Best online slots for 2023
From classic 3-reel games to the latest video slots, we’ve got it all. Discover the best online slots in Canada for real money with our extensive collection of over 14,000 games!
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Best payout slots for Canadian players in 2023
Here are the top 10 real money slots in terms of highest payout percentage:
Online slots explained
By now, you’ll hopefully have a better idea of which casinos and games to look for when you’re on your real money online slots journey. Before the fun starts, though, let us brief you on some of the less fun, but important-to-know slots particulars.
A quick guide to online slots
Online slots are simulations of physical slot machines. Gameplay is as simple as betting on a 'spin' on the slot machine (which has reels with symbols) and if the symbols form a winning combination, you’re in luck. Slots are games of chance, so you can’t apply any strategies to influence the outcome.
The term 'slot' became synonymous with these games because of the coin slot that featured on physical slot machines. Funnily enough, vending machines are believed to have gone by the same name until the late 20th century when slot machines originated and stole the title.
Online slot games operate similarly to physical slot machine games. They often, however, offer a wider range of features, such as bonus games, wilds and scatters.
In Canada, online slots are arguably the most popular of the real money casino games. Why? Well, there’s no complex strategy to learn, the gameplay is straightforward, minimum deposits can be as low as $1 and a typical jackpot is in the range of four figures. Some of the most popular online slot machines in Canada include Netent’s Starburst, Book of Dead by Play’n Go and Microgaming’s Immortal Romance.
Another advantage of online slots is the ease at which you can find a reliable online casino, such as those we’ve recommended on this page, and the speed at which you’ll be signed up and ready to hit that spin button!
How to play online slots
Now that you’ve got an understanding of how online slots work, here’s a step-by-step guide to how to play slots online:
First, click on the 'play now' button under any of the online casino slot games or casinos we've recommended above, such as JackpotCity, Spin Casino and Ruby Fortune, and sign up.
Many online casinos offer a deposit match bonus – so you could get a small percentage or the entirety of your first deposit added to your wallet before you begin. Take time to read through the terms and conditions and/or wagering requirements before you make a choice.
Pick a game from the list of real money slots on offer. The best slots to play in terms of popularity are usually promoted on your chosen site.
Once you've chosen your game, you must specify your stake level, ie how much you want to bet, and how many spins you want to make. You can bet on one spin or a whole batch of spins, dependent on your bankroll.
Finally, click 'spin' and hope that the symbols line up in your favour. Every online slot game has multiple symbol combinations – or paylines – that can win you money. All you need to do is sit back and wait to see if you scoop a payout.
Common slots terminology
Reels: The spinning indicators on a slot machine display the symbols. The entire principle of slots is built around what appears on reels.
3-reel slot: A slot machine or online slot with three spinning reels. These are the most common slot type and are also known as ‘classic’ slots.
Bet min/max: The lowest or highest amounts you can bet per spin, respectively.
Payline: A real or virtual line that is drawn across the reels of a slot. There can be single or multiple paylines.
One-liner: A single-payline slot where you must line up matching symbols to win.
RTP: Short for 'return to player', which is a representation of how much money you can win, on average, over your time playing. It is displayed as a percentage.
Free spins: A slots feature that is almost exclusive to online slot games, where players are given free spins at random or when certain combinations are hit.
Bonuses: An exclusive online casino feature where the operator gives you a complimentary reward in or outside of the game.
Hit: Colloquially used to refer to when you win. Extends to 'hit frequency', which is a measure of how frequently you will win a prize of any kind.
Progressive jackpot: A jackpot amount that keeps growing as players lose, until one lucky winner bags it all with a jackpot combo. You can find out more about progressive slots here.
Fixed jackpot: A jackpot amount that doesn't change with player activity.
Penny slots: Slot games that offers one-cent bets.
Mobile slots: Online real money slot games accessible via mobile devices.
Payout: The amount of money you’ll receive for a winning combination of symbols.
Cash out: The term for when you finish playing and want to withdraw your purse. This option is always available – whether you're up or down.
What to look out for when playing slots
We’ve listed some key dos and don’ts to consider when playing online slots in Canada:
Learn slot game rules, what the RTP indicates and wagering requirements
Remember that slots are games of chance and the outcome is determined by an RNG (random number generator)
Maximize welcome bonuses (but check the T&Cs first!)
Find free online slots to familiarize yourself with gameplay before betting real money
Be disciplined with your gambling budget – learn the essentials of managing a bankroll
Avoid big bets or concurrent small bets on unfamiliar games – this is a sure-fire way to dry up your bankroll quickly
Sign up to online casinos without doing your research. Play at a licensed and regulated casino, as per those in our toplist
Eye tempting slots casino bonuses with suspicion – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is
Don't bet big amounts and expect big returns. Gambling can be incredibly fun, but is by no means a guaranteed path to riches
Chase progressive jackpots – these require big budgets and plenty of patience
Types of slot bonuses
There are many types of online slots casino bonuses, which can enhance your gaming experience. Discover the most common below:
Welcome bonus
Many online casinos offer welcome bonuses that are usually ‘match deposits’. This means you'll need to wager a minimum amount on games, such as slots, to claim the offer.
Free spins
As part of the welcome offer, some online casinos also offer free spins to use on slot games. You won’t be required to wager a minimum amount – and you can still win real money.
No deposit bonus
This bonus comes in the form of free spins or real money, which you can claim when you sign up. Unlike match bonuses, you’re not required to deposit any of your money at all with a no-deposit bonus and can win cash without risk.
VIP / loyalty bonus
These bonuses are usually available after you spend a certain amount at a casino. As you work your way up a VIP loyalty program, you can win various prizes including free spins on slot games.
Bonus rounds
These bonuses are activated during the slot game. You’ll sometimes get access to features such as bonus games, free spins or progressive jackpots for no extra cost.
Advantages of playing online slots
Here are just some of the many benefits of playing slot machines online:
Vast choice: Game developers are consistently pushing out innovative new games, which are quickly snapped up by online real money casinos. There’s fierce competition in the online slots industry, so you’re spoilt for choice.
Higher payouts: Online slots are generally more lucrative than their physical counterparts due to relatively lower operator costs. For instance, a player won upwards of $16 million playing Mega Moolah on JackpotCity in 2020!
Tons of payment methods: With a top-tier online slots website, you will usually have a variety of payment methods to choose from. Withdrawal processes after big wins are also generally easier to track and manage online.
Safety and support: One of our most important criteria when rating the best online slots in Canada is the security and support offered by an online casino. The best slot sites, like those we’ve recommended, are licensed, regulated and offer easy-to-access, engaged customer services.
Browse expert slot game reviews
Discover the best slot game providers
OGCA’s top tips for winning at online slots
Many people want to know the answer to how to win at slots. While there is sadly no ‘best slot strategy’ for winning, being ultimately a game of chance, here are a few key tips to help you get the most out of the experience:
1. Practise online slots for free
By playing free online slots, you can familiarize yourself with different games before you feel comfortable enough to wager real money.
2. Take advantage of casino bonuses
All top gambling sites will have a welcome offer that includes a match deposit bonus, and even free spins. Make sure to activate these when signing up.
3. Look for slots with a high RTP
The higher the RTP (return to player) on a slot game, the better your odds are of winning real money. Any slot payout percentage above 96% is favourable.
4. Check the slot game features
Look out for online slot games with multiple paylines, low to medium volatility and bonus features. These extra features should increase your chances of winning.
5. Set a budget and stick to it
Never exceed your financial limits when betting. It is best to set yourself an amount you can afford to lose, then never bet more than that total.
Real money vs free slots
Fundamentally, the biggest difference between online slots real money and free slots is that you can't win actual money with the latter. The gaming element itself remains the same, but there are some subtle variations and pros and cons listed below:
How we rate slots sites
Our team of experts continuously tests online casinos in Canada, to find those best suited to playing slots for real money. The criteria we cross-check these casinos against are as follows:
Online casino security
All the casino sites we recommend must be certified by reputable names such as eCogra to ensure you have a safe gambling session.
Slot game library
It wouldn’t be a top slots site without a sizeable selection of quality games. We make sure there are hundreds or even thousands of titles by premium game developers.
Progressive jackpot slots
Slot games with rolling progressive jackpots are hugely popular, as you can win millions of dollars with a single spin.
Payment method options
When withdrawing and depositing real money at an online casino, it’s important to have a wide selection of veritable banking methods such as Visa cards and e-wallets.
FAQS
Online slots at casino sites are totally random and have no memory as they use RNGs (Random Number Generators). So, you can rest assured of a safe and secure gambling experience.
Casino slot games and slots online are different only on one major front: online slots are powered by RNGs (random number generators), while casino slots are generally mechanical.
Yes, as long as you play slots at a reputable online casino. You can check out our recommended slot gambling sites further up on this page. These online casinos will be certified by gambling regulators such as eCogra, and licensed by local governments including Malta, UK and Gibraltar.
No, as long as you play at an established online casino, slot games are run by a Random Number Generator (RNG). That means that payouts are totally random, so there is little-to-no skill involved in playing slots.
Our experts at OGCA have found that the following online casinos, offering great bonus offers and a wide variety of games, are best suited for playing slots:
JackpotCity Casino
Spin Casino
Ruby Fortune
Europa Casino
Betway Casino
Simply sign up to one of our recommended slots casino sites and enter your payment details for depositing and withdrawing any real money. Make sure to take advantage of any welcome bonuses and free spins, where you have the chance to win cash for nothing.
Yes, you can play slot games for free on this page. Most top gambling sites also offer a free demo version of their games, but sometimes you won’t be able to access them until you sign up. You can also check out our free slots page, where you can choose from over 11,500 titles. You won’t need to download any software or sign up to an online casino to do this.
It’s best to deposit enough money to last you about 250 bets if you plan to play for a couple of hours. If you're just starting, a good bet size is 20 cents per spin, which means you must deposit $50.
Progressive jackpot slots are special games that feature an extra prize, sometimes worth millions of dollars. The game takes a little bit from every player’s bets, and puts it towards the ever-increasing pot prize. The jackpot gets bigger and bigger until someone wins it, and then it resets. One lucky player actually won $5.9million through our site while playing Mega Moolah. Some of the best progressive jackpot slots to play, along with Mega Moolah, include Quick Hit and Gladiator.
RTP is short for 'return to player'. It’s displayed as a percentage and represents how much money you would win on average if you played real money slots over some time.
Generally, progressive jackpot slots have the highest payouts, depending on their prize at the time. Other video slot games that have a Return to Player (RTP) of over 96% are also well worth trying, as you have a better chance of winning. You can check out our list of slot games with the highest payout percentages further up on this page.
Mega Moolah, which is a progressive jackpot slot game, has hosted many famous wins.
Absolutely. Sometimes you can get the best slots experience by playing on mobile, as you can do so on the go and with ease. You can play mobile slots for free or real money. Many casino sites now allow you to play real money slots through a dedicated app, as well as having a mobile-optimised site.