Play Video Slot Games Online

For many years, video slots have represented the single most popular way to play slots. After debuting in brick-and-mortar casinos alongside traditional reel slots, video slots made their way to online casinos and continue to represent a favorite format.

Video slots allow much greater flexibility than the mechanical three-reel “fruit machines.” With technology continuing to advance, video slot machines keep evolving to produce more complex and immersive gaming experiences.

Here’s a rundown of all you need to know about video slots, including information about how video slots differ from traditional slots, a rundown of top video slot developers and games, tips to help you get the most out of your video slots play and more.

How do video slots work?

Traditional slot machines date back to the late 19th century. For many years, all slots featured the traditional spinning wheels and the large levers that gave the games the nickname “one-armed bandits.”

For many decades most of these classic slots featured three reels (and sometimes five). The number of “stops” on each reel as well as the number of symbols used by the game was physically limited by the size of the reels, although they still produced plenty of different combinations.

With the advent of advanced computerization, slots began to change markedly. By the late-1970s and 1980s, the first video slots began to appear in Las Vegas casinos.

Using computer screens, the games no longer had those earlier physical limitations. Many featured five video “reels” as a kind of standard (and still do), although with many more stops on each wheel. Also possible are many more paylines than the single center line on a traditional slot. Video slots will often have 20, 30 or 40 paylines. With some online slots, you’ll find literally hundreds of paylines.

Video gaming slots can more easily incorporate a variety of supplementary bonus games as well, replacing the slots screen with spinning bonus wheels, pick-and-win rounds, virtual board games with prizes, or even an entirely different set of reels to spin.

Video slots strategy and tips

While we cannot offer guaranteed advice for how to win when playing video slots, we can provide strategies and tips to help make your experience playing video slots positive. Most of these tips concern educating yourself about the games before you play them.

Play demo versions first

Several online casinos offer ways to play demo versions of video slots for free, giving you a chance to try out the games without any expense. We strongly recommend doing so to get familiar with a slot and to help you decide whether you’d like to play the real money version. Demo versions use “play money,” but you still can get familiar with pay tables and how to win at the game.

Understand the pay table

On the one hand, video slots are easy to play, merely requiring you to press the spin button again and again. Take some time, though, to study the slot’s pay table to learn which symbols are the ones you want to hit, what wilds and/or scatters there are (if any), and other information about how to win at the game. One of the most entertaining aspects of slots is rooting for certain combos and symbols to hit as you spin, so don’t miss out on this aspect of the game.

Look for video slots games with high RTP

While you’re studying that pay table, make a note of the video slot’s RTP or “return to player” percentage. The RTP percentage represents the theoretical return a player can expect over the long term playing a particular slot. The figure is an average, meaning you might (and indeed, probably will) win more or less in a single session of play. Even so, the number gives you an idea of how the slot compares to others in terms of your win expectation.

RTP percentages vary from slot to slot, with some game’s paying at a much higher clip than others. You might find slots with RTP percentages of 98% or higher while others may be 92-93% or even lower than 90%.

Bet the maximum for the top progressive jackpot

If you are playing a progressive slot and want a chance to win the big jackpot, you are likely going to have to bet the maximum per spin to be eligible. Be sure to check whether that requirement is in place for your slot. Often, progressives have lower RTP percentages than non-progressive slots, but the big jackpots help make up some of the difference. But that doesn’t help you if you are playing the game without being eligible for the jackpot.

Don’t bet the maximum to enjoy higher payback percentages

Those who played casino slots back in the day routinely were told if they bet the maximum when playing the old three-reel machines, the payout percentages were higher. That was sometimes true, as pay tables were adjusted to reward those spending more per spin. However, when it comes to video slots, that is no longer the case. For almost all the games, the payouts are proportionate, which means your RTP doesn’t change according to how much you are betting.

Be aware of online casino bonuses and promotions

When you play video slots online, you will want to know about various bonuses and promotions that sites often give to new and regular players. These bonuses sometimes involve awarding free spins. They can also involve giving players cash or casino credit that can be used to play slots. Sometimes these bonuses come with certain restrictions or playthrough requirements, so be sure to note the terms and conditions for any offer.

Always practice responsible gambling

Whenever you gamble, on video slots or otherwise, be smart and practice moderation. Set limits on both the money you spend playing video slots and the time you spend doing it. Never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. Make it your default strategy always to practice responsible gambling whenever you play video slots or any other gambling game.

Video slots vs. reel slots

As noted above, the term “classic slots” refers to the traditional, mechanized three-reel slot machines popularized in retail casinos during the 20th century. Over their long history, classic slots evolved in several ways, adding many symbols beyond the traditional bars, bells, cherries, and lucky sevens.

That said, video slots have enabled much greater variety for players. Here is a rundown of both pros and cons of video slots when compared to traditional slots.

Advantages of video slots

Greater variety of bonuses and features — Video slots are more versatile than classic slots when it comes to bonuses and ways to win jackpots. The new generation can change the screen entirely to feature different bonus games and interactive features.
More complicated themes and storylines — With video slots, games can feature sophisticated graphics and animation that can greatly enhance the immersive “storytelling” some slots exhibit. Some video slots even incorporate clips for games with film or TV tie-ins.
More ways to win — As noted already, video slots can not only handle more reels and more spots on each reel than classic slots but many more paylines, too. Many popular video slots have over 100 or 200 paylines, with some even featuring over 1,000.
Wider range of stakes — Having more paylines means having a greater range of stakes at which to play in video slots. With many games, players can choose how many paylines they wish to activate per spin, affording them a lot of choices when it comes to how much they wager.
Fast-paced, technologically sophisticated gaming — Today slots are competing with incredibly advanced video games and other forms of entertainment. Video slots often do well to cater to younger players who are used to fast-paced, uninterrupted action in their gaming.

Disadvantages of video slots

Some players find video slots too complicated — Not everyone wants or likes all of the additional features or extra options video slots provide. The good news for those players is that there are plenty of less complex examples of video slots, including games that expressly aim to recreate the best features of classic slots.
Features that become distractions — A related issue is how video slots’ elaborate graphics, animation and sound effects can distract some players from the core game. This again is a matter of personal taste and your preferred balance of entertainment and gambling when playing slots.
Certain video slots require playing too many paylines — While video slots generally allow a wide range of stakes, you’ll find some games require you to play 50 or 100 paylines, making them too expensive for many players. Sometimes you have to take some time studying the game first before realizing it is too big for your bankroll.
Too many grins, not enough spins — Sometimes video slots incorporate elements meant to entertain or be humorous that actually slow down gameplay. Thankfully you can often adjust game settings on video slots to change the pace of play, but that’s not always the case.
Hard to pull away — Video slots tend to be more “immersive” for many players than classic slots, with all of the added features causing gamblers to become especially absorbed in the games and even have difficulty stopping. As fun as video slots can be, don’t get carried away and play longer or for more money than you intended.

Play video slots today

With online casinos expanding to more jurisdictions and becoming increasingly popular, many slots players today are being introduced to the game on their computers or mobile devices. Even retail casinos are more apt to feature video slots on their floors than the classic reel slots, which means many people are introduced to slots via a screen.

Next time you visit a brick-and-mortar or online casino, be sure to check out the selection of video slots and enjoy the immense variety the games offer.

Video slots FAQ

What is the difference between video slots and classic slots?

Technically speaking, the term “video slots” can apply to any slot with a video screen. Some video slots are essentially versions of classic slots with three reels and (relatively) limited ways to win. But most video slots take advantage of the greater variety afforded by the video screens and computerized animation.

Is there a way to play video slots for free?

You’ll find many places online where you can play video slots for free. Usually, these games use “play money” only, and you cannot win cash playing them this way. But they do allow you to try out different video slots with no risk. Many online casinos offer demo versions of their slots that are free to play.

Are there video slots that feature progressive jackpots?

Yes, indeed… you’ll find many examples of video slots that are “progressives,” offering large jackpots among the ways you can win.

Which online casinos feature video slots?

All of them. The fact that online casinos are played on a computer or mobile device essentially means all slots sites are video slots sites, although some of the slots on these sites are fashioned after classic three-reel slots, while others are more like five-reel (and greater) video slots. Popular online casinos with video slots include:

BetMGM Casino
Caesars Casino
DraftKings Casino
FanDuel Casino

There are many online casinos beyond these four, as well as social and sweepstakes sites where you can find video slots.

Are video slots fair?

All retail and online casinos operating legally are licensed and regulated by the jurisdictions in which they operate. That means if you play video slots at such a location or on such a site, you can be assured the games have been vetted and tested for fairness. Video slots use a random number generator to ensure each spin is random and that payouts and jackpots are won as determined by the game’s particular return to player percentage, one of many game elements overseen by regulators.