Best online slots sites UK – April 2024

A top choice for players looking for progressive wins from their slots play, 32Red has a big reputation in the slots world as one of the UK’s best slots sites. A veritable feast of slots and jackpot action, 32Red also has a nice bonus for new players signing up to take advantage of its slots collection. 

Types of online slots

Online slots come in a range of styles and formats. Here’s our rundown of the most common types of slots you will find at online slots sites, including the key features you should be looking out for. 

Fruit machine slots

Fruit machine slots draw inspiration from the classic machines found in casinos, arcades, and pubs. These slots feature fruity symbols and typically have three reels, although more modern versions may have up to five reels or even more. 

While these games are relatively simple, they often lack additional features such as bonus rounds and free spins. Winning is usually a matter of aligning matching fruit symbols.

Classic slots

These are slot games that have been around for a while, including some of the most prominent names from the early days of the genre. More sophisticated as a rule than your typical fruit machine slot, they offer free spins bonuses, wilds and some of the more basic elements that have given way to the more exciting innovations of modern video slots. Expect some big wins from feature rounds when they land.

Progressive slots

Progressive slots are where the biggest jackpots are to be found, pooling prize funds across a whole network of top slots sites and games to deliver ever-increasing prizes. Progressive slots usually offer a base game and base jackpot, as well as an additional second-tier of jackpot prizes – often with millions hanging in the balance. 

The prizes come from taking a share of every stake in the game or in a series of linked games, which are added to the prize fund, giving you a shot at a life-changing win if the reels fall kindly for you. And the one certainty with progressive slots is that there has to be a winner somewhere.  

Video slots

Video slots are more contemporary versions of classic slots, relying on animations and video elements to tell more elaborate stories. As slots developers have moved to try and deliver more exciting games, video slots have become a more regular fixture. Expect a whole lot more going on in these slots, including more interesting bonus features and graphics, for a more engaging slots experience.

Megaways online slots

Megaways slots are games with all-ways wins, so rather than having fixed paylines, they pay out for any combination of three or more matching symbols in any direction, giving a total of 117,649 ways to win on any given spin. 

Known for their big wins potential, Megaways slots often combine multipliers with the all-ways wins to give you a shot of landing some big prizes from the base game, let alone from the bonus features. Wildly popular as a slots engine, Megaways has now been rolled out across a significant number of slots games, including many classic titles that now also offer a Megaways edition.

Must Drop, Daily Drop and Mega Drop Jackpot slots

Must Drop, Daily Drop and Mega Drop Jackpot slots are games where random prizes can drop at any moment as you spin through the game. The base slots themselves are untouched – they are just like the games you would play ordinarily. 

However, in Must Drop or Daily Drop versions, there’s the ever-looming promise of a jackpot dropping at random for one lucky player. There’s no need to do anything other than spin through the game. If you’re playing at the right time, you’ll see a prize notification on screen, as an instant win is delivered to your account. 

Drop slots aim to offer more enhanced excitement than you get from a regular jackpot slot.   

Slingo slots

Slingo slots are slot games that meld together elements of classic slots with elements of bingo. The game is true as the name implies – players have a number of spins to reveal the numbers that will mark off their slingo cards, a 5×5 square of numbers in a similar format to bingo. 

These types of slots bridge the gap between the two game styles, often preferred as a transition for bingo fans keen to try something new and different to their regular bingo play. Slingo games can often be found in the slots section of casino sites, operating on the same fixed-odds basis as regular slots games.

High-volatility slots

High-volatility slots are aggressive in their prize-winning potential – but also more risky. Compared with low-volatility slots, which typically offer steady returns within a similar band, high-volatility slots swing through peaks and troughs of payouts. 

As a result, you will find yourself hitting a winning streak where the wins keep coming, but also losing streaks where you can sink a lot of your bankroll in one sitting. For those who prefer the action a little more explosive, high-volatility slots are the perfect option for bigger wins and maximum thrill.

Maximum-win slots

Maximum-win slots have a high maximum win, either from the base game or from feature rounds. These tend to be the games that offer the biggest multiples of your stake as a prize. 

There’s no guarantee with a maximum-win slot that you’ll fare better than if you were playing normal slots; it’s only at the upper levels of a maximum-win slot you can push for bigger prizes. Players are drawn to these games because they offer higher maximum prizes, but do check the Return to player (RTP) percentage.

3D slots

These share many of the hallmarks of regular slots, but in 3D. The graphics and visuals of these games create the illusion of a three-dimensional reel structure, for added realism as you spin through the game. 

Relying more heavily on animations, sound effects and graphics than regular slot games, they are part of a new generation of highly engaging slot games, raising the bar for developers throughout the industry. Reliant on faster processing times and improved Internet connection speeds, 3D slots tend to be at the more modern end of the market. 

Best first-deposit slots sites

Grosvenor

Building on the success of Grosvenor’s physical casinos in the UK, its online arm packs a generous punch for players choosing a first-deposit slots site. The welcome bonus is a warm hello to new players and a selection of the finest slots available awaits. Sign up and deposit today to play a Grosvenor casino.

BetMGM

Another highly trusted offline casino brand, BetMGM benefits from the track record and reputation of the MGM gambling family. New players are welcomed through the door with a generous package, designed to encourage you to sign up and deposit to your account. Choose BetMGM today and take advantage of the new player bonus.

BetVictor

The online betting offshoot of Victor Chandler bookmakers, BetVictor has become a brand in its own right across sports betting as much as casino and slots play. A wide variety of games to suit the needs of every slots fan lies in wait for customers at BetVictor. 

Betway

Since 2006, Betway has developed a reputation for fair, high-quality gaming. A great collection of slots lies in wait for those setting up their account – not to mention a nice bonus simply for signing up and making that first deposit. 

Online slots sites software

While there are plenty of slots developers building games for UK players, a few names stand out from the rest for the consistent quality of their output. In a genre that could easily become stale, innovation and creativity at the top of the field mean there’s always something new and cool to play. Every slots fan has his or her own preferences but there are a few developers we would always recommend to anyone looking for a good place to start, when it comes to finding high-quality online UK slots.

NetEnt

One of the original giants of the slots development industry, NetEnt has been around since the dawn of online casinos. Famous for its engaging slot games and pioneering titles such as Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst, the Swedish gaming outfit has grown to become synonymous with high-quality slots play. Look out for top games including Street Fighter II, Koi Princess and Narcos among others.

Playtech

Another mainstay of top slots sites, Playtech has carved out its reputation for impressive quality games and slot jackpots. Founded in 1999, Playtech serves the gambling industry way beyond providing game content, also providing software platforms for some of the best UK casinos and slots sites, plus poker, bingo, sports betting and more. Top titles from Playtech include the remarkably high RTP Ugga Bugga, Age of the Gods and Buffalo Blitz.

Yggdrasil Gaming

Famed for its creativity, Yggdrasil Gaming pushes boundaries in terms of the features its games provide. The graphics and theme elements are innovative and well executed without exception, ensuring a high-quality gaming experience that stands head and shoulders above many of its competitors. 

You won’t find Yggdrasil games as widely as some other developers, but when you do, you shouldn’t hesitate to take them for a spin. Often more like full-blown video games than slots, there’s a lot to love in its catalogue. Highlights include Jungle Books, Super Heroes and Vikings Go Wild.

Play’n GO

The likes of Book of Dead, Reactoonz and Moon Princess are among the most widely enjoyed slots in the UK – all thanks to the development team at Play’n GO. Known for a fun, quirky edge to its games, coupled with strong features and innovative new gameplay angles, Play’n GO regularly pumps out slots games that are towards the better end of what you would find at online casinos. 

Offering stylish graphics, consistent and thematic design, plus a high quality of playability across its 300 games and counting, Play’n GO is among the market leaders for UK slots fans.

IGT

International Game Technology has its headquarters in Las Vegas and is one of the world’s leading developers of slots games. Founded way back in the 1970s, it originally focused on providing physical slot machines to Las Vegas casinos. 

With the increasing trend towards online gaming in the 1990s and 2000s, IGT developed its reputation for slots by designing increasingly high-quality slots games, often with the help of licensing deals for TV shows, films and movies. Look out for some of its classic titles, including Wheel of Fortune, Sex and the City, Star Wars and Elvis.

Novomatic

Novomatic is one of the few slots developers that operates casinos and slots sites in its own right, as well as developing high-calibre games for third-party licence. Its collection of games now runs to around 500, with new games in development all year round. 

Novomatic slots are packed with features, ensuring a highly playable slots experience even at the most basic level. A truly international company, Novomatic’s slots can be found at a large number of the best UK casinos online and slots sites in the UK and beyond. Key titles for Novomatic include Roaring Forties, Beetle Mania Deluxe and Book of Maya. 

Online slots – free spins and bonuses

Online slots sites rely on welcome bonuses and free spins as part of their marketing offers. In this industry, capturing the attention of new players and retaining their interest is the difference between success and failure. 

As a result, casinos choose to give away often generous welcome packages and free spins deals for new account sign-ups. So you might come across offers such as a 100 per cent match with your first deposit, plus a number of free spins for signing up and depositing to your account.

In reality, these bonuses do come with terms and conditions attached. In some cases, this can make them much less attractive than they seem. Chief among these terms is the wagering requirement – the need to bet through the amount of your deposit a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings from your bonus. 

This can run up to 35x your deposit and beyond, so a £100 deposit match bonus might require £3,500 to be staked via your account before you can withdraw any winnings from your £100 bonus. Ouch!

There are also other terms such as game contribution – some games contribute at less than 100 per cent to your wagering requirements. For a 35x wagering requirement being met on games with contribution of 50 per cent, you effectively need to bet 70x your bonus sum before you are eligible for a withdrawal.

Nevertheless, there are some great welcome bonuses out there and you will be able to make these work if the terms and conditions are favourable. Just make sure you understand what you are signing up for with any welcome bonus, so you know what to expect.

How to play online slots

Step 1: Take a look at our list of best casino sites and find the offer you like

Step 2: Sign up for your account

Step 3: Check out the welcome bonus (and eligibility criteria)

Step 4: Choose your deposit method

Step 5: Choose your deposit amount

Step 6: Make at least a minimum deposit to qualify for the welcome bonus

Step 7: Claim your welcome bonus

Step 8: Spin through your chosen online slots

Step 9: Verify your ID (if you haven’t already)

Step 10: Withdraw any winnings to your withdrawal method of choice

Why play casino slots online?

Online slots are increasingly proving a popular choice. For most players, online casinos are all about the slots. These tend to make up the bulk of the games on offer at online slots sites and casinos. With the help of innovative game design, and with competition across the industry consistently pushing the boundaries of creativity, the slots experience is increasingly more exciting, engaging and atmospheric.

Consider the fruit machines of old, the origins of modern-day slots. In comparison these were fairly basic games – just line up three matching fruits and you win some money. Online slots enhance their games with full-blown animations, soundtracks and complex design features for a better player experience. 

At their core, these games are still about giving you the chance to spin and win – it’s just that playing slots online can be more engaging, more enjoyable and more entertaining. 

Convenience

Once, the only way to play a slot machine was to find a physical terminal. But with online and now mobile slots becoming increasingly commonplace, it has never been more convenient to spin and win at slots. The convenience of online slots is a major reason more players than ever are spending their leisure time gambling on slots – making them a convenient, easy way to gamble from your pocket.

Variety

Online slots provide much more variety, too. Whereas in a casino resort environment, you would have to physically walk the aisles to find a different slot machine to play, there are now thousands available to you at the click of a button or the tap of a mobile screen, catering for every conceivable taste. 

Whether you’re a history nerd, a sports fan, a movie buff, a science-fiction lover or even a fishing fanatic, you’ll find dozens or more slots specifically designed with you in mind. 

Promotions

Another key advantage of playing slots online is to take advantage of bonuses and promotions. These tend not to exist when you’re playing physical slot machines – it’s a fixture of the online slots world that players can benefit from free spins, deposit match bonuses and other ongoing promotions and rewards, simply for getting involved. 

Online casinos and UK slots sites want to encourage players to sign up, deposit and play. They know that if they don’t do an effective job of keeping players engaged, they will be off signing up somewhere else. 

In this highly competitive environment, you’ll benefit as a player from a series of promotions and other goodies, all designed to keep you engaged and spinning at your casino site of choice. Just another perk that comes with playing your slots online, rather than in the physical world.

Payment methods at slots sites

When you’re playing a physical slot machine, it’s easy to get money into the game – you simply top up your on-screen balance with notes or coins to add more credit. But online, you’re at the mercy of the payment methods supported by your chosen slots sites. 

Online slots sites work by taking deposits through a range of supported payment methods that are credited to your online account so you can bet, spin and hopefully win real money. When it’s time to cash out, the slots site sends the money back to your chosen payment method, completing the loop.

Slots sites in the UK tend to have support for a series of different payment methods, and you can choose the one that suits you best. Note that there are usually different payment processing times for different methods and there may be factors such as deposit minimums and maximum withdrawals to consider.

While different sites have a different line-up of payment partners, these are broadly broken down into three different types of payment method.

Debit cards

At its most basic, every UK slots site will allow you to make deposits by debit card. Note that credit-card deposits are banned in the UK – in fact, any site willing to accept a credit-card deposit from a UK player is an illegal slots site – so we advise you to stay well clear of these.

In most cases, your bank card will be accepted as a valid form of deposit to your account, as long as it’s in your name and it’s a mainstream debit card – Visa or Mastercard, for example. Simply input your card number, expiry date, name and three-digit CVC code, and you will usually be able to instantly top up your account by debit card.

Debit-card withdrawals often take anywhere from three to five days to process, as do bank transfer withdrawals. This is a feature of payment infrastructure beyond the control of your slots site. But debit cards are still among the easiest ways for players to move money to and from their slots account.

eWallets

eWallets such as PayPal, Neteller and Skrill are also commonly found across UK slots sites, giving players the opportunity to deposit and withdraw money instantly from their chosen eWallet service. These provide an additional layer of security, ensuring your bank account and card details aren’t directly linked to your betting account. You will also usually find that deposits and withdrawals with eWallets are pretty speedy, with some of the best slots sites even paying out within 24 hours on withdrawals to eWallet, as opposed to longer turnaround times for other forms of withdrawals.

There may be some fees involved in withdrawing from your eWallet to your bank account and there may be some additional delays in this process, depending on the service you use. However, many players find this a convenient way to manage their funds and spending when depositing and withdrawing from their UK slots account.

Prepaid cards

Prepaid cards are a cross between eWallets and debit cards, in the sense that you top up your prepaid card and use that to deposit and withdraw, where applicable to your account. These are a key way some players choose to keep their card details safe, effectively using throwaway card details to deposit money to their accounts, while also providing a convenient method of controlling spending.

Prepaid debit cards are widely available and can, in some cases, also accept withdrawals. Other forms of prepaid deposit, such as Paysafecard, operate on a voucher-based system, which can only be used on the deposit side of the transaction. In these instances, you will probably need to link your bank account or debit card to receive any withdrawals from your account.

Online slots sites – advantages and disadvantages