The TV and film megastars of yesteryear have been replaced in the affections of many members of the public by social media influencers, YouTubers and TikTok content creators.
These vloggers are able to rack up millions of views on their videos and posts, generating the kind of viewing figures that television executives can only dream of these days.
There has been a popular trend for so-called ‘Slot YouTubers’, who live stream their spins to their audience in real time, while showcasing the particular features of a game.
But is all as it seems? Why do these YouTubers seem to win more often than the average player? Are they being paid to promote a particular slot or casino?
These are all fair questions, and in some cases the answers are not as straightforward or as transparent as they should be. So are slot YouTubers legit? Prime Slots investigates…
All the World’s a Stage
There are too many slot YouTubers to mention by name here, but you won’t have to look too hard using the video platform’s algorithm to find them – some have close to one million subscribers.
Their videos vary in type, but generally the most popular ones are those captioned with an attention-grabbing title: “I won £100,000 playing…’ etc.
It’s only right that viewers ask themselves whether these wins are legitimate or somehow staged, but of course the answer is that any real money slots win – big or small, captured on YouTube or not – is legit.
Why? Because a game can’t be rigged in any way, with the outcome of each spin determined by a random number generator… ultra-popular vloggers aren’t able to change that.
But that’s not to say that slot YouTubers aren’t incentivised in some way to capture a big win on camera. And that’s where things get really interesting…
Full Disclosure
Have you ever noticed that when you watch a YouTuber, they often interrupt their videos by asking you to hit the like button, subscribe and so on?
They will often phrase that in a way that benefits you – helping to train your YouTube algorithm being a common one, but the truth is that they are simply trying to legitimise their channel and monetise it more effectively.
Experienced slot gamers will know that most YouTubers will be losing money when playing – that’s just the nature of slots, which is implied in the RTP of each game. So what’s in it for vloggers to keep recording?
The more views their videos get, the more ad revenue they will generate. And that’s not to mention that some will be ‘sponsored’, i.e. by certain casinos or slot developers to promote games in their YouTube content.
And so they get paid… even if they aren’t winning. Some YouTubers earn a reported £20,000 if their videos score one million views, which for the most popular of content creators is easier than it appears.
How to Judge a YouTuber’s Credibility
The standard slot gaming session for the average player features losses and the occasional win; the idea is that you have fun while playing, staking accordingly.
And you can use this as a guide to help determine the credibility of a slot YouTuber. Do they show wins and losses in an appropriate ratio? Or do they seem to win more often – or large amounts – than the expected rate, as per the RTP and volatility of the title?
The most credible YouTubers are those that set out disclaimers and disclosures from the outset. They will be fully transparent, revealing if they are sponsored by a certain casino or game developer. Even if they don’t mention it verbally, they will have a branded watermark in the corner of their video or be wearing merchandise of their sponsor.
Always consider why the YouTuber is asking you to like the video or subscribe to their channel – quite simply, this is to drive more viewers, subscribers and ad revenue. You might agree that there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you feel like you are being used as a pawn in a game, perhaps it’s best to consider whether this particular vlogger is for you.
Fundamentally, a slot-based YouTube video should be produced for the viewer’s entertainment – not the bank account of the creator. With this in mind, you’ll be better placed to assess whether a slot YouTuber is legitimate or not.
Gamble Responsibly with Prime Slots
The term ‘social media influencer’ is apt, because these individuals have the power to influence people with their content.
The same is true with slot YouTubers, who by showcasing regular wins and big payouts to their viewers are in danger of giving a false impression about slots – and, whether accidentally or not, encouraging players to stake more or play for longer than they ordinarily might.
Here at Prime Slots, we urge you to gamble responsibly. Only bet what you can afford to lose, never chase your losses and only play when you are relaxed and in the right frame of mind – our website contains plenty of links to more responsible gambling information should you need it.
And if you want to learn how to play real money slots from experienced industry veterans, rather than monetised YouTube channels, read our comprehensive guide.
