Best Online Slots 2024 - Play Real Money Slots Games
Updated by
Emma Trotter
Editor
Emma Trotter
Editor
Emma Trotter is a Senior Editor at Casinos.com. Emma has worked as a staff writer and editor for nearly two decades, extensively covering celebrity news and the Las Vegas entertainment, casino and tourism scenes. She spent several years in in-house roles at Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas before stepping into iGaming affiliate site content.
Lee James Gwilliam has over 10 years as a poker player and 5 in the casino industry. He has been all around the industry, working for a casino, writing more than 3,000 articles for various independent review sites and is an active player of slots, live dealer and poker.
The best online slot sites in the US offer an extensive library of games, featuring a variety of slots from the industry's leading software developers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you choose the best online casinos, explore the top slot games in the US, understand different types of slots, compare real money and free play options, and share strategies and tips to enhance your gaming experience.
5 Best Online Slot Sites in the US for December 2024
There are thousands of sites that offer online slot machines, so you have access to a wide variety of slot games. But not all online slot casinos are legit, and many of them are offshore sites.
You can legally play casino slots online in only 6 states, and these states are incredibly strict about their legislation criteria. States in the US where online gambling is legal are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Delaware and Connecticut. If you're in one of them - then read on to find the best slot sites available in the US!
Key Takeaways
⭐ Get an overview of different slots and learn all about them
⭐ Find the best paying online slots and where to play
⭐ Compare slots in our slot comparison tool
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Just getting started with online slots and wondering which one to choose? Check out our top picks for slot games that are perfect for players of all levels:
Starburst: This five-reel, three-row and 10-payline online casino slot from NetEnt is one of the most popular slots of all time, with features including expanding wilds and respins. Jump into the fast-paced action and enjoy the well-designed gems, each with their own color and shape.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: Reel Kingdom and Pragmatic Play title offering play across six reels with a betting range of $0.20 up to $100 per spin. The megaways mechanic provides up to 46,565 ways to win on every active spin, with bonus rounds like free spins exciting Dynamite and Bazooka features.
Gonzo’s Quest: Join Spanish explorer Gonzo as you search for the lost golden city of El Dorado and the treasures that lie within it. This game is played on a 5x3 grid with 20 paylines, incredible graphics, smooth animations and exciting features.
White Rabbit Megaways: With the Megaways-feature that gives you the chance to play with 117 649 play lines, this slot offers more than a fun theme based on a childhood favorite. It also has an RTP over 97% which is higher than most games out there.
Highest Paying Online Slot Games
Everyone's favorites are subjective - that is the nature of opinions after all. However, if you are playing online slots for real money, it can be a good strategy to choose slots based on their payout percentage. We've listed some of the slots with the highest RTP (return to player) rates online. Of course, the numbers don't mean guaranteed wins, but these online slot games are the best payers on average.
Similarly, if you are curious about the operators as a whole, check out our review of the highest payout online casinos in the US.
Types Of Online Slots
Decent online slot casinos will offer a wide range of slot types. The hardest choice you may have is selecting the best slot machines to play. Here are some of the slot game varieties you should find at the best online slot sites in the US, plus the top recommended games for each category.
3-Reel Slots
If you appreciate classics, 3-reel games have been around since the earliest days of slot machines. The beauty of 3-reel games is that they have simple payline structures. On the other hand, they also have a low range of stakes and minimal features. If you're looking for more complex gameplay, this is not the type of game that would appeal to you, but if you enjoy simplicity and a nod to nostalgia, then the 3-reel games below are worth a look.
5-Reel Slots
5-reel slots allow for more paylines and more action. Choose a range of coins and trigger wilds, scatters and big bonus features when you play. If you'd like to try a game with a high RTP, click on Monopoly Big Event below. It has an impressive 99% RTP!
Classic Slots/Fruit Machine
Classic slots will be familiar to anyone who's played in Las Vegas. These online slots games can come in 3-reel, 5-reel or even 6-reel formats and feature classic fruit symbols such as cherries, melons and plums. They don't necessarily need fruit to have the retro vibe though. Check out Buffalo if you want to try our all-time favorite slot machine online!
Video Slots
Most online slots are video slots. They usually offer superb sounds and graphics, a range of themes, interactive bonus levels and other features. Reel numbers and paylines vary, and some of the best video slots include innovative mechanics and features like Megaways, Cluster Pays and Sticky Wilds.
Progressive Slots
Progressive jackpot slots give you the opportunity to win a huge sum of cash. Unlike fixed jackpots, progressives are linked across networks, and a portion of every bet made on a progressive slot goes toward a linked jackpot. Some progressive jackpotsstart at $1 million, and grow from there until the pot is won. Depending on the game, the jackpot can usually be triggered at random.
Slot Comparison Tool
Do you have a few favorites that you would like to compare? Click below to use our handy slot comparison tool to check out all the main features of each, including special features, their RTP rates and maximum jackpots.
What a Top US Slots Casino Offers You
We only recommend the best online slots websites that pass a strict range of criteria. We're not just looking for good slots; we want to see fully licensed gambling platforms with top security, helpful customer support and everything else that makes a gaming experience great. Check out the list at the top of the page for the current best slot sites plus their latest promo offer.
Additionally, here are some of the characteristics of good slot sites:
Slot Site Bonuses
Top slots sites will offer new players a welcome bonus when they make their first deposit (or series of deposits), and they will also offer the opportunity to get bonuses on a weekly or seasonal basis, as well as earning loyalty points when they play online slots. If you're looking for a bonus specifically for online slot machines, playing with free spins is also an option.
Security
Checking for good security protocols is top of our reviewers' list here at Casinos.com. We only recommend slots sites that have SSL (Secure Socket Layers) encryption that protects your bankroll and personal data. Additionally, the online slot casinos that offer these games are all licensed and regulated by the states in which they are located.
Slot Machine Variety
It goes without saying that to be considered a top slot site, there must be an excellent selection of slot games on offer. The best slots websites will thousands of the latest online slots combined with older classics. You should be able to choose from old-school 3-reel games or the newest games with cool features andother functions. Good slot sites should also have partnerships with a range of major slot software providers.
Free Slots
The beauty of online slot sites is that you can often try out games for free before you pay. Select the demo play option, if available, and gamble with play credits on a range of exciting free slot games. The gameplay will be exactly the same as in the real versions except for the fact no real money is in play.
Slot Apps
A good online slots site will offer a compatible mobile version of their games. The best slot apps are specially adapted for your device, so you can simply log in via a smartphone or tablet to play. The mobile-optimized slots adapt to fit smaller screens, and functions like spin and coin size are accessed via touch buttons.
As long as you have a mobile device and an internet connection, you can play your favorite online slot games from anywhere and at any time.
Payment Options
How good is the range of payment options? If you’re planning to play slots online, funding your account should be easy and convenient, through a payment method you prefer. We test every site to check for payment method availability, withdrawal times, and whether there are any fees.
Why You Should Play Online Slots
The beauty of online slots is that you can spin those reels whenever, and wherever, you like. As long as you're in one of the states where online gambling is legal, just load up your PC or smartphone, log in, and start spinning in minutes.
So, why choose online casino slots over land-based ones? Game variety is the biggest plus. Unlike land-based casinos with their space constraints, thousands of slot games can take place online. And the best part? You can easily hop between different sites in a snap. Plus, online slots tend to have higher payout rates, which explains why they're such a hit.
Many gamblers will be on a budget too, and top slot sites will let you play games for as little as $0.01 a spin. Those kinds of stakes aren't always available in a land-based casino. Of course, many online slot sites cater to big spenders too, with bets going up to $500 or even $1,000 a spin – some even reach up to $5,000!
Let's talk about accessibility. When it comes to games, online slots are as newbie-friendly as it gets, thanks to:
Low minimum betting limits.
Large jackpots topping $1 million.
Extensive range of options to suit all tastes and moods.
Interactive mini games and bonuses.
Multiple ways to win and easy cash out procedures.
Auto-play features and in-game help.
Online slots vs Land based slots
Online slots are a great way to play your favorite slot machines and hone your skills without having to either wait your turn or risk any of your own money, since you can try it for free. But there are more benefits of playing slots online compared to visiting a land-based option. But there are disadvantages to consider, as with all kinds of gambling with money:
Online Slots Pros & Cons
Pros
Unlimited variety of different slots from different providers.
Third party testing and fair wins through RNG-systems.
Your favorite slot is always available and from most devices.
You can skip entrance fees and dress codes.
Gives you the chance to try games without staking your own money.
Bonuses, free spins and other rewards are available if you play with real money.
You have the chance to play for big progressive jackpots.
You can always look up how legitimate, fair and safe an online slot is.
Cons
It’s easier to play for longer or for more money than planned since all you need is a smartphone.
There are wagering requirements to consider if you're playing with bonus money.
Online Slots Strategies to Consider
There are things you can do as a player to put yourself in a better position to win when playing online slots, despite the fact that the games themselves rely completely on chance. Here’s what I do:
Pick a slot online with high RTP: Every slot game has a return to player percentage (RTP) built into the gameplay which shows the average payout over time. The higher the RTP, the better the long-term payouts and chance of winning. Anything above 96,5% is considered high.
Choose games you enjoy: Playing slots you like will help you understand the game, so pick one with an interesting theme or strong bonus features. Some personal favorites are listed higher up.
Try the slot in demo mode: Slots with high volatility don’t pay out as frequently which could decimate your bankroll before you land a win or get into a bonus round, so give it a few spins before you bet real money to see if you even like the game.
Increase your stakes on low volatility slots: As this kind of slot tends to pay out more frequently, the wins are usually slightly smaller than in slots with high volatility. Increasing your bet level/coin value here can be worth it since it shouldn’t take too many spins before a win is generated.
Claim bonus perks with fair rules: It can be a good call to maximize your balance with offers available, especially when you’re making your first deposit at a site. But make sure the terms & conditions are reasonable, as it can otherwise make it difficult to withdraw potential winnings.
Variance and Volatility
Variance, or volatility, is the regularity with which a slot pays out. Volatile online slots pay out bigger wins but they are infrequent. Low-volatility slots pay smaller wins more often. You can usually work out the variance after a period of play. If you have a small budget, and would like to stretch your play time, low volatility slots is the best option. It's also a tip for when you have wagering requirements to fulfill! But if you have a bigger bankroll and you're willing to risk more for a longer period to try to win bigger, then choose high volatility slots.
Online Slots with Low Volatility
Online Slots with High Volatility
How To Sign Up At US Online Slot Sites
Our recommended slot sites ensure a straightforward sign-up process so your casino journey will be smooth and fun from the get-go. After shopping around our top-rated sites and finding a casino that piques your interest, you’ll need to create an account with your chosen site.
Use our experts’ step-by-step guide through the whole process to give you a head start:
Create an account with a username and password.
Provide your personal information including email, phone, address, etc.
Make a first deposit; you may have to provide additional personal documentation.
Claim any welcome bonuses.
Start playing!
Every good online casino will have dozens of video slots available to play for free as well as real money slots. Most casinos split their games by type, and great slot sites will have an entire section (or more than one) dedicated to slot games. The best slot sites will split these games by categories, and let you search for your favorite game or add selected games to a Favorites list.
In the early days of online casinos, you would need to download casino software onto your PC to play, but the technology has advanced so much you can access most sites directly through your browser, whether you play on mobile or desktop devices. As long as you have a secure internet connection and funds in your account, you are ready to play!
Online Slot Tournaments
Put your competitive streak to good use by getting involved in slot tournaments. Available at some of the top US slot sites, these tournaments involve competing against other slot players in a race to first place. The winner is the player who scores the biggest wins throughout the tournament.
There are all manners of slot tournaments to explore at various operators. Check out Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey and BetMGM NJ Online Casino for some of the best variety. If you’re a high-rolling bettor, slot tournaments have the potential to reward you with extra prizes alongside your regular gameplay.
The Best Slot Game Providers
There are dozens of online slots providers currently available in the US. Some of the larger developers now have licenses specific to regulated states, so they can supply online casinos in New Jersey, for example. Each developer offers its own unique game styles and bonus features. Some developers also offer a range of big-money progressive jackpots. These are linked across all participating online casinos in the US.
Online slots have a wide variety of terms that might seem confusing if you've just started your casino journey. Here's a handy breakdown of the most common slot phrases:
Phrase
Explanation
Bet / Bet level
The wager placed on each spin of the slot.
Bonus Feature
A feature that can be triggered during a spin. Bonuses can range from free spins to a prize wheel with the chance of winning a random prize.
Coins / Coin value
Many online slots let you adjust the number of coins or coin value per spin. A coin might be as low as $0.01 or as high as $100.
Free Spins
Additional spins that aren’t taken from your balance, usually triggered by 3 or more bonus symbols.
Paylines
Also called Ways to Win or Betlines, symbols must land according to these to contribute to a win. You will find the payline layouts in the paytable of each game.
Reels
The vertical drums on which symbols appear.
RNG
Short for Random Number Generator. Every slot is governed by the outcome of a RNG to ensure wins are random, as algorithms determine when/where the reels stop.
RTP
Short for Return To Player and the theoretical long-term payout for a slot. Most good online slots will have an RTP of 95-98%, but it doesn't mean a game will pay out regularly.
Scatters
Bonus symbols included in most video slots that activates free spins when 3 or more appear.
Volatility / Variance
The theoretical frequency and size of triggered wins. A low-variance slot pays out smaller wins more often, and high-volatility means bigger wins, but less frequently.
Wilds
Jokers that can substitute for other symbols to contribute to a win. Wilds can come with a lot of additional features depending on the game. Multipliers, for example.
Find the Best Slots Sites Here
We have unearthed the very best online slot sites with the best selection of slot games and fantastic bonuses and promotions for you. Whether you're looking for a top regulated online casino in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or any other state with legal online casino gaming, we have it covered. At Casinos.com, you can use our comprehensive list of slot machine sites to get to the best places fast.
It’s tough to know what to believe when you are on the internet trying to do your own research. That’s why we do the heavy lifting for you, and you can trust our process to find you the best legal and regulated online slot casinos in the US. Sign up for free, claim a bonus and start your US slots journey off the right way.
Emma Trotter is a Senior Editor at Casinos.com. Emma has worked as a staff writer and editor for nearly two decades, extensively covering celebrity news and the Las Vegas entertainment, casino and tourism scenes. She spent several years in in-house roles at Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas before stepping into iGaming affiliate site content.
No, it is not illegal to play at online slot sites, however not all US states have legalized online slots sites for real money. You can do this in NJ, PA, MI, WV and CT. You can also find free-to-play options in most US states.
How do slot machine sites pay out?
Online slots consist of vertical reels containing symbols. You win whenever you match symbols according to the pay lines in the game. Once you win the minimum required amount for cashing out, you can simply request it in the cashier.
Are online slot sites safe?
We only recommend licensed and regulated online slots websites. Reputable software developers will have their games regularly audited for fairness and return-to-player percentages. When you are playing at an online slots site that you find reviewed and recommended here, you can be rest assured they are legal, licensed and regulated.
How do I deposit to play at online slot casinos?
To make a deposit, visit the cashier and select a banking method from the menu. Enter your card number or e-wallet address and the amount you want to deposit. You can also make a checking account transfer via your online banking page. You will also need to enter your account password. Your funds should then appear immediately.
What slot sites pay out the most?
This depends on various aspects, like how many plays at a website, how win they big and of course what payout percentage the games have. A rough number for most sites is 95-96%, since that’s the most common RTP on slots. If they offer more table games than usual, payout may be higher since tables have a higher RTP.
What is the best site to play slots 2024?
You may have different options available depending on which state you’re in. At the top of this page, you’ll find our favorites listed. With reviews available of each slots site, you’ll be able to compare and choose the best online slot sites for you.
Can you play online slots for real money?
Yes, if you’re in a state where it is legal. So if you're in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Delaware and Connecticut - you'll find several recommended sites higher up on this page! But feel free to test play any game before you make an actual deposit.
Which are the top 10 best online slots?
The best online slots are games from reputable software developers such as NetEnt or Microgaming. They should have tested RTPs and Random Number Generators, be entertaining and exciting to play and give everyone a fair chance at winning.
Are the games at slot websites fair?
Yes, they are, if you play at licensed gamblig sites. The best online slots are regularly audited to ensure their RNGs are fair and their payouts accurate. Independent testing bodies such as eCOGRA supply certificates to qualifying online casinos, proving that games have been tested.
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