Online slot machines tend to be the most popular casino online games, appealing to players with exciting themes, unique features, and easy gameplay. Online casino slots are games of chance, but understanding how they work and how the result of each spin is generated is an important step in learning how to play them.
In this quick online casino guide, you’ll learn how to play slots online, how they work, the different types of slot games, and some basic tips to help you avoid beginner mistakes.
How Do Online Slots Work?
Like instant win games and many casino table games, online slots use random number generators to determine the outcome of every spin. All the best online casino sites such as Betiton Ireland use RNG technology, which is the only way to guarantee that slots are fair, random, and unpredictable.
Random Number Generators (RNG): The Heart of Online Slots
Random number generators (RNGs) use complex technology to ensure fairness and randomness in online slots. Whenever you hit the ‘spin’ button, the symbols on the reels spin, corresponding to a random number combination. The reels stop on one of these random combinations.
If the symbols on the reels line up in a valid winning combination when the reels stop spinning, a payout will be awarded, according to the paytable. If the symbols don’t land on a payline, no payout is awarded, and the bet is lost.
RNG technology generates 100% random game results, ensuring fairness in the game. With this technology, each spin is random and unpredictable, giving every player an equal chance of hitting a winning combination.
Return to Player Rate (RTP)
Another integral aspect of online slots is the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which indicates how much of the total wagered money is returned to the players over an extended period of time. Understanding RTP and how it influences the odds at an online casino is important because it will also help you choose the right games.
For example, a slot with an RTP of 96% will, theoretically, return €96 for every €100 wagered on it. However, this isn’t the return you’d see in one or even multiple gaming sessions because the percentage is calculated over one million or more simulated spins. However, this figure helps players gauge the fairness of a game. As a general rule, high RTP slots are generally more favorable, although there are exceptions.
Volatility/Variance Level in Slots Online
Volatility, or variance, tells you the risk level associated with a particular online slot. While the RTP indicates the overall return percentage, the volatility tells you the average payout rate compared to the average payout size.
There are three types of volatility levels you can find in slots online, and we’ve explained them briefly in the table below:
| Volatility Level | Definition |
| Low volatility | These slots provide frequent but smaller wins. They’re ideal for players looking for a consistent experience with a lower risk of significant losses. |
| Medium volatility | As the name suggests, these slots offer a balanced combination of both frequent wins and higher payouts. |
| High volatility | High variance slots tend to pay out much less frequently, but when they do pay out, the wins are typically substantial. Naturally, these slots are much riskier than low and medium-volatility slots. |
Types of Online Casino Slots
If you visit any online casino and go to the slot games section, you’ll find many different types. These can be broadly categorized into two main types: classic slots and video slots. Within the latter category, there are also various subtypes, such as themed slots, jackpot and progressive jackpot slots, and even branded slot machines.
Classic Slots vs. Video Slots
Classic slot games are inspired by traditional, physical slot machines. They typically have a retro and nostalgic theme, such as fruits, bars, and bell symbols, or simple gems with colorful designs. They’re normally made up of three reels and one to five pay lines. Unlike video slots, these games have simple gameplay, straightforward rules, and limited in-game features.
In contrast, video slots are more modern and interactive, typically boasting special symbols, slot features, and bonus rounds. The most common game grid in video slots comprises five reels and three rows, with at least 10 pay lines.
Video slots are easily identified by their fun themes, interactive features, and intricate graphics and animations. They might also have interesting storylines and detailed character design, exploring various themes, including an adventure to wild animals, mythology, ancient civilizations, food, popular culture, and festive themes.
Progressive Jackpot Slots: The Big Draw
Among the most enticing features of online slots are progressive jackpot slots. These games have a jackpot that increases every time the game is played by taking a small portion of each bet and adding it to the overall pot. If the jackpot is won, the prize pool resets to the starting amount, known as the ‘seed’.
Playing progressive jackpot slots is undeniably an exciting experience, and many players are drawn to the possibility of hitting the big jackpot, which sometimes offers life-changing prizes. However, these slots are also the riskiest because the odds of winning such a prize are extremely rare.
Additionally, progressive jackpot slots are risky because they often require you to bet the maximum to be eligible for the jackpot, which might be out of budget for some players.
Themed Slots Online and Gamification
- Themed online slots make up the majority of slot games available at online casinos. These are always fun to play because you can choose a theme that appeals to your style, making the game experience more enjoyable.
- Software developers create casino slots with all kinds of themes, and it’s safe to say there’s no limit to their imagination. You can play online casino games with various themes, although the most popular ones tend to be ones with fantasy, mythology, or ancient civilization. Slots inspired by famous movies or TV shows are also very popular.
- Gamification elements in online casinos also enhance the gambling experience, and many operators include game-like elements like progress bars and slot tournaments to keep players engaged and entertained. There are also gamification elements in slot machines, like interactive bonus features where you must choose objects or decide where a virtual character goes.
Casino Slots Online Features
Special features like wild symbols or Free Spins are integrated with online slot games to enhance the overall experience, provide extra winning opportunities, and maximize entertainment.
Let’s take a closer look at both common and advanced slot features.
Common Slot Features
Below are some of the most common slot features; you’ll likely find these in any video slot you play at an online casino.
- Wild symbols: Special symbols that substitute any regular symbols wherever a winning combination can be created.
- Scatters: Symbols that typically pay in any position on the reels, even if they don’t land on an active payline. They can also trigger bonus rounds or special features.
- Free Spins: A bonus where you earn a number of spins you don’t pay for. However, the payout will be awarded if a winning combination is triggered.
- Bonus Rounds: These are special games usually triggered randomly or by landing a specific symbol combination.
Advanced Slot Features
Below are some more advanced slot features and how they work in online slots:
| Slot Feature | Definitions |
| Cascading Reels | Winning symbols disappear from the reels, and new ones fall in their place, possibly forming another winning combination. |
| Expanding Wilds | Wild symbols replace regular symbols but also expand on the reels to increase the chances of forming more wins. |
| Megaways | A unique reel mechanic that changes the number of symbols on the reels with each spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win. |
| Multipliers | Special symbols that multiply the overall payout by the number shown on the symbol. Sometimes, multipliers are wild symbols that boost the win they participate in. |
How Technology Is Shaping Casino Online Slots?
Technological advancement has always been pivotal in shaping the development of online casino games. With new technology like virtual and augmented reality and live casino games, online casino operators can offer an unprecedented online casino experience.
Mobile technology is also shaping how players enjoy their favorite games, providing easy access to online slot games and other game types on virtually any device.
Virtual Reality and Online Slots
Virtual reality will transform how casino players enjoy online casino slots in various ways. First, players will benefit from a more realistic game experience where they can play slots in a ‘real’ casino environment. This includes hearing the sounds of slot machines, background noise, and crystal-clear graphics. With VR technology, players can even virtually walk through a casino floor, exploring slot machines in an entirely new way.
Mobile Gaming and Online Casino Accessibility
Mobile gaming is also a major trend in the online casino world. Statistics show that at least 60% of internet users come from a smartphone or tablet, showing a clear decline in desktop gambling. Nowadays, any reputable online casino provides access to the best online slots on mobile platforms, using HTML5 technology to ensure seamless mobile compatibility.
Betiton Tips: How to Play Online Slots?
Before you play online slots, consider the following tips to ensure you choose the right best online casino and avoid some common beginner mistakes.
- Choose the right online casino. Playing at a reputable, licensed online casino like Betiton will ensure a safe and fair gaming experience.
- Make sure you understand how slots work and the different features.
- Check the slot’s RTP rate and choose online slots with a high RTP rate.
- Always play on all the pay lines.
- Read the payables carefully.
- Remember that online casino slots are games of chance, and the results are always unpredictable. Winning is never guaranteed.
Online slots are considered some of the best casino games online for many reasons. They’re easy to play, have unique themes, and boast special features and bonus rounds, making them highly engaging and entertaining. By choosing the right online casino and following the Betiton tips for playing slots.
