Nowadays, the competition between online casino sites is fierce. Every online casino tries to attract new customers by offering something different. Some have a large library of online slot machines, others have attractive welcome bonus offers with extra spins. However, the increased competition can only be seen as an advantage from the players’ perspective.
How do we determine the best slots sites?
We know that choosing the best site can be a difficult task, so our experts have prepared a list of trusted sites that have been chosen based on professional criteria, features that cannot be lacking in any type of online casino worth it.
- Bonuses and Promotions – New Offers for Customers, Promotions for Existing Players, and VIP Club.
- Bonus Terms and Conditions – What are the wagering requirements? can the bonus be redeemed? What are the maximum bets and maximum wins with a bonus? Have any payment methods been excluded for deposit bonuses?
- Game Catalog – Which game provider works with each slot and what games are offered?
Website usability and mobile games – is the website easy to use and how does it look on mobile and tablet? Can you apply and deposit easily? Debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and bank slips available? - Payment Methods – What payment methods are available for deposit and withdrawal and are there any fees? How much can I deposit and withdraw at once? Does the site have a good payment speed?
- Customer support – What is the slots site’s reputation for customer service and how accessible is the team via phone and live chat?
- Security and Licensing – Under which jurisdiction is the site licensed? What kind of protection does this offer the customer and what kind of scrutiny does it put your games and services under?
Why play online slots?
One of the main differences between online and conventional casinos is the ability to play online slot games from the comfort of your own home. We live in an age where people have less time than ever, which means going to a casino to play slot machines isn’t as affordable as it used to be.
The online element allows a player to log in and start playing however and whenever they want. Some would argue that this removes the human element from these games, but others would say this is another reason some people like it.
The development of the mobile slot game allowed us to go a step further and play slot machines on the go. We’ll talk more about this later in this article, but there’s no doubt that mobile extension has become as popular as online.
One key point that many people forget when playing any online slot machine is the Return to Player (RTP) percentages. These numbers are much higher online than most casinos and, in turn, offer a much better deal for the player.
To put this in some context, most slots have an RTP of 93 to 98%. Most of the land games you play will be around 90%, but it’s quite common to see a decent number under 80% which is a big difference, giving the casino an incredibly high advantage with these games.
Online slot variations
One of the main developments in slot games over the years has been the variations in which they are now developed. Slot game types come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know which ones to look for and which ones will suit your eyes best.
Brand slots
Branded slots are now some of the most popular games you can play online. These are games that are associated with movies, TV shows, game shows, sports teams, and any other brand you can imagine.
You will find that branded titles are a little more refined than a regular video slot. There are a few reasons for this.
The first is that the budget to make the game is usually higher, as they have the financial support of a successful brand. That means they can drive technologies and therefore create more immersive games.
Next, branded games need to conform to a certain standard as they need to reflect the brand. For example, if you have a slot machine called “Jewels” that sucks, then people will simply avoid the game and don’t give it much thought. However, if the game is Monopoly, people will associate that with the brand.
Video Slots
Video slots are what we like to call the “bread and butter” of the online slots section. Most of the games you see online are video slots. These games often come with features like paylines, slots bonus rounds, ring games, great graphics, and even mini-games. They took the classic slot game and applied modern technology to make it more immersive and exciting to play. Games will vary in terms of RTP and variance, which makes them interesting for gamers and developers.
Jackpot slots
Jackpot games are the big money slots. This is where you can earn sums of money to change your life with a simple spin of the wheel. As a result, they are often the most popular variety of online slot games.
There is a lot of confusion about how they work because there are two types of jackpot games; progressive and standard.
Your default jackpot game is the one that is usually hosted by the casino or the developer. They set up a jackpot for that game and it will be triggered when the player hits the winning combination. Once won, the jackpot is reset and the game ends again.
A progressive jackpot slot is a game that keeps increasing as more players play. They take a small portion of each spin that is made, and that sum goes into the jackpot.
These games are the biggest jackpot games, and this is because they are usually hosted by the game developer. This allows the jackpot to grow at multiple casinos through the same game, greatly increasing exposure and therefore increasing the jackpots on offer.
Classic slots games are you’re stripped down online slots and often mimic the games of a bygone era. Games have fewer paylines, fewer features and generally have fewer winning combinations.
It may sound boring, but casino games are designed to remove all the “noise” that comes with video slots and allow players to enjoy the simplicity of these games for what they are. It is noteworthy that some of the classics may have the highest RTP.
The top online slots site software
We’ve talked a few times in this article about casino game providers and we’d like to add some more information about that. The first thing to note is that almost all online casinos get their games from third-party online casino software providers. These companies create online games and then sell the rights to casinos.
There are a few reasons why casinos do this. The first is that it saves by investing in the huge costs that come with game development and the research and development that goes with it.
The second is that it is less of a job to take care of. They know they can sign a deal, usually with several developers, and then the games are ready to be released in their casino.
This is now a highly competitive market and there is a strong emphasis on improving existing games and creating exciting new titles. It’s a lot of money for developers, but the rewards are there too if they succeed.
Below we list several of the top online slot software companies.
Microgaming
Microgaming is probably the largest in terms of the number of available games offered and the online casinos that use its platform. They cover all the bases and are one of the few that are used as a standalone software developer, such as the scale of the corporation.
In terms of their best slot machines, jackpot games need to be up there as they are as big as you can find in the industry. Mega Moolah leads the line here. Branded games also play an important role and have been able to sign lucrative contracts with names like Jurassic Park, Game of Thrones, and Hitman. Some of their games have become so popular that they are now their brands, including Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck, and Avalon.
NetEnt
NetEnt is a company based in Sweden that had to work hard to get to the top of the tree. It was the game’s innovation that enabled them to succeed and with it, they created a variety of slots that are now iconic.
Two standout games from its growing catalog are Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst. The former is now the figurehead of the NetEnt brand, while Starburst is recognized as one of the online slots for most bonus round offers.
Playtech
Another of the great launchers is that of Playtech. They were one of the original casino game developers in 1999 and have been around since the beginning.
Playtech is one of the few that has been able to power entire online casinos on its own, highlighting the range of games they offer. There is a multitude of standout titles, including a wide variety of branded slots. Some of them include Justice League, The Dark Knight, and Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven.
Yggdrasil Gaming
Yggdrasil Gaming is one of the many success stories you hear about in the gaming software industry. The company was formed in 2013 but managed to consolidate itself as one of the best in the field.
They may not receive the accolades that the biggest brands do, but the quality of the games, especially the slots, is unmatched. Casino games like Vikings Go Wild, Vikings Go Berserk, and Blood Moon Wilds are three of its landmark titles.
Play’N Go
Play’N Go is another Scandinavian brand that has performed well in the online slots section. Formed in 2007, they now have a huge variety of games at their disposal and have been able to place the priority on ensuring that the RTP rates are as high as possible.
The brand’s standout games include Troll Hunters 2, Rich Wilde and Shield of Athena, and Rally 4 Riches. What’s remarkable about each of these games is that they follow an exciting story as you play, unlocking a maximum bonus round and features that many of their competitors don’t have.
Online Slots Deposit Bonus and Free Spins
One of the most profitable parts of online casinos is the welcome offers or deposit bonuses that you can access. If we’re honest, many online casinos are very similar these days, which is due to the sheer volume there is to choose from.
To stand out from the crowd and attract players, the casino will offer some sort of welcome offer, usually in the form of a welcome bonus or free spins.
The amount you can claim here will depend on the casino bonus you are eligible for. This can vary in terms of wagering requirements, the amount of your first deposit, and how many deposits you wish to make.
One important thing to note here is that it’s rarely just free money. A welcome bonus, for example, is bonus money that is initially distributed by the casino, but for you to withdraw the money, you need to meet certain criteria in terms of gameplay. These are commonly known as wagering requirements.
When you receive the bonus, you will be informed that you need to wager through that bonus a certain number of times before you are eligible to cash out. This can be anywhere between 20x and 50x the bonus amount.
So, if you received a $100 bonus and the casino asked you to bet through that 20x bonus before you could cash out, you would need to make $2,000 in wagers (20 x $100) before the money was technically yours to use. as you wish.
Watch out for games that can utilize free spins, as casino sites often offer a specific slot game and even specific available deposit methods for you to qualify for the bonus. Try Real Money Slots