What are Online Slots?
Online slots are like the online version of a traditional slot machine, fruit machine, or one-armed bandit - whatever you want to call them! If you’re at an online casino, the slots section will always be the largest, usually with thousands of games to choose from.
With simple gameplay, endless themes, fun mechanics, and plenty of bonuses, there are plenty of reasons that online slots are so popular. We’re going to look at pretty much everything you need to know about slots. Starting with the different types you can enjoy.
Slots online
Free spins bonuses are some of the most common promotions around. If you like playing slots then you need never go without a bonus
Most casinos have well over 1,000 slot games in their catalogue. This means there’s a much bigger choice of slots than any other casino game
It’s possible to play the majority of slots in demo mode, which is rarely possible for live dealer games. This lets you test out a game in full, before committing to spending your own money on it
Slots are a chance-based game, which means that even if you know lots about them, you can’t lower the house edge/ increase the RTP
Some players like this, others don’t. In free spins bonuses, your wagering requirement is usually based on winnings, which means if you win big, your wagering goes up
You need a more generous bankroll to play high volatility slots as you could go a long time without winning
Different Types of Casino Online Slots
All online slots invite you to spin the reels and see if you win, but there’s much more to them than that. Below are three of the main types of slots, along with how you can recognise them.
Classic Slots
Classic slots tend to have a simple reel setup (most like the ones you’d find in bars back in the good old days). They usually have 3 reels and classic symbols like fruit. The features are stripped back and the focus is on retro or nostalgia.
Video Slots
Video slots are the modern games that you’ll find most of nowadays. They’re almost always mobile ready and feature 5 reels most often, but sometimes many more. You’ll get to enjoy all kinds of unusual and unique mechanics, as well as bonus rounds and graphics that keep up with most cartoons!
If you are interested in playing bonus rounds without having to jump through hoops then look into bonus buy slots. These let you skip the small talk and get straight to the good bit.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
If you’re chasing big wins then progressive jackpot slots are the games to choose. These slots have ever-growing prize pools that every spin contributes to. Eventually, one lucky player spins the winning spin and triggers the whole jackpot - often into the millions of Euros.
Crypto Slots
A newer type of slot game, these slots currently have a more dialled back aesthetic, but typically focus on being provably fair. This means you can see the result of every spin, letting you verify for yourself if the RTP is correct.
How to Sign Up and Claim a Slots Bonus
Not sure how to go from browsing to spinning with bonus funds or free spins? Here's your step-by-step guide to claiming your first slots bonus.
Exploring the Best Online Slots Studios
With thousands of titles on the market, it’s helpful to know which studios consistently deliver. Whether you’re into real money slots with huge win potential or nostalgic classic slots that keep things simple, these developers are behind some of the most popular games you’ll find at any online casino.
Pragmatic Play Slots
Perhaps the biggest fish in the slots pond, Pragmatic Play are amongst the most famous studios around. Known for their bold, clean graphics and feature-rich gameplay, this studio produces everything from simple three-reel games to elaborate titles packed with free spins, multipliers, and jackpots. Titles like Gates of Olympus and the Big Bass series have helped define Pragmatic Play as one of the biggest names right now.
Play’n Go Slots
One of the pioneers of mobile-first development, Play n Go slots are famous for their adventurous themes. The Rich Wilde series, especially Book of Dead, has become a modern-day classic, while newer releases like Moon Princess and Reactoonz offer fresh mechanics with massive payout potential.
Hacksaw Gaming Slots
After something a bit different? Hacksaw slots break the mould with iconic graphics and often brutal volatility. Games like Wanted Dead or a Wild and Hand of Anubis are favourites among high-rollers thanks to their huge max wins and creative bonus features. Many Hacksaw Gaming slots also come with Bonus Buy functionality and a moody, underground aesthetic that sets them apart from the competition.
Novomatic Slots
If you’re a fan of classic slots, then you’ve probably already heard of Novomatic slots. This veteran provider is best known for land-based favourites like Book of Ra and Sizzling Hot, which have since been adapted for online play. With simple gameplay, high volatility, and a strong retro feel, Novomatic’s catalogue is a go-to for traditional slot fans.
What Bonuses Can I Use on Slots?
Slots are amongst the easiest games to find bonuses for and better still, most slots count 100% towards wagering requirements. Below are three common types of bonus that you can use to play slots online.
Free Spins Bonuses
Free spins are the classic slots bonus. These give you a set number of spins with a predetermined value, usually to use on one slot game (but sometimes a small selection). No deposit free spins don’t require any deposit to unlock them, while no wagering free spins let you withdraw your winnings instantly.
Deposit Match Bonuses
Deposit match bonuses give you more freedom to choose exactly which slot games you want to play. While they do come with a wagering requirement, for some players, this additional freedom makes it more than worthwhile.
Daily Free Spins
Daily free spins are given out by some casinos as a perk for playing on the platform. This is usually a small number of spins to use on a predetermined game, but after a while it soon adds up!
Compare Top Casinos Offering Free Spins on Slots
Below is a quick comparison of the types of casino freespins bonuses you’ll find at some of the best casinos in Europe right now. Whether you’re looking for a big chunk of free spins, or you like the convenience of claiming daily spins, you’ll get to see who’s offering what - and what the typical wagering is on spins winnings too.
Casino | Free Spins | Daily Free Spins | Reload Free Spins | Typical Wagering Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Howl Casino | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40x |
Vulkan Vegas | Yes | No | Yes | 30x to 40x |
Vavada | Yes | No | Yes | 20x to 35x |
Ice Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 3x to 35x |
Verde Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 30x |
Lex Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 35x to 40x |
Monro Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 35x to 45x |
GGBet Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 30x to 40x |
Drip Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 35x to 45x |
1Go Casino | Yes | No | Yes | 35x to 45x |
How Can I Play Slots for Free?
Playing slots for free is possible in two different ways. The first is to play in demo mode, which is available at most of the slot sites we recommend. The second option is to claim a bonus, for example a Vavada promo code, to play slots without spending your own money on the spins. Below are the benefits and drawbacks of both of these methods.
Play Free Demo Slots
The easiest way to play free slots is by playing them in demo mode. Demo slots are exactly like the real game, with all of the same features and math models. The only difference is you can’t win real money playing free demo slots.
If you’re just looking to get the feel for a game, before deciding whether to stake your own money, free demo slots are a great way to do it. If you want to actually win real money, then your only other option is to use a bonus.
Play Slots for Free Using a Bonus
The other way to play free online slots is by using a bonus. This lets you play slots without spending your own money and gives you the chance to potentially win something too!
You can use a no deposit bonus to play completely free, though you may need to complete a wagering requirement if you want to withdraw your winnings. A no wagering free spins bonus lets you play spins for free, but you’ll have to make a deposit to get them.
Deciding which kind of bonus works best for you is always advisable first of all.
Understanding Slots Jargon
While it’s easy to play slots online, there are some words that get thrown around that might be difficult to understand if you haven’t heard them before. Below is an explainer on three key pieces of slots jargon - so you’ll know how to tell your RTP from your RNG.
RNG
RNG stands for Random Number Generator. All slots use an RNG to ensure randomness, as this is the only way slots can truly be fair. An RNG uses a mathematical equation to produce a random number every time a slot machine is spun.
Tip: If you’re interested in how RNGs work, look into iTech Labs and eCOGRA. These independent testers specialise in verifying just how random RNGs are.
RTP
RTP stands for Return To Player. This refers to the percentage payout that the slot machine will achieve over time. A slot with a 96.5% RTP should pay out €96.50 for every €100 wagered.
However, the RTP is calculated over many, many thousands of spins. This means that the 96.5% advertised will be about right for some players, a bit too much for some players, and a bit too little for the rest. The reason for this? Randomness and volatility.
Volatility
Volatility refers to how big the ‘swings’ are in a slot game. If a slot has high volatility then you might have a long period without a win and then a big win. If a slot has low volatility then you’ll get regular wins but they will be smaller.
Tip: Volatility is sometimes called variance, so look out for the terms being used interchangeably.
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