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The online casino industry is constantly changing and evolving to bring players the best in online gaming entertainment.

Online slots and video slots have received a lot of attention over the past few years thanks to their exciting themes, big winning possibilities and more importantly bonus features. There's just something extra to taking a spin that could trigger a feature.

If you only recently started playing online casino games you'll have had these gaming advantages right from the start. These features haven't always been around and were only added in recent years.

The online slot veterans can tell you that back in the day slots were as basic as 3 reels, 1 payline and a big payout.  

 

WHAT ARE BONUS FEATURES?

Bonus features are the exciting bonus rounds, symbols and treats that can appear at any time during your slot gameplay. Some awarded cash wins and others lead to bigger bonus features where the possibility of even higher winnings can be achieved.

Most online slots available today have a bonus feature available whether it is only one of a variety of 2-5. These can be small features of big bonus features that incorporate gamification and immersive gaming. Most of the more comprehensive bonus features are triggered using special symbols such as a wild, scatter or bonus symbol.

Always check the paytable of the slot you want to play before you start so you know which bonus symbols you have to look out for.

 

THE TYPES OF BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE

• Free Spins – This is among the most popular bonus features that appear in most online slots. It is commonly triggered using three or more scatter symbols and allow you to play 2 or more free spins. Some free spins features come with multipliers attached ensuring each win during this feature will be even more rewarding.
• Pick Me Bonus – This feature is generally triggered with 3 or more scatters or bonus features and appear in a select number of online slots. During this feature, you need to pick a number of objects on the screen to reveal a prize. This is generally played on a second screen and awards cash prizes, multiplier or free spins.
• Click Me Bonus/Instant Win – In some games, you can stumble across an Instant Win or Click Me Bonus feature. This will appear during the base game and awards a random prize. These generally pop-up at random at any point during your game and awards re-spins or small cash prizes. The Click Me Bonus generally triggers when three or more scatters appear on the reels. These scatters are turned into mystery symbols on the screen and you have to click on one to reveal an instant prize.
• Trail Bonus/Combat Rounds – These are more immersive bonus features that allow you to actively participate in the bonus feature. It can be triggered with three scatters or activated at random. The trail bonus feature plays like a board game where you spin a wheel or roll a dice to move across a trail to get towards a prize. The Combat Rounds have only recently started popping up and ensures a 'fighter' takes position on the reels to combat the enemy and win you prizes. These features can award instant cash prizes, free spins or prize multipliers depending on the software provider.
• Progressive Multipliers – These are a favourite that have been added to a wide variety of online slots. Instead of a solid bonus feature, there will be a multiplier meter located next to the reels. With each consecutive win, you hit the multiplier meter will rise and the multiplier it is currently on will be applied to your wins. This feature is a favourite among players as it leads to frequent and big wins.

 

THE RISE OF SKILL-BASED SLOT GAMES

In more recent years, online slot providers have also started focusing on adding a level of skill-based elements and features to slots. Currently, they are working towards creating online slots that are completely skill-based to ensure an even more immersive gaming experience. These are still a slow work in progress but the great news is there are plenty of other fun bonus feature filled slots currently available.

 

THE EXCITEMENT BONUS FEATURES BRING

Simply spinning and waiting for a win or loss to be revealed can become monotonous and boring at some point. It is for this very reason that bonus features were created and have become so popular in the online casino industry.

Bonus features make online slots more entertaining because they provide a little more action, excitement and rewards. These features ensure there is additional mystery, hope and wonder added to your gameplay. With the more modern slots, software providers aim to tell a story through their features creating an even more immersive gaming experience.

Even with a theme, sounds and superb graphics online slots would be pretty dull and boring if you had to remove the bonus features. It would be a whole lot less entertaining to take a spin knowing there's no Click Me Bonus, Free Spins feature or Winning Multiplier that could be triggered.