Online Slots UK

There isn't a leading online casino online these days that doesn't offer over 1,500 online slots and casino games, playable across all devices. Playing online slots has superseded the percentage of those playing land-based slots in 2022. Why? Because playing online slots is easy, convenient and wholly entertaining. We, as a team, have over 15 years experience of playing slots online, and we want to bring you the best slot games recommendations below and in our slot reviews. In this article, you will find out how good online slots are at casino sites in the UK. We're going to take a look at the most popular UK slots, high paying progressive slots, the newest slots online and everything else in between.

Best Slot Sites 2022

Before we go any further, for those looking to play online slots right now, you may find the following new slot sites perfect for exploring the best slots online. The following slot sites accept UK customers and are each licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (and are therefore 100% safe and secure). They also happen to have the best slot games available from over 50 different game providers. Aside from that, we've chosen them because we believe they are the best in 2022

Online Slot Reviews

Our in-depth slot reviews look at the games theme, mechanics/game engine, bonus features, variance, RTP % and max potential wins so that you get a complete overview of the game, enough so that you're equipped with all the important details before you play them for real money. Having a full understanding of the world of online slots, including understanding how RTP % and variance works, will help you have a better time on the reels so that you play the most compatible games for the best and most profitable outcome!

How To Play Online Slots

Before you load up any online slot game, you should evaluate whether you can afford to play it. What we mean by this is whether the stakes or bet are achievable for your budget; the minimum bet per spin may be out of your price range. Every slot game offers a minimum and maximum stake, and some may be suitable and some may not because your bankroll will be swallowed up before you see any real wins come in.

As an example, ff a game has a minimum bet per spin of £1 and your budget is £10, then this type of slot isn't recommended as your balance will be swallowed up pretty quickly. The trick is to start small and increase your stakes (if on a winning streak) or increase levels if you’ve built up substantial winnings. Keeping your stake amount low will also ensure your bankroll lasts as long as possible.

All slots can appear the same from the outside looking in, but despite a great theme and amazing in-game features there's a lot of differences behind the pretty HD graphics, Understanding minimum and maximum stakes is the first step to understanding online slots a bit better. The next important aspect to understand about slots online is its RTP % and variance:

Understanding Slots RTP % & Variance

Every casino game and slot has an inbuilt RTP % which stands for "Return To Player %". A slots RTP is the percentage given back to players from a slot over a period of time. All slots have a house edge or margin and the RTP % determines what's won back. To help explain how RTP's work, here's an easy example:

Let's say a slot game has a 96% RTP. If you were to hypothetically stake £100, you’d win back £96 on average and the casino would gain £4 (the remaining 4%). However, it is critical to keep in mind that the RTP % is generic and don’t necessarily apply to your game session. A game RTP % is calculated over millions of spins. The RTP % reflects the course of a slot’s cycle (which is normally 1 year), that it will pay out the advertised amount. There are third-party testing labs, which are UKGC compliant that test and make sure games payout their stated RTP%'s at UK online casinos.

A slots "variance" is something a bit different to RTP % but still important to understand. When we talk about slots variance, we mean the risk involved in the slot game. Usually, a slot is considered a ‘high variance slot’, a ‘low variance slot’ or a 'medium variance' (which sits nicely in the middle of low and high). Slot variance is can also be called slot Volatility.

The variance of a slot will affect your gameplay and potential payouts as it denotes the frequency of winning combinations. Here's a brief overview of each type of slot variance and how they are designed to affect the outcome:

• High variance slots: High variance slots are usually considered high risk but high reward online slots, where wins can be less frequent but when they hit, they can be huge. Experienced slots players tend to prefer high variance slots as they are usually chasing those big rewards and life-changing payouts only available when you play high variance slots. Top examples of high variance slots include Dead or Alive 2 (Netent) and Starburst XXXtreme Slot (Netent).
• Medium variance slots: Medium Variance slots are, without sounding too obvious, are medium risk and medium reward games. Top payouts in these games can be decent and show up pretty frequently. Medium variance slots are well balanced and compatible for all types of players.
• Low variance slots: Low variance slots are games that offer players a low risk but low reward. Expect to see lots of wins but smaller in reward. You can win big in these games but it's highly unlikely that they will pay out big regularly. Low variance slots are the perfect mix for those who are new to playing online slots or those with a smaller, modest budget. A great example of a low variance slot is Netent's Starburst Slot.

Best UK Online Slots

The topic of online slots is huge; there are thousands of premium slots games available from an array of different game providers. From the pioneers who gave us the first online slots a few decades ago (Microgaming) to the many other than each bring their own style and innovation to the table.

The most popular slots in the UK are provided by a long list of game studios which include Netent, Microgaming, NYX, Play 'N Go, Elk Studios, Quickspin, Yggdrasil, No Limit City, Gameburger Studios, Hacksaw Gaming, Slingo Originals, Big Time Gaming, Tom Horn Gaming, Eyecon, Gold Coin Studios, Gamevy, Barcrest, IGT and NextGen. The list could go on.

Thankfully, many online casinos in the UK have all of the top software providers integrated into their site so that you can access the best slots and the newest slots online, all from one casino and one account.

Below you'll find the most common types of online slot games available at online casinos. We explain the differences between the types of game and what they mean:

Classic Slots

Classic slots are considered the 'originals' when it comes to online slots. They are what slots started as, and are loosely based on land-based fruit machines you'll find in Pubs and Arcades. Classic slots typically have 3 reels and 1 single payline. A win can be formed by getting 3 matching symbols across the middle of the screen. Newer classic slots usually offer the original concept, but with newer features including free spins and bonus games.

Video Slots

These are the most common type of online slot and normally incorporate 5 reels, however, some newer slots offer crazily designed reels, colossal reels and the latest innovations. Most online slots fall into the video slot category and will be packed full of entertaining bonus features like free spins, wild symbols, scatters, multipliers and bonus rounds.

Jackpot Slot

These are typically video slots that offer a progressive jackpot prize. Progressive jackpots allow players to win mammoth jackpots which can reach 7 or 8 figures on some slots Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, which paid out a world-record €19.4 million in April 2021.

Mobile Slots

Mobile slots are online slots that can be enjoyed on mobile and tablet devices. Many new slots and older, popular slots are available (with the latter being adapted with modern HTML technology) to give players the chance to play their favourite games on the go. No matter which is your preferred operating system - iOS, Windows or Android, mobile slots can be loaded up in your mobile browser to be enjoyed on the go without any compromise. To get the best mobile slots experience, make sure you play at the best mobile casinos UK.

Themed Slots

No matter the theme, we're in no doubt that you'll find a slot version of it! Themed and branded slots will fall into the categories above, but some players like to play certain themed slots, such as Egyptian, Greek Mythology. Super Heroes, Dragons, Mythology, Movie, and Cartoon themed - the list goes on!

Megaways Slots

Megaways are a new type of slot game from the Australian casino game powerhouse Big Time Gaming. Megaways slots are played with up to 6 reels where the number of symbols on each reel changes with each spin. What happens next is the number of potential ways to win changes randomly with each spin. The more symbols to display per reel, the more Megaways paylines will be created. So popular are Megaways slots, that BTG has collaborated with many other game studios to create many different kinds of Megaways slots. You will be able to find Megaways slots at top online casinos in the UK.

Slingo Slots

Slingo slots combine the best elements of online slots and bingo! Slingo™ games are one of the greatest innovations of recent times and are available in droves at most casinos online. Popular Slingo games include Slingo Starburst, Slingo Advance, Slingo Deal or No Deal, Slingo Centurion, Slingo Lobster Mania and Slingo Britains Got Talent.

Free Online Slots

We all love to play online slots, but sometimes you will want to give a new slot a test drive first. There are some free slots (demo slots) available when you log into UK casinos. We recommend playing slots for free before you dig into your own pocket and play for real money. Playing free online slots allows users to test the slot first to get a feel for how the game works. Playing free slots online will also allow you to see the graphics and animations and try out the bonus features for free. Free slots will help you make your mind up before you play with your own money.

Another way to play free online slots is to grab a free casino bonus. They are harder to come by at UK casinos, however, some UK casino websites do offer free spins no deposit on your registration. These are great because the casino will give you a real casino bonus to play slots and casino games without you having to trump up with your own money first.

Not all casinos online offer no deposit slot bonuses, however, if you compare the list of casinos above, you will be able to see which ones do. From there, simply create a new account, claim the free bonus and play some free online slots. If you're happy with your choice, and you're happy with the slots that you've just demoed, top casinos will also give customers a high-value match deposit bonus on their first deposit.

Slot Game Providers

As mentioned above, there's an umpteen amount of game providers available at online casinos. Each game studio offers its take on what slots are all about, showcasing its own inventions and innovations. Their own stamp and hallmark. This means there are thousands of great games which are in no way similar to each other, giving us hours of fun and plenty of online slots to explore. Below are the most popular slot game providers in the UK right now:

NetEnt: Founded in 1996, Netent is one of the most popular slots providers today thanks to its premium HD games and always being one step ahead of the rest. Netent slots typically offer clean graphics and clever concepts and mechanics. Notable Netent slots include Dead or Alive, Bloodsuckers, Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Gonzo's Quest and Codex of Fortune.

Microgaming: Microgaming is the pioneer of everything online casino and slots related. Founded in 1994, Microgaming releases new slots every week. Their most popular slots include Immortal Romance, Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck 2, Game of Thrones, Bridemaids, Agent Jane Blonde, Links of Ra, Book of Atem Wowpot and WWW Legends Link & Win.

Play ‘N Go: Play N Go started in 1997 though became a household name when it released the hugely popular Book of Dead slot a few years back. Play 'N Go releases between 3 to 5 new slots every month. The slots from Play N Go's games are known for being well designed and high in variance. Popular slots Legacy of Dead, Odin Protector of Realms, Agent of Hearts, Gemix 2, Fire Joker Freeze and Ankh of Anubis are just some of the games available from this provider.

Big Time Gaming: Big Time Gaming is a Sydney based slots provider that has taken the online slots world by storm thanks to their Megaways engine (as mentioned above). They are also accountable for the 'Megaclusters' engine which is on the way to being as successful as Megaways slots. Popular Megaways slots include Twin Spin Megaways, White Rabbit Megaways and Bonanza Megaways - though there are hundreds more worth a spin!

Playtech: Another casino slot pioneer, Playtech was founded in 1999, and are known for making branded slots thanks to many high end licensing agreements. Top slots include Jackpot Giant, Dr Love More, Beach Life and many movie-themed games like Top Gun, RoboCop and Gladiator Road to Rome Slot. Playtech is not available at all online casinos however, usually you will find Playtech slots at many casino betting sites (and larger operators).

Nolimit City: No Limit City was founded in 2014 and since then has amassed 60+ slot games which are proving to be very popular. No Limit City release a new slot every month, always offering innovative game mechanics and huge win potential (and additionally quite often controversial themes). One of their most popular slots is the San Quentin slot (which is based on the notorious USA prison) and comes with x 150,000 stake max wins!

IGT: American game provider IGT was founded in 1975 and originally focused on land-based slot machines available in the worlds best casinos, including in legendary Las Vegas casinos. Nowadays, IGT has an extensive range of online slots, some of the most popular games include Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds and Siberian Storm Megajackpots. IGT Slots are available at most slot sites in the UK.

Novomatic: Novomatic started in 1980, originally as a land-based slot provider, and over the past 2 decades have successfully launched their iconic slots online. Most notable slots from Novomatic include Book of Ra and Book of Ra Deluxe Slot.

Online Slots: Questions & Answers

If you still have burning questions about playing slots online, we have added some popular questions and answers about slots below. Always make sure that you understand how a slot game works first, and if you take a slots bonus, that you're aware of the important terms like wagering requirements and restricted payment before you play.

Can I Win Money Playing Online Slots?

Yes, you can legit win real money playing slots online. However, there's no magic trick or tips to help you win when you play slots online. You cannot cheat as all games are based on random outcomes as per their in-built random number generator (RNG). That said, to win at slots, you can land a win by seeing matching symbols across a payline. A slot game must, under strict UKGC observation, pay it outs stated RTP % per year (see above to understand what RTP % and variance) so therefore it's entirely possible to win money playing slots.

Where Can I Play The Best Online Slots?

Luckily for you, we have done all the work so you don’t have to! Above is a handpicked selection of trusted slot sites and UK casinos that have passed our rigorous tests here at UK-OnlineCasino.org.uk.

What are Wager and No Wager Free Spins?

These are a type of casino bonus playable on slots. Wagering free spins come with a wagering requirement on any winnings derived from using them, whilst those that are wager-free do not. No wager free spins mean you get to keep the money you've won without having to play through any requirement that most other casino bonuses have. Most of the time, you will need to find wager free slots at online casinos to enjoy the perks of playing wager free.

What Does RTP % Mean?

Slots RTP stands for "Return to Player." RTP % indicates the expected payout to players which is given theoretically over an infinite amount of game rounds/spins of the game. It's a number that needs official certification by multiple (independent) testing facilities before being approved as the official game RTP. Only then can a game be available at casino slot sites. This way, when you play at UK online casinos that are UK Gambling Commission licensed, you know you will be playing fair and unrigged slot games.

What Online Slots Are The Best To Play?

This ultimately depends on what you like playing as a player. Every slots player is different. Some players like classic 3 reel slots, some enjoy free slots only, some enjoy playing Megaways Slots, Monopoly Slots or Rainbow Riches Slots and some enjoy slots only from a specific game provider. Popular slots and the latest slots to launch in the UK are all available at our recommended slot sites in the list above. We're sure you will find plenty of slots that you'll enjoy plus new games to try out.