Tournaments vs Races Explained

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Deni

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Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.

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Published: March 31, 2019
Updated: August 20, 2025

The online casino industry has grown so rapidly that it’s impossible for online casinos to remain at the top. They constantly have to think of new and innovative ways to keep players entertained, and with the development of technology, it’s almost impossible to just be satisfied with the gaming experience in itself.

Many online casinos have discovered the power of casino tournaments and races. These tiny little add-ons make a big impact and provide players with more forms of entertainment as well as heaps of winning opportunities.

Online casino tournaments and races — Tournaments and races at online casinos

It can often be confusing to know the difference between the two, as they might seem relatively the same, but in fact, they are different. Both tournaments and races bring something special to the table regarding gameplay, rewards, prizes and time duration.

What is a casino tournament?

Casino Tournaments are competitions linked to certain games. Poker tournaments have always been popular, but recently slot tournaments have risen to the top of the ranks. Tournaments almost always require a buy-in, a certain amount of deposits or wagers to be completed within a certain timeframe, and only the players ranking highest on the leaderboard win something.

Learn with CasinoWow: How to take part in tournaments?

Casino tournaments can be divided into two main categories:

Invitational tournaments are only open to loyal casino players.
Open tournaments, which can be entered by anyone.

There are also six different types of casino tournaments. The different tournament types are:

Scheduled tournaments
Sit ‘n go tournaments
Extender tournaments
One-shot tournaments
Reloader tournaments
Survivor Tournaments

Each of these tournaments has a certain flair and provides players with a different setting and mood to play in.

While the tournament aims to be the best, the setting is different, with a unique time limit, gameplay structure, and ranking system.

Some tournaments, like the Survivor tournament, give you an adrenaline rush and turn up the heat as someone gets eliminated in each round. To win, you need to be the last man standing.

The Extender tournament, on the other hand, allows you to play over a longer period, during which you can keep playing even if you’ve run out of credits.

Read more: The fun factor of playing online casino tournaments

What is a casino race?

The easy way to describe a casino race often called a slot race or reel race) will be to say that it’s short bursts of action taking place on slots of your choice or a variety of preselected slots. The key to the races is to get the highest points possible in a short time span. It’s fun, quick, and very rewarding.

Unlike traditional tournaments that can last for days, casino races are about quick bursts of action. Most races run for around 20 minutes, and in some casinos, they occur as often as every half hour. Because of their short format, multiple races can happen daily, making them more dynamic than longer tournaments.

All you have to do at most casinos to enter is register for the free tournaments and read the rules before you start playing. Generally, the races are played on a set number of slots and other games, which will be mentioned in the rules section.

Minimum bets are generally low (as little as €0.20 per spin), which means you don’t need to wager large amounts to compete.

Sometimes the race can take place on a wide variety of games, as the race will include all the slots from one specific provider, such as NetEnt.

How you score points with slot races:

Slot races are points-based, and you only gain points by playing slots. The points vary depending on what happens, but the benefit is that these races rarely have high minimum bet amounts required to play.

Common ways to earn points:

Regular wins: every winning spin adds points.
Consecutive wins: a streak of wins boosts your score further.
Big or “mega” wins: larger payouts give you higher point bonuses.
Special features: unlocking bonus rounds or features can award extra points.

The prizes vary but almost always include cash prizes, casino credits, and loyalty points and of course plenty of free spins.

Reel Races are available at some of the top online casinos, including Rizk Casino and Casumo Casino. At Rizk, there are several Reel Races taking place each day, with two main events happening at 18:00 and 20:00 GMT each day.

These big races offer bigger rewards, including double the cash prize.

They also take a little bit longer than the usual 20-minute races and can last as long as 55 minutes.

Which is better: casino tournaments or casino races?

At the end of the day, it is nearly impossible to select between tournaments and races as the reigning champion of entertainment at online casinos. Each event brings something special to the table that pleases different types of casino players.

Let's distinguish their key point:

Casino tournaments

Variety: Tournaments come in many formats, from knockout Survivor Tournaments to multi-day leaderboard challenges.
Duration: They can last anywhere from a few rounds to several days.
Best for: Players with patience, time, and a bankroll to sustain longer play sessions.
Thrill factor: Ideal if you enjoy strategy, endurance, and chasing the ultimate winner-takes-all prize.

Casino/ Reel races

Fast-paced: Most reel races last just 20 minutes, though some can run up to 55 minutes.
Frequency: Multiple races happen every day, meaning more opportunities to join.
Best for: Players who want quick, fun action without committing hours.
Excitement: Perfect for those who love fast bursts of competition and instant rewards.

To sum up

Tournaments are marathons, races are sprints; both can be thrilling, but the best choice depends on your style of play. Keep reading CasinoWow for more insightful information about online gambling.

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By Deni

Verified Casino Expert

Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Learn about our Review Process

Anything incorrect or missing?

Last updated: August 20, 2025

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Tournaments vs Races explained

Contents

Contents

What is a casino tournament?