Online Slots
Welcome to the full Casinopro lowdown on the most important and popular additions to every online casino - the video slot.
As more developers surface every year, so do the variety of games - it's an ever-growing industry of whirring and beeping video slot machines, which means it's easy to get lost and quite difficult to tell the top slots from the worst, without at least a good amount of experience.
That's where we come in! This handy page is full of info to take you through the basics, introduce all the different mechanics and provide you with need-to-know tips on how to enjoy slots and play safely and responsibly.
Other topics we will tackle include:
- The best online slots, and how we rate them.
- How do online slots work?
- The main features of online slots.
Best Online Slot Game Sites
What makes a good slot website? Well, there's certainly no 1-word answer, or even 10-word answer at that, for this seemingly simple question.
let's start with highlight the most important factors that are worth considering when browsing casinos and their slot libraries.
It's also wise to check which game developers are available so that you can be sure you'll be getting access to the best of the best and no third rate video slots.
Finally, and most importantly, check that the casino is properly licensed and, therefore, trustworthy, so you don't waste your time and cash getting scammed by an unregulated and unrespected casino site.
If you're happy to trust us to offer you a list of exceptional casinos for you to play at, then please check out our tried and tested favourites:
How We Rate the Best Slot Games at Casinopro
We take our role as your supremely omniscient and handsome casino guides seriously - which is why we want you to understand how we rate video slots, so you get an understanding of our process.
There are several factors worth considering when evaluating whether a video slot is hot or supremely cold. For example, the design and soundtrack are vital elements to creating an enjoyable experience. Technology has improved over time to allow for more immersive animation, creating more user-friendly slot games in the process.
Other things of note include the volatility of a slot, its maximum win potential, and whether jackpots form a part of its make-up. The Return To Player percentage is also important – this gives you an idea of your return on investment over time.
These are the sorts of boxes that slot games need to tick to get a good rating:
- In-Game Features and Mechanics: So much of the modern-day slot relies on the quality of its bonus rounds. Can it pay well? Are there limitations? How many bonuses can you get in the game? We take all this into account.
- High Return To Player Percentages: It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the higher a slot's RTP, the more of a return on your investment you're likely to get back in the long run.
- Entertainment Value: After all, playing slots is only ever about having fun.
- Popularity: We know our slots - but so do your average casino players. If the game is getting in the numbers, that's usually a good sign!
Types of Online Slots Available
A healthy competition between gaming providers means a remarkable variety of slots from which to choose from - each with their own unique style, mechanics, and bonuses.
Let's give you a brief overview of the types of casino games on offer.
3-Reel Slots
Harking back to the land-based Las Vegas machines of yesteryear, 3-reel slots prove particularly popular among old school slot players. Usually lacking any bonus game, the aim is to land matching symbols on a left-to-right payline to get a payout.
5-Reel Slots
5-reel slots differ from their 3-reel cousins due to their ability to include bonus features - in many cases, more than one of them! The extra space allows developers to add games within games and enhance the number of paylines.
Random Reel Modifier Slots
Otherwise known as Megaways(TM), more paylines can be created here. There are usually seven reels, and symbols tend to vary from two to seven symbols per reel - meaning your ways-to-win could rise to as many as 117,649.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
For every spin you take on a Progressive Jackpot Slot, a small percentage goes to a jackpot. These totals can reach life-changing amounts. Progressive Jackpot Slots usually have a lower RTP, but their volatility is much higher, given the high sums up for grabs.
Fixed Jackpot Slots
Unlike their progressive counterparts, Fixed Jackpot Slots offer pre-set amounts. There are dedicated jackpot bonus games, which trigger when the customer meets an in-game requirement. When active, these types of jackpot games often give players the chance to win one of three amounts - minor, major and mega jackpots.
How do Online Slot Games Work?
One of the most common assumptions of slot machines is that they are pre-determined or rigged. This is not the case. Every winning or losing result on a slot is completely random. See why below:
- Every single spin is the product of a random number generator program - otherwise known as an RNG.
- This software consistently collates billions of numbers, each number linked to a different outcome.
- The moment you press spin, the RNG will produce one of these outcomes to leave you with what you see on the reels.
- What does this mean? Just because you won a sum on your first spin, does not mean you won't win again on your next spin.
Main Features of Online Slot Games
Now we're getting to the good stuff! Listed below are the ingredients for an exciting top casino slot:
Slot Features | |
---|---|
Online Slots Features | Description |
Paylines | Paylines set out the frame for which matching symbols must adhere to result in a win. Slots will either have a fixed number of paylines, amendable paylines, or random paylines. |
Free Spins | The Free Spins feature is the easter egg of every slot. Usually awarded when three scatter symbols land anywhere on the reels, the feature often comes with an enhanced reel modifier or multiplier. |
Scatter Symbols | Scatters are a unique symbol within any casino game. On most slots, landing three of them will be enough to launch a free spins bonus round. |
Wild Symbols | Wild symbols are the most valuable in any game and substitute for any symbol to help create a winning combination. |
Multipliers | Many slots utilize multipliers as their main selling point, which means any win is subject to a prize multiplier. Some games include progressive multipliers - this is when every winning combination increases the multiplier. |
Bonus Games | Bonus games differ from the free spins round because they don't involve turning over the reels. An example of a bonus game is a cash pick bonus - this requires you to pick random symbols to reveal a cash prize. |
Playing Real Money Slots vs Free Slots
For players wanting to get a feel as to how slots work, you can play them for free.
Below, we compare the advantages of playing for real money against play money:
Free Slots vs Real Money Slots | |
---|---|
Real Money |
Free Money |
What you win is yours. |
You won't lose any money. |
Playing with low stakes is a responsible and exciting way of understanding how slots work. |
It’s a gentle introduction into online casino gaming. |
Should you play on progressive jackpot machines, any spin gives you a chance of winning life-changing money. |
It is a fun and free way to explore different gaming providers and to find your favourite games. |
Playing with real money may qualify you for special, casino-led bonuses and/or free spins offers. |
Free money games are available to all. |
Best Rated Slot Games in Ontario
We Canadian slot-lovers, non-surprisingly, have very similar habits as players across the world when it comes to choosing video slots to play. It's not a shocker that we focus on games with the highest Return To Player rate and those with high volatility, maximising how often we can win and the amount we can win.
For the most popular slots among Canadian players, check out our handy list below.
Best Slot Games by RTP | ||
---|---|---|
Game |
Provider |
RTP |
Ugga Bugga |
Playtech |
Up to 99.07% |
Mega Joker |
NetEnt |
Up to 99% |
Ooh Ahh Dracula |
Barcrest |
Up to 99% |
Jackpot 6000 |
Netent |
Up to 98.86% |
1469 Uncharted Seas |
Thunderkick |
Up to 98.6% |
Jammin’ Jars |
Push Gaming |
Up to 96.8% |
Book Of Dead |
Play’n Go |
Up to 96.21% |
Bonanza |
Big Time Gaming |
Up to 96% |
Captain Venture |
Novomatic |
Up to 94.01% |
Book Of Ra |
Novomatic |
Up to 92.13% |
Best Slot Game Providers in Ontario
Who are the best creative minds behind your modern-day slots?
We've listed the creme de la creme of the iGaming industry below, along with details about them so you can get the low-down on each.
Microgaming
- Best known for their popular monster network jackpots - with good reason, they're great!
- Microgaming were credited with kickstarting the online casino sphere back in 1994 after creating industry-standard software.
- One lucky player still holds the record for the biggest win from a single spin on Microgaming's Mega Moolah - Lance Corporal Jon Heywood, a 26-year-old soldier from England won a ridiculous £13,213,838.68 in 2015.
NetEnt
- The standard-bearers for progressive and feature-packed video slots - their trendsetting game Gonzo's Quest revolutionized online casino.
- Hundreds of games with impressive variety.
- Excellent graphics and presentation that blur the lines of casino games and video games.
Playson
- Capable of holding network slot tournaments.
- Innovative game mechanics.
- Unique gameplay
Playtech
- One of the world's largest gaming software providers.
- They are known for their massive progressive jackpots.
- Dramatic animation accompanies their themed games.
Novomatic
- They produce more classic slots, with land-based machine style mechanics.
- Simple but effective gameplay.
- Games come with big-win potential.
Win at Online Slot Games with Casinopro's Best Tips
What's that, a guide to help me win at slots all the time and never lose? Nope, I'm afraid there's no way to predict success with slot games - they are completely luck-based gambling games that give the house the edge over you, so there's no simple method to beat the system and stack up win after win.
Unlike card techniques like Card Counting, for blackjack, there's no way to crack a video slot's code because you're dealing with an RNG computer at the end of the day.
Still, there are numerous dos and don't that you can follow to help you get the most from your gaming experience, and ensure you don't lose too much!
Dos
- Use the responsible gaming tools at your disposal - these can include loss limits, deposit limits, and session reminders.
- Research the RTP rate and volatility of slots to prevent nasty surprises
- Keep track of your winnings and losses.
- Use the autoplay function to help control your budget.
- Take regular breaks.
Don'ts
- Do not play while intoxicated.
- Do not chase your losses.
- Do not play at a site that isn't safely regulated by leading licensors.
Summary
There you have it! Our full lowdown on online slots in Ontario. Go ahead and get started by trying any of the online casinos listed above and enjoy!
Be a Smart Gambler
It’s important to us that you use any information we provide to gamble responsibly. Always bear in mind that online gambling should be fun and a form of entertainment. Players must be 21+. Not everyone can play for high stakes, and that’s fine. As long as you play within your means and enjoy the time you spend at your chosen site, that’s what matters.
The licensed and regulated casinos we’ve reviewed have tools that can help you stay in control. These will enable you to set limits on how much you can deposit and bet and for how long you can play.
If you do feel as though you may be spending too much time or money on gambling or if you need any further assistance, please take a look at the sites listed below:
https://www.problemgambling.ca/gambling-help/
https://canadasafetycouncil.org/gambling-addiction/
FAQ Section
Looking for more information? Then check out our, hopefully, helpful FAQ section.
Yes, online slots are totally legal in Ontario.
Many casinos give you the option of playing with your chosen currency, including CAD.
No - all licensed slots must pass stringent checks at the behest of regulators.
It depends on the game you play - some progressive jackpots can go for millions of dollars!
Yes - provided the real-money isn't attached to any bonus funds. If in doubt, you can ask a casino's customer service team.
A slot's Random Number Generator ensures each spin is entirely random and has billions of outcomes.
Yes. Most casinos offer you the option of Demo Play.
All online slots make it clear when it is a winning spin and when it is a losing spin.