There are many real money online slots to choose from, and our experts have put together a list of the top slot games with high RTPs, free spins, great bonuses, and fun features. Check out this list for the best slot games that offer great potential for excitement and real money wins:
Best Slots Bonus Round – Quest to the West (DuckyLuck)
Top Slot Game For Customizable Play – Good Girl / Bad Girl (SlotsandCasino)
Best Progressive Jackpot Slot – Gold Rush Gus (Bovada)
Top Slot For Low Stakes Players – Derby Dollars (Ignition Casino)
Best Classic Online Slot – Wilds of Fortune (Wild Casino)
Slot With Best Special Features – Rumpel Thrill Spins (Cafe Casino)
Best Slot Game For Free Spins – Honey Hive XL (Las Atlantis)
Quest to the West is one of the top online slot games because of its exceptional graphics, lucrative bonus round, and unique ‘walking wild’ feature. There are five reels and 25 fixed paylines, and the game’s above average 97.53% RTP rate makes this slot a standout.
The game has an East Asian themed design, featuring a stunning mountainous backdrop and tranquil music. Nature-themed symbols fill the reels, and the Monkey King Walking Wild symbol is what you want to watch for. Capturing three of the Monkey King symbols will trigger the Quest to the West bonus round where you’ll enjoy free spins. During the round, the Monkeys will move to the left until they leave the reels and can stack up for big wins. If you collect 15 or more Monkey King symbols, you will instantly fill the Meter of the Heavens and get a 1,000x win.
The Good Girl / Bad Girl slot, from developer Betsoft, provides you with the unique opportunity to customize the game’s volatility to suit your preference. You can choose to play in Good Girl mode, which means that the game will run with low volatility and wins will be frequent and smaller. Select Bad Girl mode to increase the volatility for less frequent hits, but bigger prizes. Not sure which version to play? You can play both modes at the same time for 2x your stake.
The game has five reels, 15 fixed paylines, and a 97.79% RTP. Packed with just about every special feature imaginable, you’ll have fun with wilds, double-ups, and the ‘click me’ bonus. There’s also a mega wheel that can trigger free spins, instant payouts, or the chance to win progressive jackpots.
Gold Rush Gus is one of the best progressive jackpot slots of all time. The game has a 98.48% RTP, which is very high compared with most progressive jackpot slots with an RTP rate of around 90. The game’s diamond jackpot frequently reaches over $100,000, and there are two mini-jackpots which grow from $0 as you play. These jackpots can be triggered by collecting gems throughout your session.
The game also excels on mobile and adjusts for landscape or portrait mode. Most slots aren’t optimized in this way, so once again, Gold Rush Gus proves itself as the best of the best. On the five reels, you’ll find wilds, free spins, and a skill-based bonus round. Like most progressive jackpots, Gold Rush Gus has a medium-high volatility, meaning that payouts tend to be larger and less frequent. However, the lava re-spins feature, which is triggered randomly, can give you a second chance to strike a winning payline.
If you prefer smaller wagers or have a smaller bankroll, Derby Dollars is the best choice with its 20 flexible paylines and high RTP rate of 97.5%. The flexible paylines allows you to adjust the size of your bet to stake as little as $0.01 per spin or as much as $100.
Here’s the best part, just by staking the minimum bet of one penny, you are eligible to trigger the big money progressive jackpot, which often reaches tens of thousands of dollars. This far exceeds the majority of slots that require players to bet the maximum in order to be eligible to win a jackpot. Derby Dollars is a classic slot game with a handful of special features which keep things exciting.
If you enjoy playing slots in person, then you’ll love Wilds of Fortune. The game is designed to look just like a physical slot machine with fruit and bar symbols, flashing neon lights, and a smooth soundtrack. Bets range from $0.10 – $200 per spin, and it offers a 96.33% RTP rate, which makes it a great choice for players of all budgets.
As the name would suggest, the wild symbols are the star of the show. When a diamond wild lands on one of the middle reels, it will expand to cover the whole reel and can substitute for any symbol except the scatter. Diamonds will also trigger a free spins bonus, which is guaranteed to continue until you strike a win. The game is rounded out with a classic scatter. Find three or more on the reels, and you’ll be given an instant payout regardless of their placement. Wilds of Fortune’s low-medium volatility means that you’ll strike a win (on average) every five spins.
Based on the classic fairytale, Rumpel Thrill Spins is packed with special features that keep the game interesting. The base game is played with five reels and 25 paylines, and bets range from $0.25 – $50 per spin. Features boost the standard game with two bonus rounds, wilds, expanding wilds, and scatters.
Capturing three or more scatters on the reels will instantly payout 5x your stake and trigger the initial bonus feature. This bonus is a pick-me mini-game, where you’ll select cards that reward free spins and multipliers.
To trigger the second feature, you’ll want to find the straw symbol on the first reel and the thimble on the fifth at the same time. If you get this match, you’ll be awarded with the appearance of Rumpelstiltskin. The character will randomly add wilds to the reels, which can boost your payouts significantly.
Honey Hive XL is a 36 payline slot with a unique, hive-like reel format. Bets range from $0.10-$30 per spin, and wins are frequent because of the game’s low volatility. You’ll enjoy expanding wilds and scatter symbols and, if you catch three scatters on the reels, you’ll be credited with 15 free spins.
During free spins, you’ll enter a bonus round where expanding wilds can boost your payouts. Catching two more scatter symbols during those free spins will trigger the Honeypot Prize Wheel, a mega wheel feature. On the wheel, you’ll find prizes that include 15 more free spins and multipliers of 5x-30x your stake. Honey Hive’s unique approach to the traditional free spins bonus adds an exciting twist that can be lucrative.
How We Rank The Best Online Slot Games
There are lots of online slot games to choose from, and our experts have handpicked the top sites that offer everything from classic games to impressive jackpots. Here’s what we examine when reviewing slot games:
Slots game should run seamlessly without pauses on a strong internet connection.
Games with re-triggerable bonus rounds, which might include mini-games, free spins, or multipliers, are more entertaining.
Special features like wilds and scatters add excitement and can be enhanced even further with multipliers or expanding wilds.
RTP rates with high (>96%) RTP rates offer players the best value.
World-class artwork, high-quality graphics, character design, and unique animations will make slot play more engaging.
Games should be responsive and fully compatible with large buttons, clear interfaces, and mobile optimization across iOS and Android devices.
Our Top Recommended Slot Casino — DuckyLuck
DuckyLuck CasinoBest Place For Playing Slots
DuckyLuck’s combination of a great game selection and generous bonuses makes it our top overall pick for online slots. With over 400 titles, and new additions every month, there are always fun games to play. Their range of progressive slots is particularly impressive compared to other sites. They have many life-changing sums up for grabs, including ‘A Night with Cleo’, which has paid out jackpots of more than $750,000.
To help get you started, the site’s sign-up promotion includes a 500% match up to $2,500 + 150 free spins. Many other casinos only offer deposit matches, but you can enjoy the best of both worlds with DuckyLuck’s combined welcome offer. On top of all that, most of their slot games contribute 100% to meeting the reasonable 30x rollover requirements. For slots enthusiasts, you can’t beat DuckyLuck.
Welcome Bonus500% up to $2,500 + 150 free spins
Crypto Welcome Bonus600% up to $3,000
Over 400 slot titles
Large range of progressive slots
Slots contribute to 100% of bonus wagering requirements
How To Choose A Casino For Online Slots
Online casinos can often look remarkably similar, with big welcome offers, hundreds of slots to choose from, and some impressive jackpot numbers. So, how do you choose the best casino for you as a slots player? Here are some things that you, as a slots player, should consider when looking to sign up at an online casino.
Type of Game Play
Choosing a casino where you can find the best slots to play online for real money will depend largely on what kinds of slots games you want to play. Are you looking to play classic 3-reel games? Or do you want to explore the world of immersive video slots?
Generally, good slots casinos will have a variety of all kinds of games. SlotsandCasino, for example, has more than 500 slots titles across all categories.
But some sites specialize in certain areas. Wild Casino has a good selection of video poker slots, while Slots.lv is well known for their classic slots, like 777 Deluxe.
If you’re concerned about your chances of winning while playing slots, you need to seriously consider the Return To Player percentage (RTP) for the games you’re playing. The RTP of slots games can range anywhere from 85-98%, so it’s important that you’re playing games at the higher end of that spectrum.
Not all online casinos will publish the RTP for their slots titles, but doing a quick Google search for the game name will often bring up data like volatility and RTP. To help you get started with high RTP slots, check out Gold Rush Gus (98.48%) or 8 Lucky Charms (97.4%)
Unlike online blackjack or other table games, slots have much more creative liberty when it comes to presentation. The fundamentals of slots—reels, symbols, and random number generators—all stay the same, but the theme changes.
One of the most popular themes is Ancient Egypt. Games like Egyptian Gold and Desert Raider pair hieroglyphic iconography with the riches of the ancient world. Other themes include ocean creatures, bandits and thieves, and horror slots.
There are certainly plenty of themes to explore, so if you find a game you enjoy, chances are there are others like it!
Progressive jackpot games are some of the most popular. When looking for a casino with big jackpots, consider the frequency with which prizes are paid out. For example, if a game pays out once every week or so, the prize value won’t be nearly as large as a game that pays less frequently. Mega Moolah is famous for paying out some of the largest progressive jackpots in history. However, the game can go for months without anyone winning the main prize.
Hot Drop Jackpots are a new kind of progressive slot game that have timed drops. These games, like Golden Buffalo, A Night with Cleo, and American Jet Set, all randomly trigger a prize wheel where you can win daily, hourly, or weekly jackpots.
Best Online Casino for Hot Drop Jackpot Slots – Ignition Casino
Best Casino for Progressive Jackpot Slots – Cafe Casino
Types Of Online Slots
Online slots have evolved since the early mechanical 3-reel games. Best of all, the innovation continues with new themes, bonus rounds and on-reel features being created all the time.
You’ll find the main slot types available below. Once you find your favorite type, you can try the different variations within it. You’ll soon have your list of the best online slots for real money established.
Classic 3-Reel Slots
Three-reel classic slots still have a big following. They make up for the lack of special effects and complex features with enjoyable, simple, and engaging gameplay.
Most online slots are video-based with five reels. The number of pay lines ranges from 20 to 100, or the all-ways winning system, where symbols on consecutive reels from the left always trigger a prize. Bonus features and colorful themes keep these slots both entertaining and varied.
Amazing 3D graphics on slots include animated characters and bonus features which feel like an immersive video game. Add enjoyable game play and the potential for big wins, and these slots become a must-play.
This jackpot system is timed. There are hourly and daily prizes – plus a ‘Super’ jackpot which must pay before it hits $300,000. Spin a wheel to see which prize you win.
With more than $5 million in jackpots paid each month, Ignition Casino is the place to enjoy Hot Drop Jackpots, here are a few hot drop titles:
1
Oasis Dreams
2
Temple of Athena
3
Lady’s Magic Charms
4
Golden Buffalo
Progressive Jackpot Slots
Since progressive jackpots offer the chance to win massive sums of money on a single spin, you can win a million dollars or more playing online slots. Progressive jackpots include games from RealTime Gaming, Rival Gaming and BetSoft. Some drop at random, others require lining up jackpot symbols on specific lines. They work by taking a tiny fraction of each bet made on the game, and adding it to the jackpot amount. This will grow the prize pot. When it’s won, it will drop back down to a base level and start all over again. It’s important to note that the chances of winning life-changing money playing progressive slots are very small. Nevertheless, it’s always fun to be in with a chance!
For a shot at a giant win, check out these games at Café Casino:
1
Shopping Spree
2
Aztec’s Treasure
3
Reels and Wheels XL
4
777 Deluxe
Top Online Slot Software Providers
Casinos curate slots from multiple independent studios, creating their unique mix of games. Below are the most popular software providers for online slots, along with the best online casino games that truly highlights their strengths.
RealTime Gaming Slots
Better known as ‘RTG’, Realtime Gaming has been creating online slots and table games since 1998. Their slots are the backbone of many US-friendly casinos. Highlights include random jackpots, which can get into the seven-figure range. Popular titles include Shopping Spree, Caesar’s Empire, and the entertaining Birds of Fury.
There are now more than 250 titles in the impressive selection of slots from Rival Games. Most are video slots, with multiple win-lines and entertaining bonus features. Rival Gaming developed iSlots, which have storylines that unlock new features as you move through them. Check out Alien Spinvasion, Johnny Jungle and Scary Rich 2.
Few new software providers have made as big a splash as Woohoo Games. Their portfolio of 60 games is growing fast. Many of their titles have Hot Drop Jackpot versions, where hourly, daily, and special prizes drop at random. Video slot titles worth checking out include Oasis Dreams, Year of the Rabbit, and Golden Savannah.
The 3D slots from BetSoft have a real ‘wow factor’ when it comes to the graphics and animations. Many have avatar hosts, and spectacular introduction sequences. Game play varies, with some titles having free spins only, while others have interactive bonuses and other bonus ideas. Check out the excellent Mr. Vegas 2, Greedy Goblins and the new Charms and Treasures slots.
Arrow’s Edge produces a mix of quirky and original slots. Many are loosely themed on popular TV and movie franchises. Examples of these include Star Slots and the Winning Dead. Other titles are enjoyable video slots, often with unique bonus features. Time Bender is an excellent introduction, as it has a new ‘filled reels’ bonus trigger system.
Previously known as BetOnSoft, Saucify have produced hundreds of online slots over the years. You’ll find a wide range of game types, many of which have a handy ‘autospin’ feature and the ability to buy a bonus. All the popular themes are covered with highlights including Fairy Dust Forest, Age of Gladiators and Lucky Leprechauns.
Qora slots stand out for their design and ability to seamlessly adjust to mobile phone and desktop screens. They are best known for the risqué ‘A Night with Cleo.’ Other excellent designs include Cyberpunk City, Zombie FC, and Bounty Hunter.
Modern slots games have many more features than just spinning reels. Popular games offer wild symbols that make it easier to create winning combos, multipliers that boost your winnings, and bonus game modes. Here are some of the most important slots features that you’ll need to know about:
Wild Symbols
Almost every modern slot machine has a wild symbol function. A certain symbol acts as a “wild card”, and can help you complete winning combinations. Think of a joker card in Rummy—it can be used as any color, suit, or number.
Dragon Gaming’s The Wild Show slot game features Golden Ticket wilds that create new combos, as well as multiplier wilds that can boost your winnings.
Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols are kind of like wilds, but they’ve been assigned a certain function. Instead of completing combos, they might unlock a free spin, re-spin, or bonus game. Some scatters also act as multipliers.
RealTime Gaming’s Fortunate Buddha slot game — available at Las Atlantis Casino — has a scatter symbol that awards six free spins when you land three or more in a single spin.
Multipliers
Multipliers are symbols specifically designed to boost the overall winnings of a certain combination. They often range anywhere from 2x to 10x, and can really change the outcome of your spin!
The Sweet 16 slot machine from RTG has multipliers that not only boost your winnings up to 10x, but also boost your number of free spins. You can play Sweet 16 at El Royale Casino.
Bonus Rounds
Bonus rounds are like mini games within the slot game. By aligning certain symbols, you can trigger prize wheels, smaller slots-style games with less reels, and side-games that play out as you continue to spin.
Free Spins
Certain combinations of symbols can trigger the game to release free spins. These spins play out automatically with the lowest bet value, but can still help you win money if you hit a valuable combination on a free spin.
The Louisiana Voodoo Queen slot game, is probably one of the best slots to play for free spins, as many combinations of symbols grant you extra rolls!
Online Slot Mechanics: How Real Money Slot Games Work
What slot games pay real money? All of them at our sites. But how do they work? Despite the major differences in graphics, features, and jackpots, all real money slots share core mechanics that define the frequency and size of your wins.
Below are three common terms that are worth understanding before you embark on your slots journey.
As we mentioned earlier, online casinos provide percentage returns for each slot, usually shown as ‘RTP%’. It will typically range from 85% to 98%. This is the amount of money played that is paid out over the long run. The higher the RTP%, the better your chances of winning.
All slots have different levels of volatility, meaning that some games pay out small wins regularly, while others pay larger sums less frequently. The higher the volatility, the larger the prize. Most online casinos indicate the volatility of their slots games when you hover over them, or click to start playing. Medium volatility slots are usually ideal for new players. As you explore online slots, you’ll find out whether higher or lower volatility is right for you.
All slots are controlled by random number generator software. At the split second that you hit the spin button, a new random string of numbers is created which determines the outcome. Each spin is independent, so your chances of winning are not affected by previous spins.
The Safety Of Real Money Online Slots
One of the most frequently asked questions on real money slots is ‘Are they actually safe?’
The simple answer is yes, there are thousands of safe online slots. In order to play them, we advise that you stick to the trusted brands featured here at The Sports Geek. All the casinos featured have been tested and meet our strict requirements for site security, game fairness testing, operating licenses, and fast payouts.
There are rogue casinos on the internet, so be wary of any site which has not been thoroughly reviewed by an independent third-party body.
Additionally, there are some other steps you can take to keep yourself safe when playing online:
Never play on public Wi-Fi. Ensure your network is private and password protected.
Keep your casino passwords strong, and change them regularly.
Do not share any personal information when in chat rooms, no matter how trustworthy or friendly a person may seem.
Best Bonuses For Online Slots
Many sites offer online casinos bonuses specifically for slots players. These bonuses frequently include deposit matches and free spins, which are probably the best type of promotion for slots fanatics. Here are some more details about each kind of bonus you’ll find at online slots casinos:
DuckyLuck CasinoClaim Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses are awarded based on a percentage of the amount you deposit. For example, DuckyLuck Casino has a 500% deposit match up to $2,500 max. If you deposit $100, you get $500 in bonus funds. For crypto deposits this is even higher, at 600% up to $3,000. Some casinos, such as Las Atlantis, split their welcome bonus over your first few deposits.
Each casino will have a minimum deposit to qualify for their bonus, in the case of DuckyLuck Casino, this is $25.
Casino Welcome Bonus500% up to $2,500
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SlotsandCasinoClaim Free Spins
Free spins are awarded as part of welcome bonuses along with ongoing promotions and rewards. You spin slots for free, and the money you win is treated as a bonus. This will have a playthrough requirement.
SlotsandCasino has free spins tied to their welcome bonus. They award 15 free spins for ten days after claiming the 500% crypto matched bonus. They specify which slots the free spins can be taken on, with popular titles including Mythic Wolf, Five Times Wins and Jumping Jaguar. You must play through your winnings 30x to clear them.
Free spins are also awarded as promotions. This can be via a casino loyalty reward program, for example, Ignition Rewards at Ignition Casino.
Welcome Bonus500% Up To $7,500 + 150 Free Spins
Crypto Welcome Bonus500% up to $2,500 +150 free spins
Free spins can be used on top slot titles
Over 500 slot games to play
Regular free spin promotions
Still have to hit playthrough to cash out free spins
BovadaSign Up to Enter Loyalty Scheme
Loyalty rewards for slot players include tiered rewards programs, free spins, slot tournament entries, loss rebates and cashback deals. Over time, ongoing rewards will add up – making them just as important as the headline welcome bonus offer.
Reward programs tie bonuses and perks to the number of points you collect playing real money slots. For example, the reward scheme at Bovada Casino has ten levels. The higher you climb, the more favorable the exchange rate between reward points and bonuses.
At DuckyLuck Casino, the rewards program comes with boosted cashback. At the top level (Golden Goose), you get 10% weekly cashback, plus 5% daily.
Bonus funds need to be cleared before you can withdraw any winnings. This requires gambling the bonus a specified number of times. Casinos vary in their play-through requirement, with the range 30x to 50x being typical.
Slots are ideal for meeting your play-through requirements. 100% of money bet is counted, unlike table games and video poker, which only count a fraction of each bet towards bonus clearance. Check for a list of excluded slots, the time you have to clear your bonus funds, and for any maximum cash out limits for your bonus.
Find Your Perfect Slots Casino With LoyaltyStars
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Joining the LoyaltyStars’ online community gives you access to comprehensive reviews from real players, and the ability to play on different sites to earn reward points.
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Playing Slots For Real Money vs. Free
Playing online slots for free is the perfect way to find the games you enjoy before playing for actual money. Some of the casinos we list here allow demo play. You load a slot and check out the features and game play, with zero risk to your casino bankroll.
Our team took the time to compare the pros and cons of money play vs. free play:
Real Money Online Slots
Free Online Slots
✅ Chance of a big win makes playing more exciting
✅ Check out hundreds of games instantly
✅ Get casino bonuses and free spins
✅ No need to register for an account
✅ Chance of winning progressive jackpots
✅ Experience different setups, bonus features and themes
❌ You need to register
❌ Play money balance not held between sessions
❌Risking your own bankroll
❌ No real money prizes
❌ Volatile slots have longer losing stretches
❌Can’t be used to clear bonuses
How To Play Online Slots For Real Money
You can be online and enjoying slots in minutes. Follow the process below:
Pick a casino that has a record of fast payouts, great customer service and a wide selection of slots, bonuses, and promotions. The casinos listed in our guide are thoroughly tested, and a great starting point for your search. You can also check out our list of Australian and Canadian online casinos.
Click the ‘Join’ button and follow the instructions. Some casinos require SMS or email verification. Creating an account is fast and easy. Take a minute to locate bonus codes to make sure you get the biggest possible welcome bonus.
While credit cards and cryptocurrency are the most popular deposit methods, each operator has its own mix of payment options. Note that bonuses will vary depending on whether you deposit with cryptocurrency (BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC or USDT) or credit cards including MasterCard, Visa and Amex.
With 500+ slot titles at some casinos, you’ll have no shortage of games to choose from. If your casino has it, the list of popular or new slots is a great starting point. Alternatively, you can try slots from different software providers such as BetSoft and Woohoo Gaming – and find the right ones for you.
Basic Online Slot Tips
Finding the slots that you enjoy playing will always beat out any gambling strategy. That said, there are slot machine strategies to boost your enjoyment, and give yourself the best possible chance of walking away a winner.
Pick The Highest RTP%
Avoiding online slots with low ‘Return to Player’ scores is the single best way to improve your long-term returns. We won’t play any slot with
Understand Bankroll Management
Winning streaks and losing streaks will happen, even on lower volatility slot games. Bankroll management will help you smooth out your returns. Pick a bet size, for example 1% of your gambling bankroll per spin. If you win, you can proportionally raise your bet, or lower it if you hit a dry run.
Take Advantage Of Slot Bonuses And Free Spins
Bonuses and free spins are the best way to extend your play time and increase your chances of winning. With a little planning, you can take advantage of casino bonuses every time you spin. Make sure that you understand the terms and conditions of each bonus, ensuring that your favorite slots are not excluded.
Latest Online Slot News
Online Slots Conclusion
Slots are the most popular online casino games worldwide for good reason. The slots libraries found at top casino sites are packed with variety, from classic 3-reel thrillers to sizzling Hot Drop Jackpots, keeping you spinning and winning on mobile.
When evaluating slots, we look for games with high RTP rates, exciting features, and smooth software. Choosing the best online slots game involves considering your playing style, favorite themes, and budget.
DuckyLuck is our pick for the top online slots casino. The site features high-paying games such as Sugar Pop and Quest to the West, and offers a generous welcome bonus (including free spins) which can boost your bankroll significantly. Good luck!
About the Author
Ben Morris
Casino & Sports Writer
Content Covered on TSG: reviews
Ben Morris is an enthusiastic sportswriter with almost a decade of experience in the industry. As an Englishman, Ben specializes in soccer. But he also enjoys betting on tennis, cricket, and many other sports. While living in Australia for a few years, Ben fell in love with Aussie rules and skill-based slot machines. Today, he loves to share his knowledge of sports betting and casino games with gamblers around the world.