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Ultimate Slots Guide

Learn everything there is to know about slots. This guide and our sub-guides discuss online slots, free online slots, slot terminology, slot strategy, and more.

Because slots are the most popular casino game in the world, we thought it would be a good idea to dive into this simple and engaging form of gambling. Whether you’re looking for more information about in-person slot machines or how to increase your odds of winning a progressive online slot, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about slots.

Ultimate Slots Guide

Best Overall New Jersey Casinos for Online Slots

Are you looking for the best place to find online slots in New Jersey? The list below includes the top overall NJ online casinos for slots. Whether you want to find the online casinos with the most slot games or the casinos with the highest progressive slot jackpots, the casino list below has something for you.

Promotions
rating

Rating

ABV 100

ABV

This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

Type of bonus

Type

Bonus code

Code

Max bonus

Max

Wagering

Wag.

Extra bonus

Extra

Min deposit

Min

Expiry time

Exp.

Free bonus

Free

A free bonus is given on registration and needs no deposit. For more info about the free bonus, read the casino review

Launch date

Launch

Full review

Rev.

  • #1 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $73.86

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $25 free

    $25 FREEPLAY® received from this promotion is available at BetMGM Casino only and cannot be used on Jackpot Slots, Poker, or Sports

    $300

    15x

    $10

    Players has fourteen (14) days following qualifying deposit to complete FREEPLAY® wagering requirements on FREEPLAY®

    August 2017

  • Harrah's casino website Harrah's casino website

    Harrah’s

    Collect Bonus

    #2 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $90.39

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    Get $10 free to start playing your favourite casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette and more

    $300

    5x

    $10

    November 2013

  • #3 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $81.71

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $10 free

    $1000

    10x

    $10

    Players have 7 days to satisfy the Wagering Requirements from the day the bonus funds are awarded

    November 2013

  • #4 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $73.86

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $20 free

    Casino online, no jackpot slots, no sports, no poker, no bingo

    $1000

    15x

    $10

    $20 Bonus Dollars will be available on Borgata Casino account for three (3) days after completion of new account registration

    November 2013

  • #5 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $60.35

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $10 free

    UBCASINO500

    $500

    25x

    $10

    July 2019

  • SugarHouse casino website SugarHouse casino website

    SugarHouse

    Collect Bonus

    #6 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $99.5

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    250MATCH

    $250

    1x

    $10

    September 2016

  • Golden Nugget casino website Golden Nugget casino website

    Golden Nugget

    Collect Bonus

    #7 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $81.59

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% Match + 200 Free Spins

    100% Match bonus + 200 Free Spins on 88 Fortunes Megaways

    $1000

    20x

    $10

    100% Match bonus – Players are eligible for this welcome offer once within 30 days of a successful first deposit.

    December 2013

  • #8 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $49.65

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $25 free

    100% Match 1st Deposit Bonus and $25 No Deposit Bonus

    $500

    20x

    $10

    July 2017

  • #9 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $66.76

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    CASINO500

    $500

    20x

    $10

    October 2019

  • 888casino casino website 888casino casino website

    888casino

    Collect Bonus

    #10 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $65.46

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    120% match

    $500

    30x

    $10

    First deposit only of $20 minimum

    Bonus must be wagered 30 times within 60 days from granting

    November 2013

  • Mohegan Sun casino website Mohegan Sun casino website

    Mohegan Sun

    Collect Bonus

    #11 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $54.55

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    To be eligible, you must be a MoheganSunCasino.com account holder with no prior deposits

    MOHEGAN

    $1000

    30x

    $10

    July 2015

  • #12 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $54.55

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    DEPOSIT1

    $1000

    30x

    $10

    February 2015

  • Tropicana casino website Tropicana casino website

    Tropicana

    Collect Bonus

    #13 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $48.65

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    Cashback

    When you make your first deposit of not less than $10 in cash and place a first wager are eligible to receive either one of the following: (1) if their Net Loss exceeds 90% of their First Deposit at any time within seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their First Deposit, up to a maximum of $100 in cash, or (2) if their Net Loss does not exceed 90% of their First Deposit after the conclusion of the seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their Net Loss, up to a maximum of $100 in cash.

    Not required

    $100

    1x

    $10

    A withdrawal of any kind from your account at any time prior to or during the 7 Day Period will automatically disqualify you from the Promotion.

    7 days

    November 2013

  • #14 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $48.65

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    Cashback

    When you make your first deposit of not less than $10 in cash and place a first wager are eligible to receive either one of the following: (1) if their Net Loss exceeds 90% of their First Deposit at any time within seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their First Deposit, up to a maximum of $100 in cash, or (2) if their Net Loss does not exceed 90% of their First Deposit after the conclusion of the seven (7) calendar days after placing the First Deposit and First Wager, the value of their Net Loss, up to a maximum of $100 in cash

    $100

    1x

    $10

    A withdrawal of any kind from your account at any time prior to or during the 7 Day Period will automatically disqualify you from the Promotion.

    January 2014

  • #15 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $47.53

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    Cashback

    Place your first wager on any one of Sponsor’s Casino offerings in order to trigger a 24 hour period beginning upon placing that first wager to place additional wagers, after which Sponsor will refund 100% of your net losses from such wagers incurred during such 24 hour period (the “Risk Free Period”), up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) in Casino Site Credit (“Promotion Bonus”)

    $200

    2x

    $10

    November 2013

  • Hard Rock casino website Hard Rock casino website

    Hard Rock

    Collect Bonus

    #16 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $44.57

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    When you make a first-time deposit, you will receive matching bonus funds in an amount equal to 100% of your first deposit, up to a maximum of $1,000

    $1000

    40x

    $10

    July 2018

  • #17 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $44.57

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    Make a qualifying deposit of $10 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for a 100% matched amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of $500

    $500

    40x

    $10

    Your largest deposit/transfer (minimum $10) to Casino in the seven days prior to claiming the offer will qualify for a 100% matched bonus, up to a maximum of $1,000. This is your ‘qualifying deposit/transfer’.

    August 2019

  • #18 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $29.76

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match + $25 + 50 FS

    $500

    60x

    $10

    July 2018

  • William Hill casino website William Hill casino website

    William Hill

    Collect Bonus

    #19 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $24.33

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    Cashback

    100% Cashback on your first deposit up to $50

    $50

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see William Hill full review. Link below.

    $10

    September 2018

  • PokerStars casino website PokerStars casino website

    PokerStars

    Collect Bonus

    #20 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $19.86

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    100% match

    Deposit $25 or more with the code ‘WELCOME1’ and you’ll get a 100% match deposit bonus up to $500. Claim a second match deposit bonus up to $500 & a Slots bonus . Next up, you’ll get a 100% match deposit bonus up to $500. On top of that, you’ll get a Mystery Chest containing a Slots bonus worth up to $500 that you can use to play any Slots. Just make a deposit of $25 or more with the code ‘WELCOME2’. Finally, make your third deposit of $25 or more using the code ‘WELCOME3’ to get another 100% match deposit bonus up to $500. Also, you’ll get another chance to open a Chest with another Slots bonus worth up to $500

    WELCOME1

    $500

    80x

    $10

    To claim the second welcome bonus you must make this deposit within 14 days of your first qualifying deposit

    March 2016

  • BetAmerica casino website BetAmerica casino website

    BetAmerica

    Collect Bonus

    #21 out of 31 NJ casinos

    $16.69

    This is the most important number! Casino bonuses are hard to understand. We have done the math and calculated how much money you get extra on a $100 deposit, after bonus terms and wagering. We call it Actual Bonus Value (ABV 100) to make it easy for you to compare. The higher number, the more generous bonus.

    25% match

    Register an account and enter code PLAY500 when making a deposit. Player will be awarded a 25% Deposit Match up to a max of $500 up to a max casino bonus of $500.

    PLAY500

    $500

    20x

    $10

    Players will have 7 days to complete the rollover requirements before the bonus expires

    February 2019

  • #22 out of 31 NJ casinos

    N/A

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see Pala full review. Link below.

    $10

    November 2014

  • PartyCasino casino website PartyCasino casino website

    PartyCasino

    Collect Bonus

    #23 out of 31 NJ casinos

    N/A

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see PartyCasino full review. Link below.

    $10

    November 2013

  • DraftKings casino website DraftKings casino website

    DraftKings

    Collect Bonus

    #24 out of 31 NJ casinos

    N/A

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see DraftKings full review. Link below.

    $10

    July 2018

  • TwinSpires casino website TwinSpires casino website

    TwinSpires

    Collect Bonus

    #25 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see TwinSpires full review. Link below.

    $10

  • #26 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see WynnBet full review. Link below.

    $10

    November 2020

  • #27 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see FanDuel full review. Link below.

    $10

  • #28 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see Tipico full review. Link below.

    $10

  • #29 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see Barstool full review. Link below.

    $10

  • PointsBet casino website PointsBet casino website

    PointsBet

    Collect Bonus

    #30 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see PointsBet full review. Link below.

    $10

  • #31 out of 31 NJ casinos

    For detailed explanation of wagering requirements, see Betway full review. Link below.

    $10

A Beginner’s Guide to Slots

Are you looking to learn everything there is to know about slots?

This introductory guide to slots and subsequent slot guides were created as resources to help you better understand the world’s most popular casino game. The topics we cover in this beginner’s guide to slots includes:

What Are Slots?

Slots (online slots and physical slot machines) are the most popular type of casino game in the United States. In fact, a recent survey from Statista found that 48% of U.S. gamblers prefer playing slots over any other casino game with blackjack coming in second at 16%.

Because slots are such a popular form of gambling in the U.S, it’s important for players to understand exactly what slots are as well as how to play them effectively and safely.

Slots are physical or virtual casino games that allow gamblers to bet on the random outcome of spinning multiple wheels (reels) with various symbols. If the reels stop and the symbols in your payline match a winning sequence, you win the corresponding amount based on that slot game.

Understanding the Slot Machine

A slot machine is a traditional, coin-operated casino game with multiple reels that have a variety of symbols on them. The gambler activates the slot machine to spin the reels. The reels will eventually stop, creating a combination of symbols across the paylines. The resulting symbol combination determines if and how much the player wins.

The slot machine typically involves someone inputting bills or coins, which are then converted into slot credits that can be used to bet on the slot machine. Once the player has enough credits to meet the bet minimum for that slot machine, they can activate the reels by pressing a button or pulling a lever.

The slot machine is the world’s most popular casino game, and it comes with many different styles, themes, rules, and names. While we call it a slot machine, it is known by many other names throughout the world.

Whether you call them fruit machines, pokies, fruities, puggies, one-armed bandits, or slots — you’ve likely seen or played one of these popular games before, but do you know where slot machines originated, what makes them up, and how to play them?

The First Slot Machine

The term “slot machine” once referred to any machine that had a coin slot — including vending machines. However, as mechanical slot machines gained popularity, the term transitioned to the gambling game. So, where did slot machines come from?

The first known slot machine was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a car mechanic by trade, in San Francisco. “The Liberty Bell” was the name of the first slot machine, and Fey painted the following four symbols on three spinning reels.

  • Diamond
  • Spade
  • Heart
  • Liberty Bell

The original slot machine worked much like today’s slots. Once activated, the three reels spun and eventually stopped, resulting in a combination of symbols across the reels. If the player got three Liberty Bells, they won the jackpot of 50 cents.

For anyone interested in seeing the original Liberty Bell slot machine, you can find it in Reno, Nevada at the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant.

Modern Slot Machines

The technology behind the first slot machine has changed drastically over the years, but the concept has remained. Modern slot machines in land-based casinos use digital technology, hardware, and computer software to manage the slot gameplay, as opposed to the mechanical wheels, levers, and gears in the traditional slot machine. While you can still find levered slot machines in today’s casinos, they are controlled by a central computer within the slot machine and not the mechanical sensors from Fey’s Liberty Bell and other early slot machines.

Modern slot machines convert coins and other inserted money into game credits, which are then used to activate motors within the machine to initiate the spinning reels. The machine’s internal computer uses a random number generator (RNG) to tell the reels when to stop. While the computer does determine where the reels will stop, the machine is not pre-programmed to payout at certain time intervals — it’s designed to produce the same randomized odds every spin.

The RNG spits out the results of your spin as soon as you pull the lever or press the button for that slot machine. It cycles through these number combinations 100+ times every second to produce consistently random results. Once your sequence is configured by the RNG, it communicates the symbol alignment automatically so that the slot machine can display your results via the stopped reels.

Example: Let’s use a traditional 3-reel slot machine to illustrate what happens when you play a modern slot machine at a land-based casino.

Step 1. Activate the game: Once you have enough credits to activate a spin, you place your bet and activate the spinning reels.

Step 2. RNG determines your sequence: Once triggered, the computer will use the RNG to record the next three numbers. Each of these numbers is usually quite large (i.e. 987,654,321) and is divided by a standard number to produce a final quotient. The computer executes this process automatically and produces your three-number sequence.

Step 3. Computer finds the corresponding reel location for your sequence: The computer will then use an internal sequence table to map the three numbers with the appropriate stop on the slot reel.

Step 4. The reels stop at the appropriate locations: Once the computer has randomly generated the number sequence and found the corresponding reel location, the computer causes the reels to stop at those placements. Once the reels stop, the symbols in the payline will determine whether it was a winning spin or not.

Components of Slot Machines

To this point, we’ve discussed the history of slot machines and how they work, but let’s take a quick look at the parts of a slot machine and the literal components that make up the land-based slot machine.

Components of Slot Machine
Image via Gold Eagle Casino

Slot Candle (aka Tower Light): Slot machines will often have a light at the top known as the candle or tower light. These two colored lights are used to indicate the slot machine’s minimum denomination and to turn on when a player hits the service button signaling to the slot host that the player needs assistance.

Slot Pay Table: The slot pay table is the list of possible payouts from that slot based on the possible symbol combinations. This table will indicate how much you win when that specific sequence is displayed in the payline.

Slot Handle (aka Arm): The slot machine will typically have a handle also known as the arm or lever, which is used to start the round. Once pulled, the slot handle will start the round and the reels will begin to spin.

Bet Buttons: Modern slot machines will have buttons that signal specific actions to the slot machine. Typically, a slot machine will have a Bet Max and a Bet Min button, which are used to place your wager before the round.

Spin Button: While many modern slot machines will still have slot handles (arms), they are sometimes for display only. Most of these modern machines have a button that says “Spin,” which is what the player will need to press to start the round.

Casino Player Card Reader: Modern slot machines will also have an area on the slot for players to scan their casino rewards card. This feature allows players to gain rewards points when they play that slot. Rewards can be used for various benefits at the casino.

Introduction to Online Slots

Online slots are digital versions of the traditional slot machine and can be played for free or for real money at online casinos throughout the world. Online slot games are more dynamic and interactive than land-based slots, but their general gameplay remains the same.

Online slots are virtual games of luck made available to online casinos by slot game developers. Every virtual slot has different gameplay and many use themes from other popular casino games like poker and blackjack as well as popular TV shows and movies.

Similar to land-based casinos, online slots make up the largest percentage of games in online casinos’ portfolio. Moreover, online slots are the most profitable and popular games.

In fact, many players will search for specific online slot titles, or they’ll seek online slot types such as progressive jackpots when deciding which online casino to join.

The process for playing an online slot is straightforward in most cases. The player will need to sign up at an online casino and deposit funds into their account. Then, they’ll decide on the online slot game they want to play.

Once they have opened the online slot window, they’ll place their bet and click the spin button to start the round. The digital reels with symbols will spin repeatedly and eventually stop. The corresponding symbols in the slot’s paylines will determine if and how much the player wins.

New players to online gambling often ask whether online slots are rigged and if they are safe, but these players need not worry because online slot games and the providers who design them are heavily regulated. These online slot games are tested to ensure fairness before they are approved for real money play.

As of August 2020, online slots for real money are legal only for players gambling at New Jersey online casinos, Pennsylvania online casinos, West Virginia online casinos, and Delaware online casinos.

History of Online Slots

Charles Fey and other mechanical slot manufacturers dominated the slot machine industry for the better part of a century (1895 – 1964). In 1964, electromechanical slots began to gain popularity throughout the country and specifically, Las Vegas. For many years, technological advancements led to changes in slot machines to increase the quality, breadth, and safety of slot gameplay.

In the 1990s, we saw the internet boom create rapid changes to our lifestyles. These changes also extended into the entertainment industry and gambling. Digital slot games — albeit limited — began popping up for at-home play.

In the early stages, these online slots were basically identical to traditional slots with the same symbols, number of reels, and paylines that were found on slots in land-based casinos. However, programmers and gaming developers began to push the envelope and add new types of gameplay, symbols, and interactivity that could not be done with physical slot machines.

Modern online slots are unlike anything you’ll find in a land-based casino. From unusual layouts and themes to interactive and advanced bonus games and features, these virtual casino games are designed to keep players engaged and entertained.

Legal Online Slots

One of the biggest questions people have about playing online slots is whether it is safe and legal. The good news is that it is completely legal under federal law to play online slots throughout the U.S.

The caveat to the legality of online slots in the U.S is that you can only play online slots for real money in the states that have legalized online gambling. At this point in time, the only states that permit gambling with real money on online slots are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware.

Players in other U.S states can still play free online slots, but they are ineligible to win any real money.

Now, the general question of slot legality is easy — but, the harder questions are related to the fairness and regulation of online slot gameplay. Are online slot games regulated? How can you know for sure that the online slot isn’t rigged?

To answer the questions related to validity and fairness in a single online slot game, we need to look at the bigger picture, which is the overarching regulation and scrutiny that is placed on the online casino that makes the virtual slot available.

Every legal online casino is regulated by a larger government body whose sole job is to ensure the safety and fairness of gambling at that online casino. For example, the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) regulates NJ online casinos, whereas the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) governs online casinos in Pennsylvania.

These government authorities are constantly monitoring and auditing online casinos with verified third-party auditors. The online casino must remain compliant with all regulations and operating procedures issued by its governing authority.

This compliance extends to every game made available at an online casino — more specifically, it ensures that RNGs are actually random and communicated Payback Percentages are accurate. In addition to complying with government regulations, each game is tested by independent parties for fairness and randomness.

While these regulations and testing are designed to keep gameplay 100% fair, there are obviously instances of abuse and cheating — so, it’s important to gamble safely and diversify your gameplay to avoid suspicious activities. Moreover, you should only gamble real money at a legal and regulated U.S casino.

How to Play Slots and Win

Playing slots in-person or online doesn’t require the same strategy or instincts that other casino games do — blackjack or poker, for example. However, having a general understanding of how slots work and what your odds are from one slot to the next can give you the opportunity to increase your chances of winning or even winning big, depending on your goals.

There are many myths when it comes to slot strategies, so we’ll focus on the factual advice that can help you play and win at slots.

First, know that slot spins are completely random.

It’s important to understand this point, so we’ll reiterate it. Legitimate online slots and slot machines at land-based casinos are always random — meaning that each spin is completely independent from the last. You may come across strategies that suggest otherwise, but spins on legal and regulated slot games are always random.

This reality is critical for understanding how to play slots successfully because there is no way to predict a future event based on past results. Many gamblers believe that if they have several losses in a row on a slot machine that they are “due” to win soon. However, this notion is incorrect.

If we know that every spin is independent, then we know there is no way to predict a subsequent action — which means winning at slots is 100% luck.

Set Personal Limits

Understanding the randomness of slots is crucial when playing, but to be successful at slots, you need to play wisely. Playing wisely often means having self-control and personal limits.

For example, you may want to set a loss limit when playing slots. A loss limit is a percentage of your bankroll that you are willing to lose, and once you’ve lost it, you commit to stop playing. Some people recommend a 20% loss limit for slots, which means that if you start with $50, you would stop playing once you’ve lost $10.

You may also want to set a win limit when playing slots to help you walk away in the green instead of continuing to push your luck — because remember that there is no such thing as a “hot machine” since every spin is completely random.

You may want to set a 20% win goal when you play slots, which would mean if you put that $50 in that you would stop once you get up to $60.

Setting limits when you play slots will help you capitalize on wins while mitigating losses.

Picking the Right Slot

Playing slots well is mostly about controlling what you can control. We already know that the spins are completely random — so you can’t control or predict slot results. But, you can set win and loss limits, and you can pick the slot you choose to wager your money on.

How do you pick the right slot?

  • Choose slots with higher Return to Player (RTP): The RTP of a slot game differs from one slot to the next, so choosing one that is higher than the other means you have a greater chance of winning. Most slots have an RTP between 90% and 95%, but you can find some slots with an RTP of 98% or higher.
  • Choose the variance that matches your goal: The variance of slots is also known as volatility or risk — and it’s what determines your odds of winning when you initiate a slot spin. A slot game with a low variance means that you have a higher chance of winning but will win smaller amounts. A slot machine with a high variance means you are less likely to win but are more likely to win higher amounts when you do. If you are looking for higher jackpots, you will want to pick a slot with high variance — if you want to win more often, look for low variance slots.
  • Know the slots’ bonus features and rules: Many modern slots have bonus features and bonus rounds that provide an additional way to make money while playing at that slot other than the traditional paylines. Take the opportunity to look at the bonus features and the requirements for reaching those bonus features before you choose a slot. For example, many progressive slots won’t allow you to win the jackpot on a minimum bet — so, if you want to win big on that slot, you’ll need to bet more than the bet min.

Different Types of Slots

With hundreds of land-based casinos around the world and online casinos seemingly launching every month, there is no shortage of slots available to play. From classic 3-reel fruit slot games to pop-culture-themed electronic slots like Deal or No Deal, you have plenty of options for slot titles.

The specific theme of the slot is often less important than the type of slot. Let’s take a look at some of the popular types of slots available online and at land-based casinos.

Penny Slots

Penny slots are extremely popular slot games at casinos online and in-person because they are so affordable to play. While slots in general are cheaper casino games, the penny slot takes the cake with its low stakes — as little as a penny. Unfortunately, most penny slots do not pay well unless you wager more than the minimum bet, which means penny slots are good for entertainment and learning, but they’re not the best choice if you want to win a significant amount of money.

Most penny slots have a sliding scale for placing bets, which allows the gambler to choose anywhere between the minimum bet of a penny to the maximum — usually around $5 or more depending on the slot.

While penny slots are not known for producing huge winnings, there are progressive penny slots that can lead to massive jackpots. The caveat to winning these penny slot jackpots is that it often requires wagering considerably more than the minimum bet of a penny, and some require the max bet to play for the big jackpot.

When it comes to playing penny slots, it’s important to realize that even low wagers can add up quickly if you’re not careful. It’s estimated that an online slot can spin upwards of 600 times in an hour, meaning your penny wager could be up to $6 or more if you’re wagering more than the minimum.

Progressive Slots (Jackpot Slots)

Progressive slots, also known as progressive jackpots or jackpot slots, are online slot games or live slot machines that offer a large payout (jackpot) that increases (progresses) every time a wager is made — only resetting once someone wins the jackpot.

The best way to think about a progressive slot is like a state lottery. Every week, numbers are drawn for a grand prize (jackpot). If nobody hits the jackpot, it increases for the next drawing. Once someone wins, it resets to a much lower prize.

Progressive slots do not play differently from any other slot game, but the odds of winning and the typical payout are usually lower than non-progressive slot games. The reason for this variance is that players are willing to win less money less frequently with the hopes of hitting the big payout. This makes progressive slots a much riskier slot game, but with higher reward if you are lucky enough to win the jackpot.

Many people are lured by the jackpot because it can be a substantial sum of money — upwards of $1 million or more in some cases. However, the odds of actually winning a progressive slot are slim, and the player will often need to have wagered the max bet to qualify for the progressive jackpot.

If you’re a risk-averse gambler, a progressive slot game may not be the best choice. But, if you are looking to roll the dice and can afford to lose your wagers, the reward could be astronomical.

Free Online Slots

The next type of slot that you’ll often come across at online casinos is the free online slot game. A free online slot can have several different meanings, so it’s important to understand exactly what type of free slot you’re playing.

The two common types of free online slots that you may come across while gambling online are:

  • Demo Slots: A demo slot is a free online slot that allows you to test the slot game using play (fake) money. You can freely play the slot game without wagering any real money, but you will be unable to earn any real money, as well. Demo slots are exactly what they sound like — a demonstration.
  • Online Slot Bonuses: Online slot bonuses are often considered free slots because they allow the gambler to win real money on a slot without having to wager any of their own money. Most free online slot bonuses include free spins or a free bonus round. These are just two of the most common slot bonuses that offer a free slot spin or round.

Different Types of Slot Bonuses

Online casinos and land-based casinos both have reasons to incentivize players to wager on slots. As we’ve mentioned previously, slots are the most popular and most profitable casino game type. The more players choosing to gamble on slots often means more money for the casino.

To help motivate players to choose slots instead of blackjackpoker, or other casino table games, the casinos will often offer more bonuses for their slot games. Below are some of the most popular types of slot bonuses.

Slot Jackpots

slot jackpot is a large payout that can be won by hitting a specific combination of symbols on the slot reels. The odds of winning a slot jackpot will vary from slot to slot, but it’s often one of the biggest reasons players choose to gamble on a slot machine versus another casino game.

Whether it’s a progressive jackpot or a fixed jackpot amount, these prizes are often larger than any sum of money that player could win wagering on other casino games. One player recently hit a slot jackpot of $2 million.

Slot jackpots help casinos attract players with the hopes of hitting it big —  even if the odds aren’t great.

Bonus Slot Features (Bonus Rounds)

Bonus features (bonus rounds) on a slot machine or online slot are extra layers within the slot game that provide more excitement and winning opportunities to the player. While these bonus features are baked into the slot’s payback percentage — they do offer value to the gambler by adding more excitement and variation to the gameplay.

Online slots and live slot machines often have unique bonus features to differentiate them from other slot themes. For instance, you may have seen a Wheel of Fortune slot machine at a casino that has a bonus round that lets the player spin a large wheel to win more than their original spin.

Another bonus feature is on the popular Deal or No Deal slot that has a bonus round where you can choose a box and play a round of Deal or No Deal for an added prize.

Bonus features on a slot make the game more fun and exciting, but they don’t necessarily make it more profitable than a regular slot game. In fact, slots with bonus features and bonus rounds often come at an extra cost (similar to progressive jackpots) because the prizes won in those bonus rounds must come from other, lost wagers.

Free Spins

Free spins are one of the most popular types of slot bonuses. They essentially give players a set number of credits that can be used on a specific slot game. Free spins are mostly used online, but some land-based casinos will also give players slot credits at their brick-and-mortar casinos.

There are a lot of reasons casinos give players free spins. To start, the odds of players winning anything substantial with free spins are marginal as they typically come with some type of play-through or wagering requirement. A wagering requirement on free spins means that the player must bet a certain number of times or a certain amount of money before they can claim any winnings from the free spin.

Casinos also love free spins because they get players to try the most profitable games — slots. The hope from casinos is that by introducing a player to a slot game, they can break the initial barrier and entice that player to continue playing on that slot after the free spins are used up.

Finally, casinos use free spins as a marketing tactic to attract and convert new players. This conversion technique is very popular with online casinos and is a great way for that casino to grow its player base. In fact, you will typically earn free spins at an online casino when you sign up and make your first deposit.

These free online slot spins are given in the forms of:

  • No Deposit Slot Bonuses: Many online casinos will give you free spins in a welcome bonus package just for registering at their casino. These free spins are given along with a no deposit bonus and can be used without ever depositing money into your account. However, most online casinos will require you to deposit into your account or to hit a pretty high play-through requirement before you can withdraw any winnings from the free spins.
  • First Deposit Slot Bonuses: Similar to a no deposit bonus, a first deposit bonus is a promotion that awards players for depositing a minimum amount of money into their online casino account. This bonus may include free spins and will often come with a wagering requirement that must be met before you can cash out any winnings from the free spins.

Popular Slot Terms

Below is a look into some of the most popular slot terms.

  • Bet: A slot bet is a wager placed before activating the slot reels.
  • Bonus Feature: The bonus feature is also known as the bonus game, bonus round, or bonus free spins. These slot bonuses are often earned through gameplay, and once they’re triggered, the player has the chance to win additional money without wagering anything else.
  • Classic Slot: A traditional slot machine that describes the original 3-reel slot machine.
  • Credits: Slot credits refer to your eligible bankroll at your current slot machine. Your coins or money are converted to credits, which you can then bet on that slot game.
  • Freeplay: Freeplay, “free-to-play,” and “demo” refer to slot machines that can be played without wagering any real money.
  • Icons: Slot icons are the game symbols that are used to determine winning combinations on the reels. Same as symbols.
  • Jackpot: A slot’s jackpot is the top prize or payout from that slot machine.
  • Payline: The payline refers to the active line on the slot machine that determines your symbol combination.
  • Payout: A slot payout refers to the winnings from a slot game, either from a single spin or the entirety of your play on that slot.
  • Progressive Slot: Progressive slot machines are slot jackpots that continue to rise until they are won.
  • Random Number Generator (RNG): Slots are random, and online slots use a technology known as RNG to randomly determine the sequence of a slot spin.
  • Reels: The reels on a slot machine are the columns that spin during the slot round. The arrangement of symbols and paylines on the stopped reels determines your winnings.
  • Return to Player (RTP): The RTP is the percentage of money that is returned to the player while gambling on a particular slot. If the RTP is 95% and you bet $1 100 times, you can expect to get $95 back, on average.
  • Scatter: A scatter symbol is unique from other slot symbols on the reel because it activates unique bonuses or payouts regardless of other symbols.
  • Symbols: Slot symbols are the icons on the slot machine that determine whether you win or not. Same as icons.
  • Wilds: Wild symbols or wild icons on a slot machine can be substituted for any non-scatter or non-bonus symbol and can help you complete a winning combination on a payline.
  • Win: Winning on a slot machine occurs when the reels stop and you hit a combination on an active payline that pays out.

Slot FAQs

When you close your eyes and imagine being in a casino, the first image that probably comes to mind is the slot machine. Whether you’re imagining the flashing lights, the sound of spinning reels, the feeling of pulling the lever or winning symbols on a reel — the slot machine embodies the atmosphere of casinos and gambling almost better than any other casino game.

The big question people have about slots is whether they can actually win while playing them, and the truth is, sometimes.

Slots are entirely luck-driven as they are completely controlled by the computerized random number generator. As a result, the odds of winning are entirely based on the payback percentage of that slot game and the odds from the paytable. Generally, most slots have a RTP around 95% which means you will win (or at least not lose) 95% of the time.

With that in mind, playing slots is a lot like playing the lottery. And, just like the lottery — sometimes you can hit it big.

Yes, legally speaking — all slot machines are tested to guarantee randomness. Slot machines and online slots both use RNGs to ensure random results and online slots will even provide you with the return-to-player (RTP) which is based on these random results and shows you the odds of losing (1-RTP).

Casinos prefer random games like slot machines because they are meant to be player-proof, meaning the player cannot influence their odds through gameplay alone. Slots and other random casino games tend to be the most profitable games for casinos.

There’s a belief from slot players that casinos have influence over payouts for slot games. You’ll often hear gamblers refer to slot machines as “hot” or “cold” which indicates that the slot is or is not likely to pay out.

This line of thinking is completely false. Casinos cannot and do not influence the payout frequency of slots. Casinos can change the payout percentage, but it’s a complicated process that requires manually altering a machine (not something that can be done on the fly).

You have to get lucky. In addition to luck, you need to be wagering the maximum bets required for a jackpot.

Odds refers to RTP which means return-to-player (your odds of at least winning back your original bet). Slots with higher RTP provide you the best literal odds of winning — although RTP is based on a huge sample size and is not always indicative of your experience.