Play Slots Online for Real Money

Today, there are many legal online casinos in the United States where you can play real money slots. Together these sites feature thousands of different online slot games with the same immersive qualities and entertaining themes you find when playing Las Vegas slots.

Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about playing online slots for real money.

Top 10 online slots for real money

Taking into account gameplay, graphics, animation, design, return to player (RTP) percentage, bonus features, jackpots, and other factors, here are 10 online slots that have proven the most popular at US online casinos in recent years.

• Starburst (NetEnt)
• Cleopatra (IGT)
• Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt)
• Da Vinci Diamonds (IGT)
• China Shores (Konami)
• Fu Dao Le (Bally)
• 88 Fortunes (Bally)
• Raging Rhino (WMS)
• Divine Fortune (IGT)
• Mercy of the Gods (NetEnt)

Experienced slot players likely recognize this list of 10 best online slots for real money, knowing them not just from online casinos but also retail ones.

Online slots with the highest return to player (RTP) percentages

While the above list rates online slots according to a variety of factors, players often want to know which slot games have the highest payouts. We can talk about this by comparing slots’ return to player (RTP) percentages.

What are RTP percentages?

Every online slot has a particular RTP percentage indicating the theoretical return over the long term. For instance, if a slot has a 94% RTP, that means the player can expect to win an average of $94 for every $100 wagered. That’s only an average, though. You might win more or less each time you bet $100. But over the long term, you can expect the return to average out to $94.

Incidentally, the other side of the RTP coin, so to speak, is the “house edge.” If the RTP for a slot is 94%, that means the house edge is 6%.

You can always find out the return to player (RTP) percentage for any online slot. When you have the slot open, just click on “Help” (or the question mark), “Paytable,” “Rules,” or an icon with three horizontal lines (for information) or something similar and you should be able to access the slot’s RTP percentage.

Most online slot machines fall into the 95% to 96% RTP range, although you’ll encounter some that are lower and many that are higher. On average, online slots tend to have a higher RTP than slot machines in retail casinos.

What does volatility mean in online slots?

You sometimes see a slot described as having a “high volatility” (or “medium” or “low”). Volatility is distinct from RTP, referring instead to how frequently a game pays out as opposed to how much you stand to win while playing it.

Two slots can have the same RTP, but a low-volatility slot will pay out smaller amounts more often while a high-volatility slot will pay out less often but for larger amounts. You might win $0.50 or $1 quite often playing the low volatility slot. On the high volatility slot, you might go many spins without winning before finally hitting a $25 or $50 win.

Here is a list of online casino slots with notably high RTP percentages and their volatility (we’ve limited our list to generally available games):

*97.77% when Feature Drop is purchased at full price

**Sequel slots have same RTP (i.e., Thunderstruck II, Dead or Alive II)

This list does not include some slots that offer higher RTP percentages but only under certain conditions. Truth be told, when slots are listed at 98% RTP or above, they usually offer that high theoretical return only some of the time.

For instance, Monopoly Big Event from Barcrest offers a whopping 99% RTP, but only when you’re playing the Big Bet game. Otherwise, it is 96%.

NetEnt’s Mega Joker is another game that can potentially have an RTP of 99% but also plays as low as 85.28%. The base game features the low RTP, but if you win, you can risk your winnings by re-wagering them, something the game calls entering the “Super Meter,” in which case the RTP becomes 99%.

Also, be aware that when a slot offers a progressive jackpot, that can skew the RTP. Often, progressive slots have lower RTP percentages, but the potential big payout of the top prize increases the theoretical return.

How to play real money online slots

Getting started playing slots online for real money is easy, although you first want to make sure you are in a state where real money online casinos are legal. If that’s the case, follow these steps to start playing real money online slots.

1. Select an online casino: Spend some time reviewing the available online casinos in your state. Look for sign-up bonuses and other promotions, go over the available banking options, read reviews of the site, and be sure to look at the casino’s selection of slots before making your choice.
2. Create an account: Next, follow the online casino’s instructions for creating an account. You will need to provide some personal information, including your full name, email and physical address, date of birth, and (likely) the last four digits of your Social Security number. That ensures the site knows you are who you say you are while also helping the site ensure the safety and security of your account.
3. Enter welcome bonus codes: When creating your online casino account, that’s often the time to enter any available bonus codes to make sure you receive any welcome bonus you are due. Look for the prompt to enter the bonus code as you fill in your other personal information.
4. Make a deposit: You can create an online casino account without making a deposit right away. But when you are ready to do so, follow the instructions for how to open the cashier and make a deposit. Here, you might also want to enter a bonus code, such as when the site is offering a first-time deposit match bonus. Be thoughtful about which banking method you choose to deposit, as many times that will also be the method you need to use to withdraw funds later.
5. Pick a slot game and start playing: Once you’ve funded your account, you’re all set to choose a slot and start spinning. Be aware of the stakes for the slot you are playing, and pick a game that suits your bankroll. Spend a little time reading about the paylines and betting before that first spin, so you know exactly how the slot works and what it will cost you to play it.

Even if you don’t live in a state with real money online casinos, you can actually create an account and even deposit funds in a site in another state that does have legal real money online slots. However, you cannot actually play the games unless you are physically in the state where the site is located.

Best online casinos for real money slots

Many real money online casinos with slots have launched in legal states. Those who live in states that have not authorized online slots still have the option of playing online slots at social and sweepstakes casinos.

Real money online slots

Here are 12 online casinos currently operating in the US, all of which feature more slots than any other casino game. To give you an idea of what the sites have, here is a look at how many slots each site offers at its New Jersey online casino:

• Bally Casino — over 500 slots
• Bet365 Casino — over 150 slots
• BetMGM Casino — over 1,300 slots
• BetRivers Casino — over 1,300 slots
• Caesars Casino — over 1,000 slots
• DraftKings Casino — over 1,000 slots
• FanDuel Casino — over 450 slots
• Golden Nugget Casino — over 1,200 slots
• Hard Rock Casino — over 750 slots
• PlayStar Casino — over 150 slots
• Unibet Casino — over 350 slots
• WynnBET Casino — over 175 slots

That’s a ton of slots. Indeed, when you visit these online casinos and see their selections, it seems as though you can scroll forever before getting to the bottom of their slots. Note that you can always find a particular slot by typing the name in the search bar.

Note that when using the mobile app versions of these real money online casinos, you’ll find they might not have the complete slot library available on the web-based site. That said, most do feature nearly all of the same slots on their apps.

Social and sweepstakes online slots

Social and sweepstakes sites enable fans of casino games to play them online using virtual currencies. These sites all feature lots of slots, including some from top-notch developers. They also sometimes offer other table games as well like blackjack or roulette. Some of the sites offer opportunities for players to redeem winnings for cash prizes.

The top social and sweepstakes sites with slots include:

• Pulsz — over 500 slots
• Chumba Casino — over 100 slots
• LuckyLand Slots — over 100 slots
• Funzpoints — over 70 slots
• WOW Vegas – over 300 slots

While these sites can be played for free and do not use real money in their games, players are invited to purchase chips with which to play. The sites do offer bonuses, free spins and promotions such as jackpot drawings.

Best bonuses for real money online slots

Casinos often offer bonuses to real money online slots players. Keep an eye out for these as you play, as they can add to your bankroll and enable extra play without any extra expense.

Examples of bonuses online casinos frequently offer to slots players include:

• No Deposit Bonus — Usually a welcome bonus, a no deposit bonus enables players to try out real money slots without having to fund their accounts first. No deposit bonuses are typically small ($10 or $20, or perhaps as much as $50 or $60), and the money has to be wagered in the games. That is, you cannot simply withdraw the bonus money.
• Deposit Matching Bonus — Sites often offer deposit matching bonuses that involve matching your deposit (usually to 100%) with bonus funds up to a certain maximum amount. These deposit matching bonuses can be large, up to $1,000 or $2,000. However, to receive the bonus money, you typically have to satisfy a playthrough requirement first (see below).
• Reload Bonus — A reload bonus is very similar to a deposit match bonus, awarding the player with bonus funds for making a deposit. Reload bonuses can come in the form of cash or casino credit. Again, you likely will have to satisfy a playthrough requirement to receive the bonus.
• Free Spins — Online casinos frequently offer free spins as bonuses. Sometimes these free spins can be used on any slot on the site, and sometimes they are for a particular slot or slots. You will also sometimes have to satisfy a playthrough requirement to receive any winnings you earn while using free spins.
• Instant Cash Bonus — Online casinos often will award instant cash bonuses that essentially give the player money with which to play games. These are usually small ($5 or $10) and sometimes are awarded if the player completes a certain task, such as wagering a minimum amount playing a certain slot within a particular time period (e.g., a certain day, by the end of the week).
• Refer-a-Friend Bonus — Many online casinos encourage players to invite friends to sign up for accounts and, in return, reward the referring player with a bonus of either cash or credit.

Keep an eye out as well for loyalty programs that work very much like programs in retail casinos. With these programs, the more you play, the more rewards you can earn, including cash, casino credit or other prizes and perks.

What are playthrough requirements?

In the above discussion of bonuses, we repeatedly referenced playthrough requirements, also called wagering requirements. Essentially these require a player to wager a certain amount on the site to receive the bonus, with the playthrough amount determined by the size of the bonus.

If the bonus has a 1x wagering requirement, that means you only have to bet the equivalent amount of the bonus to receive it. So if the bonus is $100, you need to wager only $100 to receive the bonus. For that same bonus, though, if the wagering requirement is 10x, you have to wager $1,000 to receive the $100 bonus.

Sometimes the playthrough requirements are too arduous to make the bonus worthwhile. For instance, if you aren’t interested in wagering $1,000, you shouldn’t be too excited about a $100 bonus with a 10x playthrough requirement.

Whenever you see an offer to receive any sort of bonus from an online casino, be sure to read the terms and conditions to determine if the bonus comes with any playthrough requirements.

Real money online slots vs. free online slots

Playing real money slots online has advantages over playing free-to-play versions for fun and entertainment only. But there are drawbacks as well. Here are some pros and cons for both:

Enjoy real money online slots today

Online real money slots enable players to enjoy the fun and excitement of casino gaming in their homes or on the go via their mobile devices. Be smart when reviewing and choosing sites that offer real money online sites. Read reviews and use resources like Slots Today to help make informed decisions about which online slot site is best for you.