Slots

Slots by Michael Shackleford aka Wizard of Odds

The first gambling machine that could indisputably be called a slot machine was a simple, three-reel game titled Liberty Bell. It was invented by Charles Fey in San Francisco around 1896. Back then, slots were often confined to bars and sometimes paid out prizes instead of coins to get around anti-gambling laws.

In 1963, Bally Gaming created the first electronic slot machine, allowing for faster game play and larger jackpots. The first video slot machine, whose name I don't know, was created by the Fortune Coin Company in 1976. Its first placement was at the Las Vegas Hilton. Then, in 1996, WMS created the first bonus round as part of the game Reel 'Em In, which is still alive and well today.

Land Based Slots

Today, land based slot machines are a major form of casino revenue. At the time of this writing, slot machines (including all types of machine games) had 74% greater revenue than all other forms of gambling combined in the state of Nevada, based on the 12 month period ending Jan. 31, 2017*. So, it would be easy to say that slot machines are big business.

Online Slots

In the world of Internet casinos, online slot machines also provide a huge percentage of the business for operatiors. Many software providers clearly put an emphasis on slot machines, as evidenced by the sheer number of options, sophisticated graphics, and game designs compared to table games. In fact, many software providers focus solely on slot machines creation. At online casinos, video slots, sometimes called "pokies," make up the vast majority of slot games. Most are rather dated compared to what is currently available in land casinos, at least in my opinion.

At the end of the day, the latest slot machines are very much like the original Liberty Bell -- glorified spinning reels. Random numbers determine where the reels stop, the machine scores whatever patterns are formed on the screen, and the player is paid accordingly. The math is carefully done to ensure the theoretical average win hits a desired target, like 92%.

Mathematically speaking, slot machines are a lousy bet. Returns can vary widely but most fall in the range of 88% to 95%. That equates to a house edge of 5% to 12%.Compare that to many table games and video poker with a house edge under 1%. To make matters worse, slot machines have a very fast rate of play, so expected losses per hour can mount quickly. To anybody looking to stretch his gambling dollar, I highly recommend leaving the spinning reels alone and switching to a game that requires some skill, like blackjack or video poker.

However, I've been preaching that to slot players for 20 years and I don't think I have made a convert yet. Something about the spinning reels seems to hypnotize slot players into a state of bliss that no other game can compare to.

Our Resources

If you must play slot machines we suggest selecting one with a high payout % which can be compared here. We hope the other resources available here will help you find games and casinos to your liking:

• Slots Bonuses
• Slots Tournaments
• Slots Jackpots
• Slots Guides
• Free Slots

One good thing about slot machines is Internet casinos love slot players, because they are so profitable, so players are rewarded with the best bonuses. Here we show you what we feel are some of the best bonuses and at the most reputable casinos. Wherever you end up playing, remember to keep it fun and in moderation.

Types

Whether you call them Slots, Pokies, Fruit Machines or One Arm Bandits, one thing that’s unanimous among players, the games are a popular choice for many across the world. There are many variations including but not limited to:

• Classic or Traditional Slots: three reels with 1, 3, 5 or 9 line pays
• Video Slots: typically 5 reels with up to 100 lines or more
• Themed Slots: ranging from Action, Romance, Sci-Fi, Movies, Celebrities, TV Shows and more
• Bonus Slots: more chances to win with features like Free Spins, Scatters, Wild Symbols and Bonus Games
• 3D Slots: realistic graphics including animated characters that seem to come to life
• Progressive Jackpots: a percentage of all wagers placed goes towards the prize pool and continues to grow until it is won

There are a growing number of contemporary Slots with 243 Ways up to over 1024 Ways to Win and some that reach even higher. Coin denominations start at $.01, $.25, $.50, $1.00, $5.00 and high limit. If the lack of skill doesn’t grab your attention, the bells, whistles, colorful graphics might.

* source: gaming.nv.gov

Top 5 Real Money Online Slots

Despite the growing appetite for more complex online slots rich in engaging features and mechanics (classics and vanilla games no longer cut it) there is one thing we haven’t yet become desensitized to: real money payout potential.

There’s never been more slot games available in the history of online gambling. Making a choice when we have such a wide variety of titles on our disposal is very difficult, so players are increasingly opting for slots that pay the most and that are otherwise massively popular in the community.

In 2022, the options are endless, but we have managed to single out some select choices to satisfy even the most demanding player. Take a look at our list of top 5 real money online slots to play if you’re looking for some serious winning potential, but also overwhelmingly positive player feedback, thrilling mechanics with high volatility and most anticipated releases. What you’ll discover are games with MASSIVE payouts in a single round, inventive features worthy of PC and console games, US-friendly titles and very high RTPs.

Starburst - A Tenacious Contender for the Most Popular Real Money Slot

This slot needs no introduction, but if you’ve been living under a rock and have never heard of it, let us assure you that Starburst is among the most legendary games in the online gambling world and quite a classic among the new generation of products.

It was created in 2012 by NetEnt casino software and offers a perfect blend of classic and innovative features. Gameplay is fast-paced, coupled with low volatility and an RTP of 96.09%, and some serene visuals. Although the payout potential is not the highest that we’ve come across, it is high enough to warrant such enduring interest and dedication to the game years after the official release.

Ugga Bugga - The Closest You'll Get to a 100% RTP

This Playtech’s hit slot is a great choice if you’re looking for the highest payout slot and it is at this moment the highest slot RTP known to us - an impressive 99.07%!

Even though the gameplay of Ugga Bugga is comprised of only one feature – MultiSpin, it is still very engaging and allows quite a bit of strategizing, which makes it potentially highly entertaining.

The Highly Volatile Dead or Alive

Thanks to its free spins bonus round and the coveted Wildline, Dead or Alive by NetEnt has been topping popularity charts ever since the release in 2013. Yes, the game is getting old, but rest assured it is still going strong with no indications of slowing down. With an RTP of 96.8%, high variance and excellent graphics (even by today’s standards), Dead or Alive hasn’t yet lost its charm.

Get five sticky wilds on the same line during the bonus spins, and with a x2 multiplier on all wins, you will get 5 extra rounds with all wilds in position for all the remaining spins. The potential win is massive!

Bandits and Bounties - Anticipated in 2022

This is a US-friendly Wild West themed slot with a serious winning potential. Gameplay is all about Wild symbols and re-spins, and can be quite a dynamic, quick-fire experience with lots of winning combos flashing on the screen.

Add to that a host of multipliers attached to the Wilds on all free spins and you’ll surely enjoy in Bandits and Bounties by Nucleus Gaming!

Space XY - You Haven't Played Something Quite Like This

Space XY offers a new concept in the world of slots and it’s surely something you haven’t experienced before. There are no reels to speak of in this BGaming's release, rather coordinates.

Players must navigate a rocket across the screen, while making sure not to hit multipliers or fly off into deep space. If you manage to do that, you can hope for some decent wins.

The RTP is high at 97% and the max win is x10000, and there is no volatility to speak of.

These are our top real money slot choices based on our vast experience and thousands of games we’ve played. However, the options really are endless and you should definitely explore this vast and colorful world yourself, find games to your liking and share your discoveries with the community!