It is no question that slots gaming is one of the most popular online activities these days when it comes to gambling. Pre-recession people took their chances on bigger wager games. They had no problem wagering top –dollar- that was what gambling was for, after all! Then the recession happened and that attitude was quickly changed. People became more vigilant than ever over their revenue because they had to. Millions of people ended up in the unemployment lines and this made it difficult to manage. They were having problems making their monthly budgets and had no money to wager top-dollars. There was one thing they could do though—they could wager on the penny slots. These are the games you find in every casino – whether land based or online—and they require just one penny to spin their reels. It was thought that these were low-wager games for people with smaller bankrolls, but suddenly millions of people had smaller bankrolls. This qualified them to play the games and come up with that much more affordability while doing so.

Penny games aren’t what they used to be. You no longer have to wager at a penny game and assume you are only going to get a small payout, or a limited game. In today’s market the new trend is for developers to build slots games with all the bells and whistles, but then give them a huge wager variation. You are going to find games that are classified as penny-slots, but also as high-roller games. This means that the games can be played by either one, depending on how the player wants to manage. It’s these kinds of games that are getting a lot of notoriety in the market and more and more people are pushing for them. Developers are answering positively because they want to make sure that gamers keep on coming back for more and more wagering. It is easy for gamers to find penny slots that are just as much fun as higher-wager games. Just browse an online or land based casino and see for yourself how fast this market has grown in the world of gambling.

A lot of people who have limited budgets head over to the free slots. You aren’t going to be at a loss when it comes to these games. They are all over the market and you can find them in any number of places. Some are still attached to a monetary win if the casino has a random bonus. At these casinos all you have to do is keep on wagering and you are eligible to win the extra cash bonus. Although these games can be fun, what do you do if you want to wager, but just wager smaller amounts? The penny slots are the perfect solution to this problem. Penny slots are just that—they require a penny per line to spin the reels. These are highly affordable games but still offer great payouts if you are in the market for a good win. Remember that the payouts in slots are completely random, so you have just as good a chance of winning at a penny slot as you do at a $50 per spin slots game.

One of the aftereffects of the recession was a market that is more limited than ever. If you wager, then most likely you have been looking for ways to monitor your overall wagers. More and more people have had to cut back on their wagering dollars due to limited discretionary funds for their bankrolls. This is an issue, but penny slots are a viable solution for those who are limited. If you are going to play a penny slots game, your best bet is to wager at a casino that still offers a good bonus structure. If you can get additional free money upon sign up that is to your advantage and if you can combine that with a good VIP bonus, you are going to be maximizing your winning potential. Just because a slots game is a “penny slot” doesn’t mean that you won’t have hours of fun either. Any penny slots game you find still has all the fun of a slots game and you should have hours of fun with it. Just test a few out and you are going to most likely love them.

According to recent studies, casinos have increased the number of penny slots they have in record numbers throughout the past two years.  There used to be a time when larger-denomination slots were all the rage. If you went into any local land-based casino, you’d see the high-end slot machines packed and customers trying their best to win some big money at them.  Then the recession happened. Many people couldn’t afford the change. Margaret Billingworth of Plainfield, Wisconsin said, “I used to be able to bring $250 and play for hours at my $10-slots. Now that I have a limited income I only can bring $100. If I play on the $10-slots, I’d be done in 20 minutes. If I play on the penny-slots though, I can have lots of fun for the same amount of time I used to.”

It’s no secret that throughout the recession many people have cut back. But a lot of gamblers want to be able to play for extended period of time just like they did prior to the recession.  Penny slots are making that possible. It’s somewhat surprising to the gambling world and the economy that penny slots have taken off so much throughout the economic downturn. In addition, penny slots have grown in popularity exponentially since the troubles first began. For example, in the past two years Nevada had removed 12,000 of their more costly slot machines to make room for 7,000 additional penny slots. The state has been watching what machines do best for some time and the performance of penny slots can’t be argued.

Another state that is working to push penny slots is Missouri. Missouri did a recent study and found out that their penny slots make up 42% of the total betting and about 63% of the casino profits throughout the state. That’s a huge number and reliance on penny slots for more than half of their business’ operations is indicative of how well they are doing.

The great thing about penny slots is that the computerized games take dollar bills and then apportion it out at ¢1 increments. Players can enjoy penny slots that are designed to pay out smaller totals, but pay out more often. One casino executive said, “A consultant told us it was a joke to put all those penny machines in. Then we showed him our revenue.”

Many online gamers are looking for the most lucrative and trendy online games. It may sound strange but as of late there has been a big push for the penny slot games. Normally people laugh when they hear the word “penny slot” because they are imagining a low-payout game that is hardly worth their time. That is not the case these days because penny slots, just like other slots, have undergone serious revamping due to the surge in gambling throughout society.

It’s understandable why people are skeptical though. The penny is the smallest coin denomination we have and there are very few things in the economy that can be purchased with a penny anymore. While at the turn of the century it could get you some candy, which is definitely no longer the case. Pennies have lost their “mental” value these days and when people see penny slots, they may think they are pointless to play. This definitely isn’t true.

The penny slot has proven its worth in land-based casinos time and time again. The reality is that during the recession there was one type of game that never saw a decline in plays—the penny slots.  Most psychologists believe this is tied to the mentality of the word “penny.”  Dr. Rose Anderson, PhD of Stanford University stated, “Penny slots make people think of low risk. Anyone who wants to gamble in the midst of the recession won’t gamble with $10 bills. They have a limit and that would reach it too quickly…will they put a penny into the machine though? The answer is yes! It’s a small enough denomination that they aren’t affected by potential loss.”

Land-based casinos have done their research and know this. For that reason they are putting thousands of dollars into development of penny slots. Sure you can find a penny slot—but now you can find them with sizable payouts. Casinos know how attractive they are to players due to the low risk factor and want to keep bringing customers in. Time will only give them more incentives to elevate the gaming of the penny slot. Expect to see new bonuses, bigger payouts and better elements within the game.

To play the penny slots, which include video poker machines and slots, gamblers place bets in one or two cent increments. The machines will take wagers, however from 1 penny up to $20 or more per spin of the reels.  Gamblers sit at penny slot machines and have fun. Surveys are showing that penny slot machines are viewed by gamblers much differently than regular slots. Gambler Stephanie Wright of Kansas City stated, “If you want to bet the max, you can, but I go low. Sometimes I get excited and go big once in a while, but usually I don’t bet that much.”

Wright is the average slots penny player. They are focused on the gaming experience, rather than the big win.  Wagers are conservative for the purpose of a long and extended game play. It’s important for developers to know this kind of information. This allows them to build more games with the player’s preferences in mind. For example, Talo Technology is working on a new feature in gaming that will allow slot machines to acclimate to the player’s speed preference. If a player wants to extend their play time, the machine slows down to accommodate. On the other hand, if they are more attuned to fast and exciting play, the machine can read that and act appropriately.  This catering to the customer’s individual need is something that more and more developers are becoming aware of.  If they are to keep customers coming in and gambling, they need to focus on what the gambler wants.

Though “penny” slots are wildly popular, industry experts are saying that in reality technological changes have made the concept of denomination almost irrelevant. Bill Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada said the term “penny slots” is a misnomer because most wagers are not ¢1. “There’s a touch of delusion to this whole discussion,” he said. “The average play per spin is obviously way above a penny — usually the 30- to 50-cent range, depending on the market.” Regardless of the way people play or what wager they put down, penny slots are going no where. They are notably popular in a wide variety of venues and bring in millions of dollars to race tracks, casinos and bars.

Missouri’s twelve casinos have a total of about 11,000 penny slots that make up more than half of the total slot machines.  Last year penny slots brought in $81.1 million in the month of February alone!  They accounted for about 53% of the $147 million revenue casinos earned throughout the same month.  Further proof that penny slots are taking over is the numbers for Illinois.  Penny slots brought in $18.9 million in February, or roughly 15% of the $123 million in total casino revenue for the month.

Although commercial gambling numbers fell nationwide, there are five states where it rose steadily: Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, South Dakota and Pennsylvania.  Each one of the states saw consistent growth in their gambling revenues despite what was happening in the gaming world surrounding them. Darrell Pilant, VP of Harrah’s in North Kansas City, stated, “I can’t say that in three years or five years every machine on the floor will be video, but certainly at some point there will be fewer and fewer traditional slot machines.” He is making a prediction regarding how slot games will change and penny slots will take over.

Although slots that require higher wagers are popular and most likely will always have a market, it’s still the penny slot that has proven its worth and stood the test of time. Industry insiders are confirming that casinos’ use of larger jackpot slots and larger-wager slots are diminishing slowly.

Using casinos for penny slots is fine with most establishments. Pilant stated, “The difference we talk about is frequency. Vegas is a low-frequency market. A Kansas City customer might go there twice a year but maybe 40 times here. The decisions are different in Kansas City than in Vegas. At the end of the day you’ve got to make sure the customer who lives in your market is loyal to you.”  Because Kansas City casinos have the ability to establish and grow relationships, they are winning out in terms of being huge consistent money makers.  Unlike Vegas, that has had its ups and downs, Kansas City has shown a steady rise in income. The penny slot is partially to thank for that consistency.

It’s no wonder why so many online and land-based casinos focus their time on penny slot machines.  It’s estimated that last year in Nevada about one-fourth of all slot machine revenue in the state came from penny slots.  Also, Missouri is showing that their casino revenues made up over half of their total slots income. The penny slots are not waning in popularity. In fact in some areas they are taking over as the biggest revenue generating games on the casino floor.

Surveys are showing that most gamblers like penny slots because they can “play longer of the same amount of money.” In addition, slots parlors love their penny slots because statistically they have been more lucrative for the house than other types of slots.  Kansas City player Cora Logan, 72, stated, “It’s all just for recreation. When you come here, don’t expect to win. If you put a lot of money in these you’re crazy.”

Most of the casinos in Kansas City serve the local area market, rather than attract visitors from other areas like Las Vegas or Atlantic City.  That means that these casinos are relying on the lower wagering clientele who come in regularly. It is not revenue made up of huge bulk wagers, but rather revenue that comes in steadily and reliably.

Slot machine expert Frank Legato stated, “Affordability is why people love them [penny slots.] Casinos just love them because the average bets are the same as the quarter or dollar games, but their house edge is bigger on these games. People playing penny machines are not concerned about that. They just want to have fun and play a long time with little money.”

To play the penny slot machines players have to place electronic bets in 1 or 2-penny increments. The wager is from 1 penny up to $20 per spin. Gamblers are known to sit at the penny slot machine and play for hours. It’s a game of fun and lasting excitement. As player Stephanie Wright, 41, of Kansas City stated, “I’m just here to have fun. My boyfriend plays cards and I like to sit and play these while he does that.”

Anyone who has visited a land-based casino knows the layout well. There may be exciting table games going on and a great promotion, but the staple of the casino floor is the slots parlor. In particular they are popular due to the diversity of play. You can find any theme-game you want. From Tomb Raider to Shopping and NASCAR to the classics, you can find it in any good slot parlor in the world.

Another reason why slots are so popular is their diverse wagering range. You can find penny slots up to slots that take $5,000. It all depends on your budget and what you’re looking for in game play.  In particular penny slots are hugely popular these days. Because of their popularity in land-based casinos, they have moved to the world of online gaming pretty easily. There are many online casinos that offer penny slots. Here are some of the most popular:

• Roxy Palace Online Casino. Roxy Palace Online Casino is powered by MicroGaming VIPER software. That means that the games you play are going to be outstanding. MicroGaming is a leader in software development and their games show it. Roxy Palace has over 50 slot games with numerous penny games to pick from As a new player you also get $100 free when you make your first deposit of $100 or a 100% bonus on any deposit you make up to $100.
• Kiwi Casino. Kiwi Casino is operated by a land-based casino of the same name. It is one of the most respected brands in the industry. The online casino has over 30 different slot games, many of which have penny minimum bets. You also can get up to $100 free as a new player!
• Lucky Nugget Online Casino. The Lucky Nugget Casino features many 5-reel slots that have penny minimums. This is a great website to start gaming t because there’s a great start-up bonus package of 400%. Check out the website for details, but if you’re an avid slots player this is a great place to get free coins and extend your game time.

Overall, penny slots are wildly popular within the land-based and online casino markets. They are also outstanding bonuses if you play at website that offer special sign-up bonuses or loyalty programs. That only adds to the number of plays you’ll get and betters your chances of winning big as a result.

Missouri silently entered the industry of legalized gambling a long time ago. In fact, they legalized it way before the recession. Because of this they have received little hoopla regarding the decision.  It’s states that are embroiled in bitter court battles that are getting most of the press.  They are caught in a tight spot. They want to capitalize on the billions of dollars being handed over to the gambling industry through taxation and regulation, but don’t want the morality of citizens to plummet.  Many critics are cautioning a gain in funding will inevitably bring moral decline and usher in corruption and addiction.

Missouri has long since passed the debating stage. The state has been benefiting greatly from gambling revenues and passing the money onto public programs and government spending. Although gambling centers like Atlantic City and Las Vegas have posted loses throughout the past few recessionary years, Missouri is not seeing the same effect.  In fact, Missouri’s gambling numbers are up and have been for a long time. Part of their success is the prevalence of penny slots in various gambling centers. Penny slots seem to be impervious to the financial strain that is constricting budgets every where.

Missouri announced that more than half of their gambling revenues come from the penny slot machines.  While other states are having to create deep discounts and dynamic promotions to lure people to their casinos, hoping they’ll spend money on bigger wager-requiring games, Missouri isn’t worried.  They have sustained competitive revenue from the penny slots alone. Psychologist Arthur Laney, PhD stated, “It’s mental. When people are being asked to plunk down a twenty or ten dollar bill they think of it as ‘hard-earned money’ going down the drain. When people are asked to put in a penny, they think ‘I can afford to lose that!’ and gamble.” 

Another reason people are seeing penny slots as a viable alternative to high wagers is because penny slots assure a long gaming session.  Laney added, “Think about it. If you’re gambling requires a twenty dollar bill, you may be able to play ten times and you’re reached your budget of $200. If you’re playing at a penny slot, you can sit there for an hour before you even see a dent in your budget…it’s a sure-fire way of getting a good return on your money.”