Slot offers are some of the most common bonuses in iGaming—and maybe in gaming in general. We’ve all seen the brightly-colored deals before, advertising free spins on some of the world’s most popular slots. They’re attractive for fruit machine fans—especially those who are looking to try out a new gaming platform.
But with so many offers available, and with such a broad spectrum of slot titles on the market, knowing where to get started with this unique form of entertainment, and knowing which deals to explore can be difficult. Just like a traditional gamer, the new releases alone can be overwhelming. Whether you’re new to iGaming and have never heard of Gonzo’s Quest or you’ve been playing slots since their lever-pulling days in a brick-and-mortar casino, it’s always a good moment for a little debrief.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about finding the best slots online. First up: finding the right platform to suit your needs.
Find the Perfect Platform
First, prioritize finding a platform that suits your interests. If you’re new to playing slots online, then you may want to cover a few basic terms common to the industry. These are RTP and volatility, which correspond to how much and how often a slot plays out (more on this below).
Similarly, you’ll also want to keep a lookout for casino providers like IGT and Blueprint, considered some of the best in the industry. Remember—online casinos usually pay for a license to offer the most popular games from different providers like IGT and Blueprint. Sometimes, casinos even create their own proprietary slots.
However, it’s more common for online casinos to host slots—which means you should be looking to see which providers they license titles from. Along with IGT and Blueprint, keep an eye out for Microgaming, NetEnt, Yggdrasil Gaming, and Play’n Go.
Always Read the Fine Print
If you’re signing up with a new operator to take advantage of their welcome bonus, then get started registering your account ASAP and start reading the fine print on your deal. As mentioned above, free spin offers are some of the most common in the iGaming industry. However, each offer differs greatly.
First, most offers can only be used on specific slots. Be sure these suit your interests. Second, many free deals have a time limit. Be sure to play your free spins within that allotted time. Third, keep in mind there may be payout rules that dictate when and how you’re allowed to cash out your winnings.
Understand RTP vs. Volatility
Above, we mentioned keeping a lookout for things like RTP and volatility. Each slot game has a slightly different RTP and volatility score. RTP stands for return-to-player. It’s a percentage that shows how much money will be returned to the player in terms of their total spending. Volatility, on the other hand, correlates to how often a slot game usually pays out.
For the most part, you should look for slots with an RTP over 95%, which is considered extremely good. This means, in theory, a player will win $95 for every $100 they wager. Some players focus on volatility, as they’re looking for a faster payout.
Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
Modern slots are closely tied to advancements in technology thanks to their digital format. That means that casino providers and casino operators are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the gaming experience. With so much interest involved, many slot fans keep their finger on the pulse by following different iGaming publications.
This lets them explore the latest slot releases, as well as the platforms that have the licenses to host these slots. For example, Microgaming just released its brand new Wild Link Frenzy in January 2023. Likewise, Play’n GO released a new game just this month for its players, titled Sweet Alchemy 2.
