One-armed bandits, pokies or fruit machines – however, you wish to call it, the world’s most popular casino game has been a top choice among gamblers ever since Liberty Bell, the first of its kind, was invented in the late 19th century.

There are many reasons for this, but being simple to use and potentially very rewarding, are probably what counts the most. Before the age of the internet, casinos and slot parlors were the only places that had these games available for public consumption. Those lucky among us could occasionally come across a lone slot in a dark corner of some random bar or night club, but nonetheless, we had to invest a bit of time and effort to be able to enjoy our favorite pastime.

With the emergence of online casinos, however, pokies became instantly accessible. Add to that mobile apps, and we can spin away whenever and wherever our whim commands. But is there a difference between virtual slots and land machines? Not really – they are the same, as far as the purpose goes. Choosing one over the other doesn’t change anything fundamentally – you spin to win either way.

Casino Air vs. Cozy Home

Playing dressed in a bathrobe and slippers, munching snacks and resting comfortably in your favorite chair sure has its advantages, but some people just can’t resist the call of the casino. There is something special about those places, a rush you feel upon entering that stays with you even after leaving. For many gamblers, the unique atmosphere of brick and mortar venues is half the fun.

Order a drink, enjoy the music, mingle around- beats sitting alone at home. For casino goers, playing is only a part of the experience. Also, some land-based slots come equipped with all kinds of technological wonders that cannot be reproduced online: special chairs with built-in sensory immersion systems and other advanced features will make you feel like you’ve just entered a virtual reality of sorts.

Variety is Important

Despite a common misconception, few places on land offer a wide choice of slots. To find one where you can pick between hundreds of machines, you would have to visit one of those fancy resorts complete with hotel rooms, restaurants and swimming pools. The largest of these have several floors with as much as 3,000 games, but for a vast majority of players to have this pleasure, long-distance travel is in order. Traversing countries costs money, and you want to spend it on gambling, not gas or exhausting bus rides. It would be great if we could all move to Vegas, but dreams aside, the variety we are looking for is one click away.

A great thing about online casinos is that you can sign-up with multitudes of them. Even with country restrictions most abide with, you will still be left with a large number of places to enjoy gaming. Better quality sites feature upwards from one hundred slots and add new ones all the time, so what does that mean for us couch potatoes? You do the math!

I Want It All and I Want It Now

Don’t you just hate waiting in line? It seems like modern living cannot go without this boring and time-consuming side effect, and land gambling is not an exception. First, you need to wait to get chips, and since all the best games are always taken, you’ll have to be patient until someone finally leaves an open seat. Sometimes we’re lucky to find a half-empty place, but it’s awful when you realize it’s so crowded you can either wait all day or leave.

Thank goodness for the internet! Lazy or busy, you don’t have to move an inch to play as long as you want. It has spoiled us so much, that even loading times can make us rant if they seem longer than we think is necessary. To be blunt, today you can win a progressive jackpot and become a millionaire while sitting on the toilet! Just bring your laptop or phone instead of newspapers.