Online slots are games of chance that require you to align symbols in certain positions in exchange for a cash prize. They’re similar to those at brick-and-mortar casinos with the difference of added features such as intense themes, special features, bonus rounds, and much more.
Whether you’re new to online slots or if you’re just after a refresher, this article provides a deep dive into the ins and outs of online slots. You’ll learn about special features, jackpots, slot tournaments, and how to play online slots.
What are Online Slots?
Online slots are the foundation of online casinos in the United States. You’ll find thousands of real money video slots, each with its own theme and special features. You’ll find everything from classic fruit machines to adventure-themed games with intense graphics and sound effects.
You can try out video slots by different providers using the demo version, which allows you to get a feel of the game without making any financial commitment. You’ll be able to experiment with features like wilds, multipliers, free spins, and bonus rounds.
Finding the right place to play can be a challenging task, which is why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. You’ll find a comprehensive list of reputable online casinos in the United States right here at BettingLadies.com.
How to Play Online Slots
Here’s how to play online slots:
- Sign up to a reputable casino.
- Head over to the cashier and place your first deposit.
- Claim your welcome bonus, if applicable.
- Select an online slot and set your bet.
- Hit the spin button and enjoy!
We’ve listed some of the most popular online slots in the United States to get you started.
| Slot Name | Slot Provider | Features |
| Book of Dead | Play’n GO | Wild, Free Spins, Expanding Symbols |
| Age of the Gods | Playtech | Wild, Special Pantheon of Power, Age of the Gods Bonus, Athena Free Games, Zeus Free Games, Poseidon Free Game, Hercules Free Games, Age of the Gods Jackpot |
| Gonzo’s Quest | NetEnt | Avalanche, Multipliers, Free Falls, Wild |
| Cleopatra | IGT | Wild, Cleopatra Bonus |
| 88 Fortunes Megaways | Shuffle Master | Wild, Fu Bat Symbol, Picker Feature, Free Spins, Coin Pot |
Understanding Online Slots
Understanding how online slots work is crucial, especially when you’re figuring out which games are right for you. Each slot comes with different features, paylines, and themes. There’ll always be a dedicated paytable or help section within the game that explains how the features work, but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect.
Paylines
Paylines are the combinations of symbols in specific positions that trigger a win. You’ll find the combinations within the slot’s paytable. Most games have fixed paylines (typically 10, 15, or 20) whereas others allow you to adjust them. You’ll also find Megaways slots, where the rows within the reels change with every spin. These slots come with the possibility of up to 117,649 ways to win.
Reels
The reels are the ‘columns’ that you’ll see in the video slots. Each one comes with a fixed number of symbols that spin during each game round. Some video slots come with expanding reel features, meaning that the reels may increase the number of symbols to give you more chances of completing a payline. These may occur during the base game or during bonus features such as free spins.
Wilds
Wilds are the ‘joker’ of online slots. This means that they substitute for symbols to give you higher chances of completing a payline. There are usually exceptions to substitutions such as scatters or bonus symbols. Wilds with special features include wild multipliers, sticky wilds, and walking wilds. Read through the slot machine’s paytable to find out more about what the game’s wilds offer.
Multipliers
Multipliers are special symbols that come with an X. Let’s say you have a 3x multiplier and achieve a win of 10.00 coins. Once the multiplier is applied, your total prize will be 30.00 coins. Multipliers can come as special symbols, on wilds, or as a win multiplier. The latter increases when there are certain actions such as a cascade, a win, or the collection of a particular feature or symbol.
Free Spins
Most online slots come with a free spins round that you’ll get to by landing scatters or bonus symbols. This bonus rewards you with a set of free game rounds that may come with other special features such as win multipliers, expanding symbols, or special wilds. Some online slots give you the option to purchase the free spins round.
Bonus Games
Some online slots have bonus games alongside the free spins round, which could include mini games and Pick Me Bonuses. These typically reward you with multiplier prizes or jackpot rewards. You may need to choose symbols, spin a wheel of fortune, or go through levels to win the final prize.
Jackpot Slots
If you’re looking for a higher prize, we recommend you check out the jackpot section of your preferred online casino. You’ll find a range of jackpot slots and online slots that have jackpot features. The latter focus specifically on jackpots whereas the latter have jackpots as part of their bonus games.
These are typically fixed jackpots that come in the form of Hold & Win bonuses, free spins, or other bonus games. On the other hand, jackpot slots are typically progressive as a percentage of every bet players make on the game contributes to the final pot.
Slot RTP & Volatility
Two important features to look at when choosing an online slot are RTP and volatility. The former stands for Return to Player, which is how much of your bet you’ll get back. For example, if a slot has 96.20% RTP, you’ll receive 96.00 cents for every dollar you spend. Volatility is how often and how big you’re likely to win. Low volatility means you’ll win often but small amounts, whereas high volatility means wins are more scarce but the amounts are higher.
The table below includes some of the best-paying real money online slots available at online casinos in the United States.
| Slot Name | Slot Provider | RTP | Volatility |
| Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99.00% | High |
| Basketball Star | Microgaming | 96.45% | Medium |
| Monopoly Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 96.50% | High |
| Gold Fish | WMS | 95.00% | Low |
| Zeus II | Scientific Games | 96.77% | Medium |
How to Place a Bet
Now that you have a better understanding of how online slots work, it’s time to place your first bet. Keep in mind that most times you’ll be setting a coin or line bet as your stake is typically split over the number of available paylines.
Follow these steps to make your first bet:
- Launch the game of your choice.
- Look for the bet settings.
- You may need to set one or more of the following: paylines, coin value, and bet level.
- Check your final bet and make sure it’s within your budget.
- You’re now ready to hit the spin button. Good luck!
Top Tips for Online Slots
Whereas there is no guarantee that you’ll win when playing online slots, there are a few tips you can use to increase the odds.
Read the Paytable
Studying the paytable before you set your bet gives you a clear idea of what to expect when playing the game. You’ll learn about what special features the slot machine offers, how to get to the free spins round or bonus game, and how much you can win.
Select Jackpot Slots Wisely
If you’re opting for a jackpot slot, make sure to do your research beforehand. It’s usually better to go for jackpot slots that offer smaller pots as these are more likely to hit than those with six or seven figures in the pot.
Stick to Your Budget
Set your budget before you log in to the online casino and stick to it. Never play more than you can afford to lose. If you feel like your online gaming is becoming problematic, reach out to a customer support agent immediately.
Slot Tournaments
Many online casinos in the United States host tournaments on their slot machines. These could be in-house promotions or via the software provider, in which case you’ll be playing alongside players at other online casinos too.
Slot tournaments involve tasks such as collecting points or features to climb a leaderboard. The players who are at the top at the end of the promotional period receive a prize that could include bonuses, wager-free cash, or physical prizes.
You may also find missions and cash races at online casinos. Here’s a little more about them:
Missions
Missions are tasks that you’ll need to complete. These could include playing X game rounds on a particular slot, achieving ‘Big Wins’, or accumulating a fixed amount of wins. Once complete, you’ll either achieve a better position on the leaderboard or win a prize.
Cash Races
You’ll find cash races at some online casinos. These involve reaching a certain target before anyone else. For example, the task may be to complete fifty rounds on the Book of Dead slot within 24 hours. The players to complete the task first will win a prize, which could include bonuses or wager-free cash.
FAQs
Can I win real money when playing online slots?
Yes. You can win real money each time you place a bet with real money. Remember that you may need to fulfil wagering requirements if you are playing with bonus cash.
What are free spins?
Free spins are a special feature of online slots that you’ll achieve when landing scatters or bonus symbols. These are a set of game rounds that you’ll play without touching your bankroll. You may have extra features like multipliers, additional wilds, and expanding reels during the free spins round.
What’s the difference between a fixed and a progressive jackpot?
Fixed jackpots are ones that carry multiplier prizes. For example, a Mini Jackpot that awards 10x your stake and a Grand Jackpot that awards 2,500x your stake. On the other hand, progressive jackpots increase with every bet that is placed on the specific game until someone wins the pot.
What is RTP?
RTP, or Return To Player, is the estimated amount you’ll win for every dollar you put into the online slot over time. For example, a game that has an RTP of 96.00% will give you 96 cents for every one dollar you play.
What are adjustable paylines?
Online slots that offer adjustable paylines are those that allow you to choose how many paylines you would like to play over. Since your bet will be split over t
