Slots Online Guide For US-Players!
Read this complete online slots guide to learn everything you need before you start playing slot machines online.Our Complete Guide to Playing Slots Online
Have you ever wondered why online slot machines are so popular? Online gambling in the USA is a multi-billion-dollar industry even though it remains illegal in most states, the exceptions being New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware and soon Pennsylvania. In this in-depth article, we intend to shed light on the fuss surrounding slots online. We’ll tell you about the history of its development, the leading software providers, your odds of winning, and where to find the best games.
At JustGamblers.com, we’re a team of gambling experts that’s tried and tested almost all the legitimate online slot machines on the web. We exist to bring all the best games to one place and review the leading casinos so that you can bet with confidence. On this page, you’ll find out about bonuses, the types of slots available, how much money you need to pay, and how to determine which game is right for you. We’ll also guide you on how to start playing if you’re ready to leap into the exciting and thrilling world of online game slots.
Before we delve into specific information surrounding online slot games, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the industry below, from when it became popular to its legal status in the USA. If you need more information, read our online casino reviews, try out the games in our lobby or get in touch with our gambling enthusiasts.
FAQ for Online Slots – Your Questions Answered
Although no federal law bans online slot machines or gambling, most states have their own rules and regulations. Currently, you can play slots online in New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, although we expect Pennsylvania to legalize them soon. We’ll keep you updated as the law changes.
There are thousands of different online slot machines available to play online and dozens of software developers behind their creation. Some individual developers have created several hundred slot machine games and provide them to hundreds of different online casinos. You can break slot games down into categories including pokies, fruit machines, classic slots, 3D slots, video slots, and AWP slots.
In some cases, there is virtually no difference between real slot machines and online versions. However, many online developers create their games to be more immersive regarding sound and vision than real casinos do, mainly because software platforms allow them to. You can also take part in progressive slot games that include players from around the world when you play online. In some cases, gamers can win jackpots worth millions by playing those types of slot machines.
Yes! Most slot machine developers publish their ‘return to player’ (RTP) statistics upon releasing a new game so that you can see your odds of winning. Of course, the house will always have an edge because online casinos are in the business to make money. However, many games have an RTP as high as 98%. This means that if you were to place 100 individual $10 bets, you could expect to make $980.
Provided you play at a regulated online casino, you can feel confident that their games aren’t rigged. Prestigious organizations across the world monitor all legal online casinos. 888 Casino, for example, was the first online casino featuring slot machines to become regulated in the US (New Jersey). Software developers must create their games using random number generator (RNG) software, which ensures the outcomes of each spin of the reels can’t be predicted or rigged.
Whether you’re searching for an authentic casino experience or a virtual gaming experience with a difference, you’ll be able to find a slot game that suits your interests. Many games are themed, whether they’re based on your favorite Disney adventures or Marvel characters. There are also virtual slot machines with three, five, six, and seven reels. You’ll learn more about the types of game available by reading this in-depth guide.
When selecting an online casino to start playing slots, you need to bear in mind usability, variety of games, deposit and withdrawal methods, sign-up process, security, fairness and much more. As you might expect, finding the right casino for your personality and interests can be daunting, which is why the experts here at JustGamblers have made this straightforward. We’ve tested, reviewed and scored all the leading casinos on the web to help you home in on the best one for you.
If you decide you want to start spinning the reels with real money or for free after reading this guide, you can either play one of the games in our games lobby or head to your preferred casino and create an account. We’ll detail the basics of creating online casino accounts on this page. If you want to find out the specific process of signing up to a particular online casino, you’ll find everything you need to know in our in-depth reviews.
Introducing the World of Online Slots
Ever wondered whether you can make a profit on slot machines and why the industry of online gaming is only rising in popularity? Do you want to know who develops the world’s most played games and how you can trust they’re not rigged to give the house an unfair advantage? In this guide, we’ll provide the answers to all those questions and more. We’ll also discuss how you can start playing, whether you’re allowed to do so in your state, and which type of games are available. We’re confident you’ll soon understand why online slot machines are taking the world by storm.
You can choose from literally thousands of slot machines online, many of which are featured on our website. However, read this guide before you start gambling with your hard-earned cash.
Is Playing Online Slots Risky?
Just like real casinos, you won’t win cash every time you play online slots, and the house will always have a slight advantage. However, your chances of winning while playing online slot machines are the same as when playing at a real casino. Software developers use random number generator (RNG) software to develop their games, ensuring the outcome of each spin can’t be predicted or rigged. Moreover, all casinos listed on our website are certified and regulated by respected bodies.
You should remember that slots online are meant to be for fun – don’t play them expecting to win enough to make your living, and never gamble with more money than you can afford. Online casinos are for-profit businesses, and they will entice you to keep playing their slot games for as long as possible to maximize their profits.
Live slot games can be thrilling, and you can play them using any device with a mobile connection at most online casinos. If you don’t want to gamble with too much of your cash, you can take part in low-stakes games, where you can spin the reels for as little as a few cents per turn.
What Kind of Slot Machine Games Are Available?
Almost any slot machine game you’d expect to find in a casino is now available to play online. There are now hundreds – if not thousands – of slot machines you can play at any of the websites listed in our directory, all of which have been reviewed and tested by our gambling enthusiasts. When trying to figure out which type of slot game to play, you should factor:
- Denominations
This refers to how much you need to pay to spin the reels of a slot machine. Standard denominations include pennies, nickels, dollars, quarters, and high limits.
- Number of Reels
The spinning symbols on a slot machine are called reels. Traditional slot games typically have three reels, but some have up to seven. You can choose to play a slot game with three, five, six or seven reels at most online casinos. Generally, the more reels available to spin, the higher the potential win.
- Game Type
Nowadays, in addition to traditional slot games, you can play highly immersive games with captivating sounds and 3D video effects. Some of the most popular categories of online slot games include Classic Slots, Pokies, Video Slots, Fruit Machines, AWP Slots and 3D Slots.
Documents Required to Play Online Slots
The same laws that apply to gambling apply to online slots for real money. Depending on where you are, you’ll likely need to prove your age and location to start playing slots for cash. Playing slots usually requires signing up to an online casino. In general, to complete your registration, you’ll need the following:
- Your name and address
- Your contact details, such as email and phone number
- A unique username and a password (which you should never share)
- Your social security number
Online casinos use your social security number to verify your age, but all the reputable sites we’ve reviewed never share them with any other party or print them on documents or feature them in emails. You can find out how to sign up to specific online casinos in the USA by reading our individual casino reviews.
Don’t be surprised if you’re asked for additional documents to claim winnings – some casinos may need to request additional documents, such as proof of ID and location, to deposit funds into your bank account legally. The top-rated online casinos usually make this process as convenient and prompt as possible.
The Legality of Online Slots in the US
In most states, the laws surrounding paid slot machine games fall under the same regulations as gambling. On a federal level, no law explicitly prohibits online gambling, though – for now – most states have outlawed most variations of it. Notably, New Jersey is currently the hub of online casinos, with 888 Casino being the first to be licensed and regulated by the state. While most casinos will allow you to sign up to play online slots for real money from any location, they may not let you gamble until you’re within the borders of NJ.
In addition to NJ, online gambling has been at least partially legalized in Nevada (the world’s mecca of real casinos) and Delaware. However, we expect that Pennsylvania will legalize online gambling in the near future. Always check your state’s laws before signing up to an online casino and playing for real money. Even if you can bypass your local laws using a VPN or proxy, casinos may withhold earnings if they suspect foul play or illegal activity. In most states where online gambling is illegal, the laws target vendors rather than players.
A Brief History of Online Slot Machines
Online casinos probably represent the most significant advance in modern slot machine history. While the first real slot machine (Liberty Bell) was invented in 1895, online game slots became mainstream in the world of gambling in the 1990s, but their popularity is still soaring. In some ways, many slots on the internet still work much like the Liberty Bill machine in that they feature three reels that include graphics or numbers on each card. Spin the reels hope your numbers or graphics match, and you’ll win some money.
Thanks to the rise of the internet, there are now thousands of slot games you can play online, whether from the comfort of your own home or using a mobile device. Many people prefer virtual slot games over land-based machines because there are more possibilities of game variations available thanks to technological advancements. One notable thing that online slot players can do online and not in a real casino, is participating in progressive online slot games, which essentially link thousands of players to the same game and allow one lucky player to win a huge jackpot – millions of dollars in some cases.
Where Can I Play Online Slots Games?
Due to the sheer number of online casinos that all offer hundreds of unique slot games, finding the right website that meets your interests can be tricky, to say the least. At JustGamblers, we’re more than aware that browsing through endless slot games can be frustrating when you want to start playing as fast as you can, but we’ve made sure you can find a game that matches your desires easily. Not only have we reviewed all the world’s leading, regulated online casinos, but we’ve also created our own games lobby that allows you to start playing instantly.
If you don’t want to put your money on the line right away, you can take part in free games that offer an experience teaser. Alternatively, you can find an online slot machine that allows you to spin the reels for as little as a cent. Often, you can sign up to websites that offer free welcome bonuses to new players, allowing you to start playing for real cash without depositing any funds into your account. Keep up to date with the latest news at JustGamblers to stay on top of the latest bonuses and campaigns.
How to Find the Best Online Slots
Choosing the most suitable slot game for you largely depends on your goals and personality.
Do you want to play your favorite games from the casinos from your mobile device?
Or, do you want to take part in games that are only possible via powerful software developments?
You also need to consider what kind of wagers you wish to make. With some games, you can spin the reel for a few cents or less, but others require a much more substantial bet.
In addition to the staggering number of online slot machines, you also need to think about the style of play before choosing a game. If you like to play alone on your time, you might want to stick to games that are based on their traditional ‘real’ counterparts. Alternatively, if you’re a slot machine hobbyist and want to play online at the same time as other players while competing for substantial jackpots, you might want to take part in tournaments or progressive slot games.
Choosing the Best Online Slot Machines
Currently, some of the world’s most popular and best online slots games include:
- Starburst
Starburst features five reels across three rows, allowing you to match graphics in multiple directions to win. However, the game’s biggest appeal is arguably its dazzling graphics and sparkling jewels.
- Book of Dead
This online slot game is based on the popular land-based casino game, Book of Ra. However, if you love the traditional games found in the looming Vegas casinos, this virtual version might be right up your alley.
- Bonanza
Bonanza’s theme is mining in the Wild West and hooks players with its fantastic jackpots, amazing 3D graphics and quick gameplay.
- Dead or Alive 2
This is one of the most recent slot game additions from the developer NetEnt. With jackpots as high as $2,000,000 and plenty of free spin features, we expect this game to take off quickly.
- Immortal Romance
This dark and mysterious game takes you on a tale of intrigue and romance to enhance the gaming experience. Many players have likened it to the popular Twilight series.
Where to Find the Best Slot Jackpots
Many slot machine games are reviewed based on their ‘return to player’ (RTP) rate, which in essence refers to how much money a slot machine will pay out to players over its lifetime. For example, if you make 100 $1 bets on a slot machine with an RTP of 85%, you can expect to win $85. Not all slot machine developers publish their payout rates, but some that do include:
- Arabian Nights (RTP: 96.25%)
- Mega Fortune (RTP: 96%)
- Mega Moolah (RTP: 88.12%)
- Hall of Gods (RTP: 95.3%)
- Mega Fortune Dreams (RTP: 95.9%)
- Divine Fortune (RTP: 96.59%)
- Empire Fortune (RTP: 94.3%)
- Genie Jackpot (RTP: 96.49%)
However, just because a slot machine online has a high payout rate doesn’t necessarily mean it offers massive jackpots. The biggest jackpots are on progressive slot games – where building a jackpot is based on thousands of players spinning the reels of the same game – and tournament games. These types of games often have no jackpot limit, but rather base their total jackpots on the takings from any number of players over a specific period. Check out our lobby and casino reviews to find and start playing progressive slot games with insane jackpots.
Slot Games That Offer Little Returns
Sometimes, slot machines entice players more for their gaming experience than their payout rate, but it’s worth being aware of the games that offer a small chance of winning. It’s worth noting that just because a slot game has a lot of RTP doesn’t mean you can’t win big jackpots – it just means you’re less likely to win anything at all. For example, the slot game Wolverine attracts thousands of players that love the Marvel theme and immersive gameplay, but it only has an RTP of 8.14%. If you want to play a game like this, keep in mind that you should be doing so more for the fun of it than the money-winning opportunities.
Some slots with published low RTP rates include:
- Fantastic 4 (RTP: 8.01%) – Another Marvel-themed game, Fantastic 4 lets you play with up to ten lines or coins and offers sudden jackpots, bonus features such as free spins and 50 pay-lines.
- Farmer’s Market (RTP: 8.03%) – This game often receives bad press for its simplistic gameplay and huge house edge.
- Greatest Odyssey (RTP: 5.9 – 26.43%) – This game not only has a low RTP but also lacks free spin features. However, its design is appealing, and the animations are impressive. If you merely want to play slots online for pure entertainment, you might enjoy this game despite having a slim chance of getting your money back.
What Bonuses do Online Casinos Offer for Slot Games?
Typically, slot machines have an RTP of between 82 and 98%. However, while real casinos entice guests with their glitzy interiors, endless rows of slot machines and the chance to interact with people in-person, online casinos attract new players – and keep existing players spinning the reels – by offering a range of bonuses. While bonuses change over time and usually have an expiration date, they typically come in the form of:
- Sign up bonuses – Casinos often give users a set number of free spins when they create an account.
- Deposit matches – Many online casinos will match your deposit by a specific percentage. In some cases, they may double your initial deposit.
- Jackpots – Almost all slot machines offer random and progressive jackpots that can make ordinary players into affluent gamblers in a short period.
- Free spins – Casinos want you to play slots online for as long as possible so they may give you a free spin or two provided you play for a certain period or after a given number of spins.
If you want to remain up to date with the latest slot machine bonuses, keep tuned into what our experts say about the latest games and top-rated online casinos.
The Prominent Online Slots Software Developers
Some of the world’s most popular slot machine game developers – each of which supplies games to many of the leading online casinos in the US – include:
- NetEnt
NetEnt is well-known for its colorful video games and exceptional sounds and graphics. It has over 1,000 employees and serves over 170 online casinos. Some of its most notable slots include Dead or Alive, Starburst, Aliens, and Scarface.
- Microgaming
Many people consider Microgaming to be the ultimate developer of slot machine games for online casinos. Over 600 casinos use its software, and the developer has so far created over 850 games, such as Jurassic Park, Tarzan, and Jungle Gym. It also boasts the world’s largest progressive jackpot network which has given players nearly $1 billion since its launch.
- IGT
International Gaming Technology is an American slot machine and casino game developer with an impressive portfolio of hundreds of slot games. Five Times Pay is one of the top-rated slot machines with three reels in the industry.
- QuickSpin
QuickSpin’s ethos is ‘quality over quantity,’ so while it offers fewer slot machine games than many of its rivals, you can expect a fantastic gaming experience when playing slots such as Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, and Sindbad.
- NextGen Gaming
Established in 1999, NextGen is one of the most well-established developers in the industry, and most of its games have an impressive RTP of between 95 to 98%.
- Playtech
Playtech is one of the world’s largest developers and suppliers of online casino games, and its suite of games includes over 250 of the best online slots.
How to Start Playing Online Slot Machines
Have you decided that you want to discover what all the fuss is surrounding slot machines? If so, sign up to your favorite casino by reading our reviews. Alternatively, choose from hundreds of slot machines that are available to play here at JustGamblers.com. If you’re wondering which casino to choose, check out what our experts have to say. We only direct gamblers to the world’s best casinos that rank highly in categories including safety, security, fairness, usability, and variety.
If you haven’t quite decided whether slots are right for you, or if you want to find the best online casino for US players, you can either try a few free casino games or contact our professionals for more information. Our job is to put your mind at ease, which is why we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Remember – it’s always better to try games that are either free or cost just a few cents to play first so that you don’t lose hundreds of dollars on a game that doesn’t provide the experience you want. Gambling should be fun – not an expensive habit. If you’re ready to test your luck and spin the reels of the best online casino slots, we welcome you to select any game from our lobby and start playing within minutes.