Monday, December 23, 2024

Best performing online slot game of 2024

Now you know I can’t just come out and announce the best-performing slot game of 2024 right away. Announcing the top game is just like playing a slot, anticipation, curiosity, and tension until you hit a big jackpot.

When playing slot games keep in mind, whatever has happened does not dictate what will happen. Every slot spin or bet is independent of itself. Every experience is independent of itself. Slot games don't get hot, tight, or loose. They award a win when the random number generator inside feels like it.

Straight From the Source

Naming the top-performing slot of 2024 is based on a monthly report published by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC (EKG) and Fantini Research. The report tracks the performance of online casino games in the United States.

Titled “U.S. Online Game Performance Report,” the 74-page document ranks the top 25 slot games every month based on performance.

EKG collects game performance data directly from casino operators monthly. The company does warn that its report is a sample and may not be representative of the overall United States market.

Today, online casinos are legally regulated in seven U.S. states, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Nevada does allow online poker only.

An illegal market of online casinos operating in foreign countries (or offshore casinos) can be accessed from many U.S. states. Slowly, a few of these foreign operators have been notified by U.S. state officials to cease operating in their jurisdiction. In October, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V. and Hove Media, collectively known as Bovada, for operating a sports betting and gambling website without a license in the state.

Jackpots in New Jersey

The top-performing online slot of 2024 was ranked #1 for 10 months during the year and remained in the top five for the period.

According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the game awarded over 20 jackpots in Atlantic City during the year. The jackpots ranged from $40,000 to $244,000. A jackpot of $93,696.80 and $243,877.75 were awarded by DraftKings Casino in August and October respectively.

Drumroll Please

Released in 2020 the top-performing slot of 2024 is Cash Eruption supplied by International Game Technology.

The game is filled with fiery wins that could be yours as you explore a volcano in the game. The rewards are even hotter when three or more volcanoes trigger the Free Spins Bonus. Reels 2, 3, and 4 erupt into jumbo symbols and ensure explosive big-win potential. Collect six fireballs to trigger the Cash Eruption Bonus, where collecting all 15 Fireballs awards the sizzling Grand Treasure.

The game has a minimum bet of $0.20 and goes up to a maximum of $40.00 per spin. Hit the smoking volcano just right and you could hit a mini, minor, major, or grand jackpot.

Cash Eruption is available at BetMGM, Caesars, Golden Nugget, DraftKings, PokerStars, FanDuel, BetRivers, Tropicana, and other online casinos.

New retail Caesars Sportsbook in Maryland; Baltimore casino evacuated

Caesars Entertainment has expanded its retail sportsbook reach in the state of Maryland. The company has opened a new location at Long Shot’s in Frederick, Md.

The new location adds to the company’s sportsbooks at Horseshoe Baltimore Casino, also in Maryland, and Capital One Arena in the District of Columbia.

“We’re proud to partner with Long Shot’s, a women-owned and operated business that has established a remarkable reputation in the growing Frederick community, to bring in-person sports betting back to the sports fans in the area,” said Dan Shapiro, SVP and chief development officer at Caesars Digital.

Caesars is not the first company to run a retail sportsbook at Long Shot’s. U.K.-based company BetFred opened a sportsbook at the location in October 2023. After posting low revenue numbers from both retail and online services, BetFred ceased retail operations in Maryland on June 30, 2024, followed by mobile online service ending on July 31, 2024.

“This partnership not only allows us to connect with more Maryland sports fans but also provides an exciting destination for those looking to experience the energy of in-person sports betting,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro thanked the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission and their new partner Cohenterprises Inc. for making the new location possible.

Caesars Sportsbook at Long Shot’s is a 4,900-square-foot space with a variety of viewing options, including a lounge and bar with seating that can accommodate single customers or larger groups. The space features eight self-service sports betting kiosks and three video walls. Sports fans who visit can now enjoy more ways to bet than previously offered at the location, including in-game wagering and same-game parlays. Long Shot’s also offers pari-mutuel horse race wagering.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Evacuated

Meanwhile, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, had to evacuate all guests and staff on Sunday due to water damage caused by a pipe failure.

The casino was temporarily closed for crews to address the water damage. The facility’s 122,000-square-foot gaming floor holds 97 table games, 56 electronic table games, and over 1,600 slot machines.

The company announced on Facebook it planned to reopen at noon on Monday.

Negative Revenue Numbers in Baltimore

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened in August 2014. In recent months the facility has struggled with negative revenue numbers compared to 2023, according to data reported by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

November 2024

(1,340 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,346,106 in November 2024, a decrease of $254,331 (-1.7%) from November 2023

October 2024

(1,344 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,758,540 in October 2024, a decrease of $1,113,756 (-7.5%) from October 2023

September 2024

(1,344 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,119,567 in September 2024, a decrease of $1,332,169 (-9.2%) from September 2023

August 2024

(1,349 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,427,383 in August 2024, a decrease of $979,707 (-6.4%) from August 2023

July 2024

(1,347 slot machines, 115 table games)
$13,317,234 in July 2024, a decrease of $2,704,446 (-16.9%) from July 2023

June 2024

(1,380 slot machines, 115 table games)
$14,112,716 in June 2024, a decrease of $1,828,493 (-11.5%) from June 2023