With the continued growth of casino sites in the UK, players now have hundreds of different games available at their fingertips, from blackjack to roulette. However, the most popular game type, both in land-based and online casinos, is slots, with thousands of titles on the market. All slot games fall into several distinct types, ranging from traditional slots and themed slots to Megaways games and video slots. This variety can be daunting for beginners. Therefore, to help you choose the best online slots UK that suit your preferences, we have provided this guide to explain the different types of slots and their unique features.
Classic Slots: A Look at the Originals
Classic slots are online games designed to replicate the look and feel of traditional slot machines. These types of slot machines originated in land-based casinos as 'one-armed bandits', a nickname derived from the lever (or 'arm') and the game's ability to quickly take money from players. Classic slots typically feature three reels with one, three, or five paylines. They offer very simple gameplay with few or no extras, such as bonus rounds. Classic slots hold nostalgic appeal for many players, as they often still display the same fruit, 7s, and liberty bell symbols that were popular when slots first emerged. Examples of classic online slots include Fire Joker, 7s on Fire, and Diamond Duke.
Video Slots: The Modern Favourite
Video slots are a modern evolution of slot games. They have become the most popular type of slot in online casinos, surpassing classic slots, and both established and new slot sites predominantly feature this type. Video slots differ from classic slots in that they have more paylines and payout options and are more complex than traditional three-reel games. For instance, they often have five reels, plenty of bonus features, and a host of graphical enhancements. As mentioned, video slots usually offer multiple paylines, providing more ways to win. They also tend to have slightly higher Return to Player (RTP) percentages compared to classic three-reel slots. Popular examples of video slots include Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, and Immortal Romance.
Progressive Jackpot Slots: Chasing the Jackpot
Progressive jackpot slots are online casino games that offer jackpots that increase with every wager placed on the slot. As long as the stake does not win, the jackpot continues to 'progress' or grow in size until someone hits a winning spin. The jackpot accumulates across various casinos. Once someone wins the top prize, the jackpot resets to a predetermined amount and begins to climb again with each wager. Progressive slots appeal to players because they offer potentially life-changing sums of money. For example, at the time of writing, the progressive jackpot at new UK casino BetMGM stood at over £21 million. Most progressive jackpot slots have at least a couple of jackpot tiers, typically categorised as bronze, silver, or gold, each offering an increasing amount. Typically, between one and four per cent of the money wagered on each spin goes into the prize fund. Some progressive jackpot slots require you to wager the maximum amount to qualify for a chance at winning the top prize. These slots are best avoided, as they can quickly deplete funds and still offer low odds of winning. Popular examples of progressive slots are Mega Moolah, Age of Gods, and Jackpot Giant.
Megaways Slots: Endless Possibilities
Megaways slots differ from other online slots because they use a specific random reel modifier. This reel modifier makes Megaways slots more complex than video and classic slots, as they usually have six reels and up to seven symbols that can appear on those reels. What sets Megaways slots apart is their unique mechanism that changes the size of reels on each spin, meaning they can show between two and seven symbols, thereby altering the number of possible paylines. These slots have a dynamic payline structure, requiring players to match symbols in adjacent reels, but they do not need to align horizontally or diagonally. Because the reel modifier changes constantly, the number of paylines varies with each spin. For example, if only two symbols appear on a six-reel game, there would be 64 paylines. If all seven symbols show on each reel, there would be 117,649 paylines. Megaways slots have an average RTP of over 96 per cent, which is better than the average for video slots and other online slots, but volatility levels can be much higher. Popular Megaways slots include Rasputin Megaways, which claims to have close to three million ways to win, while White Rabbit and Gorilla Gold Megaways also offer an above-average number of paylines.
Branded Slots: Pop Culture Meets Gaming
Branded slots are types of slots with branding linked to popular TV shows, movies, or music. These are designed to appeal to fans of specific franchises or celebrities. Many of these titles offer cinematic themes tied to their particular brand, aiming to create a more immersive experience. Branded slots can attract more casual players to online casinos, but users may not find these titles at the best payout online casinos due to their RTP being lower than other options in many cases. Think of a popular film, TV series, or band, and there is likely a slot game about it. Examples of popular branded slots include Game of Thrones, Ace Ventura, Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, Kiss, Tomb Raider, and many more.
VR Slots: Enhanced Gameplay with Stunning Graphics
VR, or virtual reality slots, offer advanced graphics and highly immersive gameplay, making them a development goal for many gambling sites. Online casinos hope these games grow in popularity as VR equipment becomes cheaper and more widespread. In our research, we found few VR slot options, except for one as part of PokerStars' Vegas Infinite, which includes slot games as well as other popular casino games.
Understanding Slot Variance and RTP
RTP stands for Return to Player and is useful for determining the potential returns of a slot game. RTP is the percentage of wagers that are paid back over time, calculated over thousands of players. It is based on total wagers and winnings over a large number of plays (10,000 or more) at online slots. For example, if a slot game has an RTP of 95 per cent, you would expect the game to return £95 for every £100 spent by these players. The higher the RTP, the higher you would expect the returns to be. However, remember that RTP is an average over time, not a guaranteed percentage for each session. While a slot game may have a high RTP, that RTP does not account for the volatility of the game. An online slot with high volatility pays less frequently, but the size of the wins is bigger than lower variance slots, which tend to pay out smaller amounts more often. Different types of slots have different RTPs. For example, video slots tend to have mid-range RTP but less volatility than a Megaways title.
Tips for Choosing the Right Types of Slots
Below, we have provided some advice on how to choose between types of slot games based on your preferences. There are four main factors to consider:
- Game Mechanics and Features: Choose slots according to your preferences on mechanics and features. For example, you may prefer simple classic slots when starting out, but once you get the hang of it, you might want to move on to more complex games with bonus features and more paylines, such as Megaways.
- RTP and Variance: Consider the estimated return to player and the volatility of your chosen game. Many players opt for games with an RTP of at least 96 per cent.
- Theme and Graphics: The most personal choice relates to the theme and graphics. You can choose slots based on popular games, TV shows, or music, but remember to check paylines, volatility, and RTP.
- Personal Preferences: Your general preferences may dictate what types of slot machines you choose. For example, you may like the risk-reward of progressive jackpots or the smaller, more frequent wins of low-volatility games.
Responsible Gambling
Whether you are using casino apps or betting sites, remember to gamble responsibly. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Online casino slot games can be addictive, and it is easy to lose track of how much money you are spending. Take steps to remain in control of your budget, and never wager more than you can afford to lose. It is important not to get carried away if you receive a casino bonus or free bets, which are available in abundance on gambling sites but must be approached with caution. If needed, use responsible gambling tools to help manage your betting bankroll. Tools include deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion, and time-outs. If you want to seek help for gambling issues, several charities and healthcare providers offer support and information: NHS Help, GambleAware, and Gamblers Anonymous.
Types of Slots: Summary
Players should explore different types of slots to find the right one for them. As discussed, there are several types, ranging from classic slots with three reels to Megaways with thousands of potential paylines. Players should choose between types of slot games according to their personal preferences, but certain things to consider include RTP, volatility, additional features, and casino bonuses. For example, do you want to take the risk on progressive jackpots, or will you opt for games that pay out more frequently but in smaller amounts? Additionally, examine the mechanics of your chosen online slots game—is it simple enough to keep track of what is happening? Ensure the paytable and paylines are easy to understand. Finally, look at games with themes and graphics you may like, whether based on your favourite movie or a video slot with dozens of graphics. But most importantly, whether you are playing free slot games or real money online slots, always gamble responsibly. Any casino sites recommended on this page are fully regulated by the UKGC, meaning you can be safe in the knowledge that you and your details are secure when betting.
Types of Slots: FAQ
What are the main types of slot machines?
The main types of slots are classic slots, video slots, progressive jackpot slots, branded slots, and Megaways. All these online slots work in a broadly similar manner, with a certain number of symbols needing to be matched over reels. Megaways use a different reel system and is the most complicated game.
What is the difference between classic and video slots?
The key difference between classic and video slot games is how they work. In a brick-and-mortar casino, classic slots would use a mechanical reel, while video slots use a computerised system, both on land and online. Additionally, video slots often have more than three reels.
Can I win real money playing progressive slots?
Online casino slot games that operate progressive jackpots pay out these jackpot sums in real money, with some companies, such as BetMGM, offering jackpots into the millions of pounds.
What is a Megaways slot?
Megaways are a newer version of online casino slot games. They use a random reel modifier, with six reels and up to seven symbols. The mechanism changes the size of reels on each spin, showing between two and seven symbols. They have dynamic paylines, requiring symbols to match in adjacent reels, but they do not have to touch horizontally or diagonally.
Which type of slot has the highest RTP?
The RTP of online slots varies but is always 90 per cent or higher. The highest RTP is usually found in video slots or Megaways, which typically have an RTP of 96 per cent or higher. Video slots tend to have a higher return percentage than classic slots.
