes. The main differences between online and live slots are:
- The concept of RTP differs here. The pokies RTP is generally calculated over a million spins, determining the payouts of the slot machine. However, when hundreds or thousands of players bet at the same time on the same live slot, the way that the payouts work can differ from singular video slots. Think of it in relation to the classic land-based slot machine that used to pay after a punter had wagered a lot of cash in it; the ‘lookers’ would then sit on the machine hoping to cashout on the losses of the previous player.
- As with online slots, the players of live slots set the stakes, limits and the number of spins that they wish to play. However, the actual spinning is not under their control, rather on the dealer’s.
- Live pokies take place in live studios – offering a mix of land-based pokies and online pokies. Themes and backgrounds of the games can also vary from casino to casino since the studio teams can get quite innovative.
- Interaction with the host or other players was never a thing with online pokies. Live slots mitigate this through the live chat feature and the live show element.
- Lever based pokies, also known as one-armed bandits, got a massive comeback with live pokies, although the latter involve a buzzer instead. Still, the live host does not need to press it for the game to begin, although they often do.
How to Play Live Slots?
The main idea behind the gameplay of online slots and live pokies is the same, although there are some differences that are justified due to the different format of the two genres. In specific:
01.
Players do not have an individual screen that they can place wagers at etc. Instead, they are watching a big screen, placed behind the game host, standing next to the buzzer.
02.
To join, players have to set a number of automatic spins, bet per spin, and limits on losses and wins.
03.
Then, players can watch the action unfolding, without doing anything. Winning combos and payouts are displayed individually since the bet levels of each player differ.
It is important to note that minimum and maximum stakes might differ from the online version of the same games; since live slots usually require higher bets to join the game. Nonetheless, when winning big, players will see the total multiplier that will then be calculated according to their set stakes. Keep in mind that live pokies are not available to play in demo mode, but you can see how they operate by joining one of the live slots’ casinos apparent on this page.
Live Slots Streaming
When researching live slots, slots streaming seems to be what most players are searching for. One can also argue that Evolution and Playtech have been big in live slots, since they noticed the boom at platforms of famous slots streamers. Such practices take place on YouTube, Twitch or independent streaming platforms.
This is the best way to learn games, strategies and chat with other players that share your interests – without paying a penny.
Twitch Slots
Streaming on Twitch is nothing new, as players of Call of Duty, Dota and such games have been monetizing their gameplay for ages. Although the above video games are skill-based, offering an obvious entertainment element, watching a fun and charismatic player wagering on slots can be equally fun. The only difference from normal online slots and twitch live slots is that players do not spend their money to enjoy a session.
Benefits of watching players live
There are not many benefits of watching live slots but there are seven obvious ones:
- Enjoying your favourite pokies without spending a penny.
- The entertainment side can be equal to watching a podcast or a funny YouTube video if the streamer is charismatic.
- Can learn the slot games that are being streamed to find one to play for yourself.
- Exploring strategies and techniques that could help you win at slots.
- Making contacts and friends with like-minded individuals.
- Growing your own streaming platform.
- Unlike live slots, the streamer has an actual stake in the game.
Other live streaming platforms
Depending on the types of games that you are into live watching, you might need to follow different people. Some streamers use Twitch, as it offers clear monetization schemes, based on viewers. YouTube is another big one, although gambling videos are very likely to get demonetized; still, many casinos would pay for ads and banners on popular videos from slots streamers.
Most professional casino games streamers will also have their own personal website, where players can find their content regularly. Facebook live, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram live are also employed by some less known live streamers.
The main takeaway is that slots streaming is apparent on pretty much any social media network that would offer some incentives to streamers.
Fun to Watch Slots Streamers
There are a few major players in the casino streaming business, which you could check out if that’s what you are into:
Providers of Live Casino Slots
Now, back to live slots. Although we expect many companies to produce live pokies in the near future, there has only been two software giants that have taken a swing at it.
Playtech
This company is a real gaming giant, powering exclusively thousands of casinos, while also distributing its casino games on almost every reputable online casino. It is most known for its branded slot games that offer progressive jackpots, like Superman, Gladiator and Flash, but also for progressive networks, such as Age of the Gods and Fire Blaze Classics games. Still, Playtech has been also involved in live casino games, with the Quantum Roulette being their very best game. But with their recent releases of live slots, it seems that Playtech won’t stop with just a few of their games being turned into this entertaining alternative. We expect much more there.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution is no stranger to live dealer games, as they are the number one provider of such titles to casinos over the globe. With their carefully set up independent studios, with dealers from over 10 languages, and live games ranging from roulette to Football Studio – the title of the live casino king rightfully belongs to them. When it comes to live slots, the difference from Playtech is that Evolution does not develop slot machines, so all their live slots are likely to be original, matching the genre perfectly.
Ezugi?
Ezugi has not powered any live slots yet, but the provider is a fierce competitor of Evolution, powering equally recognized and fun live dealer games. The two companies have been going head to head in the US states that allow gambling, opening their own studios and fighting about who will power the most casinos. It will be interesting to see if Ezugi comes up with their own unique live slots.
Best 10 Casinos to Play Live Slots in Australia
If you are feeling that live slots are something that you could try out, you should check out these Australian live casinos:
- King Johnnie – great welcome package, rewarding up to the 10th deposit.
- Kings Chance – huge range of providers and games.
- GunsBet – fastest bitcoin withdrawals.
- Ozwin Casino – both real money and free games.
- Spin Samurai Casino – match bonus and free spins.
- WooCasino – one of the oldest live casinos.
- PlayAmo – huge player base and therefore good live casino audience.
- Casinonic – over 200% match bonuses and huge range of live dealer games.
- Loki Casino – one of the best branded live casinos out there.
- Bitstarz – best live casino accepting all cryptocurrencies.
We have added links to the reviews of each, so you know exactly what to expect in terms of bonuses, customer support and other gaming options on those recommended live dealer casinos.