Online Slots play a big part in the online casino industry. With this, we wanted to look at just some of the things you should know about the online slot section before spinning any reels available.
If you, too, want to know more about online Slots, read on.
Basic mechanics of online Slots
Online Slots are digital versions of traditional slot machines, consisting of reels, rows, and symbols.
To play, you’ll need to place a wager and spin the reels, aiming to land matching symbols across paylines.
Most online Slots operate similarly: select your bet size, spin, and wait for the symbols to align. The results are determined by Random Number Generators (RNG), ensuring each outcome is unpredictable and independent of the previous spin.
Random Number Generators (RNG)
All online Slots use RNG technology, which generates a random outcome for each spin.
This ensures fairness, making it impossible to predict or influence results. Whether the game is high or low variance, the RNG ensures that each spin has the same chances, unaffected by past results.
Return to player (RTP) and volatility
- Return to Player (RTP): RTP is a percentage that represents how much a slot is expected to pay back to players over a significant time period.
- Volatility: Slots are classified as low, medium, or high volatility, affecting the frequency and size of potential wins. High-volatility Slots yield larger but less frequent payouts, while low-volatility games provide smaller, more consistent wins.
Types of online Slots
- Classic Slots: These are based on traditional slot machines, usually featuring three reels and a limited number of paylines, often with symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens.
- Video Slots: Video Slots are the most common type of online slot. They often have five or more reels and a variety of themes, including movies, mythology, and animals.
- Progressive jackpot Slots: These Slots are linked across multiple games or platforms, with each wager contributing to a growing jackpot. The jackpot continues to increase until it is won, after which it resets and begins to grow again.
- 3D Slots: These Slots incorporate advanced graphics and animations for a more visually detailed design. The gameplay is similar to video Slots, with the enhanced visuals being the distinguishing feature.
Symbols and features
- Wild symbols: Wilds substitute for other symbols (except special ones like scatters) to create matching combinations. Some games include expanding wilds or sticky wilds that stay in place for multiple spins.
- Scatter symbols: Scatters often trigger bonus features like free spins or bonus rounds. Unlike most symbols, scatters can activate features regardless of where they land on the reels.
- Multipliers: These symbols multiply the payout of a matching combination by a set factor, such as 2x or 3x, increasing the potential reward.
- Bonus rounds: Many online Slots include bonus rounds triggered by specific combinations or scatter symbols. These can include free spins, pick-and-click games, or other mini-games of chance.
Fair play and regulation
In the UK, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulates all licensed online Slots to ensure fairness, security, and responsible gaming practices.
Licensed operators must follow strict guidelines, and independent agencies test the Slots they offer to verify RNG integrity. This regulation provides a safer environment for players and ensures the games meet industry standards for fairness.
Responsible gaming tools
UK-based online casinos offer responsible gaming tools to help you maintain control over your gaming activities.
These tools include setting deposit limits, session time limits, and loss limits. You can also choose to self-exclude or take a time-out from playing.
