Video slots are without a doubt some of the most popular casino games in the online gambling community. While back in the day an online casino would usually feature a similar number of video and classic slots, nowadays online casinos are much more likely to have a significantly more varied offer of video slots compared to classic slots.
By Brodey Sheppard - November 30, 2016
When you’re playing online slots for real cash, of course, you would want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. When we play online and encounter dry spells, we can’t help but think that the game has been rigged. So, does this actually happen in online slots? How can you ensure that you are playing in a fair and secure online casino? Well, we’ve researched all the qualities that make a game or an operator fair to make sure that you get the most out of your money when you’re playing slots online.
Regulated Online Casinos are Guaranteed to be Fair
The sad reality about online slots is the fact that there can be sites and games that are rigged. Like we always say, not all slots sites are made the same. So, when choosing a site to play at, the first thing you have to consider is if the site offers a secure and fair gaming environment. The best way to ensure this is by checking whether a site holds an operating license and if it is registered under a regulatory board. Before these sites acquire their license, they have to go through rigorous testing procedures. Their software and games are tested to be secure and fair. The following are the gaming authorities recognised by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR):
- Curaçao: Curaçao Gaming Control Board
- Alderney: Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- France: Autorite de Regulation Des Jeux en Ligne (ARJEL)
- Gibraltar: Government of Gibraltar, Gaming Division
- Isle of Man: Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
- Italy: Agenzia Delle Dogane e Dei Monopoli (formerly AAMS)
- Malta: Malta Gaming Authority
- United Kingdom: Gambling Commission
Here at HitYah, we only feature the best online slots that are regulated and licensed. Our team of expert slots analysts go through lengths just to review all the features of an online casino. We make sure that we bring you only the best that the industry has to offer so that you will have a pleasurable and rewarding experience online. One of our highly recommended slots sites is Jester Jackpots. It is regulated and licensed by the Government of Gibraltar and it has impeccable features that you will definitely love. When you create an account with Jester Jackpots, you will enjoy up to £600 worth of bonuses along with 100 free spins! Just deposit at least £20 and you will be able to take advantage of these exciting bonuses. Click the button below to start playing now!
Vegas World Free Online Slots
Traditional Slot Machines Vs. Online Video Slots
Slot machines were initially used in brick-in-mortar casinos as an alternative game for casual players since they did not need much strategy or skill. All they have to do is pull a lever and they can start playing. Traditional slot machines in land-based casinos are composed of an elaborate configuration of levers and gears. There is a metal shaft which works as the central element and support of the reels. The reels move, thanks to the shaft which is connected to a handle mechanism. The reels stop spinning through the braking system. Sensors then communicate the results to the payout system. It is common knowledge that every pull of the handle keeps the reel combinations random and fair.
When video slots were created, they were designed to resemble traditional slots. However, there’s a different process working inside these games to make the combinations random. Video slots in brick and mortar casinos use micro-chips that are designed to use software which carry a random number generator (RNG). Whether you’re playing in a land-based casino or an online casino, you can rest assured that the RNG will give you a fair chance at landing a winning combination.
Online Slot Machines with Random Number Generators (RNGs)
If you want to know how online slot machines work, you must learn about Random Number Generators (RNGs). Online slot games that have been tested for fairness use an algorithmic computer system also known as RNGs. This system ensures that the player will only encounter a fair outcome when playing online. Moreover, RNGs also ensure that all players have equal chances of winning. Whenever a player clicks the Spin button, the system provides a random set of “numbers” which are then translated into the results on the screen.
How do RNGs Work?
As soon as you click the Spin button, the RNG starts working, spitting out random numbers. The system takes a starting number – also referred to as the ‘seed number’ – and then utilises a complicated algorithmic system to calculate a random number based on it. The new number then becomes the seed number, and the same algorithm churns out a new number. This process repeats over and over and there is no way to predict the number that will come up next. Now, it is important to mention that these numbers can be huge. In the industry, the typical RNGs work with random numbers that have over 200,000 digits! There are countless possible outcomes, making it virtually impossible to predict.
However, this system can be flawed. If a player has knowledge of the seed number, they can beat the system. It is worth noting that these numbers are kept secure by gaming software companies. On the other hand, there is still a possibility for an online casino to use a software to rig the numbers in their favour. That is why it is highly important that you only play on sites that use third party auditing services. As we all know, RNGs of online slots can only be as fair as the business that operates them. Make sure that you look for indications that the site has passed third-party testing and auditing. Check whether the site has an e-Commerce and Online Gaming Registration and Assurance (eCOGRA) seal. This organisation provide independent reviews of online casinos to ensure that players know about their level of reliability and fairness.
eCOGRA offers three types of seals:
- Safe and Fair Seal
- Certified Software Seal
- Affiliate Trust Seal
Aside from the aforementioned seals, eCOGRA also provides three supplementary reports such as the Percentage Payout Report, a Randomness Review delivered by an independent auditor and the Certification of a Live Dealer. If you find an online slots site that has acquired any of the three seals mentioned above, you can rest assured that the operator follows fair gaming standards. Consequently, you will know that they will not, in any way, rig their featured slot machine games.
You want to play online slots for real money but don't know where to start. Which casino to trust? Which casino has the best slots? How can I deposit and withdraw money at the casino?
I feel your pain - having been in the position myself at one point - which is why I've done research on the subject. The following are my opinions on which casinos are best for slot machine players.
How I Evaluate Casinos
I like casinos with reasonable payback percentages. And even if a casino had a low payback, I like the ones willing to share that information and allowing players to make educated decisions instead of marketing 'incredible sign-up bonuses' but refusing to publish how expensive playing their machines really is. (It's easy to offer a great bonus when you're making much more money per bet than your competitors.)
With that said, payback is hardly the only quality you should base your opinion on. For instance, slot machine players (in fact, all casino players) need:
- Entertaining games
- Good service
- Beneficial promotions
- Suitable payment options
- Compatible software
Additionally, slot players need to find online casinos that accept players from their countries. (USA players have had some problems finding casinos that accept them.)
Best Casinos for Slot Players
Slotland Casino claims the highest payouts (98%). They haven't had any private testing agency prove the percentage (as all eCogra-approved casinos have, for example) but I believe they're telling the truth.
I'm also impressed with Loco Panda Casino's claim - 97.5%.
These two casinos are easily the highest payout casinos I've found but they're also completely unlike each other. Slotland only has a no-download slots while you can download Loco Panda to your desktop; Slotland has been in business since 1998 while Loco Panda started in 2012. They have one thing in common: both accept players from the USA.
Based on data from the past six months, Spin Palace has returned 95.97% to players, which is a relatively high percentage as well. Spin Palace is wildly popular in Australia and United Kingdom but doesn't accept players from the USA.
Best Online Slot Games
We, as slot players, never play to have a mathematical advantage (otherwise we'd be fools), therefore we value entertainment above all. An online casino needs more than a high payback; it needs to offer entertaining, high-quality games as well.
Slotland has the highest quality games in the browser.
Bovada/Bodog has the highest quality desktop casino games.
... and others still have work to do to reach their level.
Best Customer Service
We have to deal with a high house edge when compared to most of the other casino games - therefore when we contact a casino's customer service, we have can expect to be served in appropriate manner.
Slotland, Loco Panda and Spin Palace all have a great customer service department, which is why I can wholeheartedly recommend them slot players.
Best Bonuses (and Such)
I wrote a separate page comparing online slot machine bonuses which proved to be a useful thing to do, since wagering requirements varied from 13x to 51x depending on the casino.
Interestingly, Slotland - the casino that claims the highest payouts - also has the easiest bonus to clear (you need to wager 13x the deposit amount). You'd think that they can't afford to make bonuses that cheap but they've certainly proved otherwise.
Best Payment Method Selection
All the online casinos that I reviewed had similar deposit and withdrawal options (credit cards, Instadebit, Neteller, Click2Pay, Skrill and ECO Card, wire transfer and cheque).
US players, on the other hand, have one deposit option (credit, debit or gift card, usually VISA, Mastercard and American Express) and two withdrawal options (bank transfer and cheques). The only exception being Bovada, which also accepts Rapid Transfer deposits and withdrawals.
There are differences between how long certain casinos take to process money transactions, how much they charge fees and what are the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits, which will all be addressed on a separate page once I get around to doing the proper amount of research.
Best Mac Online Slots
Bodog/Bovada have done an admirable job when building their Mac casino softwares. If I were to choose my casino based on which has the best online slots for Mac, I would go with one of them depending on whether I live in the US (Bovada) or outside of the US (Bodog).
Slotland offers popular Mac-compatible slots played in the browser (they have no downloadable versions of their software anyway).
Remember when playing slots online to avoid the scammers and choose a reputable site.