Gambling researchers have been making connections between online casino games and traditional video games for years, with these games having a different reach compared to the traditional online blackjack or online roulette table games. 

In truth, the two pastimes share similar attributes: bright colours, loud noises and the potential for big wins. 

That the graphics have been given a slick, neon lick of paint is no accident. The whole experience is designed to look and feel like a video game.

Gaming technology in slots format

The gambling and gaming industry continues to grow all the time. VR arcade games are becoming more advanced. But casino developers are also looking at how VR can be used to create immersive worlds where a hundred slots are available at the swipe of a virtual finger.

In traditional video games and apps, missions and achievements are used to give players better weapons and let them unlock higher levels. Online casinos and poker sites are giving customers the same thrill of 'achievement' by hitting certain targets. The more achievements players get, the more bonuses they can unlock.

And traditional video games are finding their way into online casinos. Bejeweled and Candy Crush-style games aren't just played for points and Facebook bragging rights anymore. In 2018, slot versions of these games offer the chance to win real cash.

Targeting the millenials

Slots and casino developers are always looking for new ways to make games attractive to players. Bonus rounds like free spins and progressive jackpots are accompanied by fanfares and blasts of colour.

And skill-based bonus rounds are even creeping into slots games. Players don't have to rely on a Random Number Generator (RNG) to rely on their wins. Some games now have bonus features which rely on a certain amount of target practice or aptitude with a laser gun in order to win the big prizes.

As seen in Las Vegas, the future of gambling is to appeal to the millenials. Skill features and video games are what counts to Generation Y and Z, and that's what we see more and more in new slots.

Take the land-based slot from IGT, The Dark Knight. Based on the hit 2008 movie (but not to be confused with Microgaming's online progressive slot version), the slot features touch-screen gameplay with a multi-player angle.

Several players sitting at a single terminal can have the chance to enjoy a 'Community Bonus' and share the spoils. There is also an arcade-style chase bonus game featured in the slot.

The future of gambling games: more choice, all the time 

Online gambling revenues are predicted to rise, potentially past the one-trillion-dollar mark.

Innovation and a more customised experience for players is the key for developers. Already in land-based gambling, developers are planning customising software to offer specific bonuses to specific players.

But what about the games themselves? Can we expect to see a choice of reels, symbols, and personalised bonus features?

We are seeing it now. Rabcat's Castle Builder II features a series of unlockable levels as you work your way to the big jackpot while NetEnt's excellent Aliens tie-in features a bonus round that plays more like a shoot 'em up than a slot game.

Players have more opportunity to customise too. Betsoft's Good Girl Bad Girl slot lets players choose their own volatility level (high, low, or medium) as you become master of your own risk. Players will soon be able to choose entire sets of reels and swap out the symbols they don't like.

As consumer preferences evolve, it seems there are those that don't want to sit idly by the computers or tablets and slam buttons anymore. And the younger generation of gamblers wants more interactivity as they play. As technology improves, expect more advances and bigger innovations in your online casino.