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How the Worlds of Sports and Slots Have Collided

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by , 12 April 2020 at 11:36 pm (1579 Views)
Part of the allure of sporting competitions is that they build to an often-dramatic climax, whether that's a tournament final or a title-deciding match. However, what can you do once the competition is over? One somewhat boring option is to twiddle your thumbs and count down the seconds until the new season or tournament begins, although online slot developers have provided an alternative way for sports fans to engage with their passion.

Given that slot developers have dabbled in almost every conceivable theme, it's no surprise that sporting slots have become increasingly popular in recent years. The universal appeal of sport is ready-made for iGaming titles, with the output of Microgaming proof that this is the case. [URL="https://www.active-income.com/forum/software-do-you-prefer-microgaming-net-entertainment-218881.html?highlight=microgaming"]Microgaming is one of the leading developers[/URL] and has provided a string of sport-inspired releases, covering everything from rugby to hockey.

Just like EA sets the benchmark for sport on consoles, Microgaming provides guaranteed quality across a range of sporty slots. Here's a look at a few of their most popular combinations of sports and slots.

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Football Star[/SIZE]

Disclaimer: the football in question is soccer, so NFL fans seeking some gridiron action will have to look elsewhere. However, Football Star will never be without its suitors, given that the 2018 FIFA World Cup final attracted an audience of 1.12 billion viewers worldwide. The slot was actually released to coincide with the 2014 World Cup, so Football Star also delivers on the nostalgia front to those wanting to recapture the magic of that tournament.

Players may wish to reminisce [URL="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2128176-25-most-memorable-moments-of-2014-world-cup/#slide7"]with Bleacher Report's 25 most memorable moments[/URL] from the tournament before they kick off the reel-based action, with the symbols all colorful recreations of key elements from the sport - referees and football boots, to name just two. Those who enjoy the style of Football Star will be pleased to know that Microgaming has produced a range of slots in this vein; Basketball Star, Rugby Star, and Cricket Star all sit alongside Football Star in [URL="https://casino.betway.com/"]the library of games at Betway Casino[/URL], with each release merging classic Microgaming mechanics with sport-specific features.

[SIZE=4]Break Away[/SIZE]

Microgaming opted not to brand Break Away as Hockey Star, but this slot bears all the hallmarks of what makes the Star franchise so successful. The NHL continues to be one of North America's premier sporting competitions, with the Stanley Cup final always a big draw for fans. Last year's Game 1 matchup was the most-viewed in four years, with NBC claiming an average audience of 5.380 million viewers, so it is only fair that we can see hockey represented in the world of online slots.

Masks, skates, and sticks naturally appear as symbols on this 5-reel slot, with the bright visuals and realistic sound effects helping to recreate the frenetic and captivating action of an ice hockey match. The Smashing feature is triggered at random in homage to another popular quality of hockey: its unpredictability (or its aggression!). Whenever there's no NHL action on television, then Break Away gives fans a suitable replacement for the drama and passion of the sport.
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[SIZE=4]Centre Court[/SIZE]

Wimbledon's Centre Court is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, so it is fitting that Microgaming have decided to make this arena the focus of an online slot. Tennis also seamlessly translates to this 5-reel, 9-payline format, with the rhythmic yet relentless nature of the sport mirrored by the mechanism of the slot. Developers and publishers have struggled to adapt tennis to multimedia forms, with [URL="https://www.bigben-interactive.co.uk/"]Bigben Interactive's Tennis World Tour[/URL] from 2018 garnering negative reviews.

Tennis hasn't thrived so far in a console environment, but Microgaming's stripped-back slot adaptation hits its mark. The slot itself is simplistic, with the tennis action of Wimbledon recreated in basic graphics and uncomplicated symbols. However, that simplicity works in the slot's favor for those players who are less enthused by a multitude of bonus elements and busy animations. As a throwback slot that neatly incorporates a sporting context, Microgaming hit a winner with Centre Court.

The popularity of sport will always endure, so expect to see a growing number of slot developers finding ways to integrate sport into their releases. The move to simulcast [URL="https://www.active-income.com/article/sky-racing-world-launches-japan-nar-simulcasting-234110"]the Japan National Association of Racing[/URL] in North America could prompt a new wave of horse-racing slots, while the continued rise of eSports may inspire a bold developer (probably Microgaming) to try and incorporate that industry into an online slot. Be sure to keep up-to-date with industry news here at GPWA, where you'll stay apprised of any ground-breaking developments linked to sports and slots.
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