Best Online Slots 2023 - Play Top Real Money Slots Games

Reviewed By Daniel Smyth

Fact Checked by: Michael Kates

Last Updated : Sep 26th, 2023

You can now play the best online slots for real money at all the top online casinos in the US. However, with thousands of online casino slots to choose from, where to start? This page breaks down the best slots online based on their features, gameplay, and return to player. We’ll also guide you through the ins and outs of the games, including the most popular slots you’ll find at casinos, the highest-paying ones, and the pros and cons of playing for real money. First up though, our recommended casinos so you can spin those reels safely.

Our Top Casinos for Real Money Online Slots

Affiliate Disclosure: At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you. At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you. All product reviews and recommendations are still impartial as our editorial standards are designed to be commercially independent and follow a professional methodology. More Less

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Recommended Slot Games

Best Online Slots for US Players

• Sweet Bonanza slot (Pragmatic Play): Highest Maximum Win Potential
• Buffalo Gold slot (Aristocrat): Best Overall
• Gates of Olympus slot (Pragmatic Play): Best for Tumbling Reels
• Better Wilds slot (Playtech): Best for Bet Size Options
• Lucky 7 slot (Betsoft): Highest RTP

1. Sweet Bonanza Real Money Slot

The Sweet Bonanza slot lands you into a candy utopia. The 6-reel, 5-row grid offers an all-ways pay feature which means you can form lines in any direction, giving you the chance to earn up to 21,175x your total real money slots bet. There are also tons of bonus games that take the game to a high volatility level. This includes multipliers, free spins, and a tumbling reels feature. These features come together to pay out some sweet rewards. 

• RTP: 96.8%
• Volatility: Medium
• Maximum Win: $2,110,000.00
• Theme: Sweets/Candy
• Where to Play: Tipico Casino

 

2. Buffalo Gold Slot

The Buffalo Gold slot brings a stampede of action, features, and top payouts. The game is played on a 5x4 layout with up to 1024 ways to land a win. With wins forming in any direction, you can earn some great payouts The game also offers other bonus features, including free spins, wilds, multipliers, and even a risk game where you can double your rewards. You can take advantage of the Xtra Reel Power feature to further customize your wagers and potential prizes. 

• RTP: 96%
• Volatility: Medium
• Maximum Win: $648,000.00
• Theme: Wild West
• Where to Play: BetMGM Casino

 

3. Gates of Olympus Slot

Play the Gates of Olympus slot and discover rings, crowns, and an hourglass on the 6x5 grid. Winning combinations trigger a Tumbling Reels mechanism, and multiplier symbols boost wins by up to 500x! These multipliers build up over the course of a free spins bonus round, potentially leading to even greater prizes. 

• RTP: 96.5%
• Volatility: High
• Maximum Win: $500,000.00
• Theme: Ancient Greece
• Where to Play: Resorts Casino

 

4. Better Wild Slots

The Better Wilds slot shines brighter than the others with dazzling diamonds, gold bells, sparkling fruits, and shining 7’s. Played on a 5 reel, 4 row grid, this slot allows you to activate up to 25 paylines for the chance to win up to 500x your stake. There are loads of options to choose from when it comes to selecting a bet size. The multiple selections of wild features include regular wilds, expanding wilds, and moving wilds. Not to mention a good helping of free spins, respins, and multiplier rewards. 

• RTP: 96.42%
• Volatility: Medium
• Maximum Win: $500,000.00
• Theme: Fruit, Jewels
• Where to Play: PlayStar Casino

 

5. Lucky 7 Slot

Just like the traditional brick and mortar slot machines, Lucky 7 slot features a classic three-reels screen and only one available payline. You don't have any bonus features to look forward to while playing apart from some classic symbols that pay even when they're not in a sequence. This doesn't mean that the game can't be fun or profitable though. On the contrary, there's plenty of excitement offered here for anyone with a taste of authentic old-school gaming. 

• RTP: 97%
• Volatility: Medium
• Maximum Win: $5,000.00
• Theme: Bars and Bells
• Where to Play: Caesars Casino

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The Latest Slot Releases for Sep 2023

Here are the latest online slots in the US. You can play these games at all our recommended online casinos. 

• Golden Dragons by Hammertime
• Hellvis Wild by Pragmatic Play
• Razor Returns by Push Gaming
• Thunder Hawk by Peter & Sons 
• Cygnus 3 by ELK Studios
• Rich Raptors by Fantasma Games

Real Money Slots Online vs Free Play

You can now play legal online slots for real money in many US states, but what about playing slots for free? While there are some advantages to free play, it also means you miss out on winning jackpots and other cash prizes. 

How We Pick the Best Online Slots for Real Money

Only the best online casino slots make it onto our list. Here’s what we look for in a great real cash video slot:

RTPs (Return to Player percentages): All real money online slots have a theoretical return-to-player percentage (RTP). This is the average return made to the player. The best online casino slots will have an RTP of 95-98%. You can easily access payout information via the slot paytable. Some operators also place this information within their FAQ or Help section.

Volatility: All real money slot games have volatility or variance. The volatility is the frequency with which a slot pays out. High-variance slots payout large but infrequent payouts. Low-variance slots pay lots of small and frequent jackpots. Our team tests out every slot to check its volatility and payout frequency.

Game Design & Playability: No one wants to risk their bankroll playing dull slots. We always review every slot for graphics and playability. You can always test out a game in the free slots demo mode if you're feeling curious, but unsure.

Licensing & Reliability: Your bankroll should be safe whenever you play online slots for real money. All of our recommended online slots carry proper licenses in the US. Games are tested for fairness before they reach the slots casino lobby..

Online Availability: The best real money slots will be available at multiple legal online casinos in your state. Whether you have just one or several casino accounts, you’ll be able to find a broad range of great slots.

What online slots pay real money? In 2021, you can play a range of exciting online slot machines for real cash. Just make a deposit and open a game in your browser.

Real Money Progressive Slots

Progressive slots are games that feature a special jackpot that grows with every qualifying bet. Some progressives are linked across multiple online casinos.

Usually, you must bet the maximum stake to trigger a progressive jackpot. The jackpot may activate at random, or you may be required to play a special bonus game first. In general, the more you bet, the better your chance of triggering the progressive.

Popular progressive slots feature the biggest jackpots. They are played by more gamblers at more online casinos. And the longer the jackpot goes unclaimed, the bigger it gets. The best games may also feature a series of tiered progressive jackpots.

Best Progressive Online Slots for Real Money

The top US casinos online spread up to a dozen progressive slots. Here are 5 of the top progressive jackpot slot games in at US casinos:

Divine Fortune (NetEnt): NetEnt’s Divine Fortune has one of the largest online progressive jackpots in the US. The game features a bonus game where you can win one of three jackpots: Minor, Major or Mega.

Gong Xi Fa Cai (IGT): Gong Xi Fa Cai is an Asian-inspired progressive that features free spins, multipliers and the Lucky Fortune Progressive Picker. Keep choosing lucky red envelopes until you match three colored gems and win the respective jackpot.

Loot’EnKhamun (WinStudios): WinStudios’ Loot’EnKhamun is part of a group of online progressive slots that can be played at legal casinos in the US. The game features a “BigOne Jackpot” that contains five levels of prize: Blitz Cash, Quick Cash, Super Cash, Mega Cash and Colossal Cash. The BigOne Jackpot has regularly reached over $3 million.

Stellar Jackpots with Silver Pride (Lightning Box): This African-themed progressive slot has 1,024 ways to win and a free spins bonus. Three Spaceship symbols will trigger the Stellar Jackpot Bonus where you can win one of three prizes: the Mini, Minor or Major.

China Shores with Quick Strike (Konami): This exciting Asian-themed slot features Action Stacked Symbols, free spins and a linked two-level progressive. The mystery jackpot is awarded at random during any base game. The more you bet, the higher your chance of hitting the progressive jackpot.
 

Highest Paying Casino Online Slots

Not all online slot games are equal. If you want to win real money slots, you should know what to look for. A Return to Player Percentage, or RTP, is important. Sifting through 100s of games for the best RTP slots is probably something you're not eager to do. We've done a bit of that work for you. Below are the top 10 highest-paying online slots in the US right now. You can also check out our list of the best online casinos that payout

Advantages of Playing Online Casino Slots 

You can now play legal online slots for real money in many US states. Here are five reasons why online slots beat land-based slot machine games:

Enjoy Your Favorite Land-Based Slots Online: Many US slot developers have adapted their land-based games for online casinos. The good news is that online versions are virtually identical to their land-based cousins.

Play Slots Anywhere, Any Time: Why travel miles to have fun at your nearest brick-and-mortar casino when you can gamble online? That’s the beauty of playing online casino slots. Just fire up the PC or laptop and gamble for real cash any time you like.

Find Higher RTPs Online: Some of the best land-based slots have RTPs up to 95 or 96%. Depending on the state, land-based casino slots' RTP may be in the mid-'80s. You won't find that at our recommended real money online slots; period. There are plenty of legal online slots in states like New Jersey that have RTPs up to 98%. Ultimately, if you are looking for a win, an online slot casino might be the better choice.

Gamble on Your Tablet or Smartphone: You can find hundreds of great slots to play for real cash on your mobile device. As long as you have a strong Wi-Fi connection, you can turn your iOS or Android smartphone into a portable casino.

Claim Free Spins or a Deposit Match Bonus: An online casinos will often boast a better slots bonus than land-based casinos. Claim free spins on your favorite games or earn a deposit match when you open a new account. For instance, many players can claim a Caesars promo code to get started with a generous welcome bonus.

Is Playing Online Casino Slots on Mobile Possible?

You can also play hundreds of online slots for real money through your portable device. Download a native app or log in and play through your web browser. Real money slots apps are easily available and you can even make deposits using your smartphone. 

Mobile slots differ from online slots as they are adapted to work on your specific OS. The game screen will be smaller and you can access the paytable and other information with the swipe of a finger. We find that playing slots on a casino app can be enjoyable and very easy to get started. 

How To Download A Casino App

iOS (Apple): Most online casinos in the US offer download apps for the iPhone and iPad. After registering your account, simply visit the App Store and download the client. The software is free but you will need to have iOS10+ running on your device. 

Android: The Google Play Store doesn’t supply native apps in 2020. Alternatively, you can download mobile apps direct from the casino’s homepage. When prompted, choose the Settings and turn the ‘Unknown Sources’ option on. For most casino mobile sites, you will need to run Android 5.0 or higher. 

Instant-Play: Many regulated casinos also let you play mobile slots through your browser. Simply log in to your favorite casino site through your smartphone or tablet and load up a game in your mobile browser. Slots programmed in HTML5 work perfectly on whatever platform you are running. 

US Mobile Casinos With Slots for Real Money in 2023

Several US states now offer legal and regulated mobile slots for real money play. Here are some of the most popular mobile casino apps and sites in 2021. 

Online Slots Software Providers

In 2021, you can find approximately a dozen licensed and regulated slots software developers in the US. Some developers already supply land-based slot machines to US casinos while others are exclusive online manufacturers. Here are some of our favorite developers supplying online slots. 

WMS Gaming

WMS Gaming/Williams Interactive provides top-quality online slot machines to many of the world’s best casinos. WMS is now a subsidiary of SG Gaming (Scientific Games) but continues to produce world-class gambling titles like Raging Rhino, Fire Queen and Epic MONOPOLY II.

Bally

Bally is one of America’s oldest slot machine manufacturers. Like WMS, Bally is now part of the Scientific Games giant and supplies legal and licensed games to many US online casinos. Popular online Bally games include adaptations of their land-based favorites like Quick Hit Super Wheel, Anchorman and Cash Spin.

IGT
 

IGT (International Game Technology) is another giant of the land-based slot machine market. You will find lots of IGT mobile and online slots at licensed casinos in the USA. Try classic slots like 7s Wild and Double Diamond or hit the big stakes in games like Cleopatra Plus and Gong Xi Fa Cai.

WINStudios

WinStudios is the development team behind the bwin/partyGaming brand. They provide many of their exclusive slots to partner online casinos in the US. The developer offers nearly a dozen linked progressive slots like Loot’EnKhamun and Melon Madness.

NextGen
 

NextGen forms part of the NYX Group, and supplies games and software to many US online casinos. Popular NextGen slots include Astro Cat and Big Foot, plus classic games like Bars & Bells and Ambassador.

NetEnt

NetEnt is a Swedish provider of online slots to the global casino market. It provides legal games to most US online casinos. Among the most popular NetEnt slots  are Gonzo’s Quest, Jack Hammer and Starburst, as well as big progressives like Divine Fortune.

Other Software Developers:

• Microgaming
• Betsoft
• Playtech
• Novomatic
• Barcrest

Online Slot Machine Basics

Little to no skill is needed to play slots. Let us guide you through the basics of slot machine play.

How to Play Online Slot Machines

Online slots are played on a series of vertical reels filled with symbols. In every game, the reels spin and randomly come to a stop thanks to a random number generator (RNG) that is regularly audited to ensure fairness. You win money by lining up matching symbols on paylines that run horizontally across the reels (though a few games have vertical or diagonal paylines, too).

First, you need to select your coin size and the number of paylines you want to bet on. Some slots have fixed paylines where you will have to bet on every possible combination.

Online Slot Bonus Features & Rounds

Most modern online slot machines feature a bonus round. The bonus can be triggered at random or by landing the required number of scatter symbols. These are symbols that payout regardless of where they land on the reels. Common slot bonuses include:

Free Spins:  You receive a number of free games, sometimes with a prize multiplier attached.

Prize Wheel:  You win a spin of a prize wheel that contains free spins, multipliers or jackpot cash sums.

Wilds:  Wilds are joker symbols that help complete a winning combination across the reels. Wilds sometimes have prize multipliers attached.

Cascading Reels/Re-spins:  In a slot with cascading reels, winning symbols are removed from play, allowing symbols sitting above on the reels to fall into their place. You then receive a free reel re-spin. Consecutive winning cascades are usually awarded with a progressive multiplier.

Pick ‘em Bonus:  In a pick ‘em bonus, you get to choose from 10-12 hidden symbols on the screen. Behind each symbol is a cash prize, free spins or multiplier. Keep choosing symbols until the “Collect” sign appears.

How to Create an Account for Online Slots

If you want to play slots for real money, you'll need to begin with setting up an account. In most US states, you must be 21 or over to play real money slots on an app or online. The registration process is simple. You will need to:

1. Create a unique account name and password


2. Provide personal details such as a home address and cellphone number


3. Provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (sometimes your full SSN will be required


4. Verify your account by clicking on the email link


5. Make a first deposit; you may have to provide personal documentation like a scan of your passport or driver’s license, or utility bills to further establish your age, identity and address


6. Claim a welcome bonus;  you can sometimes play online slots for real money with no deposit. Good casinos will offer a no-deposit bonus where you receive free spins on popular games. You may also received a slots bonus such as a deposit match. Make sure to read through all the wagering requirements as they differ from casino to casino.

How to Deposit & Withdraw Funds

Deposits at US online casinos are usually instant and operators will generally not charge a fee. However, in the US, some banks still won’t permit card payments and online bank transfers. You may have to choose an alternative banking method such as an e-wallet or prepaid card like Play+. You can also make deposits in person at a participating land-based casino if you live near one. Should you have any concerns, you can always reach out to the customer support

US deposit options include:

• e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)


• Prepaid Card (Play+)


• Online Bank Transfer


• PayNearMe


• Check by Mail


• Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)


• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, AMEX)


• Casino Cage in person

You can also learn more about payment options here.

Online Slot Strategies to Consider

Online video slots are simple to learn and play. But how can you make the most of your gambling bankroll? Follow our five easy tips.

1. Choose the Highest RTP

Every slot has a theoretical RTP built into the game. Always check the paytable first to see what the average payout is. The higher the RTP, the better the long-term payouts and the better your chances to win.

2. Choose a Game You Enjoy

There are thousands of online slot machines to choose from. It’s important to select a slot that you won’t get bored of. Choose a game with an interesting theme or characters, and make sure you care about the bonus features.

3. Test the Volatility with Demo Play

Some slots will have a low hit rate. That’s the frequency with which a game pays a prize. Volatile slots might decimate your bankroll before awarding a big prize. Test these games out with play credits first to see whether they have high or low variance by playing free online slots.

4. Increase Your Stakes for a Progressive Jackpot

Progressive slots award a big jackpot at random or through a special bonus game. But progressives will usually award big prizes to players who pay the highest stakes. Try increasing your coin size and take a shot.

5. Claim Your Casino Free Spins

The best US gambling sites will award free spins to new signups. As a regular player, you can also claim bonus spins on a Slot of the Week. Take advantage of these bonus promotions when you play online slots for real money.

States With Legal Online Casinos

Online casinos are now perfectly legal in many US states. Some states even offer a mix of legalized online sports betting and poker alongside casino games. For instance, Illinois online casinos aren't yet legal in the state but you can still play video slots online. Remember, you can join up with regulated online casinos anywhere in the USA. However, you will have to be located within those states to be able to log in and play games for real money.

Michigan

Michigan joined the party with legalized online casino gambling back in 2019. In one fell swoop, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put pen to paper on blanket gaming laws regulating casino games, poker and sports betting. Some of the biggest casino players are already making inroads into the regulated market in MI.

Find out more about Michigan Online Casinos

New Jersey

New Jersey was the first US state to legalize online casino games. The home of Atlantic City now boasts some of the best internet gaming anywhere in the US. Join up with major players such as Golden Nugget and Borgata and make deposits in person at partner casinos in AC.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania legalized casino gambling back in 2017. It’s now legal to log on to a licensed PA casino and play slots and table games. Plus, many of the state’s biggest gambling players such as BetMGM, Caesars and Unibet are open for business. Be sure to check out our list of the most comprehensive list of the best Pennsylvania Online casinos.

West Virginia

West Virginia Online Casinos began being regulated in 2019. At the same time, WV legalized sports betting and online poker. Some of America’s largest operators wasted no time in opening online casinos, including BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel.

Connecticut

Connecticut online casinos are expected to become available by the end of the year.

Ready to start playing online slots for real money? Sign up to one of our top-rated casinos today and discover a world of exciting online slot machines!

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