Best Slot Games

Are you a person who spends a lot of time playing slot machines? Then, we have a comprehensive guide that covers how to play slots online, free slots, bonus features, RTP, mobile slots, and everything else you need to know to get started with spinning reels.

Most Popular Online Slot Games

Here is our list of the most popular online slot games. Slot machines are consistently ranked among the most popular games at online casinos, which should not be surprising if you’ve ever played one.

Since they were first invented, slot machines have come a long way from their humble beginnings as fruit machines. The transition from land-based slot machines to online slots that can be played through a website or mobile app illustrates how change and innovation are driven forward. 

Aside from the obvious convenience of playing whenever and wherever they like, players can now take advantage of the wide variety of slot games offered by online casinos. You can find video slots, 3D slots, progressive slots, 243-payline slots, slots designed to resemble popular video games, slots based on TV shows and movies, and even virtual reality slots.

Additionally, the bonus rounds and spins have been made more interactive, making the player feel like they’re part of the action. The sound of the game has also been upgraded and improved. Nowadays, we no longer have the simple, basic, white, three-reel slots of the past, but rather exciting games full of exciting themes, buzzing music, flashing lights, and huge payouts.

Best Online Slot Game Creators

Choosing a slot site is important, but it’s even more important to do research on the developers who build and design the slot games before you play them. Listed below are some of the most popular online slot game makers.

Mega Joker

One of the most successful software development companies in the industry, NetEnt is responsible for creating one of the most popular slot games on the market, Mega Joker. This slot game follows a classic and traditional style of gameplay. There are several straightforward features to the game, including well-known fruit symbols and the opportunity to win a progressive jackpot if the player is lucky.

Gonzos Quest

The online slot game Gonzo’s Quest was developed by NetEnt and has a Mayan theme. You are taking part in an adventure dating back to ancient times. As the name of the game suggests, its format consists of five reels, three rows, and twenty paylines, which are always in play.

Among the features of the slot machine are five different betting levels, a free spins bonus, and a jackpot that can reach a value of 25,000 coins.

Book of Dead

The online slot machine Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead has been made by Play’n GO as part of their Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead series of games. A total of ten paylines are available in this slot machine.

There are five reels, and three rows, and all of the paylines can be adjusted. It is fully optimized for use on all mobile devices, and it can be used even with a minimum bet of one penny. There are some bonuses and features in this game, including a free spins round in which an expanding symbol is involved.

Mega Moolah

Microgaming has created more millionaires than any other jackpot slot machine in history thanks to its Mega Moolah slot machine, which features a progressive jackpot and is operated by Microgaming. With five reels and twenty-five paylines, it takes place on the plains of Africa and is themed as such. Wild symbols can double payouts, and players can also take advantage of a feature available in this game called Free Spins, in which they can win up to 30 free spins with a multiplier worth three times the normal value.

Everything revolves around the four progressive jackpots, with the Mega Jackpot the one everyone wants to win. It paid out a staggering €19.4 million in April 2021, the biggest jackpot in the history of the casino.

Starburst

Starburst has been a player favourite at online casinos for years, and for good reason. With amazing bonus rounds and astronomical graphics, you can win winning combos of symbols, as well as travel to otherworldly places across the galaxy.

There is an air of refined simplicity about the reels because of their simplicity. In spite of the absence of frills and embellishments, the emphasis is still placed on providing players with high-quality gameplay and excellent winning potential. You can read more about Starburst Slot in our expert review.

Mega Fortune

NetEnt has developed Mega Fortune, a video slot game that you can play online. With this game, you will find 25 paylines and 5 reels. The progressive jackpot slot has been one of the most widely played progressive jackpot games since it was introduced in 2008, and it is responsible for creating a big number of millionaires over the years.

The focus is on winning one of the three progressive jackpots due to the fact that the Mega Fortune online slot machine awarded a jackpot of €17,8 million in January of 2013, making it one of the largest jackpots awarded by an online casino.

Beach Life

With twenty pay lines, this bright, cheerful slot machine was designed by Playtech, a company that specializes in making video slot games. It will make you feel like you’re basking in the sun as you play it. In addition to the progressive jackpot, there are wild symbols, scatter symbols, and a bonus game that can award a significant amount of cash. There has never been a better time to hit the waves, put on your shades, and get the Beach Life reels spinning.

Book of Ra

While playing the Book of Ra slot machine, you will have the choice of five reels, three rows, and ten paylines. If you want to win at Book of Ra, you have to match five identical symbols on a payline. The payout is triggered whenever three or more matching symbols are present from left to right. The Book of Ra symbol functions as a Wild symbol, meaning it can substitute for any other symbol to form a winning combination.

Thunderstruck 2

Thunderstruck II is a sequel to Microgaming’s original Thunderstruck slot machine. Microgaming developed it. Thunderstruck II offers 243 ways to win, four different free spins bonuses, and 243 ways to win.

Fishin Frenzy

Fishin Frenzy is a video slot developed by Reel Time Gaming. It comes with five reels, three rows, and 25 fixed paylines. Fishin Frenzy slot machine comes with a free spins feature as well as a special paying symbol which awards cash prizes.

Playing Online Slots vs Offline Slot Games

A traditional land-based casino wouldn’t be the same without slot machines’ buzzing and beeping sounds. When the winning coins clatter against the payout tin, they jump for joy, and the entire process is filled with nostalgia.

Real money slots bring fun, excitement, and the chance to win great prizes to all players, regardless of their age or gender. You can spin the reels of the best online slots whenever you want, from wherever you are.

Nowadays, you can play some of the most popular slot machines from casinos worldwide on your home computer or mobile device. It can be played on your couch at home in the evening, at your desk at work during lunch break, or even on the train home as you travel.

Online slot machines are available on any device, so you can start playing right away. You can play thousands of the best slot games worldwide, regardless of where you are, by simply registering with an online casino and verifying your account.

Online slot machines are easy to use, portable, and offer massive jackpots and prizes that can reach millions of dollars. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that players of all levels of experience are increasingly attracted to online slot games.

How Slot Games Work Online

Since the invention of the first coin-operated slot machine in 1894, slot machines have generally operated in the same manner. You would place coins into the machine, spin the reels, and then keep your fingers crossed that a winning combination would appear on the single payline that ran through the middle of the reels in the early days of slot machines.

The first video slot machine was developed in 1976, ushering in a new era that saw an increase in the number of paylines available on slot machines and the number of winning opportunities available to players.

The more you know about online slot machines’ features, game mechanics, and logic, the better prepared you will be to devise your slot strategy and increase your chances of winning when you spin the digital reels.

Slot Reels

The software generates the “reels” in online slot games, which result in a completely random arrangement of symbols with each spin. The order in which the symbols appear in online slot games is entirely random.

RNG

A Random Number Generator (RNG) is used in online slot machines, just as in traditional land-based slot machines. However, after each spin, this Random Number Generator ensures that the symbols on the reels stop in random positions.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) license is required for the RNG to be certified and tested regularly. Therefore, you can rest assured that none of the casino slots we feature on this website has been tampered with, and the symbols will always fall into place completely randomly.

Paylines

Every slot machine has paylines, which are used to label all of the possible winning symbol combinations. A casino slot machine’s number of paylines determines how many ways you can win when you spin the reels.

The amount of money you bet on each line, the number of lines you want to play, and the order in which you want to play them, are totally up to you. If, for instance, a slot machine has 25 paylines, you can wager on only ten of them and select any combination you like, such as paylines 1-5 and 14-19, etc.

Bonus Rounds

Certain combinations on the reels can trigger a bonus round; many of these games are similar to an arcade and video games. Several of these activities require skill on your part, such as piloting a spaceship through a field of asteroids, while others are entirely random, such as spinning a prize wheel. If you win the bonus games, you will be rewarded with points, money, or additional spins.

Online slot machines are known for their imaginative bonus games, which usually revolve around a narrative connected to the game’s overall theme.

Bonus Features

Traditional slot machines used to have minimal features. The game consisted of spinning three reels, each of which held a small number of symbols. To win, you needed matching symbols on adjacent reels.

Modern online slots offer a wide range of bonus features and special symbols in addition to their reels and symbols. In addition to making the gameplay more exciting, these features and symbols give you more chances to win.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols in slot games operate similarly to wild symbols in card games; they can take the place of any other symbol on the reels, changing losing combinations into winning ones. Online slot games have a variety of wild symbols, including Expanding Wilds that take up the entire reel, Sticky Wilds that remain on the reels for the duration of subsequent spins, Shifting Wilds that move from reel to reel, Random Wilds, Stacked Wilds, Walking Wilds, and many more.

Scatter Symbols

At this point, you probably know that the most common way for slot machines to produce winning combinations is when identical symbols appear on the same payline. 

Scatter symbols do not have to appear on the payline in a particular order to be considered a winning combination. When playing most online slot machines, the appearance of three, four, or even five Scatter symbols across the reels will trigger a bonus payment and may even launch a bonus game or round of free spins. 

Multipliers

There are a variety of multiplier bonus rounds, but they all have one thing in common: they require you to complete multiple rounds to build up your total score. It is common to multiply the score obtained by the initial wager when determining the cash prize amount.

How Many Reels and Paylines Do Online Slots Have?

Typically, the most basic slot games consist of three reels and a single payline, which runs through the middle of the reels. This is the most basic type of game. However, modern game developers can create online video slots with five, seven, or nine reels and dozens or even hundreds of paylines, thanks to the rapid development of technology.

Some online slot games available in the UK offer 243 different ways to win, but others feature as many as 1024 different winning combinations.

It has become the industry standard for online casinos to offer 5-reel slots. Depending on the game, there can be one to hundreds of paylines. In addition, due to recent advancements in the design of online slots, players can now opt to play games that offer 1024 ways to win.

Whereas traditional paylines are not used, wins can be awarded for any left or right-aligned symbol combination that lands on the reels.

Most Common Types of Online Slots Game

The most popular casino game is the slot machine, and there are literally thousands of different machines to choose from.

For new players, this selection can be a little confusing. The variety of online slots available has grown significantly in recent years. In addition to the traditional three reel slot, there are now more exciting five reel slots, complete with special features and multiple paylines.

Software developers are always on the lookout for new and creative ways to keep their customers’ attention and keep them coming back for more. Recently, 3D slots and iSlots have been introduced to the world of online slots, offering players who have grown up with video games a more immersive experience.

In the following sections, you will find an overview of all of these different types of slots, along with links to more detailed descriptions and games that we recommend you try.

Classic Slots

Classic slot machines have three or five reels, and their paylines are arranged similar to the more common 25-line layout, with a few exceptions.

Videos Slots

Players can choose from various games when playing online video slots. Some games resemble traditional slot machines and more advanced video slots that provide a more engaging experience. In today’s games, players can enjoy graphics in three dimensions (3D), animation that is in step with today’s technology and sounds reminiscent of a movie theatre.

On the other hand, video slots almost always create their unique symbols and icons based on the overall plot and theme of the game. Traditionally, slot machines use symbols that are recognisable from fruit machines.

Videoslots usually have 5, 7 and sometimes 9 reels. Some more recent video slots offer multiple paylines, bonus rounds, and even as many as 1024 possible ways to win.

Movie Themed Slots

Many companies that create video slots license the rights to use characters from successful films, popular television shows, and even comic books. Several slots come with epic plotlines and themes, such as the Age of Gods series developed by the industry-leading software developer Playtech.

Progressive Slots

Slot machines are played individually in most casinos, and the prizes won are entirely determined by the player’s wagers and spins. Each progressive slot machine has a jackpot that increases with every bet placed on it by any player. The odds of winning a jackpot are extremely low; however, the prizes are extraordinary and can reach millions of pounds.

Megaways

Megaways is another cutting-edge variation of the slot machine sweeping the United Kingdom. Megaways slots differ from traditional slot machines, generally having a set number of reels and paylines. Instead, these slots have a random reel modifier that changes the number of symbols and the layout with each spin, providing hundreds of thousands of different ways to win.

Software development company Big Time Gaming is the brains behind the revolutionary innovation known as Megaways. You never really know how many different ways to win when you play a MegawaysTM slot machine for real money. 

Most Megaways slot games have six reels, and each reel can display anywhere from two to eight symbols. The symbols on each reel vary in height, depending on the game. A unique set of combinations can be generated for each spin, with hundreds of thousands of possible winning combinations (117,649 is the maximum).

Win Both Ways

When a player sees three or more symbols align perfectly on the reels for a winning combination but then realises that the spin didn’t win because the slot machine only pays out winning combinations that align from left to right, the player may become frustrated.

With Win Both Ways slots, players can win payouts on winning combinations that align both left to right and right to left, effectively increasing the number of winning chances.

Playing Win Both Ways slots is relatively similar, and the paylines do not change positions or are inverted. You are competing for the same paylines as before, with the only difference being that the winning combination can now begin on either side of the reel.

Despite having a greater chance of winning, Win Both Ways slot games do not pay twice in one spin for the same combination. Additionally, in most cases, the odds and RTP are adjusted to reflect the inclusion of the Win Both Ways feature.

Win Both Ways slots offer gameplay that is both more engaging and exciting, and they keep players invested in each spin for the apparent reason that there are twice as many opportunities to win. As a result, online slot games that offer win both ways.

243 Ways to Win Slot Games

The innovation of the 243 Ways to Win slot game by game developers marked a new stage in developing slot machines found in casinos. You can choose the number of coins to wager before each spin, similar to how it works in traditional video slots, with 5 reels and 3 symbols on each reel. 

You can choose how many coins to wager before each spin, similar to how it works in traditional video slots with 5 reels and three symbols on each reel. You will not be asked to select any paylines, and you will be paid for any combination of symbols that results in a win, from left to right. Because there are so many ways to win, many slot machines have a low level of volatility and typically pay out modest prizes.

1024 Ways to Win Slot Games

The new generation of slot machines takes the idea of having more ways to win without the need to select paylines to a whole new level. With each spin, there are an incredible 1024 ways to win. You can do this with a single wager, and there is no need to select or keep track of any paylines. The only difference between a standard online slot machine and a 1024 Ways to Win slot machine is that the latter has no paylines while the former does. Both games are straightforward to play. 

The goal is to get any combination of symbols in a row from left to right anywhere on the reels, regardless of respective positions on each reel – with a single wager on every spin and with every winning combination paid out.

We strongly recommend that you play Lucky Panda by Playtech if you want to try out an exciting new type of online slot game. In addition to Free Spins, Multipliers, and Wilds, this game features a Chinese-themed layout. 

Another excellent game from IGT, White Orchid, is based on the gorgeous theme of tropical rainforest and offers some great features and bonuses. It also has 1024 ways to win.

How Much Can You Bet On an Online Slot Game?

The maximum and minimum amounts that can be wagered on a slot game will depend upon the minimum and maximum bet limits, the number of paylines, and any other rules that apply to that game. The minimum bet is required, and before you do so, you should review the paytable to learn how the winning combinations are determined.

In traditional slot games, winning combinations are read from left to right. In spite of this, there are several newly developed slot games that award wins for symbols that are clustered or grouped in multiple directions.

Each time you place a wager, the total number of coins in your balance decreases. Moreover, you will be required to place an additional wager for each payline that you activate. For example, if you want to bet on a slot machine with 25 pay lines, you will have to bet at least 25 coins since the minimum bet is one coin.

Changing from one slot game to another can cause the coin values to change. You can place bets on some slot machines for as little as a penny, while others require you to pay at least one pound. Payouts ranging from 10x to 2000x. ‘x’ represents the number of times the amount you bet on one line will be multiplied. A player wins a game if they get 3 of the same symbol, 4 of the same symbol, or 5 of the same symbol.

Free Spins Slot Games

The free spins bonus feature allows the player to spin the reels without putting any of their own money at risk. There are a few ways to activate the free spins bonus feature. In some casinos, players can earn free spins as part of a promotion, but more often than not, they make them simply by having a certain number of scatter or free spin symbols appear anywhere on the reels.

Most casino slot machines will initiate the Free Spins feature as a separate bonus minigame. The new screen will load with animation and dedicated features.

Cluster Pays Slot Games

Cluster Pays another type of online slot machine without a payline. To win at this variety of slot machines found in casinos, you will need to connect a group of symbols horizontally or vertically across the reels (also known as clustering).

In a cluster pays slot, you must form clusters of at least four symbols to win. In addition to offering a fantastic and engaging new gameplay experience, it also provides a variety of fresh and exciting ways to win.

Progressive Jackpot Slot Games

Online casinos have led to the development of progressive slots, which offer prizes in jackpots. Instead of providing a prize based on individual play, progressive slots have the casino put up seed money for the prize, and a percentage of every wager any player places on the slot contributes to the prize fund. In addition, slot machines offer prizes based on the amount of time spent playing instead of regular slots. Consequently, the jackpot amount will continue to grow until it is won.

Because of this, progressive slots are popular in every part of the world, and the more players they attract, the larger the jackpot becomes. Three of NetEnt’s progressive video slots are among the most popular video slots in UK online casinos: Mega Fortune, Arabian Nights, and Hall of Gods.

However, the most well-known progressive slot game in the world is Mega Moolah from Microgaming. The game set a Guinness World Record awarding a British player $17,879,645.12 in 2015, equating to about £16.2 million. In 2018, Mega Moolah paid out another jackpot exceeding £17 million, which equated to €18,915,872.81. This makes it one of the best payout slots of all time.

Mobile Slot Games

Almost all of the best slots are designed in HTML5, making them compatible with any mobile browser. It is because mobile gambling is becoming increasingly common and famous in the UK. As a result, most software developers now prioritise mobile compatibility when developing new online slot games. 

Due to this, nearly all new casino slot releases are designed with mobile players in mind. As a result, mobile games offer game features and settings that create an immersive experience when played on mobile devices. On the other hand, if you prefer the more traditional styles of online slot machines, you need not worry. The vast majority of the older games have been modernised and made available on mobile devices.

The majority of online slots can be played instantly on mobile devices using that device’s browser, and many modern casinos offer mobile apps with Android, iOS, and Windows Phone versions.

Slot RTP (Return to Player)

When you place a bet on a slot machine, you probably want to know how much of your money you have a chance of winning back. It is evident that slot machine payouts are entirely random, and every player experiences both good and bad streaks. 

Even though this may seem perplexing, the expected return of a slot machine is derived from a highly accurate mathematical model that determines the payout. In a casino, the amount of money returned to players over time is called the Return to Player, and it is expressed as a percentage of the total amount wagered by all players combined.

The RTP of a particular slot machine, for instance, might be 96%, which means that for every £100 wagered, it would pay out £96 worth of winnings. However, it is important to remember that this is only the average rate of payout for the entire game. Since winning depends entirely on luck, this does not suggest that any particular player should expect to win or be paid back. 

In the example above, one player may stake one hundred pounds, only to lose the whole sum, while another player could stake a few pounds and win the jackpot. That is what makes playing casino slots so exciting.

Casino slots at online casinos offer a higher return to players (RTPs) than brick-and-mortar casinos. This is because, in online casinos, overhead costs such as rent, equipment, and staff are lower, so a more considerable profit margin can be returned to players. 

The return to player percentage (RTP) of most online slot games is greater than 96%; however, there are a few that offer even higher returns, such as Rainbow Riches Pick ‘N Mix by Barcrest (which has an RTP of 98%), Mega Joker by NetEnt (which has an RTP of 99%), and Ugga Bgga by Playtech (which has an RTP of 99.07%).

Free Slot Games Online

You can play many of the best casino slot games online for free in demo mode on various websites. This allows you to test out different games without risking any of your cash. Before wagering any real money, this is a fantastic way to try out a variety of slot machines and get a feel for the game’s overall theme, visual aesthetic, and sound design. 

In addition to getting a general sense of the slot machine, many seasoned players play free slot machines in demo mode to become familiar with the game’s bonus features, acquire an understanding of the RTP and volatility, become familiar with the betting limits, and formulate a strategy for playing slot games before wagering real money. Due to UKGC regulations, UK players can access and play casino slots for free only once signing up and verify their account with the casino.

Slot Games with No Deposit

UK casinos offer generous bonuses to entice new players and thank regular players for their loyalty. There are deposit match bonuses, online casino free spins, and no deposit bonuses that allow you to play the best slot games without making a deposit. 

No deposit bonuses typically include free spins on featured slots, but bonus money credited to your account upon registration is also possible. It is possible to receive both types of bonuses in some cases. 

Besides all of the advantages of playing slots for free in demo mode, players who take advantage of free slots no deposit bonuses can walk away with real money when they hit a winning combination. Before you can withdraw any of your winnings, you will generally need to make a deposit and meet any wagering requirements.

New Slot Games Online

As soon as the new casino slots are available, our slots specialists can give you a first look at them since they are in contact with all major software companies. In the UK, new and exciting slot games are released every week, and our slots experts are always on the lookout for new and exciting games. 

A search function on our website is available in the games section, allowing users to find the most recent slot machines by using criteria such as software provider, type of game, features, and even slot name. Staying up to date is easy because the most recent additions to the game will always be displayed at the top of the page. 

We regularly update our new slots page with fresh and exciting new online slot games, so bookmark our page and visit it regularly.

Advantages of Playing Slot Games Online

Besides the apparent benefits of playing slots online, such as the convenience of being able to play from any location, there are a few other advantages that make online slots increasingly popular among gamblers in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Slot Game Variety

Each slot machine game needs its cabinet on a casino floor because there is finite floor space in land-based casinos. Because online casinos do not face this challenge, players can access hundreds and even thousands of slot machines within a single online casino at any given time. In addition, new games are updated weekly, and sometimes even daily, on your computer or mobile device.

Higher RTP

Due to expenses such as facilities, rent, and employees, land-based casinos typically have lower profit margins than those online casinos. 

Thus, the return to player percentage (RTP) of online slots, which typically ranges from 97% to 99%, is higher than the RTP of real money slot games found in land-based casinos.

More Innovation

Due to the digital format of online slots, a significantly greater number of new features and innovations can be offered than those found in land-based casinos. So in addition to fresh and engaging gameplay, there is always something new to look forward to, providing you with additional ways to play and a greater chance to win.

Play Slots On The Go

Because most online slots are mobile-optimised, you can play casino slots at home, on the train, or even at the bar with your friends. So long as you have a tablet or smartphone with you, you can spin the reels of the newest and most cutting-edge online slot machines from anywhere, anytime, as long as you have an internet connection.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know so much about slot machines, why not try spinning the reels and diving into the world of online casinos’ slot games? Also, don’t forget to take advantage of the fantastic bonuses currently available.

joe profile pic

About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of Casinos, Slots, Bingo & Sports Betting than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.