There are literally hundreds of slot machine games out there. They run from video slot machines with 5 reels and dazzling features, to the traditional one armed bandit that you can still find with mechanical reels featuring bells, cherries, bars and all the traditional symbols.

So what helps make a slot machine long lasting? There can be two main ways a slot gathers popularity. The first is the more obvious one is that it is based on a popular TV series, or movie. The Star Wars slot machine for example, has plenty of loyal fans thanks to the fact is is based on such a well loved movie series. Fans of Star Wars can never get enough Chewbacca roulette play.

But the other factor that people really do appreciate about slot machines is the game play. The Rainbow Riches slot is based on a simple concept, an Irish leprechaun and the idea of the “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. There are no great star name voices, or characters, but the combination of different bonus games on offer has made Rainbow Riches a huge hit with its own dedicated fans. You will even find web sites specifically dedicated to the Rainbow Riches and how to play the bonuses.

The fact that slot game play is a winner is probably best dressed up by an anecdote from our last trip to Vegas. We were playing away on the slots casino and there was a woman, at least in her mid 70’s, who never moved from playing the Alien vs Predator slot. Now unless she was a very unlikely fan of the film, there’s no doubt the play on this slot had her hooked - and that’s what really counts.