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Online Slots vs. Land Based Slots

I used to find it odd that more of the best land based casino slots found in Las Vegas and elsewhere weren't available online. IGT have had an online presence for some time but only recently have we seen the big WMS slots join them. So now we can play ("we" unfortunately currently excludes US players) great Vegas slot games like Pharaohs Fortune and the Zeus slot or the popular Wizard Of Oz slots from the comfort of home. You can find a complete list of these Vegas style slot games on the casino slots page.

There are two main difference between online video slots and true land-based Vegas slots. Firstly, the payout % is generally higher online, usually in the 93%-97% expected return range. Secondly, online slots are available 24/7 without the need to hop on a plane which means it's easier to get through your cash! Boredom and knowing when to walk away are the slot player's worst enemy and with bricks and mortar (b&m) casinos, it is far easier to get up and find the door. Unless you're in Caesar's Palace obviously in which case you need a map. On the plus side with online casinos, at least you have a clock on your PC and some windows out into the real world!

There are also several myths surrounding land-based games that you just wouldn't encounter online. Such as, are the slot machines nearest the door looser? Clearly online that is a non-issue but this article by Wizard Of Odds guru and math-head Michael Shackleford is well worth a read as it explores these myths and gives land-based casino slot players some interesting and potentially useful tips.

I don't think you can beat the rush of a real casino personally. Especially when you get the extravagence factor you get in Vegas or Macau. But if you have some self-control, then playing online definitely has the potential to be more lucrative. You just have to know when to walk away - this is where having a good slots strategy pays off.

Vegas Slots Available Online

As for slot games that have made the transition from land to cyberspace, then there are a handful of IGT games which you just can't miss. The only negative comes in if you are a US resident - because of the laws in the USA, IGT won't allow Americans to play their slots online for real money. In fact, at present they won't even allow fun play for US players, although there are a couple of games like "Cleopatra" and Monopoly which, if you know how to use Google, can be found ;)



The slots above include some popular IGT slots that can now be enjoyed online at the "Wageroworks" casinos listed (right), by some players at least. Games like the 40-line version of "Wolf Run" are present along with "Cleopatra" I and II, "Texas Tea" and the very popular "Davinci Diamonds". Also worth noting that IGT's "multiway" concept has been applied to the "Triple Fortune Dragon" slot too!

The USA Situation

For USA players, the rather underhand passing of the UIGEA in 2006 meant that the door shut to many online casinos. It stopped short of making playing online illegal - that is decided at State level - but it put emphasis on the banks and payment processors to stop people depositing to online gambling establishments, with limited success.

But all is not quite lost. RTG software based casinos have, by and large, remained open to US players and tried to find deposit and cashout methods that work. It's not as quick as it used to be and players sometimes have to wait a week or two for their money but at least the door is open and many Americans continue to enjoy their freedom to choose.

RTG Online Slots For Americans




You won't be able to play IGT slots, but there are a number of slot games online that are similar, if not better, such as the Cleopatra replica Cleopatra's Gold slot. The RTG casinos listed (right) are very good, safe and take US players, so if you want to download and have a play, feel free. Just be aware of any local State laws regarding online gambling before you deposit.

A quick note for Canadian players: most IGT casinos will not take Canadian players, it's a bit hit and miss. The RTG casinos (right) are all open to Canadian players if you have no luck.