A big feature of casino slots is the autoplay ability, where players select their stake and just let the machine automatically play each spin. It's a common feature and one that many players lean on, as it doesn't have any direct effect on the outcome of games.
It's not the type of feature that is likely to make a player more likely to select a particular slot, and it's actually hard to find any modern slot without autoplay. Players are typically more interested in features like scatter symbols, bonus rounds, and jackpots, so the autoplay feature is always just sort of sitting there.
Players are faced with a lot of personalisation and choices about their experience at gambling sites. From selecting the type of slot to the value of stake and even picking from the payment methods for online casinos, players have a lot of control. But does the autoplay feature work against that personal experience by making it less engaging?
The Role of AutoplayAs the name suggests, autoplay is all about automation. It provides players with the opportunity to sit back, relax and just watch the reels keep spinning. The feature removes the need to press the "spin" button on every turn, which can help to speed up play.
Some players, however, find that it also removes an element of engagement from a session, especially when playing in person at a casino. The lack of physical interaction with the machine for a spin can diminish the experience.
However, for slots played at online casinos, the option can be extremely useful. Instead of continuously clicking a mouse, for example, to activate a spin, autoplay is not something that has to be used; it's just a gaming option that's available on the interface to use at your convenience if you want.
Potential ConsTypically, faster play at any online casino game is associated with a degradation in the ability to make informed decisions. Autoplay does indeed speed up play, and therefore it could potentially be a feature where players lose track of time and stake input.
Without having to press the "spin" button for every turn, there is less of a connection between the player and the stake. So when the current set of spins has finished, it may be more tempting to put further stake into play.
In 2021 the Gambling Commission in the UK even set guidelines for the number of structural characteristics that an autoplay feature has to have, to help keep players safe. A by-product of that has been a greater focus on the customisation of the features' controls.
Customisations OverlookedA reason that players may not feel like using autoplay is because of the lack of engagement, but in most cases, may not be aware of the customisation options that it comes with. To activate an autoplay feature, there are some conditions for the player to size up.
The use of autoplay is down to individual players and their preferred experience. Some will like the slower pace of having to click the "spin" button every time, allowing time to absorb the results from the game.
Others may well have more of a set-and-forget type of approach and only want to get engaged when a bonus feature is triggered, for example. Autoplay does provide a more convenient way to play, and it's safe and accurate due to the parameters that can be set for it.
Either way, whether the autoplay is used or not, the key thing is to ensure that there is a fixed bankroll for responsible gambling. The chance of winning on a slot isn't going to change because of playing autoplay against manual spins, it is simply a preference of how the game is controlled.
