The online casino industry is one of the major success stories of the 21st century. The convenience that comes with playing favorite card and table games online has driven huge revenue figures, and it’s likely that this sector will continue to grow in the coming years.

Within each casino, the online slot machines are the most popular area. There are no limits as far as volume is concerned, so developers are able to produce many thousands of different titles, and new games arrive on a consistent basis. There are many slot sites available as seen on bonus.ca all offering a range of themed slot games.

Slots fit into certain themes, and players have their own preferences, but which are the most popular?

Animals

Most of the world’s population loves animals, and slot players are naturally drawn to slots that cover this theme.

Animal slots can fall into different categories. Many are designed as cartoons and feature cuddly critters, with a cute aspect that appeals to many. Other games take the player into the animal’s natural habitat, and there is an extensive choice of options set in the jungle.

Whatever the setting, animal slots are among the most popular themes around, and that situation is unlikely to change in the near future.

Film and TV

Slot developers like to see what is attracting attention in popular culture, and that’s why there are many games related to film and TV. In many cases, the games are issued on license, and they are an official part of the movie or show.

Other games don’t carry such a license, so the characters involved in the slot bear a close resemblance to those on the silver screen. For example, the link between slot star Rich Wilde and a certain fictional explorer played by Harrison Ford is obvious.

Whether the titles and characters are licensed or not, film and TV will always be an essential theme in online slots.

Classic Slots

Before casinos moved online, the concept of slot machines had been around for decades. Many had already played these games in physical casino halls, bars, and amusement arcades.

Slots were often referred to as fruit machines due to the symbols that appeared on the reels. Cherries, oranges, lemons and watermelons were among the images, alongside lucky number 7s and “bar” icons.

In the digital world, many developers use the same symbols within a theme known as “classic slots.” These titles are usually quite basic in design with fewer reels, and they often have just one payline running along the center.

Despite the elementary gameplay, classic slots remain popular as they remind players of the tradition behind slot machines. New titles within this theme continue to be produced, so there is clearly a market for this genre.

Music

One of the most recent themes to gain a foothold in the online slot sector is that of music. In the last few years, many top bands and artists have allowed their names to be attached to slot games.

More options are being added on a regular basis, but the choice already includes Motorhead, Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix. The genre appeals to fans as the games use realistic graphics and they employ a soundtrack that uses the best songs from each artist.

It was once considered to be a niche area of the slots industry, but music themed games are among the rising stars in the present day.

Sport

Most online casinos also had a sports betting section as part of their platform, so it was unusual to see sporting themes being used for slot games. That situation is changing, and while the choice of sports-themed slots remains fairly small, the list is steadily increasing.

Sport offers game developers plenty of scope to add bonus rounds to standard gameplay. For example, a football-related title currently lists a bonus feature where players can enter a penalty shootout.

Football and horse racing currently dominate the list of sporting slot games, but more titles will follow in other disciplines. Cricket, golf and tennis are already represented, and more options will become available in the near future.

While this list of slots is in no particular order, the popularity of animal-themed games is higher than most. Film and TV, together with classic slots has also captured a wider audience historically, while music and sport are among the upcoming stars of the scene.

All of these themes will continue to enjoy success moving forward, while the challenge for game developers is to come up with new genres to entertain casino customers. Overall, this is a very fluid industry, and slot players are excited to see themes develop while welcoming new genres in the months and years ahead.