How Are Fixed Odds Betting Terminals Different From Slot Machines?

Slot machines and fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) look and play very much alike. In fact, some people use these terms interchangeably to describe any type of slot.

These people aren’t wrong for the most part. However, slot machines and FOBTs do have some distinct differences from each other.

I’m going to cover more on the characteristics of slots and FOBTs. I’ll conclude by discussing how they differ from each other.

Basics of a Slot Machine

The slot machine has undergone many changes over the years. Invented by Charles Fey in 1895, it started out as a simple mechanical game with drums that revealed fruit symbols.

• By the 1950s, slot machines evolved to feature better mechanics and higher-quality fruit icons. However, they were still mechanical at this point.
• The 1970s brought about the biggest change and ushered in a new era of gaming that remains today. Video slots, which rely on computer technology, are currently the games of choice for many gamblers.

A video slot gives developers many options in terms of reels, graphics, and features. Slots providers have used this technology to greatly advance modern games.

For example, Megaways slots feature countless ways to win (e.g. 117,649), excellent graphics, and multiple features. Regarding the latter, a Megaways game may boast expanding wilds, free spins, and win multipliers.

Other slots are more basic and might only have five reels, or less, and fewer features. For instance, a five-reel slot may offer expanding wilds, free spins, and regular wild symbols.

As you can see, slots differ greatly in certain areas. But they all share the following, step-by-step gameplay model:

• You select a bet size.
• You spin the reels.
• The reels come to a halt.
• The game/software determines what prizes, if any, you win.
• Payouts are based on the given pay table.

Some slot machines have cascading reels, which let you continue forming wins within the same round. Generally speaking, though, most slots operate as described above.

How Do Slots Differ From FOBTs?

You might not be able to tell a huge difference when a slot machine and FOBT are side by side. However, you can differentiate the slot based on the following characteristics.

Focus on the Reels

Slot machines contain slots games—not blackjack, baccarat, nor roulette. They only focus on spinning reels and big potential prizes.

Of course, rare slots do offer abstract gameplay models. For example, NetEnt’s Finn and the Swirly Spin sees the grid move around in a spiral manner.

Largely speaking, though, you simply spin the reels and hope to line up matching symbols. If you can master this basic concept, then you’ll have no trouble playing any type of slot.

Larger Stakes

The average slot machine features a betting range running between $0.20 and $100. This range is enough to satisfy the average player—no matter if they’re a low or high roller.

Some land-based slots even give players the ability to wager thousands of dollars per spin. High-roller online slots can let players risk up to $1,000.

In either case, slots stakes are bigger than what’s available through FOBTs. These machines only let gamblers wager a few dollars per round.

Can Offer Many Features

Features are what, in many cases, draw players to the reels. They include various bonuses that can spice up gameplay.

This isn’t the 1950s anymore, when gamblers were fine with mindlessly spinning the reels. They instead appreciate triggering features often and having a chance at bigger payouts.

Slots developers specialize in creating unique features or combining a bunch of popular bonuses into one game. FOBTs, on the other hand, are more basic in nature.

Big Potential Jackpots

Slot machines offer the biggest jackpots in the casino. Most slots give you an opportunity to win at least 5000x to 10,000x your stake. Some games even offer progressive jackpots worth millions of dollars.

In 2003, the Megabucks network (Nevada) delivered the largest slots jackpot in history at $39.7 million. In 2018, Mega Moolah (Microgaming) paid a record-breaking online slots jackpot worth $21 million.

Of course, these massive payouts are exceptions to the norm. But they show that you can definitely win life-changing money through slot machines.

Basics of an FOBT

Fixed odds betting terminals are common throughout the UK. They’re available at the many betting shops throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

An FOBT is housed in a cabinet just like a slot machine. However, these terminals can offer more than just slots.

An FOBT can feature one or more of the following games:

• Bingo
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Simulated horse racing
• Slots

An FOBT plays much like a slot machine. You select your stake using the available buttons and push the Start/Deal button to begin.

These machines are exciting, because they allow you to play a variety of games–not just slots. You can enjoy anything from blackjack to roulette without having to step into the casino.

Instead, you just walk to the local betting shop and play electronic versions of popular casino games. Given that the UK features thousands of these shops, you won’t have trouble finding FOBTs.

How Do FOBTs Differ From Slot Machines?

If you’ve played a slot before, you’ll experience little adjustment to fixed odds betting terminals. Nevertheless, you should keep the following FOBT characteristics in mind.

Based on a Variety of Casino Games

Slot machines come in various formats and, collectively, offer many different features. But at the end of the day, they all involve the same style of gameplay.

Fixed odds betting terminals give you an opportunity to gamble on multiple types of games. You can bet on everything from a virtual horse race to roulette.

The latter is certainly the most-common game featured on FOBTs. For some reason, this crowd loves roulette.

Again, though, you can look forward to a larger game variety with these terminals. FOBTs can offer slots, but they also go further by featuring bingo, table games, and horse racing.

Stakes Capped at £2

Fixed odds terminals used to offer stakes worth up to £100. But in 2018, parliament voted to reduce maximum stakes to just £2.

Now, you can’t find an FOBT in the UK that features anything higher than £2 bets. This recent measure rules out high-roller play.

Betting shops certainly aren’t fans of this law. William Hill, for example, announced that they were closing hundreds of shops after the ruling.

Assuming you don’t normally bet above £2, though, then the limited stakes shouldn’t bother you. They’re merely designed to keep problem gamblers from risking too much in each round.

Specific to UK

If you’ve never heard of FOBTs before, then you shouldn’t feel bad. This type of gambling is exclusive to the UK.

FOBTs began entering betting shops in the early 2000s. The Gambling Act of 2005 limits each shop to a maximum of four FOBTs.

The industry initially responded to this law by opening more shops than ever before. Many companies would feature multiple locations in the same town just so that they could offer more terminals. This history is the big reason why there are so many FOBTs throughout the UK now.

Don’t Typically Feature Huge Prizes

Slot machines are well known for the big jackpots they offer. Some games feature top prizes worth millions of dollars.

FOBTs, on the other hand, don’t rely on huge payouts to draw players. Instead, they merely offer a convenient way to gamble on various games.

Unfortunately, you aren’t going to win life-changing money in any single hand/round—especially with today’s limited stakes. But you can possibly win big profits by going on a hot streak or picking a winning virtual horse with long odds.

Is One Type of Game Superior to the Other?

Both slot machines and FOBTs have become popular in their own right. They each feature different benefits that draw gamblers.

Slots steadily increased in popularity throughout their first several decades of existence. However, the advent of video slots really took this type of gaming to a new level.

Today, slot machines attract players through excellent graphics, unique formats, exciting features, and large jackpots. They’re the most-popular casino games throughout much of the globe.

FOBTs, meanwhile, are specific to the UK. Having come about in the early 2000s, they don’t have quite as long of a history as slots.

Nevertheless, fixed odds betting terminals began attracting players almost immediately. They feature a variety of games and are conveniently located in local betting shops.

I can’t really say that either type of gaming is vastly superior to the other. Everything comes down to individual preferences.

Do you love slots and want to play for huge prizes? If so, you should definitely seek out slot machines in land-based and in real money online casinos.

Are you hoping to play different games or even bet on virtual horse races? In this case, fixed odds betting terminals are the answer.

Conclusion

Slots machines and FOBTs look quite similar to each other. But they also have notable characteristics that distinguish them from one another.

Slots are all about spinning the reels and chasing big prizes. They offer exciting bonuses, fun themes, and large betting ranges. Additionally, slot machines have a global presence.

FOBTs give you the chance to play a variety of games beyond slots. They’re also commonly found throughout UK betting shops.

Depending upon where you live or visit, you’re more likely to come across slot machines. But FOBTs can be worth checking out if you’re ever in the UK.