By Mitch Rice
Casino gaming is now a huge source of entertainment for people. From a small industry that began in the 1990s, it has soared to become an industry leader in 2022.
If anyone has any doubt as to its popularity, consider that the market reached a record $231 billion dollars in 2021. It also shows no signs of slowing down, with forecasts that it will grow year-on-year for at least five years.
Although some people like to stick to their regular games, there is no harm in branching out. In fact, those who play casino might enjoy a twist on an old game, such as Monopoly casino.
New innovations and developers vying for space in the market mean there is plenty of choice. Sticking with the same game may bring its own rewards but trying something new is exciting.
There are simply thousands of new games waiting to be played, so how do you choose one? Which ones are worth switching from your old faithful to play?
First you should look at what experienced players look for, in order to determine the best choice.
Free spins/free tries – If you have a chance to try a game for free, why wouldn’t you take it? This gives you the opportunity to see if you like, without spending any money. Multi-level games – having many levels and adding levels is exciting. It’s a challenge and when you improve it feels rewarding.
Scatter symbols – whatever game you’re playing, wild symbols usually mean a bonus of some kind. Some developers advertise the symbols, so look out for this.
Non-standard playing fields – If you’ve been playing online casino since early on, you have probably got used to the paylines. Being presented with something new is intriguing, so investigate uniquely-combined paylines.
The top-rated games for 2022 are (in no particular order):
Book of Gold Double Chance
Available from several online casinos, Book of Gold Double Chance is an Egyptian-themed slot game that was released in 2018. It lets players see the world of Ancient Egypt, in particular the tombs of the pharaohs.
It has an RTP (return-to-player) ratio of over 95%, which is good. Many sites offer 100% bonus for playing this game, or up to 500 free spins. BOGDC has five reels and ten paying lines, with multiple chances to win. The minimum bet is just $0.10 so it’s a good entry level.
Players like its auto-play function so you don’t have to keep clicking the button to play. Look for the scatter symbols, get three or more and you get free spins.
Maya Millions
Another themed game, this one recalls the Mayans, a sophisticated indigenous Central American people who reigned for centuries. Developed by Skywind, it joins a stable with Book of Gems Megaways, Jin Dynasty and Norse Reel.
It is popular with first-time players, because of the colourful gems and the unconfusing bonus. It can be played in the demo version for free and played for with cash. Maya Millions is a slot with five reels and 40 paylines. The symbols you need to look for are the priestess and a Mayan pyramid – these are the highest paying. In contrast to card games, lower paying symbols here are 9, 10, J, Q, K & Ace. Above that come gems in pink, red and green.
The most exciting thing about this game is that you can trigger free spins indefinitely! First you need to land three of the Mayan pyramids, on reels 2, 3 and 4, giving you 8 free spins. If you continue to get these scatter symbols, you will keep getting free spins! Maya Millions is available from several online slot casinos.
Mega Joker
If you’re a fan of traditional fruit machines in land-based establishments then you have to try Mega Joker. Flashing lights, ringing bells and classic elements all brought to you by NetEnt, a giant of gaming.
It looks like a classic three reel slot machine, and it has five paylines. However, there is the possibility of a huge jackpot here, with an RTP of 99%! You need to bet big to win big, but the rewards could be massive.
The lowest paying symbols are lemons, then strawberry, cherry and orange, each a higher value than the last. High paying symbols, ascending in order, are grapes, plums, coconut and dollars. The wild symbol is a joker, and it can substitute any symbol to give you a win. It appears on reels 2, 3 and 4, and it locks in while other reels spin. Trigger 3 Joker symbols in a row on the highest bet level, to get the opportunity to win the progressive jackpot. This is a very impressive feature that attracts even seasoned players. Find it free from NetEnt online, or several other UK-based sites.
A selection of the rest
Whether a beginner or someone who has played online slots since their inception, there is so much choice. Every online casino has updated their games for 2022, so see if you can find a new favourite.
Some other new releases to look out for include:
Jackpot Pinatas Deluxe – with symbols from Mexican culture, such as sombreros and pinatas
Dragon Lady – a fantasy game with bonuses that multiply your bet x 100
Irish Lucky Wheel – Fancy some luck’o the Irish? Check out this slickly-designed new release from August 2022.
Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find hours of entertainment.
Sources:
Casino and Gambling Industry – Statistics & Facts | Statista
https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2022/02/28/6-popular-online-casino-games-to-play-in-2022/
https://sflcn.com/top-10-best-casino-games-to-try-in-2022/
https://1883magazine.com/list-of-best-gambling-games-you-must-try-in-2022/
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment, medical or other purposes.
