Updated
Paul De Freitas
Online slots are essentially slot machines designed for play on PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. They are simple to play and easy to master once you understand the different types available and how the features work. Of course we’re here to help you with that! Slot games in online casinos can provide you with an opportunity to win real money, provided that you know how to play online slots without gambling all of your investment away. Responsible gambling aside, you should also know which jackpot slots online will give you the best gaming experience, as well as a realistic chance to win big and walk away with your earnings. Read our reviews of the latest online slots and test run them as free games before you hit the slots for real money.
18+ | New players only | T&C apply
18+ | New players only | T&C apply
18+ | New players only | T&C apply
18+ | New players only | T&C apply
The mechanics of online slots is hardly complicated; you simply spin the reels and win if a matching combination is formed on the payline. A slot machine can have one, three, or up to a hundred paylines, and wins are calculated based on the number of coins and active paylines in play. The winnings are dependent on how the symbols align on the paylines. If you want to win real money playing online slot games, then you should be looking for online slots with a wide variety of paylines, as well as casino games that provide players with plenty of opportunities to win free spins, as they are the best ways to give you a few more shots at spinning the reels and hitting the jackpot without doubling down on your first deposit.
In order to increase their chance of winning even further, new players should try to play free slots before jumping to real money slots. Even some of the more experienced slot players can benefit from playing free slots, for example, before trying out new slot games with unique progressive jackpot mechanisms. That way, when it's time to make the first deposit and win real money playing online slot games, they'll know more or less what to expect.
However, it is important to keep in mind that even the best online slots are, at their core, casino games. As such, an element of randomness and trickery always has to be taken into account, especially when putting real money into an online slot machine.
These are the most classic slot game you will find online, and it is perfect for new players. As the name indicates, these virtual slot machines have three reels and offer up to five paylines. Wins are achieved when three matching images/symbols/numbers appear on an active payline during your play.
NetEnt's Turn your Fortune slot is one of the unique video slots available to play.
Also known as 5-reel slots, these are by far the most commonly played. They are noticeably different from other online slots due to offering more paylines, different payline options, and one or more bonus features which usually involve free spins plus other win-boosting opportunities. Video slots are elaborate and complex and span across a wide range of imaginative themes, from cartoon-style to cinematic, thus making them highly entertaining – even when you don't win big.
Based on the UK pub-style slot machines, these slots typically feature a three-reel playing structure but have been designed with bonus game features that set off regularly to issue wins. Fruit slot machines are popular for being low stake slots, meaning players can indulge for longer without worrying about the bankroll running out too soon.
Progressive slot games have a jackpot payout that’s linked to other similar slots, and every time a player plays one of them a portion of their stake money goes into the central jackpot pool. These progressive jackpots continue growing until someone wins, and after paying out it is re-set to its base value and starts gradually climbing again as it is being fed. Some progressive jackpots can only be triggered when all paylines are activated with the maximum bet, whilst others set off at random regardless of the wagered amount or paylines selected.
Mega Spin Slots can be exciting and rewarding but with greater reward comes greater risk of losing money quickly.
Players wanting to increase their excitement level can play between 3 and 9 of these slots at the same time. This basically means you can have up to 45 reels spinning simultaneously for a chance to win. Mega spin slots vary between 3 and 5 reels.
Usually based around the theme of the slot with the sole purpose of awarding wins when lining up in matching order.
Scatter symbols are unique icons that can award a winning payout or trigger a bonus feature when it shows up on the reels in the required amount (usually 3 or more).
The basic function of the Wild Symbol is to substitute for other symbols on a reel to help form winning combinations. Other variations of Wilds include Multipliers, Stacked, Soaring, Floating, Random and Expanding. These Wilds still perform the basic function but with added benefits.
Bonus symbols trigger the slot’s featured bonus game when showing up in a certain pattern or quantity.
RNG’s are computerised programs that use complicated algorithms to ensure every spin on the slot is completely fair and random. As a condition of a casino’s licensing, these programs must be must be regularly tested by independent third parties like eCOGRA.
The variance of a slot describes how the slot plays. If a slot pays out small regular wins it means it has a low variance attached, while slots that give fewer but larger wins has a high variance attached.
Also known as RTP (Return to Player), this is the estimated payout rate you can expect from a slot machine. Online slots are normally programmed to payout between 82% and 98% of all wagers paid in by players.
