Guide to Playing Online Video Slots 2021
Online casino players in the United Kingdom now have thousands of video slots to choose from. The engaging gameplay and many ways to win makes video slots one of the most popular game categories amongst casino players worldwide.
The online casino industry is moving at a rapid pace in terms of player numbers and technological development and innovation. As interactive web-based video content has been at the forefront of this global shift, the rise in demand of online video slots has come as no great surprise. The UK’s best games integrate the latest video streaming technologies. Thus video slots create immersive gameplay that provides an experience at an entire new level than that of traditional slot titles.
This has led to a proliferation of casinos offering online video slots, and the market growth is not expected to slow anytime soon. To make sure you get all the benefits of this exciting slot revolution, our experts at theslotslad.com have put together a complete video-slot guide. It includes in-depth knowledge of video slot terminology, features and game software companies. Also, our experts cover the best video slots available to UK players, recommendations on new game releases to look out for in 2020, and tips for finding the best video slot casinos in the UK.
How We Review the Top Video-Slots Online Casinos
Our casino experts at theslotslad.com are passionate about slots. The excitement of video slots gets us even more enthusiastic about spinning the reels and reporting back to you on the great gameplay experience. We play on thousands of video slots online and closely observe every detail and feature in order to bring you the most comprehensive review on every game.
We evaluate the design, animation and sounds as well as the slot’s mechanics, special symbols and bonus features. Our experts will play every video slot on desktop and mobile devices to test gameplay across different device makes and screens. Beyond the slot itself, we also evaluate the online casinos that offer it. We then rank and recommend casinos based on reputation and safety, bonuses offered, customer service and more.
We constantly update our expert guide with new and exciting video slots, so bookmark this page to stay up to date with the best video slots available in the UK.
How Video Slots Work
Although video slots elevate gameplay and provide a whole new level of engagement, the basic way to play online video slots is similar to playing on any slot machine:
- Step 1: Browse through the hundreds of great video slots we recommend.
- Step 2: Decide how much money you want to stake and place your bets.
- Step 2: Spin the slot reels.
- Step 3: Get immersed into the animations, sounds and graphics.
- Step 3: Watch the reels spin and (hopefully) multiple winning combinations appear.
- Step 4: Collect your winnings and enjoy special features, mini games and bonus rounds.
Unlike old-school slots that provide a monotonous, repetitive spin of the reels, video slots are usually based on a storyline which develops throughout the game session. The storyline then evolves as you progress and reach achievements in the game. For example Microgaming’s Game of Thrones video slot lets you spin the reels, while small wins make you progress through a map and watch cutscenes from the epic TV series. Another great video slot is Playtech’s Britain’s Got Talent which lets you watch different clips of acts on the reels. These clips then become your acts which you will be judged by to advance to the next game rounds.
Nearly all new video slots are based on HTML5 technology. So you can enjoy the game’s enhanced graphics and super-smooth gameplay on both computer and mobile devices. The outstanding technological capabilities of most smartphones and tablets these days means that more and more players are enjoying video slots on their mobile devices… and long may that continue.
Top Rated Video Slots 2020
The growing number of video slot titles available in 2020 means that online casino players have an endless variety of games. But clearly, getting stuck into the greatest titles is the best plan of attack for newcomers to online video slots. To help you on your way, our experts put together a list of some of the best video slots available to players in the UK:
- Mega Moolah | A progressive jackpot slot from leading software developer Microgaming. Go for a trip in the safari, meet friendly animals and spin the reels to win epic jackpots worth tens of millions of pounds.
- Rainbow Riches | Join Leprechaun O'Leary for an Irish adventure in this colourful, vivid slot. Spin the reels to hopefully win a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- Hall of Gods | Brought by Swedish game developer NetEnt, this video slot takes you on a bonus-laden adventure with five of the most powerful gods of Norse mythology. Spin the reels for a clash of the titans and win money for their victories.
- Divine Fortune | Another popular game by NetEnt that is based on Greek mythology and includes jackpot bonus games and a chance to win a huge jackpot that can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- Gonzo’s Quest | One of the famous online video slots of all times. Gonzo’s Quest takes you on an adventure when you spin the reels. This video slot boasts an immersive storyline, scary mask symbols, great animation and some fantastic cash prizes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk | A classic tale brought to life in video slot form. Another one of NetEnt’s most popular video slot titles invites you to join Jack, slay the giant to win big.
- Guns ‘N Roses | Rocking tunes, incredible video graphics and unrivalled gameplay? That’s a hymn sheet that most players sing from when spinning the reels of the Guns N’ Roses video slot. Through a trademark agreement with one of the world’s most iconic rock bands, this video slot features symbols and bonus rounds filled with images, tunes and animation of the one and only Guns N’ Roses.
- The Invisible Man | A fantastic take on the ‘good guy, bad guy’ dynamic, The Invisible Man is here to help players quietly accumulate some excellent prizes. This beautifully designed NetEnt video slot features 20 paylines and four different types of wilds.
- X-Men | Join Wolverine and the gang as they save the planet and earn some handsome cash prizes along the way. This Playtech 5 reel, 25 payline slot boasts fantastic free spins and wild scatter symbols.
- 4 Seasons | This innovative video slot by Betsoft gaming is based on a mystical tale that brings together Ancient Chinese mythology and a jaw-dropping bonus feature that can create substantial payouts. The Chinese zodiac is the base of this game, where players need can match combinations on no less than 36 paylines.
- Adventures in Wonderland |This adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic brings together all of the unforgettable characters into one outstanding video slot title. It features a Pocket Watch bonus that will get you 20 free spins, and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party bonus which is a ticket to play for a progressive jackpot.
- Frankenslot’s Monster |The devious Dr Frankenslot has another ghoulish creation to call upon in this fun variation of the classic Frankenstein tale. Join the fun in this 5-reel, 9-payline slot, and look for the famous Monster wild and Mad Scientist symbol to trigger spooky bonuses.
- Motörhead |The third slot of NetEnt’s rock video-slot trilogy, this game brings to your screen the antics of one of the hardest-living bands on the planet. Look for the Mystery Reel feature where one reel will spin in flames and reveal a mystery rock icon that helps you get winning combinations.
- South Park |Travel with this NetEnt video slot to South Park, Colorado. Spin the reels of this fantastic take on the ever-popular cartoon series. The South Park slot brings to life the great characters from the hit US TV show, and adds even more adventure with special features like the Cartman Mini, Kyle Bonus Spin and Kenny Bonus Game.
Advantages of Online Video Slots
Both classic and video slots are hugely popular with UK online casino players. However video slots offer more advantages that make them the game of choice for most online casino punters.
- Immersive Gameplay: In addition to their innovative design, animation and sound, online video slots boast themes that develop throughout the game. Many features such as animations, movies, mini games and bonus rounds keep players highly engaged. In comparison, classic slots are usually very standard and present three reels and ordinary symbols that are just spun repeatedly.
- More Ways to Win: Online video slots feature many paylines (sometimes hundreds), free spins and more bonus features that greatly increase your chances to win. Whereas classic slots usually feature only a handful of paylines.
- Game Variety: Most of the leading software developers don’t release many old-school slots. They would rather focus their efforts and creativity on developing new and innovative video slots. Therefore the variety of video-slot titles is enormous, compared to the limited selection of classic slots.
- Strategy and Skill: Playing on classic slots involves a monotonous spin of the reels, whilst online video slots have many different game features and options that enable you to learn the game and develop your own strategy and skill set. Obviously all slots are a game of chance, but there are still video-slot strategies that can increase your chances of winning.
- Progressive Jackpots: Some of the most famous video slots offer a progressive jackpot that will give you a chance to win huge prize pots which were funded by many players. Whereas classic slots are usually a standalone game with limited prizes that are based on your own wagers.
Types of Video Slot Games
In a market led by creativity and innovation, nearly every video slot is unique in its design, theme, features and mechanics. To narrow down your search for the best video slots, consider these key characteristics:
- Number of Reels | Most video slots offer either 3 or 5 reels, with some offering even 6 or 7. The number of reels will determine how many winning combinations you will be able to land in every spin, and also the amount you will need to stake on part, or all of the reels. There some innovative video slots that don’t have reels, but instead feature floating symbols on a grid.
- Number of Paylines | Paylines are a determining factor in your chances to land a winning combination on the reels, as the slot’s paylines highlight how the symbols need to be aligned in order to generate a win. Video slots usually have anywhere between 5 to 100 paylines. There are also some newer slots that provide 243, and even 1024 ways to win.
- Traditional/Progressive Jackpots | Traditional video slot games have a maximum prize built into them based on a specific combination of symbols. Progressive jackpot slots will have a prize pot with an initial seed amount which is put up by the casino or game developer, and then a percentage of every wager any player makes on that slot is also added to the pot. The jackpot will keep growing until a lucky player will trigger the winning combination.
Online Video Slot Bonus Features
Naturally, playing a video slot involves spinning the reels and generating winning combinations on paylines. But video slots offer even more exciting chances to win with in-game, special bonus features:
- Scatters: Scatter symbols often help to trigger a special round of free spins.
- Wilds: Wild symbols often substitute for other main game symbols to create wins where they otherwise wouldn’t exist.
- Multipliers: Multipliers enhance your winning spins, jackpot payouts and more.
- 243 Ways to Win: Like many other slot games, these video slots typically have 5 reels with 3 symbols on each. But instead of following paylines, you will get paid for every possible winning combination of symbols from left to right.
- 1024 Ways to Win: This new type of video slot takes the concept of more ways to win even further. In addition to no paylines, this slot will award you a win for any combination of symbols anywhere on the reels from left to right, irrespective of the symbol location on each reel.
- Megaways: MegawaysTM is a video slot technology created by game developer Big Time Gaming. The most common MegawaysTM video slot features 6 reels with 2 to 8 symbols on each. Reels will change in height with every spin to create a dynamic set of possible winning combinations (the maximum amount of ways to win on a Megaways slot is 117,649).
- Win Both Ways: As the name states, this type of video slot will award you with a win for combinations that are aligned from left-to-right and right-to-left. So you practically have double the chances to win with every spin.
- Expanding Reels: Expanding-reels video slots have a feature that will randomly expand the reels to have more rows and contain more symbols, thus providing more chances to land winning combinations.
- Stacked Symbols: Some video slots feature stacked symbols, which are usually staked wilds. These special symbols will stack on the reels in addition to the regular symbols, to give you more chances to win.
- Colossal Symbols: These are special symbols that cover an entire reel of a video slot in both base games and bonus rounds, providing many additional ways to win.
- Cluster Pays: Cluster-Pays video slots are another type of slot that doesn’t have paylines. A cluster of symbols attached together will be considered a win.
- Gamble Feature: Some video slots offer a gamble feature which allows you to gamble on the outcome of the next spin and possibly increase your winnings even further. Usually the gamble feature will appear as part of the slot’s bonus rounds.
Using the Auto-Spin Function
Occasionally, you may find yourself just sitting back and watching the action unfold via the auto-spin function. Rather than manually selecting your stake and spinning the reels, auto-spin slots have a button that enables you to lock in your stake amount, set the number of auto-spins you want to employ and then simply let the reels go to work without any need for intervention. There are also video slots that have a quickspin function that usually allows additional, fast-spinning game sessions during bonus rounds.
Video Slot Apps and Video Slots on Mobile
Nearly all the new online video slots are developed on HTML5 technology which makes them responsive and customizable for use of any browser on a PC or mobile device. So video slots players can take their slots with them and enjoy playing at any time, and pretty much from anywhere. There are also many UK online casinos that offer a mobile slot apps that can be downloaded and installed on your mobile device. The best UK mobile slots can be played on mobile browsers or via dedicated casino apps on Android, iOS and even Windows mobile devices.
Newest Video Slots Sites in the UK
UK casino players are spoiled for choice when it comes to the variety of sites and apps that offer video slots. Our team at theslotslad.com constantly reviews and updates this guide with the newest casino sites that offer video slots and bonuses to UK players. Bookmark this page and check it regularly, so you will stay updated with the latest news, sites and offers.
Video Slot Bonuses
With so many great slot sites in the UK, most operators offer generous bonuses to entice new players to sign up. Bonuses are also used to reward the loyalty of returning punters. There is a wide array of casino promotions that can be used to play on video slots. These include a sign-up bonus that lets you play video slots simply for signing up with the casino and verifying your account.
You can also claim a deposit bonus, where the casino will credit your account balance with bonus money to match your deposit. Another type of bonus is free spins that let you play on featured video slots without paying for your wager, but you still have chances to win. Most UK casinos offer loyalty programs that let you collect loyalty points and convert them to bonuses and cashbacks. In addition, there are refer a friend promotions, seasonal bonuses and more. Check out our dedicated page for the most updated, best slots bonuses in the UK.
Free Video Slots
A great way to search and test games is by playing free video slots. This will let you learn more about the slot’s mechanics, design and bonus features without spending money. Note that due to UKGC regulations, free video slots are not available in the UK.
Video Slot Game Developers
UK slot sites feature hundreds of video slots from the world’s best software providers. While some players like to choose their video slots based on type, theme and features, others pick titles from their favourite developers. The following list contains some of the leading video slot developers:
- NetEnt: Swedish-based game developer NetEnt is known for its unique animations, game designs and innovative features such as their trademark Symbol Avalanche. NetEnt slots include popular hits like Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Guns N’ Roses and many more.
- Microgaming: Isle of Man based Microgaming is one of the longest-standing online game developers in the industry. It is the producer of many iconic games like Immortal Romance, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Hellboy, Jurassic Park and Mega Moolah which is the highest-paying progressive jackpot game of all times.
- Barcrest: Initially supplier of UK iconic fruit machines to pubs and bingo halls, Barcrest evolved to become one of UK’s revered online slot providers with flagship game Rainbow Riches and fun video slots like Ooh Aah Dracula and many more popular games.
- Playtech: Another Isle of Man video slot developer is Playtech which is famous for its host of games including TV show themed slots like Little Britain, Britain’s Got Talent, American Dad and even Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
- Elk Studios: Founded in 2013, this up-and-coming developer combines artistic flare and creativity with complex mathematical models to create some of the most popular games in the UK. Elk Studios titles include Taco Brothers, Wild Toro and more.
Final Word on Video Slots
By now you acquired all the essential knowledge about video slots. But there’s nothing more exciting than actually spinning the reels and submerging into the game’s story, sites, sounds and chances to win some serious cash.
Sign up today to one of theslotslad.com recommended casinos and don’t forget to claim a generous bonus while at it!
Keep in mind that video slots provide amazing fun and excitement, but are based on luck and therefore should not be viewed as a way to earn money. Set up time limits and an affordable budget, and always stick to your limits. If you feel things get out of control, stop playing and seek help. Always gamble responsibly, so you can come back and discover the next amazing video slot.
