How to Play Online Slots in Canada
There are many ways you can play online slots in Canada.
- Demo or free play at an online casino – where the wins are credits.
- Free spins – often offered as no deposit bonuses or alongside welcome bonuses, including deposit bonuses. These are usually for specified online slots.
- Sign up for an online casino account, play and win real cash on any slot you want to play.
Playing online slots is not complicated and some online casinos dedicate 90% of their casino games collection to online slots, with some boasting over 850+ to choose from. Selection of the online slots Canadian players enjoy playing is as varied as the players themselves. Some players look for the game’s bonus elements, or it’s the progressive network to win millions that attracts them to play. For other players, they can choose to play simple, classic reels or immersive online slots with different levels and interactive components.
How Online Slots Machines Work
There are complicated maths algorithms involved in the functioning of online slots, to ensure the games are fair and not fixed. This is done via the Random Number Generator, or RNG. This software determines the outcomes of all gameplay and is built into the online slots themselves and the online casinos where they are played. It is important to note that the RNG is not preprogrammed, as neither the online slots game or the RNG has a memory. It does not know if you have just won or lost. Myths and uninformed ideas abound about how slot wins are determined, but be reassured that every spin is independent of the previous one. Plus, all RNG’s are rigorously tested before use to avoid any manipulation or unfair advantage.
Play Online Slots for Real Money or for Free
Real Money Slots
Exciting, thrilling, rewarding and fun! That’s why we play real money online slots. This is where you have registered with an online casino, deposited money into your account, and can increase your funds by finding winning lines or lose your bet if you don’t. Wagering on online slots is determined by the casino, with most online casinos accepting Canadian dollars, so you are clearly aware of the amount you are wagering.
Different types of online slots provide different numbers of paylines, and therefore opportunities for winning varies. The wagers placed are also getting slightly more complicated. As online slots evolve, options on how many coins are played per payline and how much each coin is valued at, have appeared. It is always a good idea to check out the paytable whenever you decide to play a new online slot.
Free Slots
Various casinos offer access to free online slots, where you can play with credits. As it’s not real money, of course, your wins are also in credits and not real money! Some casinos offer free spins as a no deposit bonus and sometimes, depending on the casino, you can even win cash amounts. As there is no such thing as a free lunch, it is always a good idea to check out the terms and conditions to know exactly what you can play.
What Types of Online Slots Can I Play?
Since the days of the loud, clinking machines in land-based casinos, slots have always caught the attention of platers. The fun of spinning the reels and the chance of hearing the jackpot drop has never grown old. An online casino slot holds the same fascination. So, what are today’s online slots all about? Well, for starters, they are a bit more complicated than landing three matching symbols on the middle line! You will still find classic online slots, sporting 3×3 reels, but the growth of video online slots has added a new dimension to the gameplay.
Whichever slot you play, in general, you would expect to find:
- Symbols – these have come a long way from the ‘7’s, cherries and other fruit. These normally spin vertically on the reels and are assigned values. The rarer the symbol, the higher the value.
- Paylines – these days paylines can be found in multiples up to thousands. Plus, now the symbols can pay out from the standard left to right, or right to left and both ways. As long as the required number of identical symbols line up along a payline, then a win is made. The number of paylines can be fixed or adjustable.
- Reels – these are where the symbols spin, cascade, avalanche, tumble, or use a number of exciting ways to appear and disappear! The size of the reels can vary although the current norm is for 5 reels with 3 to 5 rows.
- Coin value, bet level – both ways to set you wager. Sometimes there are a set number of coins to spin, other times you can choose the number of coins and the value of them to be played per payline.
- Paytable – these can be displayed in various ways, but this is where you can check out the symbols, their value and the payline structure.
Video Slots
Video slots changed the face of online slots gaming, increasing the attraction, thrills and potential to win. The genres have exploded to cover almost everything you can think of from seasonal offerings to vampire folklore. Ancient gods, world history, comedic animals, cartoon characters, online slots based on blockbuster books, TV and films, space, aliens and fantasy, can all be found in today’s online casino. The graphics and animations are amazing and many of the latest are produced in HD.
These interactive, immersive games include elements such as bonus symbols, like wilds that can represent any of the other regular symbols. Scatter symbols usually pay out whenever three appear anywhere on the reels, and they are also used to initiate a bonus round. Bonus rounds reflect the ingenuity of the software developer and can be ‘Pick Me’ rounds, special spins, free spins and much more!
Symbols, in turn, can become colossal, expand, stack, become sticky, remain on the reels, move across the reels or any number of actions designed by the developers. Remember all of the actions are controlled by the RNG. Reels can also fluctuate in terms of size, with expanding reels a popular bonus within some games. Other exciting features to look out for are multipliers, respins, free spins and Gamble games, where you can try and increase your winnings on a separate game of chance!
Jackpot Slots
These are the online slots that are known to have high payouts for a certain combination of symbols and the jackpot amounts remain the same. It is the progressive jackpot slots that normally draw the attention of Canadian players, with jackpots that can reach amounts in the millions, like the famous millionaire maker, Microgaming’s Mega Moolah. Progressive jackpots are not fixed, in fact, every time a player plays the slot the jackpot amount increases. Online slots with progressive jackpots are linked into networks, increasing the number of players contributing to that jackpot, which increases the amount that jackpot will pay out. The same as with any other online slots, the payouts are not predictable – where would the fun be in that?
Classic Slots
Remember one-armed bandits? Well maybe not everyone will, but this original style of slot is what the classic online slots are based on. This style of online slot can be classed among the best for the simple reason they have stood the test of time and are still immensely popular. The reels can vary from three to five, although three is the most popular, normally with three rows.
Classic or retro online slots take you back to basics, cutting out the complicated mini-games, the many paylines and numerous features. They are simplified and minimalistic, but offer a quality standard of graphics which typically consists of familiar symbols like ‘7s’, cherries and bells. These games are not only simple but fun and relaxing to play, and often the cost to play is less than with video slots, but the wins can be rewarding. The clean, crisp graphics and modern interfaces make playing classic online slots perfect for mobile devices, be that on a casino app or via the device’s browser with Flash or HTML5. Why not try a penny slot where you can make a spin for a low as 1 cent!
Developers
Also called software providers, these are the people who bring us online slots, conceive them, design and develop, program and test them. The number of providers has grown exponentially alongside the seductive popularity of spinning reels online, and the liberalization of Country laws on gaming and gambling. Developers from all around the globe contribute to this every growing library, and their games reflect their passion and innovation. Software companies need to keep competitive and be aware of what players want to enable them to produce the next generation of online slots to suit the constant demand.
The list of developers is long; some are very familiar names, others less so. Top of most people’s list would be Microgaming, the first to bring online casinos to the net. Launched in 1994, they currently have 850+ games, a prodigious amount which is still growing! NetEnt is another top software provider, but unless you reside in British Columbia, their games are not accessible to Canadian players. Bally Technologies is a smaller but yet a well-established developer within online slots and have developed the famous Quick Hit Slots.
How to Choose The Best Online Slots
There is no panacea to selecting the right slot, but these tips could prove useful:
- Select games that suit your playing personality, it is supposed to be fun!
- Choose the slot that fits your goals. Want to play all night? Want to have a jackpot win? Do you want games with certain casino bonuses, like free spins?
- Select to play reels that are within your budget.
- Don’t just stick with old favourites, there are so many new exciting games around. Look for no deposit bonuses to try out a new slot at no cost.
- Check out the return to player percentage (RTP) for better winning opportunities.
- Check our casino reviews before playing in order to pick a reliable casino site.
Online Slots RTP
This is the percentage amount that a slot machine theoretically pays back to a player over time. It is always below 100%. 95% is considered the average, and above this indicates a better return. It does not indicate how often the payouts happen.
Mobile Slots
It is no news to modern players that most casinos and developers are optimizing their casinos and games for mobile play. To remain competitive and provide players with a wide a range of options, this is essential.
Slots App
Many casinos offer a dedicated app that can be downloaded to a player’s mobile device. These can be for iOS and Android devices, as well as Blackberry and Windows mobile phones and tablets. The apps frequently offer all of the casino’s games, together with features like customer care and banking methods. The same account can be used on your laptop and mobile device.
No Download Online Slots
Not every player wants to use up their data on an app but wishes to continue playing on their smartphone or tablet. Instant play via Adobe Flash player has been around for a while, but from 2014 more and more software developers and casinos are using the HTML5 platform that synchronizes with every device. It allows for faster, sharper gaming and some developers like Microgaming are using it for all their games.
Questions And Answers
Are online slots legal in Canada?
Yes, you can legally play online slots in Canada.
What are online slots machines?
They are games made available for play at online casinos. There are different types with a variety of features and potential to win. Originally based on one- arm bandits they have developed and grown, with the growth predicted to continue.
What is a Random Number Generator?
It is the computer software that incorporates mathematical algorithms to every slot spin, ensuring they are independent and fair.
How can I win on online slots?
By playing real money online slots; check out the game’s RTP percentage, the higher it is the higher the potential for winning over time. The slot volatility can also give an indication of how wins are paid out. Low volatility usually means small yet frequent payouts, while high volatility usually indicates higher amounts but they arrive less often.
Where can I play online slots?
Any online casinos, either playing on your laptop or mobile device.
Why am I getting errors when I play online slots?
Internet interruption is the biggest cause of error messages. Check your data or Wi-Fi is functioning correctly. Another cause is letting your game stand idle for any length of time, so refreshing the page can help with that.
Can I cheat on online slots?
Not a good idea, even if it could be done. Cheating of any kind at a casino will certainly get you banned from that casino, as well as all others in the group, and you could be prosecuted or even jailed.
How can I play slots for real money?
Register with a real money online casino and deposit real money into your playing account. Select the online slots you want to play and bet your cash.
How random are online slots?
Very, the random multiplier is checked regularly to ensure the algorithms create totally random results.
Can I play slots on my mobile?
Yes, you can play via a particular casino’s app, or you can use your mobile device’s browser for instant play. Modern online casinos in Canada are optimized for mobile play.
What are the odds of winning?
It can be anything between 75% and 100% over time, although for a casino to make a profit it has to be under 100%. Not all casinos advertise their payout percentile.
What is a progressive slot game?
A slot machine game where the jackpot grows every time someone plays and fund amounts can reach five, six or even seven figure sums.
When is the best time to play online slots?
Anytime! Myths abound about when is the best time to play, but due to the random number generator, a win can occur at any time.
Conclusion
The popularity of online slots is in no way diminishing. Players demand a range of quality casino games that provide immersive, interesting play with winning potential. Developers are listening and providing online slots that entertain all who want to play. From simple classic games to innovative, interactive blockbuster games, the choices are available in full to all Canadian slot players.