Gaming is huge and some people like nothing more than to spend their time behind a slot machine, either online or offline, which might explain the presence of so many gaming machines out there. According to research discussed on the website of consumer and market data company Statista, as of July 2020, there were 1,140,743 gaming machines worldwide.

Statista has also reported on its website that as of December 2021, North America was the region of the world with the highest number of slot machines, with approximately 767.4 thousand slot machines. Below is a look at why slots are popular, a list of slots games that are great to play, plus some discussion of slot themes and why these are important.

Why do people like slots so much?

Online slots are especially popular.

One of the main reasons is variety. Players are no longer restricted to the machines in an establishment. They can jump online and find lots of different games. These games may even have a higher return-to-player (RTP) rates or larger prizes than the games in establishments.

Another is the general design of the games. Companies really brought their A-game and are offering slot games that have fantastic visuals. The themes, symbols and, stories behind the slots all make the gaming experience much more exciting.

The importance of themes

Themes increase the appeal of a slot to a player. A good theme can help a player to stay engaged (and a variety of themes will encourage the player to keep gaming with the online slot operator).

Designers can draw inspiration from almost anywhere to create their themes, whether it’s music, sport, the season, mythology, history, or something else. The wide variety of slots out there means players are likely to find a theme that matches their interests, choose it, and because they’re familiar with the theme, enjoy playing the game.

There are many different themes in slot machine games, like this medieval one

When it comes to choosing an online slot, the world’s your oyster. The internet spoils you. Here are five superb slots you should try:

Starburst

Starburst is something of a modern classic and a real hit with slot gamers. The simple theme of a universe, with its stars twinkling, is gentle but pleasing to the eye. It has a retro feel about it that will delight anyone who has a hankering for the more traditional slots.

“Starburst” is a five-reel slot, with three rows and 10 pay lines. The RTP is flexible, varying anywhere between 90.05 and 99.06%, which is a nice touch from the creators NetEnt. The default RTP is a generous 96.9% and the volatility is generally low. “Starburst” has a pleasing win-both-ways feature that can effectively double the win to 50 times your stake if you were to get three BAR symbols in a row.

Cleopatra

“Cleopatra” is another classic and was one of the first Ancient Egypt-themed slots around. It’s a five-reel slot, offers 20 pay lines, and has an RTP of 95.02%. If you’re in luck and land five Cleopatra symbols across the pay line — Cleopatra being the wild symbol — you can win as much as 10,000 times your original stake. That’s extremely generous. If you land three or more Sphinxes, which scatter symbols, in a single spin, you’ll receive 15 free spins.

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s Quest boasts superb graphics and smooth animations. The game is based on the explorer Gonzalo Pizarro, who set off to find El Dorado’s lost gold, and features symbols based on Mayan legend. As you play along, you’ll hear birdsong and jungle sounds.

Instead of traditional rolling reels, “Gonzo’s Quest” features an avalanche system, which some players will find refreshing, and 20 different pay lines. The game offers an average RTP of 96%, but you can win serious money even in the base game. Every time you hit a pay line, the blocks explode and give you a 5x multiplier of your winning spin.

Primal King

Primal King is a jungle-themed slot that spoils the player with rampaging gorillas and other high-quality visuals. It’s a five-reel slot that has 30 pay lines, a 96% RTP, and gives you the chance to win up to 10,000 times your original stake.

Chests of gold, snakes, compasses, and maps are all premium symbols in this high volatility slot. If you were to land three to six chests of gold, you’ll win back anywhere between 2.5 and 30 times your original stake, depending on how many you land. The gorilla symbol itself is a wild symbol that can fill in for any other symbol and create a winning line.

Wolf Gold

Wolf Gold is an entertaining slot that has a desert theme and generally excellent visuals. As you’ll play along, you’ll hear horses neighing and wolves howling. It’s a five-reel, three-row slot that features 25 pay lines and, courtesy of the wolf wild and buffalo gives you the chance to win up to 5,000 times your wager. This is a medium volatility slot that has an RTP of 96.1%.

Slots are extremely popular. As well as the general convenience and accessibility of slots, the theme, and design of the slots have been a big factor in their popularity. Players can play games that not only offer them the chance to win large jackpots, but also an enjoyable visual experience. For these players, time playing slots is then time well spent.