Jemma McColgan On How the Online Slots Market is Changing in the USA

The US online slots market has gone from strength to strength in recent years. The legislation surrounding online gambling in the USA has long been complex and varies hugely between states. However, since the end of the 2010s, legislation and regulation in some states have started to open the doors to a true US online slot market, with its own players and identity.

While there’s a long way to go until online slots are freely available to all Americans, we at Freebuffaloslots.com are very excited about the direction the leading US states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are taking. We fully expect to see more states legalizing online casinos in the future, as state governments collect record tax revenue and players get to enjoy the thrill of the game. Slots like Buffalo Grand or Big Buffalo Badlands are quintessentially American, so we love to see more and more players from the US able to legally enjoy them as much as we do!

In order to get a deeper understanding, we spoke to industry expert Jemma McColgan from Casino.org about how the market for slots is changing in the US, what impact this is having on businesses, and what the future may hold for online casino fans. 

FreeBuffaloSlots: Hello Jemma, it’s so great to talk with you! Let’s start off with the current state of affairs in the US online slots vertical. Could you fill us in on what the landscape looks like to you?

“Hi there! That’s a great question. As we all know, the lay of the land has changed a lot over the last decade in the US slots vertical. Thanks to the continued emergence of new markets, the online casino market has expanded rapidly, and that momentum looks set to continue. 

To give you just a brief potted history, it all started in 2013. New Jersey and Delaware became the first states to regulate online gaming. Since then, other states have followed suit, noting the popularity of online casinos amongst residents and the commercial benefits reaped by the state. Now, players in Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia can enjoy a wide variety of online casino slots.

For gambling operators, the US is an attractive market, and there is a lot of interest in which states might pass legislation permitting online casinos next. Slots make up a significant proportion of most good online casino offerings, and online casinos are not accounting for a growing share of casino industry revenue. 

We’re seeing increased user adoption and better access to online casinos, thanks to faster internet speeds and the fact that most people now own smartphones. Legalization has brought with it broader acceptance of and interest in online gaming in more states. Reviews are still a crucial and ongoing part of the industry, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon, even with the technological advances in the sector.”

FreeBuffaloSlots: It’s great to see that there’s a lot of momentum in the US online slots market. How have you seen this reflected in business trends?

“Operators are adapting to changes in the online gambling sector in a number of ways. As regulation tightens and compliance demands rise, we are seeing state regulators and licensing authorities increase their oversight. For operators, this means ensuring that terms around bonuses and promotions are transparent, responsible gaming tools are clearly sign-posted, and player funds are handled safely and securely. Those are all excellent things for players and will go a long way to bolster consumer confidence and trust.

We’ve also been seeing a consolidation of operators. Standards are rising as the market matures and comes into its own. There is little room left for online casino providers that underperform and fail to meet the requirements of licensing authorities and consumers. As a result, some operators are being squeezed out, either focusing their operations in other markets or being acquired by stronger operators. What’s left for players is the cream of the crop, a more concise selection of the very best operators.

The wild west image that the online gambling sector used to have has always been exaggerated, and is now firmly a thing of the past.”

FreeBuffaloSlots: What’s new in online slots, Jemma?

“Okay, so first of all, we’re seeing a huge impact from technological innovations. It’s a really exciting time to be in the industry, and for players too. Modern slots are rich in features like immersive graphics and animations, as well as interactive elements that blend more traditional slot formats with live dealers or social features.

Mobile play is absolutely dominating, with around three-quarters of all online casino traffic coming from mobile devices. We’re also seeing social media elements crop up in online slots, as well as mechanisms found more commonly in video games. Obviously, I’m pretty biased, but I think that anyone who wants to play online slots for real money should have a look at our page to see the best of these for themselves. Online slots are becoming more modern, appealing to a new generation of players who expect a higher standard of tech features.

Operators are responding by utilizing AI and machine-learning tools to tailor game recommendations, promote bonuses, and learn from players’ behavior.”

FreeBuffaloSlots: What’s next for the online slots market? What challenges is the sector facing?

“For operators in the US, the main risks all stem from the evolving legal landscape. It’s more important than ever for platforms to be mindful of regulatory frameworks and stay up to date with consumer trends. AI can get a bad rap, but it’s truly a great fit for the online slot vertical.

Social gaming platforms, also known as sweepstakes casinos, are dealing with this right now. These sites offer a great solution to those who enjoy playing online casino games but live in states where this is not legal. Their virtual currency model allows them to offer products that resemble slots, but are within the law. However, some states have raised concerns over player protections and have issued cease-and-desist orders to operators.

Regarding crypto gambling, I’m optimistic, but it could go either way. It has always been a polarizing issue, and while acceptance is growing in some areas, resistance is growing in others.

What is certain is that we are going to see online casinos legalized in more US states. I can’t say when or where, but we are heading in a good direction for a bigger, more confident, and consolidated market.”

FreeBuffaloSlots: Thanks so much for chatting with us Jemma!