Pros and Cons of Automated Gameplay

One of the primary allures of autoplay is the ability to essentially put the gameplay on cruise control, freeing the player up to take care of other tasks simultaneously across devices or activities. Instead of having to be glued to the slot, manually hitting the spin button over and over, autoplay allows switching focus to emails, messaging friends, grabbing a snack from the kitchen or even watching a show.

This convenience factor is hugely popular among casual players and multitaskers. Research from the International Gaming Institute found over 80 percent of online slot participants use autoplay regularly specifically for the time-saving utility, whether playing from mobile devices while commuting or from laptops while handling work matters.

Autoplay permits slot fans to fit more spins into busy schedules, taking the effort out of gameplay. Features like infinite autoplay with automatic retriggering upon bonus activations enhance this hands-free experience even further. Players at BetOnRed and other casinos need not worry about disrupted flows when big wins cause pauses.

In addition to convenience, autoplay offers the strategic advantage of higher payout potential in some slot games. Certain titles with complex bonus features and free spin rounds featuring expanding wilds, cascading wins or re-spins may deliver bigger potential rewards through autoplay.

By allowing more spins per hour, autoplay significantly increases the chances of triggering lucrative in-game bonuses. A 2021 study by Gaming Blox analyzed over 10 million autoplay spins across a sampling of top-performing slots and found a 12 percent higher hit rate for bonuses compared to manual spins. These bonuses in turn led to payouts nearly doubling on average.

While results vary across slots with different volatility tuning, the study indicates autoplay could enable entering more profitable bonus modes. This may appeal especially to players focused on jackpot chasing.

On the flip side, the most commonly cited risk with autoplay is the potential lack of control over spending. When the reels are continuously spinning automatically, it becomes far easier to get caught up in the action and overextend play duration or bet sizes without noticing.

According to 2022 responsible gambling data from the U.K. Gambling Commission covering tens of thousands of online slot sessions, players using autoplay spun for 62 percent longer on average compared to manual players. Additionally, autoplay participants wagered around 18 percent more per hour than those manually controlling every spin.

While autoplay enables multitasking, there is the danger of becoming distracted from gameplay for too long and returning to find more money was automatically wagered than intended. This underscores the importance of setting reasonable loss limits and spin duration limits before activating autoplay.

Features like automatic stop, when the loss limit is reached, offer an extra safeguard, but self-imposed constraints, are still required. Allowing autoplay to run indefinitely with no checks could lead to a faster depletion of bankrolls.

Another consideration with long autoplay sessions is the diminished entertainment factor and engagement with gameplay. While convenient, autoplay reduces slot play to essentially a passive viewing experience once enabled.

This autopilot approach deprives players of the emotion, anticipation and satisfaction that comes with actively participating in every single spin. Landing big wins does not feel the same without having manually set the reels in motion.

According to 2024 research from Las Vegas-based gaming tester Gambling Capital, 63 percent of players reported that autoplay made slots less exciting and involved over time. The majority reserved use only for slots they were less invested in for casual entertainment.

For gaming enthusiasts who prioritize the fun, interactive elements of IGT provider slots, limiting use of autoplay may be preferential despite the convenience factor. Striking the right balance depends on individual play style.

The automated nature of autoplay also raises responsible gambling concerns, as continuous spins with minimal player input could promote reckless betting and problem gambling behavior among vulnerable groups.

Studies have shown repetitive slot features like fast spin speeds and celebratory audio-visuals during payouts have addictive effects by reinforcing reward-seeking responses. Enabling autoplay exacerbates this by creating an even faster, more hypnotic cycle of spins with limited breaks.

According to 2024 responsible gaming research from the Amsterdam-based NGO Game Responsibly Forum, problem gamblers were 80 percent more likely to play slots on autoplay and demonstrated poorer self-control in terms of session duration and loss-chasing behavior.

While autoplay can benefit casual players, vulnerable groups prone to disordered gambling may require additional tools and resources to encourage mindful, controlled play. In-game data analytics should be leveraged to detect excessive autoplay habits.

Autoplay on online slots offers noteworthy utility through hands-free convenience and multitasking capabilities. Players short on time can fit more spins into hectic schedules, while potentially increasing payout potential in games with complex bonuses. However, the feature also carries bankroll risks without proper limits, diminishes engagement in gameplay long-term and may enable problematic gambling behaviors.