Best Online Slot Games

Online Slot Games Explained

There’s just something about online slot games that we all love! The bright lights, the catchy jingles, the spinning and the winning that keeps us wanting more!

Throughout history online slot games have always been popular, and game providers there’s literally thousands of different themed online slot games with hidden bonus rounds and prizes to keep you entertained.

Whichcasinos.co.uk has trawled the big wide web to find you the best online slot games sites, to give you the best possible experience!

The Birth of Slot Games

One of the most popular forms of gambling is of course Slot Games. With the first slot machine invented in 1887 by California based Charles Fey.

Although most believe that Charles completed the first slot machine in 1895 this was because the first slot machine was much simpler. It consisted of three spinning reels containing a total of five symbols, Horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a bell (Liberty Bell), from which this machine took its name.

By replacing ten cards with five symbols with three reels instead of five drums, the complexity of reading a winning result was significantly reduced, allowing Fey to develop an effective mechanism of automatic payment.

Three bells in a row produced the biggest reward.

Mills, Takes Slot Games a Step Further

in 1907, manufacturer Mills from Chicago produced a slot machine known as the Operator Bell. A year later many “Bell” machines were installed in most cigar stores, saloons, bowling, brothels, and barber shops. The original Liberty Bell machine can still be seen at the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant in Nevada.

Playing online slot games today

Online slot games are hugely popular which is why game providers bring out so many different themed games ranging from Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Cleopatra or licensed games like Jurassic Park or Guns N’ Roses.

All of the online casinos that whichcasinos.co.uk choose to vet and list, have lots of variety from the classical slots, set jackpots and progressive jackpots.

You can demo most online slot games first as well to see if you like them, but the real beauty is that you can play anywhere on any device. Online slot games don’t have to cost a lot of money either. You can win hundreds or even thousands from spins that are worth less than £1.

With so much variety you’re sure to find one you like and hopefully get lucky on!

Variation in Online Slot Games 

There are 4 variations of slot games available to choose from for those want to play, these include:

Classic Slots

Classic slots tend to follow a similar pattern, and may include one or all these features:

• 1-5 paylines
• 3 reels
• Fruit symbols/BAR symbols
• Minimal slot bonus features
• Trail slot bonus

It is of no surprise that given the history of Slots, there are still slot games enthusiasts that prefer the entire experience seen when playing actual slot machines. From the well-known leaver, to the colourful symbols and sounds.

As a result, online slot games operators have tried to replicate the feeling online, the result is classic slots. Some examples of classic slots include:

• Jackpot 6000 (LeoVegas)
• Mega Joker
• Fruit Slots (Betway)
• Goblins Cave
• Ugga Bugga

Video Slots

Like most other online slots, Video Slots work in the same way however are even more popular with players who prefer action-packed gaming with slot bonus features and side games.

Video Slots offer a more immersive experience and allow you to be a part of the action through interactive slot bonus features and detailed animations.

When comparing video slots to the slots found in land casinos, online video slots are easier to understand and play.

In addition, video slots also offer a wider variety of combinations than those found in land-based casinos, generally seen with symbols A-K-Q-J, 6, 7, 9, 10 with an additional symbol usually with the word ‘wild’ or ‘scatter’.

The symbols are usually based on the name or theme of the online slot game you’re playing. The maximum wager when playing video slots is 100 coins, but you will often see 300, 400 or 500-coin maxes on casino slots.

Although general casinos only have one bonus feature, video slots offer multiple slot bonuses giving you more chances to win bigger.

Important Points to note Prior to Playing Slots

• Matching symbols across all reels is not necessary the only way to win money.
• Amounts won vary, therefore winnings can be lower than the initial wagered amount.
• What you win is proportionate to how much you have wagered, with no slot bonus for betting the max.
• Understanding the online slot games return to player (rtp) percentage increases chances of winnings, although always remember our second point.

Understanding Slot Game Paylines and RTP

All the above points are important to understand when playing video slots, especially for a better experience. When playing a five reel video slot, players do not have to line up matching symbols across all five reels. Instead you will win money by having matching symbols across reels 1,2 and 3, if 4 and 5 are added them you win big.

Slot Games – Return to Player (RTP)

It is important to understand the online slot games variables or rtp percentage. The rtp percentage can be found by clicking on the slot games information. A high rtp percentage is indicated from 97% – 99%, the higher the percentage the more often the online slot game pays out.

Therefore, the more you stake the higher the chances to win big when you hit the slot bonus.

Video Slot Games – Paylines

Another great feature offered by video slots is multiple paylines, this is because a player can have multiple winnings from one spin should a variety of symbols and characters are activated across the reels.

For example your first three reels all align with J,J,J your second row consists of 2 wild symbols and a character, while the 3^rd row has a wild symbol with reels 2,3 and 4 displaying similar characters.

You would therefore win across all 3 rows or however many qualified for the payout. Below is a breakdown of the multiple paylines and all the factors for a clearer understanding.

Video Slots – Multiple Paylines

   Wild symbols and expanding wilds – Wild symbols are matches for any symbol, usually excluding scatter symbols or slot bonus symbols.

   Scatter pays – Scatter pays do not have to line up on any payline. On many slot games, bonus symbols are scatter symbols. So that if you get three of them anywhere on the reels, you launch the slot bonus round.

   Bonus events – Slot bonuses can be free spins, pick-a-prize, wheel spins or scratch cards.

Now that you have a good idea of what video slots are as well as what to look out for, here is a small list of some recommended online slot games you would like to have a go on:

• Nemos Voyage
• Bonanza
• Return of Kong
• Fishin Frenzy
• Book of Dead

Mega Spins on Video Slots

As we have given you an indication of what classic and video slots are, Mega Spins are a combination of the two, but on a larger scale. Released by giant software provider, Microgaming, Mega Spin Slots follow your modern-day Vegas themed slot machines.

Never been to Vegas to see one? Well no problem! Imagine the video slots reels 4-6 rows with 3-5 reels, now imagine having that screen duplicated 4, 6 or even 9 times within one screen!

This mega combination of multiple reels linked to the major millions jackpot system, means, should you win, it is generally a life changing amount of money.

The reason to the gigantic size on the jackpot is because it is a progressive jackpot. This means several different participating casino providers will put all player losses back into the jackpot and will continue doing so until the jackpot drops. Your chances get bigger and bigger with every new three-reel game activated on the screen

Although the Mega Spins looks daunting at first glance, the characters and symbols used are like those seen on all online slot games.

There are 4 variations of the Mega Spin Slot games available for you to play, these include:

Mega Spins – Double Magic

Mega Spins Double Magic has a total of nine games on a screen giving you an ultimate gaming experience with a Vegas-style twist. There is a wide betting range available, so the online slot game is great for gamblers of all budgets.

Mega Spins – Fantastic 7’s

Fantastic 7’s is yet another Microgaming slot game allowing you to play multiple games on a single screen. Basically, this is a three-reel one-payline classic slot with no gimmicks such as scatters or wilds.

Thanks to a multi-format game mechanics, your winning chances and payout amounts are much bigger compared to traditional games, which creates a brand-new gaming experience.

High 5’s – Mega Spins

The High 5 Mega Spins video slot is organically a classical slot machine with an extraordinary mega spin feature enabling you to experience more gambling action by spinning nine slots at once. On top of this, you stand the chance of hitting a massive jackpot of 15,000 coins.

Mega Spins – Major Millions (Progressive)

Major Millions is a must-play for progressive jackpot slot seekers and three-reel slot fans. In addition to the massive progressive jackpot to be won at least once a month.

The game features classic symbols, wilds, wild multipliers and 6 three-reel machines played on a single screen at once.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

As the name indicates, Progressive Jackpot Slots, are different to regular online slot games, whereby a set amount of prize money to be won is displayed.

Instead a Progressive Jackpot Slot is one that indicates to continue increasing until it is won. Therefore, any player playing the Progressive Jackpot Slot and loses will see their lost cash added to the giant pot.

Surely there cannot be that many people playing a progressive jackpot slot to warrant the amount of money on display to be won, right?

Well when you think about it that way, you are right, but it does not work the way you’re thinking.

As you know, there is thousands of online casinos available, and majority of these online casinos will have the popular progressive slots on their website.

Therefore, every player on every website playing at any given time that loses sees a percentage of their cash go into the one giant prize fund!

In-house Progressive Jackpot Slots

In some cases individual online casino brands will have their very own Progressive Jackpot Slot game whereby they put an initial amount of money into the pot to start it off, however the larger progressive jackpot slots are where a number of online casino come together.

Some progressive jackpots work across titles, for example, ‘Marvel Slots’, whether you’re playing Hulk, Spiderman, Avengers or any other of the Marvel Jackpot Slots, a percentage of the player loses are taken from all the individual titles and added to one big prize pot.

Top 3 largest progressive jackpot slot winners

1. Mega Moolah – 28^th of September 2018 – €18,915,721.00
2. Mega Moolah – 30^th of January 2019 – $20,057,734.00
3. Mega Fortune – 20^th of January 2013 – €17,860,868.00

So far in 2020, there has been 2 big progressive jackpot winners both on Mega Moolah. The first win came in April for $16,495,060 and the second win followed on the 8^th of May for £13,617,374.

By no means is this extensive information on all the progressive jackpot slot winners, however it gives you an indication on the amount of money won each year or multiple times a year.

There is no question though, that the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot leads the way in terms of payout, and it drops at different amounts, ranging from €8,000,000 to €18,000,000 so far.

What do I have to do to increase my chances of winning the progressive jackpot?

The truth is it is gambling, and there is no rightful answer to the above question, however there are two main point to remember, likely to give you a better advantage:

1. Depositing and playing with higher amounts increase your chances to winning big, this is not necessarily dropping the jackpot, however winning large prizes with other combination of symbols. Most jackpots increase the chances of dropping the bonus if a qualifying deposit amount is being wagered.
2. Regular play, online casinos are equipped to monitor regularity of play, therefore the more you play, the likely you are to increasing your chances of winning, again this might not be the jackpot, but other good cash prizes.

Top 5 Progressive Jackpot Slots

Mega Moolah Jackpot

Mega Moolah Jackpot is one of the only online slot games that comes in 4 themes: African, American, Egyptian or Summer theme. As a result, you can expect all your bright coloured characters and symbols within this game.

Players can enjoy Mega Moolah Jackpot for as little as 25p to as much as £125.00 a spin depending on the element of risk and confidence you have. Mega Moolah jackpot is made up of the following:

• Software: Microgaming
• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 25
• Coins Range: 0.25p to £125.00
• Other Games: Mega Moolah Summertime, Mega Moolah Isis, Mega Moolah 5-reel drive.

The minimum seed amount you can win is £1 million, which is amazing because the maximum is over £10 million as indicated with some of the earlier mentions on player wins.

Major Millions Jackpot

Perhaps one of the oldest progressive jackpots out there, again from software provider Microgaming. Major Millions is as one may not have guessed, based not on winning Major amounts of money, although this can be done, but rather on the character who is a military Major.

Major Millions can be enjoyed by players from as little as 20p making it highly affordable to a lot of players. Major Millions is made up of the following:

• Software: Microgaming
• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 15
• Coins Range: 0.20p to £3.00
• Other Games: Major Millions 3 reels Versions

How to Win on Major Millions Jackpot?

You would need to land 5 of them on the 15^th payline. Once you do so, you will bag the online jackpot prize which is mentioned above the reels.

However, even playing this jackpot on 20p per spin, is quite the experience and just as much fun, with less risk.

Jackpot Giant 

Perhaps one of our favourite jackpots out there, generally keeps you on your toes and tends to payout quite often. The theme follows a Pacific Island, full of stone, crystal, palm trees, volcanoes and of course a giant!

Jackpot Giant was developed by software provider Playtech, and unlike all other progressive jackpots, this game can be played both as a standard jackpot (set amount in the prize pot) or as a progressive jackpot (ever growing). Jackpot Giant is made up of the following:

• Software: Playtech
• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 50
• Coins Range: £0.50 to £4.00
• Other Games: None

How to Win on Jackpot Giant?

As you increase the amount of money you would like to wager per line, you will notice an information bubble will pop up above the amount showing your wager, notifying you to qualifying for the jackpot. This means should you land 5 wild symbols across the first payline will win you the grand prize.

Although money can be won via a combination of matching symbols, seeing 3 Bonus symbols activates the bonus round, which sees the giant, with a hand full of gold coins, towering over 5 volcanoes that hold various amounts of money.

The more money you wager, the bigger the amounts held in each volcano, although one random volcano has ‘collect’. Simply pick a volcano by clicking on it and the giant will toss a gold coin into the volcano revealing the amount won.

You can make 3 picks and your winnings are combined. However, should you pick a volcano revealing; ‘collect’, you can only take with you the money won prior.

Beach Life Jackpot Slot

Fancy a holiday with the potential of winning big time? Well, if your answer is yes, Beach Life progressive jackpot slot from Playtech is the game for you.

Beach Life jackpot slot is based on just what the name suggests, the theme is set on a relaxing, tranquil background. This progressive jackpot is made up of the following:

• Software: Playtech
• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 20
• Coins Range: 0.50p to £10.00
• Other Games: None

How to Win on Beach Life Jackpot?

To win the grand prize, it is best to ensure you are playing across all 20 paylines as this increases your chances on landing 5 wild symbols on the 20^th payline. Nevertheless, should you not land the jackpot, you still stand a good chance on winning some decent cash prizes.

What makes Beach Life awesome, is it offers a variety of mini slot games, combined with high paying symbols and the bonus games, players can expect to win up to 2000x.

Mega Fortune Dreams Jackpot

When it comes to software gaming providers, our list of progressive jackpot slots just would not be complete without NetEnt coming into play. Having successfully released Mega Fortune, NetEnt moved on to releasing Mega Fortune Dreams.

Mega Fortune Dreams is full of innovative characters and themes which brings together stunning visual aesthetics the games come with unique symbols, free pins and great multiplier features and multiplier bonus rounds. Mega Fortune Dreams is made up of the following:

• Software: Net Entertainment
• Reels: 5
• Paylines: 20
• Coins Range: 0.20p to £80.00
• Other Games: None

How to Win on Mega Fortune Dreams?

There are multiple ways to win on the Mega Fortune Dreams progressive slot. Playing the jackpot is simple, and you can find all details of the by visiting the control panel. As with all slots, this jackpot can be won at anytime during the game.

Mega Fortune Dreams is one of the most popular jackpot slots out there, and as a result wins tend to be regular. Back in 2017 there were 12 wins on Mega Fortune Dreams, the highest being for £4 million.

Important to note, Mega Fortune Dreams is not available on desktop but mobile only.