Why Slots are the dominant iGaming category for 2024 and beyond

Why Slots are the dominant iGaming category for 2024 and beyond      

It’s no secret that Slots are the single most commonly played category of casino game, easily beating out classic table games like Roulette and Blackjack and dominating online casino listings. So, it should come as no surprise to learn that the UK Slots market continued its streak of significant growth this year. 

New data released by the UK Gambling Commission revealed that online Slots saw a solid 16% increase in gross gambling yield (GGY) year-on-year in Q2 2024. This was driven by a new peak of 22 billion spins made online during the quarter. 

But what are the potential factors driving this increase?

Active player growth    

Plenty of new players are entering the market, with the overall number of active Slots accounts rising over the course of the year. Q2 2024 saw monthly active accounts climb to a new high of 4.4 million. 

Not every account goes on to play the same volume of spins, of course, but a strong trend of growth in active accounts is a healthy signal for the market. If Slots can continue to draw in newer players – as well as retain existing ones – this should set the stage for another strong year of revenue for this game category. 

Extended play sessions    

Not only are there a greater number of players engaging with Slots in 2024, but many of them are also playing games for longer periods.  

The data shows that the number of online Slots sessions lasting more than an hour jumped 9% year-on-year in Q2 2024. In plain numbers, there were around 10 million Slots sessions of over an hour in length. 

So, even with a growing number of distractions, Slots are still managing to hold player attention for longer. Whilst this isn’t the case with every player – with the average session length remaining at 17 minutes – these longer play sessions clearly contribute to the higher number of total spins on the reels. 

Technological advancements    

The evolution of Slots continues apace, with the sheer degree of competition within the game category encouraging new ideas, mechanics and the embracing of new technology. 

With more and more players accessing games from their smartphone or tablet rather than a desktop, the importance of mobile optimisation is undeniable. With their simpler mechanics and streamlined designs, Slots are ideally suited for play on touchscreens. 

Thanks to the incorporation of more interactive features, these games are not only more accessible but also more engaging. 

The dominance of Slots

Since 2016, the prominence of Slots within the iGaming industry has only grown. These games now account for nearly 30% of all non-Lottery income for the sector, making their status as a cornerstone of the market even clearer. 

While other areas of the market have struggled to maintain their momentum in 2024, Slots have continued to drive strong revenue across the board and helped to offset those slowdowns. This highlights the importance of focusing on these games as a source of future growth and revenue. 

Platforms looking to strengthen and solidify their positioning within an increasingly competitive market should pay close attention to the potential of online Slots when planning for the 2025 financial year. 

___________________________________

Be sure to read our other blogs here. Alternatively, fill out the form below to sign up for our newsletter to get our trends and updates delivered straight to your inbox every month.