Sports-themed slot games

Playing and watching sports, whether seeing the British Lions in Australia or joining a team round the corner, has never been more popular.

Sport is quickly spreading into the world of game-playing too. From thousands of sport-themed online slots games to millions of teenagers across the world playing FIFA in their bedrooms, more and more of us are enjoying sports games.

Both participation and audiences for sport are rising fast. It’s all about a combination of fitness, wellness, escape and entertainment.

As online gaming has grown millions of players now log on every day – and many of those are playing games with a sporting theme.

The boom in sports games

The growth in online gaming is fuelled by high-speed internet access and spread of portable remote devices. As this online boom continues, sports games are one of the most popular themes.

The appeal is obvious. You don’t have to lace up your boots or buy a ticket, you can enjoy sports gaming from the comfort of your own home.

Mobile access to games like slots now offers players access to the thrills of sports any time, any place.

The biggest online sports games

Today’s online sports games have sophisticated technology to mimic real-life action, with detailed graphics, realistic gameplay and life-like players.

The booming world of online sports games ranges from classic car racing games to online wrestling.

The biggest of all the online sports games is the virtual soccer game FIFA with a huge worldwide following.

Not far behind is the basketball game NBA 2K which also offers players the chance to build teams using famous players.

American sports fans love Madden NFL and baseball fans have MLB The Show instead. Other big hits are Pro Evolution Soccer, which is acclaimed for its detailed graphics and animations, and NHL, the leading virtual ice hockey game.

The best sports slots

One of the most popular ways to play a sports-themed game is within the booming world of online slots.

Slot machines were the cornerstone of physical casinos for decades. Then came the online casino revolution.

The variety of slots is so wide now that you can find a game based on your favourite player, team or sport. Games can include bursts of commentary or iconic video clips too.

Which are the best sports-themed slots?

There are so many sports slots now it’s hard to choose. Here’s a selection of the very best, according to expert reviews:

Rugby Star

This hugely popular themed slot game is a mini-masterpiece from expert game designers at Microgaming.

Rugby fans love its graphics and features like Wild Pass – it sends the wild symbols exactly where they’re needed, just like a pass by a brilliant scrumhalf.

The game offers 243 different ways to win and a return-to-player ratio of 96.52%. Gameplay has great momentum, like an unstoppable surge from the pack.

The continuous wins feature means you can be suddenly in bonus land, racking up coins faster than a winger breaking down the sideline.

Football: Champions Cup

Fancy a session with the round ball instead? This top slot is a great way of combining soccer with the simple fun of a game of slots.

The clever extra gameplay features include a penalty shootout bonus round and wild substitutions. The backdrop is a cheering stadium crowd that creates an atmosphere just like being at a real game.

Basketball Star

Basketball fans’ favourite is this new slot also devised by Microgaming. Basketball Star has all sorts of sporting symbols like star players, jerseys and basketballs.

There are more than 200 ways to win and with special extra features and multipliers to add fast basketball-style excitement.

Tennis Stars

Every sport has its themed slots. Fancy a burst of tennis?

Racket fans love this dynamic, action-packed Playtech slot. Tennis Stars offers classic symbols from the court like famous trophies and distinctive tennis balls.

Best bit? The free games feature and interactive championship bonus rounds serve up some impressive jackpots.

Golf Champions

The top golf-themed slot offers the thrill and style of a top game of golf. You’ll tee off amid symbols like golf carts, greens, flags, clubs and balls.

The best bit is a thrilling Hole-in-One bonus but it’s popular because it offers golf-inspired fun on every spin.

What is the future of sports slots?

Experts expect gaming technology is only going to get more advanced.

Expect more enhanced animations, immersive sound effects and interactive bonus rounds to replicate the excitement of sports.

Increasingly, designs will allow players to compete against each other – or to team up. The latest virtual reality technology could even allow slot players to step into virtual stadiums and interact with avatars of favourite athletes.

Whatever happens, sports-themed slot games are likely to become more and more exciting. They could even become as popular as the sports themselves!