Best online slots for 2023

Here are the top 10 real money slots in terms of highest payout percentage:

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.

• 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!

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:

• 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.

We’ve listed some key dos and don’ts to consider when playing online slots in Canada:

There are many types of online slots casino bonuses, which can enhance your gaming experience. Discover the most common below:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are just some of the many benefits of playing slot machines online:

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.

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:

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:

All the casino sites we recommend must be certified by reputable names such as eCogra to ensure you have a safe gambling session.

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.

Slot games with rolling progressive jackpots are hugely popular, as you can win millions of dollars with a single spin.

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.