Slot fans get to choose from hundreds of online casinos where their favorite game is available for real-money play. Yet, those who are new to online gambling often experience difficulties when choosing which online gambling operator to register with and are overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. When looking for a web-based casino to play at, inexperienced slot players sometimes tend to overlook important criteria such as licensing, reliability, range of payment methods, currencies and customer support efficiency.
If you are new to playing the slots online, we recommend you stick with us and read the following article as it will introduce you to the perks of joining an established web-based casino. Additionally, you will find short overviews of five of the most respected online casinos where you can join the action and play a myriad of premium-quality slots in a safe, fair and transparent environment.
Advantages of Playing the Slots at Online Casinos
Slots are the type of game which offers players a great entertainment value, regardless of whether they are playing at brick-and-mortar gambling venues or online, at a web-based casino. This type of game attracts gambling enthusiasts with its simplicity and easy-to-learn rules, not to mention there is a wild diversity as far as betting limits, themes, and special features are concerned.
More and more players decide in favor of betting on their preferred slots online as registering an account with a web-based casino comes with a great number of advantages. You can find more extensive information on the perks of spinning the reels online in the sections below.
Convenience
Convenience must be the number one advantage of playing the slots at online casinos since reel enthusiasts get to enjoy their preferred games from the comfort of their surroundings, without having to waste their time and money on trips to landbased gambling establishments. Online casinos are the ideal alternative for you, if you do not live near a casino.
The slots at online casinos work in the same way as those in landbased venues, which allows for a smooth transition from brick-and-mortar to online play. Opening an account at an online casino is extremely quick and simple and in many cases, there is even no need to install any additional software on your desktop computer since the majority of web-based gambling operators offer the option to play the slots in instant-play mode. Once players have completed their registration successfully, they can access their online casino accounts at all times, from all devices as long as they have a reliable internet connection. Playing the slots online can actually save you money since there is no need for you to drive around in search of a landbased casino and pay for accommodations.
Mobile gaming is also an option since all prominent casino operators run websites that are compatible with iOS and Android devices. Often it is also possible for players to install the operators’ mobile apps on their smartphones or tablets. Managing one’s casino account is equally convenient on both desktop and portable devices, with players processing their deposits in a matter of seconds or participating in ongoing promotional incentives to give their accounts’ balance a boost.
Gaming Diversity
Ask any keen slot fan out there and they will readily tell you gaming diversity is among the biggest advantages of spinning the reels on the web. When it comes to slots, in particular, the catalogs of online casinos offer a huge choice to all types of players, who are presented with hundreds of high-quality titles to make their pick from.
It matters not whether you are into classic 3-reel slots with a limited number of paylines or prefer to bet on advanced multi-line slots with crystal-clear 3D graphics – either way, you will come across a game that corresponds to your personal needs and preferences. Usually, the slot collections of online casinos are well-organized, with the available games being categorized on the basis of themes, types, and features.
Normally, there is a jackpot category at most online casinos where players can conveniently find the slots with the largest progressive jackpots. More importantly, the online games are always at players’ disposal and there is no need to wait for a slot machine to become available if you register with a web-based gambling operator.
Promotional Incentives and Bonuses for Slot Fans
The promotional incentives and bonuses web-based casinos offer to both new and existing customers are among the greatest advantages of playing the slots online. Some players may argue that landbased establishments treat their customers to complimentary drinks, meals, and occasionally, hotel accommodations, and this is indeed the truth. However, if you visit an online casino, you will surely notice there is a wider range of bonuses to choose from.
New members are typically greeted with a welcome bonus upon processing their first few deposits, but on many occasions, there is also the option to claim no-deposit bonuses as well. Slot fans, in particular, will benefit from rounds of free spins on selected slots, which are available on a regular basis to both newcomers and existing members of the casino. Loyal customers are treated to generous reload bonuses each time they fund their casino accounts via a specific payment method. In addition, web-based casino operators host various weekly promotions and cash-backs so there is a bonus offer to suit the needs of any player.
There are additional rewards up for grabs, depending on how often you play at the online casino. All of the reputable online gambling providers in the industry have set up VIP programs to reward patrons for their loyalty. Each real-money bet players make earns them complimentary points which can be exchanged for free casino credits or even cash.
All these promotions pose as a great way for reel lovers to get some additional playing time and give them higher value for their money. However, prior to participating in any of the above-listed promotions, players most definitely should take the time to read the terms and conditions, attached to the offers. Most online casino bonuses come with wagering requirements that need to be met before the winnings players have accrued with the free credits can be released from their bonus balance.
Betting Limits Flexibility
Since there are literally hundreds of slots to choose from at online casinos, there is a game to fit the needs of all players, regardless of how big or small their bankroll is. Players get to choose how much they bet per spin and enjoy the online slots at a betting level they are comfortable with since there is the option to select the coin value and the number of credits you wager per payline. Speaking of paylines, many online slots have adjustable lines and allow players to select which ones to activate and place their bets on.
The amount you can wager per spin often starts from as low as a few cents and can reach hundreds of dollars per spin. Of course, there are different stake limits for slots in landbased gambling venues as well, yet one cannot help but admit the flexibility of betting ranges at online casinos is tough to match.
Slot Tournaments
Many online casino operators host freeroll slot tournaments on a regular basis, allowing reel enthusiasts to potentially collect hefty prizes without paying an entry fee. Other online slot competitions require participants to buy their way in by paying a fee but these still give players a great value for their money since often the prizes they can possibly win greatly exceed the participation costs. Often eliminated participants are given a second chance because re-buys are an option with many tournaments.
There are slot tournaments in landbased venues as well but no one can deny that it is far more convenient to partake in one such competition from the comfort of your home. Also, slot tournaments are a great deal of fun because players are competing against each other, which adds more excitement and poses as an extra challenge for seasoned slot fans.
Who Can Play Online Slots and Where
Some online casinos feature thousands of exciting slots but each gaming operator contracts with different software suppliers for its slot portfolio. Thus, the exact selection of slot releases varies from one online casino to the next due to licensing discrepancies. Many software providers do not offer their products in specific countries. What is available to players from Canada may be unavailable to those based in Denmark, for example.
Whether or not you can spin the reels over the internet depends largely on whether online gambling is legal in your country. If it is, your chosen online casino typically must hold a license from your local gambling operator to legally accept your bets. Most licensed slot sites rely on geolocation to detect where you access them from. When a regulated casino detects you are loading its website from a restricted jurisdiction, it will block your access and prevent you from registering.
Any attempts to access and register at a casino by masking your location with a VPN service are futile so do not bother with that. All reputable operators prohibit the use of VPNs. It is crucial for them to prove the identity of all customers as this helps prevent frauds, underage gambling, money laundering, and other criminal offenses.
Even if you do succeed in signing up from a prohibited country via VPN, you will inevitably fail to pass the verification checks and withdraw your winnings. Make sure you go through the terms and conditions of all slot sites you are interested in. Most operators normally list their restricted countries and territories there. The list of territorial restrictions on the slot games is also available in the terms.
For instance, online slot operators looking to penetrate the New Jersey market must affiliate with Atlantic City landbased casinos to legally service residents from the Garden State. Thus, 888casino operates in affiliation with Harrah’s Casino, whereas Caesars Interactive Entertainment has partnered with Bally’s.
Each country’s regulator has its own requirements for the operation of online slot games. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is a very good example and is particularly strict in this respect. To begin with, British slot players are blocked from accessing the free demo versions of the games until they pass the above-mentioned age and identity verification checks.
As of 2021, UK-licensed slot operators must implement tougher measures to protect reel spinners. Said measures apply solely to slots due to their addictive nature. The UKGC has also established that slots generate the largest average losses per player out of all online gambling products. Reel spinners spend £67 per month on average as opposed to players who engage in other casino games (£36 per month). The new UKGC requirements on slot operators include:
- No autoplay feature because it causes spinners to lose track of their play
- No visual or audio effects creating the illusion of a win when the spin pays less than the amount the player has staked
- No fast-play features that speed up the pace of the gameplay
- A minimum speed per spin of 2.5 seconds
- Players should be able to clearly see their overall profits and losses throughout their spinning session
How Online Slot Players Can Fund Their Balance
Most online casinos offer online slots in free demo format, which is a great way to test multiple software releases and find the ones that appeal to you the most. However, if you seek to win real money, sooner or later you will have to deposit to your online casino account. You can add funds to your real-money balance in a variety of ways. Some of the most commonly available payment methods for online slot players are:
- Debit and credit cards pose as a quick, easy, and broadly available payment solution for reel spinners. Online slot casinos accept various card brands, including Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, Diner’s Club, and American Express. The benefit of using cards is that the payments rarely come with additional fees. The deposit minimums are low, while the maximums are high, giving spinners from all walks of life the ultimate flexibility to manage their online slot bankrolls.
- PayPal is the preferred e-wallet of many reel spinners as it gives them the convenience to deposit and withdraw without disclosing their personal and banking information. All you need to do is create a PayPal account and top it up from a credit/debit card or your bank account. The only inconvenience here is that the method does not support gambling transactions in all jurisdictions it is available in. Only spinners from the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, and Spain can use it for such purposes. PayPal is also available to US players but only on state-sanctioned gambling sites.
- Neteller and Skrill are two widely used virtual wallets that operate similarly to PayPal. Both are available in most countries worldwide and allow for fast, simple, and highly safe money transfers. Again, you must register and fund your e-wallet balance before you can use them for real-money slot play. On the downside, some online casinos disqualify Neteller and Skrill payments from welcome bonus redemption.
- Cryptocurrencies have gained great traction among reel spinners in recent years as they facilitate lightning-fast, free, and fully anonymous payments. Online slot casinos working with such decentralized currencies commonly accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Monero, and Dash.
- Mobile billing is a viable option for slot players looking to deposit and play for nominal amounts as maximums rarely exceed $40 or $50 per transfer. The deposit process is beyond simple. All you have to do is log into your casino account, select a mobile billing service like Boku, and enter your desired deposit amount, along with your mobile phone number. The sum will then be added to your monthly phone bill.
- Trustly is a popular deposit and withdrawal method among players who use online banking. It requires you to hold an account at a supported banking institution and subscribe to its online banking services. The method is incredibly convenient as it requires no registration, cards, or app downloads.
- Bank transfers are among the safest ways to move funds from your personal bank account to your online slot casino balance. They are particularly appealing to high rollers due to their high ceiling on maximum deposits. The only downside of using a bank transfer is that it is significantly slower than other methods, taking between 3 to 5 business days.
- Prepaid methods are suitable for spinners on a budget. These usually come in the form of vouchers with different denominations, with players having the option to purchase them at retail locations or online. Maximum limits with prepaid solutions like Paysafecard and Neosurf normally do not exceed $500 or $1,000, which renders them unfit for large-scale players. Many casinos do not support them for withdrawals, which is another disadvantage of using them for gambling purposes. You will have to look for some other way to cash out your slot winnings.
Slots at Social Casinos
Some reel spinners play slots in the so-called social casinos, available via social networks like Facebook or through downloadable mobile applications. In social casinos, slot players receive a specific amount in free credits, either each day or every few hours. Spinners can level up through consistent play, in which case they unlock more exclusive slots.
If you happen to exhaust your daily balance or want to progress through the levels faster, you have the option to purchase more credits with real money. Social casinos profit from the premiums they charge for credits rather than from the games’ house edge as is the case with standard online slot operators.
Another difference is that social slots lack a cash-out feature, which is to say players cannot withdraw any of their winnings. You can only spend money on such games. In some jurisdictions, this is not considered gambling since spinners cannot extract any real-money value from the slots.
Respectively, social casinos are subject to different regulatory requirements. There are no territorial restrictions on who can play there. Since social games practically simulate gambling, app platforms like the App Store have opted to impose a 17+ age restriction on them.
Best Online Casinos to Play the Slots at
We thought it would be handy to compile a short list of five of the most prominent online casinos where you can spin the reels for real money in a secure and fair gaming environment. When ranking the casinos, we have taken into consideration several important factors, such as the casinos’ reliability, catalog diversity, software, promotional offers, their range of payment options, and the quality of the customer support provided. Read on to discover more about five of the most dependable online casinos you can play the slots at.
All enthusiastic casino players have heard the brand name bet365 since the latter stands for tradition, quality, and fair play. The website is home to a wide range of products including a sportsbook, bingo, poker, live dealer, and virtual casino offerings.
The virtual casino, in particular, runs on software provided by top-tier suppliers Microgaming and Playtech and is available in instant play or via a downloadable client. Players who register there can have their peace of mind since bet365 has been granted a permission to operate by two of the strictest regulatory bodies in the entire industry, namely the UK and the Gibraltar Gambling Commissions.Read More
Slots.lv is the favorite online destination of hundreds of thousands of reel fans, which is hardly surprising because the website is designed precisely with the needs of slot enthusiasts in mind.
The online gambling operator enjoys a great reputation among players from different countries thanks to its dependability, hassle-free withdrawals, and round-the-clock customer support. The casino holds a license, issued by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and has obtained a certificate from third-party testing agency iTech Labs.Read More
EuroGrand occupies a front spot in the online gambling industry and has been a favorite destination of enthusiastic slot players since 2006. The casino is part of the respected William Hill Group and as such, holds licenses granted by the governments of Gibraltar and the United Kingdom.
New customers only and Opt in is required. 1st deposit only. Bonus expires 7 days from issue. Min $20 deposit. Max Bonus $100. 35x Wagering. Max redeemable $2,000. Player, country, currency, game restrictions and terms apply.Read More
Launched in 2002, Roxy Palace is one of the most credible and secure online casinos in the United Kingdom and bears the stamp of approval of the strict UK Gambling Commission. The website is exceptionally well-organized and allows for an easy navigation through a comprehensive collection of superior casino games which spans over 500 Microgaming titles.
Players get to choose from various traditional table games and video poker variations while slot fans are spoiled with hundreds of premium options, including the popular Immortal Romance, Game of Thrones, Thunderstruck, Bridesmaids, and Avalon II.Read More
All Star Slots is a highly regarded online casino operator which caters to the needs of reel fans and provides them with the chance to pick from a vast range of premium slots that are available in download, mobile and instant-play formats. The casino is hardly a newcomer to the online gambling scene as it operates under a Curacao license since 2009.
The operator’s gaming library is courtesy of well-known gambling software developer RealTime Gaming, which guarantees players will enjoy a seamless, hassle-free gaming experience at the website.Read More
