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Your Weekly Best New Slots | Week 51 / December 14 – 20, 2020

Brilliant New Slots To Try Out This Week

Three brilliant developers agreed on using the enigmatic appeal of ancient Egypt in their new slots this week. While the theme is the same, these slots will give you a different gaming experience. The result: You get to try playing a slot with a familiar theme and enjoy a wide array of features at the same time.

If by any chance ancient Egypt is not your thing, we come in prepared. We have two more slots that you can try out instead. Either you choose to mingle with silverbacks or take a tour in a mystical forest.

No matter what you choose, you’ll still get a chance for decent or big wins. However, we’ll let you decide what slot you like and help you in the selection process. Read on as we present to you the things to expect in these brilliant new slots this week.

book of ultimate infinity

5 New Slots To Check Out

Behind the best new slots this week are Just For The Win, SG Digital, Nolimit City, Red Tiger, and Play’n GO. Let’s discover the brilliant features of these game developers’ new slots this week.

Silverback Multiplier Mountain

Explore the African jungle and meet a dominant silverback in Just For The Win’s new slot release this week. Silverback Multiplier Mountain’s 6×4 game area sits at the heart of a vibrant-colored jungle. The sight of a mountain is not far behind, carrying the game’s multiplier.

Hitting a win requires three matching symbols from the first reel onwards. Because the gorilla is the main hero here, he pays at only two of a kind. Furthermore, a golden gorilla coin is this slot’s wild symbol that can substitute for other symbols except for the scatter.

silverback multiplier mountain

Your ticket to the free spin round is the mountain symbol because it serves as this slot’s scatter. If 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatters land in view, you’ll receive 10, 15, 20, or 30 free spins. The round starts with a win multiplier of x1 and increases by +1 every time you hit a win.

In addition to that, you can also receive additional free spin every time the scatter lands. What’s even more amazing is that there is no limit to the extra free spins you can win. This means that the bonus round can go on as long as there are scatters landing in view.

This slot has a bonus buy option where you’re guaranteed 10 free spins for a price of 90x the bet. Buying your way in the bonus round also increases the game’s RTP to 96.33%.

Number of Paylines: 4,096RTP: 96.33%
Min Bet: 0.20Max Bet: 10
Max Payout: 25,000xSoftware Provider: Just For The Win

Book of Ultimate Infinity

SG Digital chose an Egyptian theme for their first shot at using the Infinity Reels. Book of Ultimate Infinity’s game area sports the look of Ancient Egypt with temples and the Nile in the background.

The game begins with 3 reels and 4 rows. However, the reel increases when at least 3 matching symbols land from the leftmost reel onwards. The initial additional reel carries a x2 win multiplier that goes up by 1 for every successive reel. This is this slot’s version of the Infinity Reels mechanism, although reels can go only up to as high as 50. 

book of ultimate infinity

If your spin results in at least five of a kind from the leftmost reel onwards, you score a win. The wild performs its usual duty of substituting for other symbols except for the scatter and the expanding symbols.

Aside from the Infinity Reel, the free spin feature increases your chances of winning big. The gold book scatters activate this bonus round, giving you 10 free spins. An expanding symbol is chosen at random at the beginning of the bonus round. When a book or the special symbol lands at the rightmost reel, an additional reel gets added. Like other “book of” slots, when the expanding symbols land on at least two reels, they expand and cover all positions.

Number of Paylines: N/ARTP: 96.50%
Min Bet: 0.20Max Bet: 50
Max Payout: 250,000 CapSoftware Provider: SG Digital

Tomb of Akhenaten

Deserving of a spot in our selection of brilliant new slots this week is Nolimit City’s follow-up to Tomb of Nefertiti. This time around, it’s the famous queen’s partner Akhenaten gracing the game. Tomb of Akhenaten is a slot with a 5×3 game area flanked by two gigantic leaning pillars. Adding drama to the game is its background music that changes tempo to match the game’s highs and lows.

Every time you hit a win, you trigger the Sticky Win Spins feature. Win ways go up to 1,024 on the initial respin, as it also comes with an extra row added to the grid. If the spin leads to another win, then another row gets added, further increasing the win ways to 3,125. 

tomb of akhenaten

There are two kinds of wilds to help you bag wins. One is the regular wild and the other is the Pyramid wild. Pyramid wilds can appear on the third respin turning all symbols above them into wild. A regular wild symbol on top of a Pyramid will turn into a double wild. Once the third respin is over, everything goes back to normal.

At least 3 scatters give 8 free spins activating the free spin feature, the Akhenaten Spins. Any excess scatters award 2 free spins each. Akhenaten Spins feature carries a win multiplier that starts at x1, going up by 1 after each Sticky Win Spin. If a scatter lands during the round, you’ll get an additional 1 free spin

 If you can’t wait for the scatters to play the bonus round, you can buy your way in, and you have these two options:

  1. 65x the bet for 8 free spins
  2. 105x the bet for 12 free spins. 
Number of Paylines: 243 up to 3125RTP: 96.09%
Min Bet: 0.10Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 26,261xSoftware Provider: Nolimit City

Sylvan Spirits

Red Tiger takes you to a mystical forest on its latest slot, Sylvan Spirits. The 5×3 grid sits in a forest clearing, surrounded by floating rocks and a mystical-looking pool. Adding to the magical atmosphere are the enchanting music and trees with branches thick with leaves in the background.

To get a hit at one of its 1,024 win ways, you need at least 3 matching symbols from the leftmost reel onwards. The Mega Mystic Wild that’s 2×2 in size and can land anywhere guarantees a win when it appears. Any combination that is formed by the wild gets a multiplier and stored on top of the reels. If the similar symbol forms a win again, the stored multiplier comes into play increasing your winnings. Win multipliers can go up to x99 max.

Sylvan-Spirits

At least 3 scatters in view activates the free spins feature. During the bonus round, you don’t need the Mega Mystic Wild to increase the multiplier of winning combinations. Multipliers of all winning symbols increase regardless if it’s a regular win or a wild win. To further spice things up, the bonus round also has a cascade feature. This removes all winning symbols from the grid and replaces them with new ones. For as long as there are winning combinations forming, the cascade will not stop.

Number of Paylines: 1,024RTP: 95.77%
Min Bet: 0.10Max Bet: 10
Max Payout: 7,656xSoftware Provider: Red Tiger

Golden Osiris

Play’n GO serves the third of three Egyptian-themed slots in our selection of brilliant new slots this week. Golden Osiris has a 7×7 grid that displays crisp graphics and high-quality Egypt-related background images.

Its cluster-pay mechanism awards a win for a minimum vertically or horizontally-connected cluster of 5. Wins trigger the cascade feature removing all winning clusters from the grid and replacing them with new symbols. The cascade will continue until no new winning clusters form.

golden osiris

Interestingly, the wilds don’t land like usual here. Up to six of them hide behind regular symbols. The wild remains in hiding until the symbol in front of it pops to reveal it. Wilds may carry multipliers of up to x10.

Another thing to look forward to is the Pyramid Charger feature which is active all throughout the game. To charge it fully, you’ll need at least 25 winning symbols. Once full and winning payments have been made, it picks one symbol at random. After this, all instances of the chosen symbol expands and turns its adjacent symbol to an identical one. The Pyramid Charger can be retriggered, applying a x3 symbol expansion multiplier on its initial retrigger.

Making the game more exciting is the free spins feature. Three Eye of Horus scatters gives 5 free spins. During free spins, the Pyramid Charger is full at every spin and chooses to expand only the premium symbols. Like the Pyramid Charger, free spins can also be retriggered.

Number of Paylines: Cluster PaysRTP: 96.27% 
Min Bet: 0.10Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 12,000xSoftware Provider: Play’n GO

Conclusion

We’re certain all those in our selection of brilliant new slots this week are worth playing. They can even become your personal favorite. This proves that game developers are not slacking off even with just a couple of weeks before the year ends.

This makes us wonder if they might be saving the best slot for last. If they are planning to end this year with a blast, we’ll sure be on the lookout for more brilliant new slots in the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy spinning!

The Progress of iGaming As an Industry

Within the last three decades, iGaming has exploded in popularity to become one of the most valuable markets in the industry. Its inception dates as far back as the mid-90s. Sally M. Gainsbury defines iGaming as “an online game which requires payment, may involve monetary rewards, with the results significantly dependent on chance. The iGaming industry encompasses casino games, sports betting, horse race betting, lottery, poker, mobile gambling, and bingo. 

CC_Rise_of_Online_Casino

The Birth of i-gaming

Online gaming started to become popular in the mid-90s. In 1994, the government of Antigua and Barbuda was the first country to enact the Free Trade & Processing Zone Act. This law legalized online casinos and sports booking companies. That same year, the first online gambling venue – the Lichtenstein International Lottery, was made accessible to the public.

CC First Online Casino (1)

Established in 1994, Microgaming became the first and biggest online game developer,  and created the first online progressive slot game named “Cash Splash”. The company still exists today. In 1995, Windows 95 was launched by Microsoft, this meant that many players could access the internet at the same time online casinos were being launched. The Gaming Club was the first online casino to launch, powered by Microgaming software in 1998. 

The First games and Set-up (Early 2000s)

The term “iGaming” originated in the early 2000s when online casinos began to gain widespread prominence. New iGaming hubs began to spring up in several UK Territories including Alderney, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man. The history of iGaming in Gibraltar began in 1998 with a company known as Victor Chandler, now known as BetVictor.

After this, many casinos moved to the country, making it one of the hotspots for iGaming. Malta is another one of the leading iGaming hubs globally. Boasting a recognized license since 1996, Curacao is one of the oldest and most popular jurisdictions in the world that offer gambling licenses through their regulatory bodies.

Bridge to Mainstream (2005-2015)

One of the breakout technologies during this era was live-streaming. Live casinos were invented using this technology and players received a live video feed of the casino and the dealers, creating a similar atmosphere to a land-based casino.

A few promising iGaming companies such as Canbet, UltimateBet, Absolute Poker, and 666Bet started out well. In fact, 666Bet experienced the highest growth in 2014 and UltimateBet was one of the biggest casinos in the early 2000s. However, they all died out by 2015 for reasons ranging from fraudulent bonuses to cheating players; while other iGaming companies such as Playtech, NetEnt, William Hill, and Evolution Gaming began to increase in popularity. 

Current i-gaming Trends

iGaming is growing at a remarkable pace. This is mainly because of the flexibility and convenience it offers. Nowadays, players can access a broad range of games anywhere and anytime, and this comfort and convenience have contributed to the popularity of iGaming.

Advancements in technology have also improved the gaming experience. Now, there are new offerings that include Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, making iGaming more attractive to players. Another factor that contributed to the explosive growth of the iGaming industry was the provision of advanced payment methods, some online casinos now accept cryptocurrencies, further increasing the mainstream adoption of iGaming.

CC Future of Online Casino

The online gambling market is currently valued at $59 million, with the industry being projected to increase in value up to $93 billion by 2023. In 2019, lotteries were the biggest section of the iGaming industry, accounting for 46% of the total revenue. Accounting for a 7% increase annually, the sports betting section is projected to record an exponential increase in the coming years. iGaming players currently constitute 11% of the global internet traffic.

Additionally, the iGaming industry has contributed significantly to the GDP of countries like Malta, Curacao, Macau, and even the UK. By the end of 2019, the Malta Gaming Authority had issued licenses to 294 casinos. The economy of the island has been diversified to include iGaming, and this has resulted in the creation of 11,747 employment opportunities that contributed to 4.8% of the total jobs in Malta.

Previously, only the Swedish Gaming Authority (Spelinspektionen) were authorized to operate gambling services for real money in Sweden. The advent of digitalization has eliminated monopoly from the system, and players from Sweden can access games from offshore casino operators.

The biggest online gambling companies globally include IGT, GVC Holdings Plc, Bet365, Scientific Games, Paddy Power, Betfair, William Hill, The Stars Group, Playtech, Kindred Group Plc, and 888 Holdings Plc.

The future of i-gaming

With the rapid absorption and modification of modern technologies by online casinos, it is impossible to predict the future of iGaming. In 2019, the iGaming market surpassed $5 billion and is expected to increase at a 16.5% CAGR between 2020 and 2026. It is apparent that the expansion of the iGaming market depends on the government of top countries, including the UK, US, Australia, Malta, Germany, and Sweden, where online gambling is a potentially lucrative venture. 

Kansspelautoriteit Poised to Liberate Dutch Gambling Market

The Netherlands’ Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, is moving towards liberalizing the country’s gambling market. For the longest time, the Holland Casino holds a monopoly in the Netherlands’ offline gambling market. Meanwhile, the government prohibits online gambling. Things are about to shift, though, with the implementation of Kansspelautoriteit law changes in 2021.

CC_kansspelautoriteit (1) (1)

Kansspelautoriteit Brief History

The KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) is the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ independent gambling regulatory authority. Founded on April 1, 2012, it supervises and regulates gambling in the Kingdom’s European part.

While the Minister of Justice and Security handles gambling policy, it’s the KSA’s task to ensure its implementation. Thus, the KSA enforces the Wet op de kansspelen (Betting and Gaming Act of 1964) and other legislation.

The KSA is working on implementing the latest legislation, the Remote Gambling Act, approved by the Senate on February 19, 2019. This will pave the way for liberalization, breaking the country’s gambling monopoly in the process.

Kansspelautoriteit To Open Netherlands’ Online Gambling Market in 2021

While online gambling is prohibited in the Netherlands, the Dutch gamblers find a way through offshore gambling providers. This leaves them susceptible to unfair play with no online gambling laws in their own country to protect them. Thus, the need for reform in the Kansspelautoriteit laws is in order.

It’s been a long time coming, but the government finally approved the Remote Gambling Act that will come into force in 2021. The new legislation will allow operators to apply for an online gambling license to offer legal services in the Netherlands. The Kingdom now opens its doors not only to operators in the land but also the offshore ones.

Some Dutch Gambling Companies Waiting

Shortly after the House of Representatives passed the legislation in 2016, Dutch gambling companies took steps in preparation for it. As early as 2017, some companies swam over the shores of Malta and set up their operations in the small country.

Most of them only own entertainment arcades in the Netherlands because of Holland Casino’s monopoly of the Dutch gambling market. They wanted to be ready when the Dutch market opened up for competition. Hence, they chose to set up operations in another country early on. 

With its well-regulated gambling laws, high-class infrastructure, and EU membership, Malta is an ideal location. These companies also hope to win the KSA’s approval with them having a Maltese license in hand.

Quite A Number Of International Gambling Companies Interested

Since one of KSA’s tasks is to issue the license, the regulatory authority announced an interested registration period in June 2019. The announcement is an invitation to international gambling firms who are interested to operate in the Netherlands. All interested parties then filled the I want to become a Kansspelautoriteit license holder on the gaming authority’s website.

The KSA revealed the number of interested parties totaled 79. This gives them an idea of the number of licensing applications to expect when the Remote Gambling Act comes into force. With 79 companies answering the call on such short notice in 2019, the KSA might just be in for a significant number of licensing applications to process in 2021.

Kansspelautoriteit Taking Calculated Steps

The gambling industry is a witness to how busy Kansspelautoriteit has been these days. The Netherlands’ Gaming Authority has been all over the place, signing MoU after MoU among other things.

There are still months left before the Netherlands Remote Gaming Act enters into force. However, the Kansspelautoriteit has already been signing several memoranda of understanding with other regulators.

So far, it secured MoU with the following gambling regulatory authority:

  1. MGA – Malta Gaming Authority
  2. Spelinspektionen – Swedish Gambling Regulator
  3. ANJ – L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux, French National Gaming Authority

The agreement provides an open communication channel between the regulatory authorities for the common good. The said authorities agreed to share information and best practices and engage in policy discussion. Ultimately, their common goal is to provide a better gambling environment in the entire industry.

The gambling community also witnessed over the years how the KSA has been cracking down on violators of its gambling laws. Its collected fines in October 2019 totaled 3.5 million, a significant increase to its 1.9 million total in 2018. This year, Kansspelautoriteit partnered with tech giant Facebook in combating illegal gambling.

All these actions could be KSA’s effort to clear the way for the implementation of its Remote Gambling Act in 2021. It seems it is leaving no stones unturned, making sure the legislation will not experience any major bumps on the road.

The Effect of KSA’s New Regulatory Framework To The Gambling Community

Fellow Regulators

The KSA is forming strong partnerships with its fellow regulators for the common cause of fighting unlawful gambling practices. As such, the KSA’s recent actions with regard to strict online gambling restrictions are not something that can directly harm its fellow regulators. In addition, almost all other gambling regulators are gearing towards stricter laws and regulations.

One regulator that will suffer is Curacao. Interestingly, Curacao like the Netherlands belongs to the 4 nations that make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With Curacao succumbing to the pressure of the Netherlands regarding gambling rules, the country might just lose some of its licensees.

Operators

Online gambling operators are always interested in offering services to as many nations as possible. So, the Netherlands’ door opening up to online gambling means a new market that operators can exploit.

With regard to Kansspelautoriteit implementing strict laws, operators are well aware of how strict the Dutch gambling laws can get. Because almost all rules are being laid out before the legislation takes effect, operators have an idea what to expect once they become licensees. They can either agree to abide by the rules and get a license or look for an open market elsewhere.

Players

According to KSA, all new licensees must be registered at the Central Exclusion Registry (Cruks). The said registry will give the players the freedom to choose only those online gambling companies which they trust. With this system, the KSA expects to weed out those operators who are practicing an unjust and unfair play. As shady online casinos grow in number as much as the reputable ones, the KSA claims such a registry will help combat the problem. Thus, it is in the best interest of the players.

Final Thoughts

 A new well-regulated gambling framework is always a welcome addition to the online gambling community. In its entirety, the KSA’s actions in preparation for 2021’s Remote Gambling Act implementation won’t harm the industry. In fact, legal and trustworthy casinos may benefit from it all. The Kansspelautoriteit is making an all-out effort to plan the smooth implementation of the legislation. However, it’s flawless execution remains to be seen.

Your Weekly Best New Slots |Week 39

Superb New Slots To Enjoy This Week

It looks like game developers are offering more superb new slots for online slot lovers to enjoy this week. Our review of the best new slots this week proves that. From Irish folklore to Ancient Asia, we have more than enough slots to captivate you.

Top developer Play’n Go features one of the most bizarre slot themes ever made, while Yggdrasil brings us back to the days of courtesans and sailors. Pragmatic Play reawakens the myth of Irish folklore, while Barcrest/SG Digital allows us to revisit Ancient Asia at its finest.

4 New Slots To Check Out

This week’s releases come from Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Play’n Go, and SG Digital/Barcrest. Let’s have a closer look at each of their slot offerings.

Dragon Spin Pick N Mix

A continuation and iteration of the original 2015-released Dragon Spin, this year’s Dragon Spin Pick N Mix sticks to its Asian theme. It is complete with its red lanterns, fortune coins, and of course, the Chinese dragons.

This sequel to the original Dragon Spin slot might not impress you with its excellent visuals. However, don’t turn your back on SG Digital/Barcrest offering yet though. How these developers focused more on improving the gameplay will amaze you. That’s why this slot game made its way to our list of superb new slots to enjoy this week.

The slot has a 5-reel, 3-row board with 20 fixed paylines. What makes this slot interesting is that it offers two wild symbol bonuses. If you land 3 Green Dragon symbols, it will unlock the Persisting Wilds Bonus with 5 Dragon rounds. During this bonus round, all the wild symbols that land on reels 2 to 4 will stay there until the dragon rounds end.

The second wild symbol bonus is the Golden Dragon. Having three of these golden dragon symbols will unlock the Expanding wilds for 10 Dragon rounds. The scatter symbol is represented by both the bonus and dragon symbols. 

dragon-spin

Additional Bonus Features

What we love about Dragon Spin Pick N Mix is its offering of more generous bonus features. Here are the rest of them:

Fortune Egg

If you land 3 bonus symbols together with a blue dragon, you will unlock the fortune egg with 5 dragon rounds. First, you’ll pick one of the eggs to reveal the multiplier, and during the dragon rounds, fortune eggs will land for additional multipliers.

Symbol Eliminator

Three bonus symbols with a purple dragon allow you to unlock the symbol eliminator bonus. Dragon eliminator symbols will land on your reels to remove all the low-paying symbols. It stops only when all the low-paying symbols are removed.

Goliath Reels

Three bonus symbols with a blue dragon give you the Goliath Reels with 10 dragon rounds. Reels become triple reels including a giant reel that cover the three middle reels.

Number of Paylines: 20RTP: 96%
Min Bet: 0.10Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 250,000Software Provider: SG Digital/Barcrest

Wild Wild Riches

Do you want some Irish Luck? Then try the newest Irish-themed slot from Pragmatic Play, Wild Wild Riches. This Emerald-Isle-inspired slot is easy on the eyes with its classic look. Yet, it’s nice and crisp with its cool glossy look. The soundtrack is charming on the ears, very gentle, and complements the game’s gentle design.

When it comes to gameplay, its board is quite unusual with its 3x3x4x4x4 set-up and 576 ways to win. Landing three or more of the same symbols in a certain pay line creates a winning bet. The Wild symbol is represented here by the Celtic Cross. While there are no scatter symbols, the Wilds do have the same function. Landing 2 Wilds on the first two reels combined with a Bonus symbol on the 3rd reel gives you 10 Free Spins.

Money Collect Bonus Feature

You’ll find this bonus feature of Wild Wild Riches to be quite interesting. If you have the moolah to spare, you can choose to activate the Ante Bet Feature. This adds more Wild to your reels and increases your chances of triggering the Money Collect Bonus Feature. Of course, you need to pay an additional 20% on each spin.

In the Money Collect Bonus feature, a pot of gold symbols will land on your reels, and it comes with different multipliers ranging from double your bet to 25x your stake. The Jackpot also comes with the following feature:

  • Mini – offers 25x your stake.
  • Major – gives 100x your total bet.
  • Mega – rewards you with 500x your stake.

Number of Paylines: 576RTP: 96.77%
Min Bet: 0.25Max Bet: 125
Max Payout: 4,608xSoftware Provider: Pragmatic Play

Feline Fury

Game developer Play”n Go must have had their creative juices on the high when they thought of this furry theme. For those enamored by the world’s second most popular pet, this slot is for you. Probably one of the most bizarre and hilarious slot themes to be released this year, or ever for that matter, make way for Feline Fury!

Feline Fury is all about cats. But beware, these are not your usual domestic cutesy little ones that we often see on the internet. These are merchant cats, mystic cats, pirate cats, and many more set in a medieval setting.

feline-fury

Bonus Features

The Feline Fury bonus features are as generous as the cast of furry characters in this slot game. There are the Feline Wilds which are randomly triggered and turn the cat symbols in the reels into Wilds. Not only that, with the Feline Wilds in play, the Fury Reels also take into action where your Wilds have the chance to turn into x2 or x3 multipliers.

The scatter symbol is represented by the Holy Grail. If you land three of this on reels 1, 3, and 5, you’ll be rewarded with free spins, which have their own bonus feature. Collect 12 similar suits, and you’ll activate the Fury Reels and Feline Wilds. 

In this out-of-this-world slot, there is no shortage of feline action. For those looking for a piece of cat heaven, this slot game is a must-try. Feline Fury is one of the superb new slots that you will enjoy playing this week.

Number of Paylines: 20RTP: 96.2%
Min Bet: 0.20Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 5,000xSoftware Provider: Play’n GO

Jackpot Express

Welcome aboard the classy and opulent Mississippi River Express, which is the theme of Yggdrasil’s newest slot game. The theme of Jackpot Express is an excellent recreation of the days gone by, where Mississippi River cruises are said to be oozing with sophistication and style. You’ll definitely feel the classy touch of this game, from its design to its generous payout power. So, book a ticket to ride the Jackpot Express.

The game is set on 5 reels and 3 rows and has 4,096 ways to win. The usual high-end graphics that Yggdrasil is known for is again evident here. Complemented by their progressive jackpot, Jackpot Express is one slot you have to look forward to playing.

The Wilds here is aptly presented in Art Deco design and substitute for all regular symbols, The Bonus symbol represents the scatter symbol, and landing three of this kind will trigger 10 free spins. 

The Wheel of Fortune

The fun doesn’t end with the 10 free spins. In fact, this is just the beginning. The free spins mode is further divided into 3 categories, which will be given through the Wheel of Fortune. With free spins, you can get either one of these:

  1. Card Free Spins. You’ll be dealt with two cards, one for you and one for the dealer. Beat the dealer, and you’ll win sticky wilds on your reels.
  2. Dice Free Spins. Two dice will be rolled in every spin, and the total of those will be your win multiplier.
  3. Roulette Free Spins. A roulette is spun as you spin, rewarding additional free spins, cash prizes, multipliers, and sticky wilds.

Number of Paylines: 4096RTP: 96.2%
Min Bet: 0.20Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 2,175xSoftware Provider: Yggdrasil

Conclusion

Our list of superb new slots for you to enjoy this week is as impressive as they come. That’s all thanks to the industry’s top developers who are frantically creating the next big slot game for you. The themes are diverse, even at times strange, but all for the pleasure of giving you the slot that you’ll fall in love with.

Watch out for next week’s newest releases, as Microgaming and SG Digital has something in store for all the slot aficionados out there. Stay connected with CompareCasino to check out the latest slot releases this time of year.

The 5 Weirdest Mistakes Gamblers Make Online

In an online casino, mistakes can cost you a lot of money. It’s a shame because such mistakes are often completely unnecessary. Moreover, it is possible to prevent these mistakes, but then, of course, you have to realize that you are making them. That’s why we have listed the 5 weirdest mistakes gamblers make in online casinos below. Keeping these mistakes in mind will save you a lot of avoidable losses. In addition, if you would like to know how to maximize your winning chances at any online casino game, you can use our online game guides.

Highlights of this article

Below is a summary of what will be discussed in this article:

  • What you especially shouldn’t do in an online casino
  • Win a round amount
  • Not understanding the aim of the game
  • Not reading the rules
  • Not reading the bonus conditions
  • Sucker bets

What you especially shouldn’t do in an online casino

Below you can read more about the 5 weirdest mistakes gamblers make at online casinos. We understand how such mistakes can be made.  It is often in man’s nature to err; other times mistakes can be caused by haste. Either way, you will most likely suffer unnecessary losses as a result. Of course, in the long run, you will lose to the casino anyway because the goal of an online casino is to make a profit on you. However, there is a difference between ordinary expected losses and unnecessary losses. Therefore, it is important to understand these errors to be able to avoid them and eventually save your money.

Win a round amount

Imagine having a good evening at the casino. You stand at 290 euros profit, but you want to keep playing until you reach exactly 300 euros. A nice round amount. Maybe you’ll get lucky and succeed in one fell swoop. However, the chances of that happening are small, and you will more likely incur unnecessary losses to reach your goal. It’s a remarkable psychological feature, but we humans like nice round figures. However, this is very inconvenient when playing online casino games. It is advisable to get used to the uncomfortable feeling that a non-round number gives you (if this bothers you).

Not understanding the aim of the game

In order to be able to play a game properly, you need to understand the purpose of the game. In some cases, it’s simple. With an online slot machine, you press a button and a combination of symbols is created. If you have five in a row, you win a nice amount. Simple. However, not all online casino games are equally simple to play and understand.

A good example of this is online Blackjack. Did you know that there are people who still think that the goal of Blackjack is to reach exactly 21? On the contrary, the goal is to get as close to 21 as possible. You should consider yourself lucky to get a higher score than the dealer. However, by playing for an exact 21, you are much more likely to “bust” because you are guaranteed to lose. Even with online bingo, it often happens that the purpose of the game is not understood. There are several variants in which you have to achieve a certain pattern in order to win. If you don’t figure this out, you are aiming for the wrong goal which means you most likely will not win. Therefore, always try to comprehend the objective of the game. If you’re not sure what the exact purpose of a game is, you can always consult our online game guides.

Not reading the rules

A misinterpretation of the purpose of a game can result in losses, but a failure to understand the rules of a game is also an error that occurs regularly and results in a lot of unnecessary losses for many gamblers. This is especially common with online slots. Gamblers simply choose an online slot machine to play on, without first reading up on, for example, the house edge, the variance or the payout percentage. However, these factors can tell you a lot about your odds of winning and the amount of money you can make with an online slot. By reading up on this and weighing your own winning chances against the amount of money you can earn, you can find online slots that are exactly right for you.

Knowing the rules is one thing, but becoming familiar with the rules is something else. That’s why it’s also advisable not to start playing “for real” in an online casino. One should rather practice a number of times first with the intention of truly mastering a game. Gambling games such as online slots may not always need to be practiced, but it is advisable to practice first with games such as Blackjack or online poker. Not only do these games have more complicated rules compared to other casino games, but these games also have strategies that can be applied to increase your winning chances. Take a look at our online game guides to learn more about these strategies. Fortunately, it is possible to practice without betting on free online casinos. This is how you master the best strategies.

Not reading the bonus conditions

Bonus terms are a good incentive to lure people to an online casino. After all, free money sounds like music to many of us. However, there are usually a number of conditions attached to such bonuses. For example, you have to wager an x number of times in games before you can claim a bonus. Unfortunately, many people still do not read the bonus conditions properly which often causes frustrations about not receiving a “promised” bonus. However, this is entirely their own fault. In most cases, online casinos are clear in their terms of conditions. It is your responsibility to read up on this in order to be an informed player because there are often very nice bonuses that are very difficult to obtain. Other possible actions that fail to meet the bonus conditions:

  • Playing online casino games that weren’t eligible for the bonus.
  • Betting too much.
  • Allowing the bonus term to expire.
  • Using a deposit method not applicable to the bonus.

Would you like to know which online casinos offer the best and most attractive bonuses? Read our best online casino bonus of 2020 guide.

Sucker bets

So-called “sucker bets” are bets in which the anticipated return does not reflect the odds of winning. These can be made at a variety of games in an online casino. These are the extra bets that you can gamble on but which bring you very little in the end. Often these sucker bets even have a house advantage between 15% and 30%. 

The best-known example of a sucker bet is the insurance bet with online Blackjack, also known as the insurance. In our online Blackjack game guide, we advise that you should never take this and for good reason. Suppose the dealer’s open card is an ace. By taking out insurance, you pay half of your original bet to be paid out 2:1 if the dealer has a Blackjack (i.e. Ace with a 10, Jack, Queen or King). However, it is much more likely that the dealer will not win a Blackjack. In other words: you have put money in for a bet that most likely will be lost again. This results in unnecessary losses.

The following are a number of other known types of sucker bets:

  • Bet on a tie (or draw) at Baccarat.
  • Online casinos in which you have to pay an ante for every hand you play.
  • Progressive jackpot slots have a temptingly high jackpot, but the chances of winning it are so minimal that we also consider this a sucker bet.
  • Bet on 2 and 12 at Craps. These are the scores with the smallest chance of winning.
  • Playing American roulette is a sucker bet because the house advantage is twice as large as the European variant.
  • Keno is the sucker bet among the lotteries with a house edge of up to 25%.

Conclusion

There are a number of common mistakes that cause gamblers to lose money unnecessarily in an online casino. Sometimes these are somewhat compulsive tendencies, such as waiting for a good round amount in terms of profit. Some players continue unnecessarily and ultimately lose more money than necessary. In addition, mistakes can be made in haste. Good examples of this are not reading about the rules of a game or about the bonus conditions in an online casino. Not fully understanding the purpose of a game is also a common mistake. Finally, there are the so-called sucker bets which are extra bets where the chance of winning money is minimal. There are also a number of bets within an online casino game, or a casino game itself that can be characterized as a sucker bet as the profit is illusionary and minimal. It is best to ignore these.

  • Is every live casino the same?

    No. There are a lot of different variations in what a live casino can offer. This is why it’s best to look over the different options before you decide where to play.

  • Where’s the best live casino?

    This is something that can regularly change. Because of this, it’s best to keep checking in with our casino reviews. This will allow you to discover the best places to play and where the current best selection of live casinos is.

  • Will the game I choose guarantee a win?

    No. There is no way to guarantee a win when playing at an online casino. All you can do is manage your bankroll as best you can and hope that luck is on your side. You can improve your chances by picking a game with a high RTP, but this still won’t guarantee a win.

The legalization of casinos in Singapore

How Singapore became the prime example of a healthy gambling system

When you think of Singapore, you probably imagine a vast metropolis with plenty of wealth. Not long ago, though, this island city-state was synonymous with something completely different: illegal gambling. After decades of trying to ban all forms of betting from the country, the Asian tiger took the leap to legalization in 2010. In the relatively short time since, Singapore has become one of the biggest attractions for casino gamblers. Not just tourists, but also Singaporeans who see their salvation in the country’s beautiful casinos. 

The history of the developments that lead to this legalization and the system as it stands today is fascinating. For example, the total floor space of the casinos, the purpose of the resorts in which the gambling halls are located, and the possible social problems associated with gambling are closely monitored. We’ll take you on a journey through time to show you how legalizing gambling in a healthy way is possible.

A brief history of gambling in Singapore

Singapore has a long history of gambling. Gambling practices have been reported since the early colonial times, in the 16th century, when the Portuguese were at the helm. Later, in the 19th century when the English were in power, these practices were documented. It was already clear then that gambling was a profitable market for the government, and permits were handed out to farmers to build gambling halls. Just 20 years later, the practice was banned, as the controls were not effective enough to record illegal sites. This love-hate relationship with gambling persisted until 1960, when the Betting Act was enacted. With this, gambling was strictly forbidden and the government remained apprehensive to bring it back.

Casinos make their return to Singapore

By the 21st century, the small island state had become one of the richest and most modern societies in the world. The government began to consider the idea of using gambling as a means to further develop the foreign tourist industry. The first step was taken by opening the door to the gambling industry again. In 2002, “Singapore Pools” expanded to accept bets on football matches and horse racing in addition to a lottery, legalizing betting for the first time since the ‘60s. In 2008, Singapore Pools started taking bets on Formula 1.

With the Casino Control Act being passed in 2006, Singapore took the biggest step towards the return of legal casinos. Two casino licenses would be distributed and two huge resort casinos would open in 2010: the Marina Bay Sands and the Resorts World Sentosa. To prevent the negative consequences of gambling that plagued Singapore previously, a comprehensive system was implemented to prevent gambling addiction.

Healthy gambling measures in Singapore

Many measures were attached to the new law in order to set up a sustainable casino industry. Take, for example, how the rules affect Singapore’s own population.

The government has regulated the industry in such a way that it attracts tourists while discouraging locals from gambling at casinos. While foreigners can enter casinos free of charge by showing a passport, Singaporeans must pay a daily admission fee or purchase an annual membership. Large billboards and advertisements promoting the casino section were also banned, yet the casinos were extremely popular.

In addition to this, both resorts were required to use a maximum of 3 to 5 % of their total surface area for casino related matters. While you’re able to gamble, the resorts are not designed around gambling; they are set up designed so that you don’t have to enter the resort and stand directly at the casino. This is quite different from Las Vegas or Holland Casino, where you are immediately overwhelmed by the sounds and sight of casino games.

However, this did not reduce the gambling revenues. Both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa reported that no less than 70% of their revenues came from the casino. Other steps are just as impressive. Family members can ask the resorts to ban their loved ones from the casino. Anyone under 21 is not allowed to gamble and ATMs can only be found outside the casino floor. 

Now, it seems that the laws aimed at locals do not work as intended. The Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa are serious temptations for gamblers from all over Asia, but the local population also comes in large numbers. A report showed that Singaporeans on average lose the second highest amount of money to gambling per year, behind only Australia. At the same time, though, Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world and in percentage terms these gamblers lose less of their income than those from many other countries.

What’s the result?

Since this was such a large-scale project and so much was at stake, especially the image of Singapore, everything was thought out down to the last detail. We recommend that you take a look at the beautiful resorts that have been built. The architecture and landscapes make these places much more than just a casino, it’s a complete experience. In one of the resorts you will find a Madame Tussaud, Universal Studio, Aquariums and a water park next to the casino. Every effort has been made to prevent Singapore from becoming a copy of Macau, Las Vegas, or Atlantic City. They enhance the attraction of Singapore, as the pictures show.

  • Within a few years, the Marina Bay Sands has become the best-earning casino in the world. 
  • Thanks to the two resorts, Singapore is the fourth most visited place in the world. 
  • 1.5 to 2% of Singapore’s GNP comes from the turnover of the resorts.
  • The locations provide 20,000 direct jobs and 35,000 indirect jobs.

Achieving these figures in a relatively short period of time – the resorts have been in existence for less than 10 years – is an extremely impressive achievement. Whether these positive trends carry on in the future may also encourage change in other countries. 

Perhaps the most logical reason why this system is so profitable in Singapore is because of the lack of attractions. There was previously little tourism in the country because there were no good reasons, other than doing business, to visit the city-state. With the arrival of the exclusive resorts, the number of tourists increased considerably. Singapore built an attraction that made it worthwhile to make a trip.

You can go to Singapore yourself to see with your own eyes how beautiful it is there. Flights are unfortunately at least 12 hours long, but you already have a return trip around €500. Worth it, even if we do say so ourselves.