While slot machines have been around since the 1890s, the modern incarnations of the games bear little resemblance to their historic forerunners.
Advancements in technology have allowed developers to create increasingly elaborate slots, which keep players engaged for hours on end.
One of the main attractions of modern slots is the theme – an element which is used to entice players into playing a particular game.
For example, if you are a cricket fan you may be more inclined to choose a slot based on your favourite sport rather than any alternative options.
Many of the leading casino operators operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region offer an excellent selection of sports-themed slots.
That point is demonstrated perfectly on the haz-tayeb.com/en/ website, which showcases the best online casinos for players located in MENA nations.
With that in mind, we have scoured their recommended casino sites to identify what we believe are the best sports-themed slots you can play.
Cricket Star Scratch
Multiple award winners Microgaming are one of the most respected developers of online casino games and their catalogue features a vast array of sports-themed slots.
One of the picks of the bunch is Cricket Star Scratch – a fast-paced game that offers players the chance to win up to 10,000 times their stake.
With a return to player (RTP) rate of more than 95 percent, Cricket Star Scratch is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to knock the casinos for six.
Football Star
If your chance of becoming a football star has passed you by, console yourself with hours of endless fun on another stunning Microgaming slots game.
Football Star is a thoroughly immersive five-reel slot that offers players a whopping 243 different ways to win and a ton of in-game features.
These included stacked wilds, free spins, collapsing reels and a multiplier – as sports-themed slots go, this one is a real net-burster.
Frankie Dettori Magic 7 Jackpot
Top jockey Frankie Dettori achieved a legendary feat when winning all seven races at Ascot in September 1996 to spank the bookmakers.
His achievement has been immortalised by developers Playtech with the Frankie Dettori Magic 7 Jackpot slot – a game that undoubtedly lives up to its title.
The Magic Seven Bonus round is where the main action is at, offering players the opportunity to match Dettori’s efforts and scoop a massive jackpot.
Wildhound Derby
If you prefer your racing to be of the canine variety, the action-packed Wildhound Derby slot will be right up your street.
With 30 paylines, an impressive 96.93% RTP and stunning graphics, this fantastic game is packed with a host of special extra features.
Hitting the free spins feature is the pathway to riches on Wildhound Derby – line up the correct combination of symbols and you will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Super Striker
Super Striker puts a modern twist on traditional 3 x 3 slots grid to provide sports fans with a game they will find tough to stop playing.
It has a multitude of features including free spins, multiplier, scatter symbols and Bet Slip, which adds the extra thrill of sports betting into the nix.
With an RTP of more than 96%, Super Striker is another slot that offers players an excellent chance of securing a bumper payout.
Break Away
As mentioned earlier, Microgaming have developed a wide range of sports-themed slots – all of which offer a top-class iGaming experience.
Another one well worth checking out is Break Away Deluxe – a fast-paced ice hockey slot which will have you channelling your inner Wayne Gretzky.
The free spins round come with an upgraded super-stacked Growing Wilds feature, while the Smashing Wilds add another exciting dimension to the game.
Rush Cricket Live
We head back to cricket for our final recommendation, which blends casino gaming with sports betting for a truly immersive slots experience.
Rush Cricket Live requires players to choose their teams, before placing bets on how many runs will be scored with the next ball or match outcomes.
The game is effectively like playing in your own one-day international – can you be a century-maker in one of the most thrilling cricket-themed slots on the market?