The rise to prominence of online gambling has mirrored that of football, with both having their roots in the 1990s. That decade was when the first gambling sites appeared on the internet and it was also when the Premier League was launched.

From the very beginning, online casinos tried to capitalise on that – but their early efforts were primitive. Games such as the Sports Slot made little impact on football fans.

That changed during the 2000s, as advances in technology allowed slot games to incorporate dynamic elements like video graphics. The new wave of games included such titles as Soccer Safari and was more successful.

This was followed in the 2010s by the hit football slots Top Strike Championship and Football Star. They have cutting edge graphics plus immersive and interactive game elements.

Games based on football are now big business and every top site will have football themed online slots. But why are they so popular?

The Compatibility of Forms

One explanation for it is surely that football and slot gaming just fit very well together. They are both games that feature a great deal of action and excitement.

Then there is the shared element of unpredictability. A football team might be the favourites before the start of a match, but all kinds of things can affect the result once the action is underway – and fans can do little to influence events.

That is true when playing slot games too, because they are games of chance. The crucial role played by fortune appeals to football fans, who instinctively understand it.

The Passion of Football Supporters

Commentators often talk about the passion of football fans, but assume that those feelings are purely for the team that they support. It cannot be disputed that this is part of the equation – being a football fan is an expression of tribalism after all.

However, that is not all that there is to the passion of the fans; they also feel that way about the game itself. This is something that slot game developers and casinos have leveraged to make the games popular. 

Football supporters are interested in anything that is connected with the sport. That means they were sure to embrace high quality football themed slots once they discovered them.

It should be noted that the ‘high quality’ aspect of this was vital though. If the games offered a poor experience, fans might have been initially interested, but that would have died out quite quickly.

The ongoing – and increasing – popularity of football themed slots among supporters is because the games are worth their time and money. It is important to offer a quality product if you want to turn that fan passion into long term interest.

The Special Themed Elements

The primary way in which the creators of the games provide that quality is through the football theme. This allows them to incorporate elements that differentiate the games.

If we take a look at some of the best ones on the market, we will see examples of that. For instance, the game called Top Trumps Football Stars uses images of football greats as reel icons.

Another game called Golden Goal features video graphics of a football stadium and sound effects of a crowd of fans. When a player lands a win, this is greeted by a roar as if a goal has been scored. 

These elements make playing a football slot feel like an extension of a supporter’s love of the game, rather than just a standard exercise in gambling.

Some Good Football Themed Slots

• Football Champions Cup

This is one of the most immersive football themed games that you can play. It captures the feel of a thrilling knockout tournament using graphics and audio effects.

Perhaps the best feature of all though is its bonus round. This takes the form of an onscreen penalty shootout, with a payout the prize on offer if you can hit the back of the net. 

• Football Rules

Football Rules is another excellent choice for fans of the sport. It shows how football can influence every aspect of a slot game, from its reel icons to its bonus round.

The icons in this game range from a stadium and fans to a football jersey. Meanwhile, the bonus round involves choosing the right ball from the six provided, to win a prize.

Football themed slot games are popular because their creators understand what makes fans of the sport tick. That knowledge should ensure their continued success.