The UK is home to the best-regulated online gambling market in the world. British players can safely access tons of casino games and enjoy them on any device. Live dealer games, blackjack, roulette, poker, instant win games and slots are some of the categories that licenced casinos offer.
Players from the UK are fond of all of them, especially slots. Slots are simple to play, offer decent rewards and are extremely diverse. Their bet ranges suit the preferences of both casual gamers and high rollers.
What’s even more impressive is that UK casinos offer a variety of bonuses that apply to these products. With that being said, Bonus Casino Sites would like to help you get more familiar with slots. Not only will we explain how these games work, but we’ll also share details on how to play them, tips and strategies, features and more.
Best Online Slot Sites in the UK
First things first, if you want to access the best slots on the market, you must make sure that you register at the top-rated online casinos. Bonus Casino Sites made sure to help you find those platforms.
We’ve thoroughly reviewed countless UK operators and compared their features. After a detailed search, we were able to come up with a list of the best online slot sites in the country. All of the casinos listed below are known for offering fantastic security, diverse slots, numerous payment methods and a variety of payment methods.
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What are Online Slots?
Now that you know which UK casinos offer the best slots, it is time to dig a bit deeper into the games themselves. Online slots are casino games that are based on chance. Each outcome is random. These titles come with certain payout percentages and jackpots.
To win them, you must wager real money. Each slot has a minimum and maximum bet limit. Once you set your preferred bet, all that is left is to spin the reels. Of course, the higher the bet is, the higher the potential payouts are. However, the risk of losing more money also increases.
Each online slot has a certain number of reels and rows. In most cases, if you want to form a win, you must land at least 3 matching regular symbols. Each symbol has its payout. A few years ago, NetEnt, one of the world’s most reputable providers, created the Cluster Pays system.
Online slots that feature this mechanic introduce a different way of forming wins. Instead of triggering them from left to right, right to left or both ways, you trigger them in clusters. That means that matching symbols must touch horizontally and/or vertically.
How do We Review Slots at Bonus Casino Sites?
Bonus Casino Sites has a simple goal – provide UK players with all the details related to online slots. In that quest, our team makes sure to have a hands-on experience with both new releases and well-established games.
We use that information to write expert reviews that will help you learn everything you need about a slot. Of course, we also aim for maximum transparency and are unbiased in every review. Here’s how we determine whether a certain title offers a quality experience or not.
Overall Design, Mobile Compatibility and Graphics
The first thing that we look into is the overall design of the slot. We pay extra attention to the graphics, visual effects and we check the buttons. Logically, the spin, bet size, paytable, settings and other buttons should be easy to find. That is how players will have an immersive experience.
Mobile compatibility plays a huge role. Although a majority of slots these days utilize the latest HTML5 technology, we leave no stone unturned. That is why we access the game on both Android and iOS devices. We compare the gameplay on these operating systems and make sure that there are no differences.
RTP, Volatility and Jackpot Exposure
Many players want to receive the highest rewards when playing online slots in the UK. The RTP rate is an indicator of how big the payouts of a certain slot are. So, the higher it is, the better. In terms of volatility, we are aware of the fact that it is subject to personal preferences.
Low volatile slots offer frequent rewards, but their jackpot does not have a major exposure. Highly volatile slots are the opposite. Finally, we also look at the jackpot. We take a closer look at its hit frequency and maximum exposure.
Bonus Features
Bonus features are among the main factors that can influence the gaming experience. Now, we are not always looking for quantity. We prefer quality over quantity. Often, slots have tons of bonus features and instead of making the gameplay more pleasing, they just complicate things.
We see how to trigger these features, what types of rewards they offer and what can you expect from them.
Try the Game for Real Money
Each slot review by Bonus Casino Sites has a theoretical and practical approach. After getting familiar with the paytable of the game, we try it for real money. This is where we test if it’s easy to trigger the bonus features, and whether the jackpot drops often and we grade the overall gameplay.
Compare and Conclude
Finally, we form a conclusion based on all the information that we gathered. We compare the results with other UK slots online and then, give you our final thoughts. We will tell you what you can expect from a certain title.
We are aware of the fact that each game is subject to personal preferences. That is why we don’t always tell you whether you should try a slot or not. Instead, we give you all the details and let you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Slot Features
One of the things that make online slots so entertaining is their features. There are tons of them and if you want to master these games, you must make sure to get familiar with them. That is what Bonus Casino Sites will help you with. Below, we listed all available slot features, so let’s take a look at them.
Regular Symbols
Let’s start with the regular symbols. They are the key to forming winning combinations. Each slot has different regular symbols and they are synonymous with the theme. In many cases, regular symbols are divided into two categories – low and high-paying. Common low-paying symbols are the card suits and the Royals. Card suits are hearts, spades, diamond and clover. Royal symbols are 10, J, Q, K and A.
Special Symbols
Special symbols in online slots UK usually have a bonus feature attached to them. Some of the most common symbols of this type are:
- Wild
- Scatter
- Bonus
- Mystery
- Jumping
- Split and Expanding
Wild Symbols
Wilds are the most common special symbols in online slots. They act as substitutes for regular symbols. As a result, they can aid you in triggering a win. Here’s how they work. Let’s say that you spin the reels on a certain slot.
To form a win, you must land 3 matching symbols. However, with the Wild, you can land 2 regular symbols and a Wild. You can also form wins with Wild symbols only.
Scatter Symbols
Scatters have two roles. First, they trigger free spins. The number of free spins usually depends on the number of Scatters that you land. Secondly, a Scatter can also pay cash rewards. The reason why it is different from the rest of the symbols is that it does not have to land on a certain payline. It pays on any position as long as there are at least 2 or 3 of them on the reels.
Bonus Symbols
The Bonus symbol can either trigger re-spins, bonus rounds or free spins. Yes, the Bonus can act as a Scatter sometimes. It all depends on the rules of the game itself.
Mystery Symbols
Just as the name itself suggests, mystery symbols have a mysterious value. They uncover themselves when the reels stop spinning. The revealed symbol can be the missing link to forming a win.
Jumping Symbols
Jumping symbols switch positions while the reels are spinning or after they stop. Their final destination can prove to be a position in which you form a winning combination or trigger a win.
Split and Expanding Symbols
All symbols in slots have a 1×1 layout. That means that they take one spot on the grid. Expanding symbols are larger than that. They can have a layout of up to 2×2. On the other hand, split symbols are the opposite. One spot on the grid can contain up to 4 of these symbols.
Locked Symbols
When symbols lock, they remain at the same position while the reels are spinning. You can think of them as the complete opposites of jumping symbols.
Paylines
Just as we mentioned earlier, paylines represent the positions in which you will form wins with the symbols. A slot can have fixed or adjustable paylines. To add to that, slots can vary based on the number of paylines that they have:
- 243 win ways
- 720 win ways
- 1,024 win ways
- 46,656 win ways
- 117,649 win ways
Free Spins
Free spins is the most popular online slot feature. In most cases, if you want to trigger them, you must land at least 3 Scatters on the reels. They are played with the same bet that triggers them. Once you activate them, the reels spin automatically and all wins are combined at the end.
Re-spins
A re-spin is not the same bonus mode as free spins. While free spins give you multiple extra spins, a re-spin will give you just a few. Moreover, in many cases, you cannot re-trigger them.
Bonus Round
Bonus rounds can hide tons of rewards. These can include multipliers, cash rewards, extra free spins, multi-level jackpots, etc. Each slot has different rules in terms of triggering the bonus round, so make sure you read the paytable.
Progressive and Standard Jackpots
The biggest reward in every online slot UK is the jackpot. Each game can have a progressive or a standard jackpot. A standard (fixed) jackpot means that its maximum exposure has a limit. Progressive jackpots don’t.
Mega Moolah is one of the most popular progressive jackpot slots and several British players have won millions of pounds by playing it.
Gamble
This mode is extremely popular with high rollers. It allows you to go double or nothing. Let’s say that you play a certain UK slot game and you spin the reels. You win a certain reward and the gamble mode immediately activates.
If you go forth with it, you can choose between 2 cards. If you guess the right one, you double your winnings. However, if you lose, you will also forfeit the amount that you won in the first place.
Buy Feature
Certain slots will allow you to purchase the main bonus feature. In many cases, the main feature is free spins. The good thing about using the Buy feature is that it will also result in an increased Return to Player rate.
Nudging Reels
A nudge allows you to change the outcome of a spin. You do that by shifting reel positions. The number of nudges that you receive depends on the slot itself. Apart from nudging reels, you can also come across games that have nudging symbols.
Tumbling Reels/Avalanches
This feature has several names. Tumbling reels, avalanches, drop downs and cascading reels are the most common terms. Basically, when you form a winning combination, the symbols that triggered the win disappear. Then, the ones above them drop down and take their place. This process is called tumbling reels/avalanches/cascades.
Autoplay and Turbo Mode
Autoplay and turbo mode allow you to speed up the gameplay. When you turn on autoplay, you set a number of automatic spins at a certain bet. With turbo mode, you need to manually press the spin button, but the reels uncover the outcome much faster.
Multipliers
Multipliers multiply your wins. They can be a standout bonus feature or they can accompany a different bonus feature. They can also be fixed or progressive. A progressive multiplier is present
Megaways
The Megaways mechanic is created by Big Time Gaming. With it, the number of paylines changes on every spin and it can go as high as 117,649. Slots that have this mechanic usually have a special horizontal reel that generates new symbols and adds paylines. Megaways slots also feature the tumbling reels mode.
Infinity Reels
Speaking of mechanics, it is worth sharing a word or two on Infinity Reels. This mechanic is created by ReelPlay. Each time you trigger a win, an extra reel is added to the grid. As the name itself states, there’s no cap on the number of reels that you can add.
Coins
When you look at the betting ranges, they are expressed in GBP or coins. If the slot features coins, then that means that you wager a certain coin per payline. So, if the slot has a minimum bet of 0.01 coin and it features 10 paylines, then that means that the minimum bet is £0.10.
Theme
When we talk about slot diversity, the theme is usually the first thing that pops up. These games come in all shapes and sizes. Wild West, ancient Egypt, ocean, adventure, apocalyptic, futuristic, Ancient Greece, mythology, and fruity themes are just a fraction of the themes that you can come across.
Volatility and RTP
The volatility and RTP will indicate how rewarding the slot is. The average RTP rate of these games is 96%. That means that when you play the title for a long period, you can expect £96 in return for every £100 that you wager. Of course, the higher the RTP is, the better it is for you.
On the other hand, volatility is an indicator of the maximum jackpot exposure and bet limits. Slots have three main volatility levels:
- Low
- Medium
- High
Highly volatile slots have massive jackpot exposures and higher maximum bet limits. That comes at a price, though. The jackpot drops rarely in these games. Slots with lower volatility are the opposite – they do not have massive exposures, but the jackpots drop far more often.
Random Number Generators
One of the biggest issues in the gambling industry is game rigging. However, UK online casinos lead the battle against this type of corruption. They do that by using Random Number Generators supplied by independent agencies.
An RNG will create a random outcome of a round as soon as you spin the reels. That is how UK players can rest assured knowing that their chances of winning are the same as all other users playing a certain slot.
How to Play Online Slots?
Learning how to play slots is rather simple. There are just a few things that UK players ought to remember. After you get familiar with these steps, you will have no issue mastering the gameplay of your chosen title. Bonus Casino Sites is there to provide you with all details related to slots and hence, we are more than happy to share these steps.
Step 1 – Read Bonus Casino Sites’ Slot Reviews
The first thing you should do is take a look at our comprehensive slot reviews. They will give you vital information related to the paytable, gameplay, graphics, compatibility, as well as the provider of the game. You can use this information to determine whether the title fits your preferences.
Step 2 – Read the Paytable of the Slot
If it does, make sure you get familiar with the paytable of the slot. In most cases, the paytable will feature the following information:
- Symbol payouts
- Jackpot exposure
- How to trigger bonuses
- Number of paylines
- RTP and volatility
Our reviews have all of these details but it is also important to read them when accessing the game to see if you can find any extra information that you might be interested in.
Step 3 – Try the Slot’s Demo Version
Before you try the slot for real money, make sure you give its demo version a spin or two. The slot may seem like a perfect pick on paper, but the practical approach might give you a different experience.
The beauty of playing demo slots is the fact that you won’t spend any real money. Playing it is totally free of charge. If you are pleased with the gameplay, then you can proceed to the fourth step.
Step 4 – Find a Reputable UK Online Casino
When playing for real money, you must make sure that you access the most secure UK online casino. This means that the operator must utilize the latest SSL encryption protocol and hold a licence from the UKGC. Check out what else the casino has to offer in terms of payment options and bonuses and promotions.
Step 5 – Register an Account and Deposit Funds
Luckily, signing up at UK online casinos is fast and simple. You will not waste more than a minute of your time. Access the official website of the casino and click on the registration button. Fill in the required fields and accept the T&Cs. Once you finalize the process, you can proceed to depositing money.
Each UK casino site features tons of payment methods. Keep in mind that the UKGC banned credit cards. Hence, you cannot use them to transfer funds. Online casinos also have a minimum deposit requirement. Once you enter the amount, confirm the transaction. Each deposit is instant.
Step 6 – Claim a Bonus and Play the Game
UK online casinos offer a variety of bonuses and promotions. If you are a new player to the platform, you will likely have the chance to claim its welcome bonus. You can use the extra funds and/or free spins to play your favourite game. Search for the game in the operator’s library and access it. Set your preferred bet and click on the spin button.
Can You Use Strategies to Win At Slots?
When playing online casino games like poker and blackjack, you can implement certain strategies. A strategy will not guarantee you a win, but it will increase the chances of one. The big question here is whether you can use some of these strategies to win while playing online slots.
Since slots are purely based on luck, there are hardly any strategies that we can mention. Random Number Generators and provably fair gaming concepts make sure that the gameplay and outcome of every title is as random as you can imagine.
Online Slot Tips
We might not have any specific slot strategies, but we can share some tips for playing these games. They will help you have a more pleasant experience and ensure that you manage your bankroll smartly. Let’s have a look at them.
Determine Your Preferred Volatility
Earlier, we talked about how the volatility rate can influence the jackpot. High rollers prefer highly volatile slots because they are always after the biggest rewards. Casual players prefer medium volatile slots and newbies usually choose low volatility. Determine what type of player you are and filter UK slots based on their volatility.
Many Bonus Features Do Not Always Increase Your Rewards
Often, people think that the more bonus features the slot has, the higher the potential for rewards is. That is not always the case. True, some slots have a variety of in-game bonuses. You might come across free spins, bonus rounds, re-spins, mystery rewards, multipliers, etc.
However, quantity does not always equal quality. In fact, extra bonus features might make the gameplay more complicated and thus, harder for you to win rewards. That is why you should prefer slots that have just a few bonuses.
Use Bonuses and Promotions To Your Advantages
Casino sites UK also offer various promotions. Some of the promos that apply to online slots are free spins, match bonuses, reload bonuses and bonus money. They will potentially increase your winnings, so make sure that you use them to your advantage.
For example, free spins give you the chance to access your favourite slot and play it for real money without wagering any real money.
Whichever promotion you’re using, read its terms first. They will tell you what you need to do to claim it and later, withdraw winnings made with it. Pay extra attention to wagering requirements. They indicate how much real money you must stake at the casino before cashing out. The lower they are, the better.
Limit the Time and Budget
One of the best ways to make sure that you play responsibly is to limit your time and budget on the slot. If you cross any of these two, then quit for the day. Sometimes, players can get caught up in the game and lose track of time. This is the path to developing gambling addiction and you should make sure that it does not happen to you.
Never Chase After Wins or Losses
From time to time, you might end up on a winning or losing streak. If you are on a winning streak, you might think that luck will continue following you. If you are on a losing streak, you might think that the jackpot is just around the corner.
Both of these states of mind are wrong. If you end up winning a certain amount, call it a day while you are still ahead. If you lost the last couple of spins, never chase after the loss. Turn off the game and continue playing some other day.
Final Thoughts
Online slots are by far the most popular casino games in the UK. Their simplicity and rewards attract players from every corner of the country. Thanks to Bonus Casino Sites, you can find which of these games offer decent rewards and have unique gameplay. By reading our reviews, you will also enjoy an unbiased opinion on a game of this character.
If you like what a certain slot has to offer, make sure you try the demo version of the game. That is how you will have a hands-on experience with the title without damaging your balance. If the slot meets or exceeds your expectations, you can proceed to try it out for real money.
FAQ
Where can I play the best UK online slots?
You can play the best UK online slots at the most reputable casino sites. These are platforms that are supplied by some of the most respected software providers, hold a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission and feature rewarding promotions.
What is the average RTP for slots online?
The average slot RTP is 96%. That means that for every £100 you wager over time, you will have a return investment of £96. The math behind this slot feature is that the higher the RTP is, the better your payouts are.
Can I play slots for free?
Yes, tons of platforms will allow you to play slots for free. When playing demo slots, keep in mind that you are also not eligible to win real money rewards. Free slots are a good way to get introduced to the gameplay without damaging your cash balance.
Are online slots safe and fair?
Slots that are created by reputable providers and available at licenced online casinos are safe and fair. They use RNGs, which create random outcomes for every round. Thanks to that, your chances of winning are the same as every other UK player.
Which UK slots are mobile-friendly?
These days, a vast majority of slots utilize the latest HTML5 technology. That means that you can play them from any mobile or tablet device. The gameplay does not differ from desktop devices. You only need to make sure that your connection to the Internet is stable.
Why should I read Bonus Casino Sites’ slot reviews?
Bonus Casino Sites is a team of players for players. We know how important it is to provide casino enthusiasts with the correct information and that is why we always include unbiased and unfiltered opinions in our reviews. You can rely on our honesty. Not only that but the details in our reviews can help you determine whether a certain title is a good fit for you.
