Slots are the backbone of the online gambling industry. They’re by far the most common type of game people could find at casino sites, with tens of thousands of them readily available to play over the internet. They’re known for being quick to play, but in recent years some slot providers have been moving away from this. 

The way online slots are presented appears to be changing, with some features supporting longer or repeated periods of play rather than brief, isolated sessions. This shift may increase users’ exposure to gambling-related risks, particularly where extended play is not accompanied by appropriate safeguards.

Tracking a Player’s Progress

In online slots, the focus is on the outcome of a single spin. Each spin isn’t affected by any previous ones and doesn’t have an effect on any future spins either. Some slots have built-in progress-tracking features that change the way the game’s played. While the outcome of each individual spin still matters, there’s an additional aspect of the gaming experience for players to be concerned about: long-term progress.

In many online slots, a bonus round is triggered when three scatter symbols land on the same spin. If a slot uses progression tracking, its bonus round could be activated in a different way: collecting a required number of scatters across multiple spins, for example. The slot keeps track of the player’s progress, letting them know how many symbols they’ve acquired and how many are left. Systems like this can:

  • Change player behaviour. When the focus of slots shifts to longer play, this could encourage people to spend more time and money gambling online. 
  • Increase the need to play across multiple sessions. Some slots are able to save a player’s progress so that the next time they play, they can start where they left off. While this creates continuity, it may also reduce the sense of closure that would otherwise come with ending a session. For some users, the prospect of returning to complete further stages or make additional progress could encourage repeated play and increase exposure to gambling-related risk.
  • Create pressure to meet requirements. Players might feel an urgency to keep playing to reach the goal (i.e. triggering a bonus round). They might feel their previous spending has been worthwhile because it’s all contributed to their progress. This could make players less reluctant to spend even more money.

Tracking systems may create additional risks by giving users further reasons to return. They can support longer periods of play across multiple sessions rather than shorter, self-contained activity.

Transparency and Risk Disclosure

One concern is that slots with progression-tracking features may not be presented differently from those without them. Every online slot has a paytable that lists the features and the possible payouts, while also letting the player know how everything works. While the paytable may explain how a progression-tracking feature works, it does not necessarily identify the potential risks associated with repeated or extended play.

This is because progression tracking is treated as just another slot feature that shouldn’t be given any extra attention. It’s not highlighted as something that players should be aware of. It’s just another part of the paytable. 

Ideally, there would be more awareness about slots with built-in progression-tracking systems. There’s no obligation to check the paytable before playing, so some people might try a slot not realising there’s progress that’s being tracked. Clearer disclosure could help users understand this feature in advance and decide whether that type of slot is appropriate for them.

Responsible Gambling Measures in Place

Licensed casino sites are required to actively promote responsible gambling. This should prevent gambling-related problems and help people who are dealing with issues connected to their gambling. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), set up under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and operational since March 2025, works to encourage safe gambling practices.

There are already safeguards in place to reduce problems associated with gambling. These include, but are not limited to, age checks, identity verification, self-exclusion and deposit limits. While it’s on the player to control their gambling, the safeguards can help people impose limits, keep their gambling in check and prevent long-term issues from arising.

A final consideration is the GRAI’s emphasis on ensuring that game mechanics are explained clearly. Greater transparency around progression-tracking features would be a positive step, although their broader impact will depend on how widely they are adopted and how users respond to them. Should these features become more common, the GRAI may need to consider whether additional guidance or safeguards are appropriate.