There is really not just a great distinction between land-based slots and online slots. This is only because they now both depend on digital computer chip technology to generate their reels and slots, as well as the outcomes of spinning a reel. In earlier times, slot machines had an actual handle that you pulled to manually spin the reels. Right now, while slot machines may still provide a handle for the sake of nostalgia, the inner workings of the slot machine are computer-based. In several cases the handle has also been replaced by a button that you press to start the reels spinning.
Some land-based excellent slot online machines have actual spinning reels that spin inside the machine and stop at a certain point, much like a roulette wheel. On the flip side, you will discover increasing numbers of land-based slot machines that have a digital interface, meaning that the reels are represented virtually, within the same way because they are on your monitor whenever you play online.
Thus the main difference among land-based slots and online slot machines is the way you communicate with them. You physically take some action with a land-based machine, for example pulling a handle or pushing a button. Online everything is accomplished by clicking your mouse button.
There is one other area – that could be of great interest to you – where there is a subtle but important difference between online slot machines and ones in land-based casinos. This is that the payout percentage at online casinos is often higher than at real-world ones. It means that the casino’s “hold” or it’s advantage over you is slightly less, making your time spent online more profitable over time.
The main difference is small, often not more than one percentage point, but it all accumulates eventually, and may be the real difference between ending up slightly ahead or slightly down.