Slot machine video reviews: do you need them?

Slot machines are the most popular games in online casinos. Despite having been around since the 19th century, in recent years, thanks to advances in technology and the creativity of developers, slots are experiencing a new golden age.

The founding core of the game is always the same, however, and that’s something that binds traditional fruit machines and modern 3D slots: to win you have to spin the reels, so as to obtain certain combinations of identical symbols!

One of the greatest strengths of the slot machine is the ability to combine a simple gaming experience with immediate appeal and a level of variety unmatched in the online casino landscape. While each spin is always a click away (when the automatic spins are not set) flexible variables such as themes, grid, paylines and types of jackpots continually lend themselves to new combinations.

There are other significant reasons online slots for real money are so popular with gamblers around the world. For one thing, this game format (repetitive, intuitive and with minimum bets even starting at €0.01) is suitable for many bonuses offered by operators, such as free spins. Not to mention how the higher pace of play helps make winning more frequent than other sections of the online casino.

Furthermore, the unique possibility to play for free (in demo mode) makes online slots an ideal choice for novice users, who can thus gradually approach practically any title without risking even a penny of their own pocket.

Are real money online slots legal?

Online slot machines use a program called the Random Number Generator (RNG), which is used to determine the results of your spins and, therefore, your bets. The important thing to underline is that the results of the bets are truly random: the slot software is programmed to create new numerical sequences every millisecond, thus ensuring the correct playing of the game.

Last, let's touch on the legality aspect of real money online slots. The decisive factor here concerns the presence of a valid license on the platform where you intend to play the slot that has attracted your attention. If so, you don't have to worry about a thing.

Keep in mind that online slots must also comply with the parameters imposed by responsible gaming practices. This also ensures an additional level of safety.

Online slot machines

Online slots are digital versions of the slot machines you can find inside a traditional casino. The major difference is that with online slots, you can play via your computer or mobile from the comfort of your home.

The timeless charm of classic casino games is well known, but slot machines leave room for imagination that always rekindles the interest of players, with some new theme or some particular graphics.

Given the popularity of online slot machines, the number of software developers is always increasing. This is the reason you should choose, among the available video slots, those with the criteria that best satisfy you!

How to choose an online slot machine

When it comes to choosing an online slot machine, there are some factors that are impossible to ignore and of which you should be aware as much as possible. Here are the most important:

  • Theme: the endless themes of online casino slots are one reason why it is so common to try your luck and try to win extraordinary jackpots on this type of game. No matter your taste, you’ll find plenty of online slots that’ll catch your attention.
  • Payout: Potential payout is one hallmark of any real money online slot, whether it be cap wins or progressive jackpots that run into millions.
  • Volatility: Volatility is a term that represents the probability of winning a slot machine jackpot, and it can be high, low, or medium. The higher the volatility of the slot in question, the higher the jackpot up for grabs, but the difficulty of getting it will also be higher. The opposite happens with low volatility video slots, which will therefore have a lower risk, as well as lower potential winnings.
  • RTP: This term is used to indicate the house edge. The RTP is the percentage of profit that players can make from a slot, but over the long term and considering the bets of all players on a specific slot. We can define it as a complementary value with respect to what the house keeps for itself and, therefore, to its profit. For example, if the house has a 5% edge, the return of winning to the player will be the remaining 95%. 
  • Budget: Learn to manage your money prudently and effectively. Track expenses related to gaming sessions, perhaps with the help of a specialized app, and seriously consider setting limits. And if you can't afford to play, don't. You can always play free online slots!

What are the types of slot machines?

3 Reel Slots

These slots recall the games that were popular in the 70s and 80s. Sometimes they are called fruit machines or classic slots or even bar slots. Pay lines often range from 1 to 5.

5 Reel Slots

The vast majority of online slot machines follow this format. This structure substantially expands the number of paylines and features over 3-reel slots.

7 Reel Slots

7-reel slots are one of the latest trends in the online slots realm. Developers often implement them with Megaways technology. Today you can find several online slots with six or seven reels, sometimes even more!

You should also consider how you like playing, and what type of slot machines most interest you. Let’s see the main types available online:

  • Fruit - and traditional - slots: You can still find online versions of the more traditional slot machines, those with a 3 × 3 grid and fruit symbols such as cherries and watermelons. Sometimes these games are very faithful to the original models, but there are several cases in which developers choose to go beyond the nostalgia, adding special features or special bonuses.
  • Video Slots: Most slots online typically fall into this category. This section is not definable by a specific theme or feature, but video slots generally feature 5 reels and a selection of wild and bonus symbols.
  • 3D Slots: Some video slots take advantage of 3D graphics, taking the show to the next level.
  • Progressive Jackpot Slots: If you are trying to win big, you will certainly aim for the titles with the highest jackpots. Progressive jackpot slots are those where the jackpot up for grabs will increase in parallel with the money wagered by the players.
  • For this reason, the jackpot is also called progressive: it does not respect a fixed amount and instead changes continuously. In fact, the game contributes to the increase of the final prize pool, allocating a small percentage of each amount played to the jackpot.
  • Megaways Slots: Megaways slots are an idea from the Big Time Gaming provider. In these games the number of symbols that fall on the reels varies with each spin, changing the winning combinations, which can even exceed tens of thousands.
  • Cluster Slots: There is also a lot of variety regarding the game mechanics, which can include, for example, fixed paylines or with clusters (as with Reactoonz). Some games may also use a cascading system of symbols, where symbols fall until they stop creating new winning combinations.
  • Multiple Paylines: Unlike classic slots, modern real money online slots have multiple paylines. The main premise is that you will need to line up the corresponding symbols on the active paylines from left to right.

How to win money with slot machines

Whether you win at online slot machines simply depends on a single fundamental factor: luck.

The casino always has a considerable advantage over the player, thanks to mathematics and large numbers. This is especially true of online casino games, including slots. That being said, there are a few things worth considering to play slots smarter. By following these tips you will improve your chance and, more generally, your gaming experience.

Read our reviews & watch our video reviews: Reading our slot reviews and watching our video reviews should be the starting point for any aspiring player. This way, before playing, you will also find out how to activate special features such as bonus games and free spins, which usually generate the largest wins.

Watch our streams: We are slot enthusiasts who have found a way to combine strategy and entertainment, and even though we don’t have a secret potion to always win, the fun is guaranteed.

Follow us on Twitch or Youtube.

Video slot reviews by AboutSlots

Are you looking for the best way to get a feel about a recently released slot, or one that hasn’t come out yet? We’ve got you covered!

Aboutslots publishes video reviews of the best and newest slots 2-4 times a week, depending on what slots are going to be released, and whether we deem them interesting for our public.

We also offer written slot reviews, but if you really want to get a feel of the slot, rather than discuss its technicalities, we recommend you check out our video reviews, full of interesting details about the slot and with a clear explanation of its functioning.

Within these videos, we’ll go through the A-Z, and we’ll talk about payables, bonus games, and everything in between.

What better way to understand whether you really like that slot than to see us playing it, and see how it really works once in action? A video review is the fastest and the easiest way to see and understand a new slot: so, check out our collection of video reviews!