Play Online Slot Games

Learn more about South Africa’s most popular online slot machines. Which online slots have the greatest chance of winning and offer the highest RTP? In this guide, we list the most popular slot machines in South Africa right now and explain how they work.

Slots are the most popular and fastest games at an online casino. Join any licensed casino and there will be hundreds of players spinning on slot machines. Then one can ask the question, why are they so popular? Well, really, there’s no mystery here! Thanks to their many paylines, slot machines offer a much better chance of winning small sums regularly.

Slot machines are among the most innovative casino games. They offer bonus rounds, progressive jackpots, wilds and big bonus multipliers. Modern slot machines offer more game variations than traditional games such as Blackjack or Roulette and unique features such as the purchase of bonus rounds.

With their varying levels of volatility, slot machines can entertain different playing styles.

Do you like to play the big jackpot? Play high volatility slot machines.
Would you rather pick small wins regularly? Choose a game title with low volatility.

New exciting slot machines are constantly appearing!

What are online slot machines?

Online slot machines are games of chance where the only move you have to make is to press the spin button. After placing the bet, press the spin button and a set of reels spins. These reels are filled with symbols, and if you can match three or more over an active payline, you will win a prize.

Why play slot machines?

Well, the average spin time is around three seconds. This means you can complete hundreds of laps per hour if you wish. The other big advantage of slot machines is that you can potentially win a lot on a small bet.

With progressive slots, the winnings can reach millions! The progressive jackpot on the Mega Moolah slot machine is currently over 30 million. We can also mention that this game is responsible for paying out some of the biggest wins ever online.

What type of slot machine is best for you?

We have outlined what slot machines are and why they are popular. But what is available out there?

Below is a list of slot machines in different categories.

Why play slot machines online and are they safe?

Are online slot machines safe? Yes. Are there hundreds of different slot machines online? Yes. If you are looking for action, entertainment, security and variety, online slot machines are a perfect choice.

Everything from TV-inspired slot machines to progressive jackpots that can hand out hundreds of millions of rand – the selection of slot machines is, to say the least, gigantic.

Is it legal to play slot machines online in South Africa?

In South Africa, it is legal to play slot machines or other casino games online however it is not a properly regulated industry, so online casinos are not legally permitted to operate in South Africa. That said, there are many different casinos that you can play at, and we work daily to compare and review different gaming sites. When it comes to slot machines, it is a so-called random game. This means that you can have little effect on the outcome – it is simply chance or luck that determines whether and how much you win.

All slot machines have a so-called RNG (Random Number Generator) and this is what ensures that the game is random and correct. Simply explained, RNG is a program that uses advanced algorithms to generate random results. And it is thanks to this program that we can make sure that slot machines are safe to play on.

Can operators manipulate RNG?

No. All online slots have been reviewed and certified by a third party, such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs. These companies look at the random number generator, and if all goes well, the game will be certified.

Without these certificates, online slots casinos will not be licensed through the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming or other international regulators. So in other words: If the casino has a license through MGA or Curacao eGaming, you can be assured that the games are also 100% fair and approved.

Finally, in addition to safety, reliability and fairness, have modern slot machines online work within certain responsible gaming parameters which encouraged responsible gaming.

This is another license condition that ensures that the developer and operator must act responsibly.

What exactly is an online slot machine and why play them?

Online slot machines are the digital variant of the land-based slot machine. The one you find in the pub, in the hotel lobby, on the ferry and of course: at physical casinos in several countries.

Maybe you recognize the term “one-armed bandit”?

This was called the vending machines for a long time and of course many still say so today. The name comes from the lever that was pulled earlier, to make the wheels of the machine spin. Today, levers are no longer common on physical slot machines. They have become a little more modernized and to a certain extent become more digital. So all you have to do is press a button to spin the reels, just like the digital slot machines. Or slots, which is the English word many people use today.

Did you know?

Did you know that all online slots are tested and certified as fair by third party agencies like eCOGRA?

Slot machines that suit you

Take a look at any top-rated casino site and you will find lots of slot machines. From free online slots to jackpot games, there are many options. Although each site has its own nuances, you should expect to see anywhere from 100 to 1000+ slot machines in a modern online casino. Because of that, it’s easy to find a game that suits your style if you know what you’re looking for.

Bonus Buy Slots

Before we dive into the criteria you should use to find the perfect slot machine, it is worth talking about slot machines with a bonus buy feature. These games allow you to pay a surcharge and get a guaranteed bonus. The cost will vary depending on the size of your bet. The most important thing to note, however, is that you pay to guarantee a bonus.

Things to look for when choosing a slot machine online

There are thousands of slot machines online. Filtering through them is not easy if you do not have a list of things to look for. To help you choose the best game, we suggest you take a closer look at the following features:

1. Theme

The first thing you see when you look at slot machines is the theme. Some games have unique designs, others are based on movies, TV series, artists, etc. There are almost as many themes as there are slot machines, so it can pay to be selective.

2. Payments

Although slot machines are designed to be entertaining, you can not ignore the fact that they offer cash prizes. Real money slot machines can have jackpots worth a few thousand bucks or even millions. You need to weigh the costs of playing against what you can win and the game’s payout potential.

3. Risk

When it comes to online slot machines, there are no guarantees at all. Even the best and most popular online slot machines will not pay out all the time and you should be prepared that there is a risk. However, you can assess the potential risk/reward ratio by looking at the slot machine’s volatility and theoretical payback to player (RTP).

4. Look for volatility

All slot machines are powered by a random number generator (RNG). This ensures that the results are random and fair. There are two programmed RNG variables that determine a slot machine’s total payout potential – volatility and RTP.

These rankings should not be taken as guarantees of how much you should win, as they are calculated on what you theoretically get over time. The point here is that over time, your profit percentage should reflect the volatility and RTP ranking. Volatility represents the frequency that an online slot machine in theory gives back on your investment, also in relation to the size of the payouts.

In other words, how often you will receive a prize and how big it will be.

Slot machines with low volatility

Low volatility slot machines are designed to pay out more often than medium and high volatility games. Prizes will usually be smaller, but payout more often.

Slot machines with medium volatility

These games are located somewhere between low and high volatility slot machines.

This means that they pay out less often than games with low volatility, but more often than slot machines with high volatility.

Slot machines with high volatility

Slot machines with higher volatility pay out less often, but once they payout, the payout is all the greater.

5. Pay attention to RTP

There is something called RTP, Return To Player, and this can be good to know and have some control over. Each slot machine has an individual RTP, and this is stated as a percentage.

Theoretically, it can be said that a slot machine with an RTP of 98% gives back R98 per R100.

But as we informed you a little further up, so you should know and remember that RTP is also about the long run, so therefore you should not hang too much up in this number. Think like this: Let’s say you bet R1 and on your first spin and you win a jackpot of several million. The RTP on that spin alone was thousands of per cent, while a spin with a loss means that the RTP was zero.

That said, you can and should think a little about what you’re looking for in a game. A slot machine that pays out often and little or less often and all the more so? To get some help, you can check the RTP for different slot machines and the volatility, although in our opinion you should not get too hung up on these percentages.

6. What is your gaming budget?

If you can not afford to play – don’t. That’s how simple it actually is. You should never play for more than you can afford to lose. But if you can afford it and want to play for a penny, you can place your bet on all slot machines and regulate it while you play.

Many games make it possible to bet anything from R1 to as much as R1000 per spin and in this way the range is very wide and it becomes easier to adapt the bet to your individual budget.

What types of slot machines are out there?

Apart from the fact that the game can have a specific theme (movie, sci-fi, adventure, space, etc.), the game’s structure can also be divided into different categories. Most slot machines, for example, have five reels, but there are also those that have six, seven or even more.

Which structure suits you? Let us present some different types:

1. Number of reels

How many reels can an online slot machine have?

3-reel classic slot machines

Three-reel slot machines are usually referred to as “classic” because this is how physical slot machines looked for a long time. 3 wheels and fruit symbols (cherries, melons, lemons, etc.).

5-reel slot machines

Of the slot machines available on the South African market, it is estimated that 80-90 percent of them have five reels. This is simply the most common approach when it comes to slot machines, but that being said, games can still vary considerably in many other ways.

6-reel and 7-reel slot machines

Game developers have become creative in recent years, and it has taken slot machine technology to new levels. Thanks to innovations traditional formats have been improved. Today you can find games with six, seven and sometimes even more reels.

2. Game types

What types of slot machines can you play online?

Classic slot machines and fruit machines

Classic slot machines are another term for fruit machines. This means that classic slot machines often contain cherries, grapes, watermelons, oranges and lemons. In line with the classic theme, these games also have symbols of bells, BAR symbols and 7s.

Video slot machines

The best online slot machines usually fall into this category. There is no specific theme or feature you can use to define what video slot machines are. The main characteristic to look for is wheels. Video slots usually have five reels and a selection of wilds and bonuses.

3D slot machines

3D slot machines can be both classic and video slot machines, and by 3D we mean exactly as it sounds: the games have 3D graphics. Many game developers have made 3D slots that when you play their games, it’s almost like going into an animated movie. It’s both great graphics and entertaining at the same time.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

These slot machines take a small percentage of everyone’s bets and add them to a common pot. This allows the prize pool to grow at an enormous rate. When someone hits the right combination, they win the pot – a jackpot that can sometimes be several million kroner! This makes progressive jackpot slot machines online more exciting than those with fixed payouts.

Cluster Slots Online

Traditional slot machines have a certain number of paylines, where it is important to get matching symbols that together create a winning combination. So-called “cluster slots” or slot machines with cluster winnings have no paylines in this way. Instead, it is about getting matching symbols next to each other, in “clusters”.

Slot machines with multiple paylines

Classic fruit machines often have a payline (sometimes up to five). Today, old and new slot machines will have more paylines. It can be a fixed amount or a random amount.

The purpose here is that you have to get up equal symbols across active paylines from left to right.

Did you know?

Over 80% of all South African online gamblers play slots games?

How to increase the chances of winning on slots?

In some casino games, you have an advantage if you have knowledge of the game. By being good at mental arithmetic, you can increase your chances against the house in, for example, Blackjack.

But when it comes to slot machines, there is unfortunately not much you can do, and here knowledge becomes quite insignificant. This is because the results on the spin are completely random, something we have already talked about. But one thing you can do after all gets control of a few things before you start playing. Making some wise choices increases the chances that you will get the most out of your gaming experience.

Are there strategies for slot machines?

As we have already mentioned, there is really no known way to influence the odds in your favour as you are guaranteed to win when you spin the reels of a slot machine. However, there are a few things that can be important and that can increase your chances of winning.

To begin with: Always make sure you have control over your money and your gaming budget, it is a “must” when it comes to all kinds of casino games. Because without this bit, it can quickly go wrong, and then it’s not fun anymore.

You should never try to win back money you lost – it can again cause you to lose even more. Always make sure to stop playing when you are up. Think about this with volatility and RTP, something we talked about before. What do you prefer? More small chances of winning or fewer wins, but maybe possibly higher wins?

Read information about the game, inside the game, before you start playing. Here you can see that you, for example, must have wagered the maximum to even have a chance at the jackpot. Here you have to consider – is the small chance of the jackpot worth one or more spins with a maximum bet?

Check this out first, then you will be aware of what is required of you in relation to the game’s potential chances of winning.

How do slot machines work?

Learn how slot machines work. Accept that it is chance that decides everything.

When you feel comfortable with it, you avoid getting emotional when you play. Then you know that your results depend entirely on chance and that way you do not have to be frustrated with the results. There is nothing you can do about the outcome, and by accepting it, it will be both easier and more fun to play.

With that in mind, we now thought we would go through what it might look like when you start playing on a slot machine:

You place a bet and click the spin button.
The wheels spin until they stop.
Each wheel has a selection of symbols on it. Symbols stop at random on the reels.
Above the reels there are a certain number of invisible paylines. If you get three or more matching symbols (usually from left to right) on an active payline, you usually win a coin win.
To help you win combinations, the game may have one or more so-called wild symbols (wilds). This type of symbol usually replaces all other symbols and thus helps you on your way when it appears on the reels.
If you get enough of so-called scatter symbols, you usually win some kind of bonus. For example, the free spins feature can be activated.
If you play a progressive jackpot slot machine, there is no fixed maximum win. Instead, it is a pot that is constantly growing every time players bet on the game.

Note that it differs from game to game. Not all slot machines have scatter or wild symbols, while other games may have two different scatter and three different wild symbols.

Play free slot games online!

A tip for keeping track of today’s game selection and testing how a slot machine works is to play slot machines for free. Keep in mind, however, that you can not win anything when you play for free this way. After playing for a while, you will also be asked to start playing for real money.

This is a smart and easy way to get an overview of how the game works, whether you like it and if you feel it is a game you may want to invest money in or not.

Online Slots Glossary

Below is a small glossary of some words that you will come across and that may be useful to know about when playing slot machines online.

Payline	An invisible line that the symbols must land on in order for a winning combination to occur.
Wheel	The vertical “columns” on the game board itself that you spin and on which the symbols appear.
Jackpot	The highest possible payout on any slot machine. These are both fixed jackpots (predetermined) and progressive (still growing).
Free Spins	A certain number of spins that you can usually win in the game itself. You can then spin these spins for free.
Wild symbol	A symbol that replaces other symbols in the game. Can be “stacked”, “expanding”, “sticky” or completely normal.
Scatter symbol	A symbol that usually activates some form of bonus game in the game. For example, the free spins feature.
Main game	A term used to distinguish the standard mode of the slot machine from bonus or free spins features.
Bonus game	Free spins round, or another type of bonus game on a slot machine. (eg a Pick and Click bonus game).
Multiplier	A feature found in some games. For example, in the free spins feature you can get a multiplier of x3. Then the win is multiplied by three if you win something.
Car games	The ability to specify a specific number of spins to be played automatically.
RTP	Stands for “Return To Player” and is stated as a percentage. Gives an indication of how often the game pays out winnings.
Volatility	Also called “variance”, this refers to the frequency at which an online slot machine is programmed to pay out, also in relation to the size of payouts.

Conclusion

Casino players in South Africa will be able to discover many different slot machines to play on from either desktop or mobile devices. Today, slot machines come with exciting features that make the game even more captivating.

Game developers are constantly creating new ways to spice things up and giving players more interesting ways to make a little money on casino games. The best online casinos will also offer various bonuses and free spins, which will enhance your gaming experience.

Let us help you start exploring the world of online slots today!