Enjoy online slots at the best slots casinos in 2024. Read on to discover various types of slot machines, play free slot games, and get expert tips on how to play online slots for real money!
Every now and again, we come across a casino that we recommend you avoid playing on. We have a strict 25-step review process, looking at things like a site’s software, promotions, how easy the banking process is, security, and more. When any of these steps fall below our standards, the casino is added to our list of sites to avoid.
Expert Rating
1.5/10
Why you should avoid
Unprofessional customer support
Site operators linked to questionable practices
Not paid players their winnings
Expert Rating
1.2/10
Why you should avoid
Reports of players not receiving winnings
Misleading claims of licensing
Unresponsive to customer complaints
Expert Rating
1.5/10
Why you should avoid
18+ months for withdrawal
Locked-out accounts
Slow response times
Play online slots for free
Free online slots allow players to spin the reels without wagering real money. It’s a great way to test new games and enjoy risk-free gameplay. You can play free slot games at any of our recommended slots casinos above or here at Casino.org. We offer a vast selection of over 15,300 free slot games, all accessible without the need to sign up or download anything!
Types of online slot machines and games
There are four main types of slot machines in online gambling. Online slots range from the classic three-reel games based on the very first slot machines to multi-payline and progressive slots that come jam-packed with innovative bonus features and ways to win. Take a look at the slot varieties below for an introduction to each one.
Three reel classics
Old-school slot machines, featuring the usual assortment of aces, lucky horseshoes, and wild symbols. Here you need to line up three matching symbols on a single payline. Just set your coin value and away you go.
A computerized version of a classic slot machine, video slots tend to incorporate specific themes, such as themed symbols, as well as bonus games and additional ways to win.
These are slots connected across a network of sites with thousands of players feeding into a huge jackpot. The winner gets to take home a massive payday.
BTG revolutionized slots with their Megaways mechanic, developing dynamic reels that offer an ever-changing number of ways to win, where each spin can bring a different combination of symbols across multiple paylines. Set your stake and brace for hundreds of cascading symbols.
How to play online slots - step by step guide
Our step-by-step guide takes you through the process of playing a real money slot game, introducing you to the on-screen options and highlighting the different buttons and their functions.
Step 1 - Pick your slot
Open your preferred online slot machine on your computer or mobile device. The reels and symbols take up the majority of the screen, with the buttons for making and adjusting bets placed prominently, usually at the bottom of the screen. Other information like your balance should also be visible.
Step 2 - Check the paytable
Take the opportunity to hit the info button and examine the paytable and symbol values. These should be easily accessible through a pop-up menu that triggers upon touching the info button.
Step 3 - Adjust your bet
There are multiple ways to do this, depending on the slot. The option you'll find basically everywhere is the one to adjust the value of your wager. Other common options include increasing the number of paylines you are wagering on, or the number of 'coins' you wager per spin, rather than just their value.
Step 4 - Make your bet and spin the reels
Once you've set the bet value and payline adjustments to your specifications, it's as simple as hitting the spin button. You can choose the autospin option to avoid extra tapping, though we recommend setting a limit to avoid losing money unnecessarily.
Step 5 - Wait for the result
Once the spin is settled, simply hit the spin button again to continue playing. If your spin is a winning spin, your win will be highlighted on the screen.
How to get started at a slots casino
If you feel ready to start playing online slots games, then follow our guide to join a casino and start spinning reels.
1
Choose the right casino. There are plenty of options out there, but we only recommend the best online casinos so pick the one that suits you.
2
Sign up. Head to the ‘sign up’ or ‘register’ button, usually in one of the top corners of the casino page, and fill in your details.
3
Get your welcome bonus. Most of our recommended casinos usually offer a good welcome bonus to new players. Read the terms and conditions and make sure to opt in for a boost to your bankroll.
4
Pick the right online slots game. Go to the slots section of the casino site and see what they have to offer. There’s always plenty of fun, themed options to choose from. Play for free in a demo mode so you can understand how the game works before playing for money.
5
Enjoy yourself! Have fun playing, but remember never to bet more than you can afford to lose.
Top three slots of all time
Starburst
Simple but captivating, Starburst offers frequent wins with two-way paylines and free respins triggered on every wild. The cosmic theme, sound effects, and jewel symbols coalesce into great experience, and players know where they stand at all times. It's the most played slot ever, because it follows the golden rule — Keep it simple.
Best pro: Respins every time a wild lands on screen
Cons: No jackpot
Expert summary: "Pays both ways, free respins, and sticky wilds. You may not win big, but you'll win often."
Mega Moolah is famous for its massive progressive jackpot, often reaching into the millions. It has an African safari theme with cartoonish animal symbols. The game includes 5 reels and 25 paylines, and its progressive jackpot is randomly triggered, offering players the chance to win one of four progressive jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega.
Biggest pro: The record-breaking jackpots
Cons: Without the jackpots, the RTP is only 88.12%
Expert summary: "The graphics feel dated in 2024, but eight-figure jackpots never go out of style."
Da Vinci Diamonds boasts a stand-out Renaissance art theme, with Leonardo da Vinci's artworks as symbols and a distinctive Tumbling Reels feature. When winning combinations are formed, the winning symbols disappear, and new ones fall to the screen, potentially creating additional wins from a single spin.
Biggest pro: Watching your wins chain together is super-fun
Cons: It's high variance, which means many players will avoid this great slot
Expert summary: "An all-round classic. I haven't had too many crazy, massive, combinations of tumbling reels over the years, but the extra wins do add up over time."
The payout percentage tells you how much of your money bet will be paid out in winnings. This means you can work out how much you could win on average. For example, if a slot game payout percentage is 98.20%, the casino will on average pay out $98.20 for every $100 wagered. This is also known as Return To Player (RTP).
The following slots are ordered in terms of the highest payout percentage:
Locate your perfect slots casino by answering a couple of questions. We’ll provide you with the best option based on your answers.
Get the best slots bonus
Slots have specific bonuses called free spins, which allow you to play a few rounds without spending your own money. As a new player, online casinos often gift you free spins or a casino bonus as a way to welcome you to the site.
Use your welcome bonus to build your bankroll, take more spins, and gain more chances to be a winner. You can also look out for no deposit bonuses, as these mean playing for free to win real money without any deposit.
TipLook out for casinos with big welcome bonuses and low wagering requirements. Make sure to read through the wagering requirements of all bonuses before signing up.
Bonus calculator
Choose a casino:
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Deposit$20, get$0in free credit
Bonus breakdown:
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Playthrough
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Wagering requirement: x1
What are wagering requirements?
Most bonuses for online casino games will have wagering requirements, or playthrough requirements, as one of the key terms and conditions. The wagering requirements represent the number of times you need to wager your bonus funds before you could withdraw them as real money. For example, if you had $50 bonus funds with 10x wagering requirements, you would need to wager a total of $500 (10 x $50) before you could withdraw any bonus funds left in your account.
Slots strategy
Online slots are entirely reliant on chance, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to put yourself in a better position to win. The strategy for playing slots tournaments can also vary depending on the specific rules. Experienced players follow a distinct strategy, like only playing games with the highest payout percentages, practicing the bonus round and other bonus features, and knowing their paylines inside and out. Follow these steps to give yourself the best possible chance to win jackpots on slot machines online.
Quick slots strategy tips
Online slots are entirely reliant on chance so unfortunately, there’s no secret strategy to help players win more. However, there are still things you can do to make the most out of every game.
Study the paytable
Before you start playing, have a look at the paytable. Every slot game has its unique symbols and features and the paytable explains how they all work.
Go for smaller jackpots
Opt for games with smaller jackpots, over massive progressive prizes. The allure of a big win is understandable but you're far more likely to be a winner this way.
Give the classics a try
Simpler slot games tend to have a higher payout percentage. Sometimes it's worth sticking with the classic alternatives, even if that brand new video slot looks exciting!
Stick to safe sites
Only play online slots for real money at reputable, trustworthy online casinos. If you're ever in doubt, head to Casino.org to find top-rated sites.
Look out for bonus rounds
Keep your eyes peeled for enticing bonus rounds. This is where you'll find free spins and jackpots and knowing your paylines means knowing your chances of winning.
All the shortlisted online casinos here offer a great variety of slot machines for players to enjoy, including classic and video variations with plenty of different themes to choose from. New slots are also added regularly so you can expect a thrilling experience with any slots game online, with a range of top 3 reel and 5 reel titles. We look out for casinos that offer plenty of free slots, so you can spin just for fun, and great real money games if you favor the thrill of gambling. We specifically look for a range of RTP%s and volatilities, to make sure all player types are catered for, and that the casino stocks sought-after high-RTP titles like Blood Suckers and Starmania.
Solid games software that offers fair games at secure sites
The best gambling sites will of course have games software from top developers, such as Playtech, BetSoft and Microgaming. You can be sure to find slots with great graphics and plenty of dynamic features that will run smoothly, whether it’s a desktop, iPhone or mobile device that you’re using. When you play online slots for real money, top software helps reassure that your money is in good hands. You can rely on our recommendations being licensed by the relevant gaming authorities, and guaranteeing a fair game using random number generators to put out those winning combinations on the reels.
Great welcome bonuses to use on high payout slots
A generous welcome bonus can help you get in plenty of extra slot spins. All our top-rated sites offer excellent bonuses for a great start to your online slots experience. One of the criteria we rate for is game eligibility, making sure that the the bonus can be redeemed on games that offer high payout percentages to give you the best return on your bet. We make sure that cashing out any big win is easy with all popular banking options, so you can have any funds in your account within hours.
An all-round great experience playing slots online
If the slots games deliver on all of the points noted above, the casino will be added to our shortlist, giving players the choice of the very top casinos online. You can be sure that you'll get the best slots games and variety of titles for desktop and mobile gaming, as well as bonus rewards and handy customer support if required. We put all our recommendations through a 25-step review process and check them every three months to make sure they are still delivering on quality games.
You can play free slot games at many sites, something very hard to find at brick-and-mortar casinos.
You can download slots games and play them on the move.
You can make the most of the bonus selections at different online casinos.
There is a much wider variety of games online than in land-based casinos.
You can play your favourite online slots game whenever you want.
Cons
Sometimes it can take a while to withdraw your funds from online casinos, unlike the instant cash wins playing slot machines in-person.
It’s less sociable and you won’t have the full in-person casino experience playing online.
Some banking methods may impose additional charges when you play slots online.
The best slots providers
All the casinos we recommend will offer slots games from the best software providers in the business. Keep an eye out for games from these companies so you know they’ll have the best gameplay and graphics available.
Realtime Gaming
Around since 1998, Realtime Gaming release new games monthly and work on the simple philosophy of 'we take gaming seriously'.
Playtech
The developers at Playtech focus on optimizing playability and satisfaction for table game players, who thrive on a Vegas-style experience. They even support live dealers via webcam.
Microgaming
Founded way back in 1994, Microgaming pioneered autoplay where players can set a game strategy for slot machine games, then just sit back and watch.
Aristocrat
Synonymous with slot machines, Aristocrat are behind popular titles like Queen of the Nile, Where’s the Gold and 5 Dragons.
IGT
Originally Interactive Gaming Technology, IGT made physical slot machines before entering the online casino world back in 2005. Known for high quality games, linked with big franchise like Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune.
NetEnt
NetEnt is known for providing no-download software and have been in the online casino game since way back in 1996.
Light & Wonder
Formerly known as SG Digital and Scientific Games, Light & Wonder owns many slot makers including NYX, Bally, and SHFL.
Novomatic
Best known for offline games but Novomatic still can boast popular titles as Queen Cleopatra, Big Five and the Book of Ra series.
Merkur
Based in Germany, Merkur’s top titles include Odin and Sentinels of Dawn. They specialise in video lottery systems.
NYX
Also known as Next Gen Gaming, NYX is based in the United Kingdom with offices in Las Vegas, Stockholm and Sydney. They have a huge range of online slots.
CryptoLogic
Best known for producing the DC, Marvel and Forrest Gump slot machines, CryptoLogic has a huge library of games to choose from.
Betsoft
Betsoft is known for adding a cinematic feel to their online gaming experience, which can make other online slots look pretty ordinary.
Big Time Gaming
Hailing from Australia, BTG's dev team are most known for coming up with Megaways slots; a mechanic featuring a changing reel layout that offers 100,000+ ways to win.
Learn more with our game guides
Discover everything there is to know about slots with our game guides.
Real money vs free slots
While free slots are great to play just for fun, many players prefer the thrill of playing real money games as it can lead to big wins. As you can see from the table below, both real money and free games come with advantages and disadvantages.
Real money slots
Free slots games
Players have the opportunity to win huge sums of cash, adding a massive element of anticipation to the gameplay
Available to play instantly with no app download or sign-up required
Players have the opportunity to play for progressive jackpots
Can be played anonymously with no need to divulge personal information or bank details
Real money gaming can see players lose money if they don't play responsibly
The basic concept of spinning the reels to match up the symbols and win is the same with online slots as it is in land based casinos. The key difference playing slots online is that the variation of games will be wider, and you'll find that most online slots offer more reels and paylines, so your chances of netting a winning combination increases.
Can I play slots for free?
Yes. Every reputable slots casino will offer players the option to play slots for free. This means you won't have to deposit any money to get started, you can simply enjoy the game for fun. Playing free online slots is a great way to get a feel for the game before you advance to wagering with real money.
What should I look for in an online slot casino?
After security and legitimacy, you want to look at the payout percentage of an online slot. The payout percentage tells you how much of your money bet will be paid out in winnings. This is especially important if you're planning on playing for real money.
What’s a progressive jackpot?
This is a jackpot that builds up over time and then pays out a big sum of money to a single player. Most online slots casinos offer progressive jackpot slots so it's worth keeping an eye on the jackpot total and how frequently the game pays out.
Can you win real money playing online slots?
Yes, you can. While online casino slots are ultimately a game of chance, many players do frequently win decent sums and some lucky ones even score life-changing payouts. If you're in it for the big bucks, progressive jackpot slots will probably suit you best.
Are online slot casinos trustworthy?
Absolutely. Provided you play at a recommended online slots casino, and avoid any untrustworthy sites, your personal details and your money will stay perfectly safe online. We independently test and verify every online casino we recommend so selecting one from our list is a good place to start. In regulated markets like the US you should ensure your casino is licensed
How do welcome bonuses work?
Welcome bonuses reward players when they make their first real money deposit. The exact terms and requirements vary from casino to casino and some offers that seem too good to be true probably will be. Before you commit your cash, we recommend checking the wagering requirements of the online slots casino you're planning to play at. These will explain how much of your money you're required to deposit upfront, and what you can expect to receive in return. The best bonuses will offer large payouts on minimal deposits.
Which online slots payout the most?
Progressive slots games pay out the most money, with Mega Moolah being the record breaker at €18,910,668.01. Our list of top rated online slot casinos show you the recommended games paying out real money. There are a huge variety of online casino slots paying out varying sums. These include classic three-reel slots, multi payline slots, progressive slots and video slots.
How do I pick a winning slot machine?
To try improving your chances of winning a jackpot, choose a progressive slot game with a fairly small jackpot. These games pay out most often. Another method is to pick simpler games. If a game is complex and exciting, software developers have spent more time and money to build it. This could mean frequent wins are less likely. Either way, the slot machine will still be fair and random.
Are online slots rigged?
No, all regulated online slot machines are completely fair. The results are random every time, meaning that nothing in the game is rigged. To ensure fair play, only choose slots from approved online casinos. Playing at any of these will give you a fair chance of winning.
How do I pick a good slot machine?
You need to make sure you are playing slots with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages, advantageous bonuses, good overall ratings and a theme you appreciate. Check out our recommended slots to play in 2024 section to make the right choice for you.
What is the best online slot site?
The one that offers the biggest payouts, jackpots and bonuses along with exciting slot themes and a great player experience. To find out our top casino for this month head to our toplist.
What are the best free slot games?
The best free slots games include Coba Reborn, Hula Balua, Triple Irish and Electric Jungle. You can play these and more than 12,000 others on our free slots page.
Fact checked by Hannah Cutajar
Online casino expert
Semi professional athlete turned online casino enthusiast, Hannah is no newcomer to the gaming industry. With over 5 years of experience, she now leads our team of casino experts at Casino.org and is considered the go-to gaming specialist across several markets including the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Her number one goal is to ensure players get the best experience online through world class content.
Fact-checked by Alexander Korsager
Chief Gaming Officer
Alexander Korsager has been immersed in online casinos and iGaming for over 10 years, making him a dynamic Chief Gaming Officer at Casino.org. He uses his vast knowledge of the industry to ensure the delivery of exceptional content to help players across key global markets. Alexander checks every real money casino on our shortlist offers the high-quality experience players deserve.
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