In recent years, many people have questioned whether the free spins that are commonly offered by online casino operators to both new and existing players and the loot boxes offered to players on traditional video game platforms are the same thing.
Before we answer that question, we can start by taking a closer look at what free spins and loot boxes are to get a much better understanding of the key similarities and differences between the two.
What are free spins?
The quickest and easiest way to explain what free spins are to anyone who doesn’t have a clue would be to visit this trusted iGaming review site by clicking or tapping or clicking on this secure external link: https://www.casinotopsonline.com/bonus/free-spins.
On this website, you can learn more about today’s safest iGaming platforms that offer free spins to fully registered members, either as part of the initial sign-up bonus or as part of an ongoing promotion, such as the daily login bonus or loyalty rewards program.
A free spins bonus is essentially a digital marketing tool used by online casino operators to attract new players and retain existing players. Free spins can be used to play online slot machines in the real money mode for a chance to win more money.
Most of the time, a free spin is valued at the lowest stake possible for one spin on an online slot machine, which could be $/€/£0.10, $/€/£0.20 or $/€/£0.30 per spin, depending on the game.
Most players receive anywhere from 1 to 20 free spins, and the winnings are typically capped at a certain amount (could be anywhere from $/€/£10.00 to $/€/£500.00 or more, each site/bonus is different).
Players normally have to wager their free spins winnings X amount of times before they can withdraw any winnings they have made – also known as the wagering requirement, playthrough requirement, rollover requirement or turnover requirement (it all means the same thing).
For example, if you receive 10 FS for the iconic Book of Dead online slot machine from Play’n GO, valued at $/€/£0.10, and you end up getting lucky, triggering the FS bonus, and win, say around $/€/£40 from those initial FS that you received, you will typically have to wager those winnings anywhere from 20x to 50x times before you can withdraw any leftover winnings you have after you have completed the wagering requirements as set out in the terms and conditions attached to that bonus.
However, the good news is that many free spins bonuses these days come with zero (0X) wagering requirements, meaning the winnings you make from your initial 10 free spins are yours to keep without having to wager X amount first.
10 free spins valued at just $/€/£0.10 each may not seem like much, but you could end up winning big.
What are loot boxes?
Loot boxes are essentially virtual/digital containers found in video games that contain randomized items. The contents of loot boxes are typically hidden until the player opens it, which means the outcome is a mystery.
The items contained within loot boxes have no monetary value, and players can purchase loot boxes using either virtual [in-game] currency or real money. They can also be earned via gameplay, such as by completing certain tasks and challenges or unlocking milestones on progress bars.
The types of items that can be found in loot boxes include the following:
The very nature of loot boxes means that when purchasing them, there is an element of chance, excitement, and satisfaction, especially if it contains something the player needed or wanted, or it can cause frustration for the player if the loot box contains something they didn’t really need or want.
Are free spins the loot boxes of online casino gaming?
In essence, loot boxes and free spins are NOT the same thing. Although both are designed to promote psychological engagement, loot boxes are a monetization strategy used in video games, whereas free spins are a promotional tool used within a regulated gambling environment.
For example, free spins can potentially lead to players winning real money, while loot boxes typically don’t lead to winning real money. Free spins are a promotional tactic, and loot boxes are a monetization strategy.
There is definitely a grey area that has blurred the lines between loot boxes and gambling. However, loot boxes are not always regulated as gambling, but free spins are always regulated as gambling.
Final thoughts
There is also still a growing debate as to how loot boxes should be classified because of the randomized nature and potential for real-money purchases in loot boxes, and there are also concerns about their similarity to gambling and what kind of effect they may have on younger people and children.
In some regions, there are new regulations regarding loot boxes, and some government authorities have even gone as far as to restrict the sale of them to minors and to ensure greater transparency about the odds of receiving specific items when purchasing loot boxes.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
