AN INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE SLOT GAMES IN THE UK
Video slots, new slots and classic slot games – this is what casino gaming is all about.
Today, there are thousands of slot games that can be enjoyed online from the comfort of your living room.
Slot machines are the most popular form of casino gambling. More money has been wagered at online slots than any other casino game.
On this page, you will find all of the online slot games that we have reviewed as well as recommendations of the best UK slot sites where they can be played. We can confirm that we have tested all of the online slot games which are featured on SlotsHawk.com.
Here you can compare different online slot machines before to play – giving you a great advantage.
SlotsHawk will give you all the slot tips you need to know. Keep reading to discover a deeper insight into the most popular form of casino entertainment!
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SLOT GAMES
In order to maximize the entertainment, it is important for you to recognise the types of slots available.
The most common type of slot machines are video slots, followed by classic slots and then progressive jackpot slot machines.
The type of slot machine you choose should depend on your needs and which of them can provide you with the most benefits.
You should choose a slot machine based on simplicity, originality and benefits.
If you want a no-nonsense simple slot without any flashing graphics, you should choose a classic slot machine.
If you want to have a chance to win big on a single spin, then pick a progressive jackpot slot.
If you are here to chill out and enjoy a slot machine for entertainment purposes and to enjoy fun bonuses and great graphics, then select a standard video slot.
VIDEO SLOTS
Video slots are the bread and butter of casino slot machines and are the most popular type of slot machine.
They have evolved over time into highly congenial and well-designed forms of casino entertainment.
Video slot machines have numerous pay lines and are full of numerous features and mechanics including free spins.
Free spins are the obvious bonus, but do not discount multipliers, wilds and cascading reels, all of which benefit the player and help to create more chances to win.
Video slots are perfect slot machines for players who prefer lots of excitement.
CLASSIC SLOTS
Classic slot machines are for players who want to be taken back to a bygone era.
These are the type of slots that would litter old style Las Vegas casinos, British pubs and British arcades.
Classic slots do not offer all the special features that video slots offer, but this does not mean they are boring.
There are lots of players who prefer simple machines that give only coin wins.
PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT SLOTS
Progressive jackpot slot machines offer humongous jackpots and periodic bonuses.
Jackpot slot machines allow players to become millionaires from one simple spin of the reels.
Some jackpot slots that can pay out millions include Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune.
Find the SlotsHawk list of the best progressive jackpot slots here.
BRANDED AND THEMED SLOTS
There are lots of video slot games which come with specific themes to them. Some famous themed slot games include Wizard of Oz slots, Monopoly slots and slots based on movies such as the popular Ted slot game.
Whilst themed slot games enjoy a good level of popularity, we should warn you that what they make up for in graphics, they lose in bonuses and longevity that other video slots possess.
Regardless, branded slots are often fun. Our favourite themed slot is Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen slot which we are sure you will not regret playing.
CLUSTER PAYS
The innovative payline mechanic known as cluster pays was invented by NetEnt following their release of the excellent Aloha Cluster Pays slot. Since, NetEnt developed dozens of slots which used cluster pays instead of regular paylines.
In 2023 and beyond, numerous developers have bought the rights to use cluster pays in their own slots. For more information on Cluster Pays, see our guide to Cluster Pays slot games online. In our guide, we have also listed the top 10 Cluster Pays slots.
HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT SLOT MACHINE
Finding the perfect slot machine to play is a process. You should compare online casino sites and their range of slot games.
It is beneficial to choose casinos that have a large library of different online slot games. We also recommend picking a casino that stocks slots developed by a large selection of software providers.
This way you will more easily find the slot machine that is perfect for you. Below we have listed a few main criterias to have in mind when choosing a new slot machine to play.
PLAY A MEGAWAYS SLOT
Megaways slots are among the most exciting slot machines in existence. These slots offer you hundreds of thousands of different ways to win and sometimes even unlimited wins.
Megaways slot games also offer many unique slot features including cascading reels which have the potential to increase your wins.
You can find our top 15 list of the best Megaways slots here.
ALWAYS CHOOSE A SLOT MACHINE WITH HIGH RTP
Today, the competition is stiffer than ever between online slots providers. This pushes the game developers to always provide better slots with higher average payouts to the casinos and their players.
It is simply not enough for a slot machine to be just entertaining. Their slots must also have a fair & decent RTP (return to player) to stay competitive.
The average RTP for most slots is around 96%, but it is possible to find slots with an RTP of up to 99%.
Before playing a new slot you should always look at the RTP of the game. You can find it easily, as slot providers are required by their licence to display this information clearly to all players.
See our list of high RTP slots in 2023 for some quality options. All slots in the list have an RTP of 98%+. Additionally, read our in-depth guide explaining RTP if you want to learn more about the topic.
SEARCH FOR SLOTS WITH THE BEST PAYOUTS
It will not surprise you to know that different slot machines will offer you different payouts. The payout of a slot game determines how much you can potentially win by playing.
The best online slots will give you the opportunity to win big and this means that they will contribute a large potential payout. These slots are known as high payout slots.
Some slots have payouts which can reward you with over 100,000x your stake. Ideally, you should look to play slots which can offer potential wins of over 10,000x.
LOOKING FOR ACTION? CHOOSE A HIGH VARIANCE SLOT
If you like a lot of action and are ready to dig deep in your bankroll for a potential big session, then you will enjoy high variance slots.
These slot machines tend to offer huge multipliers and exciting bonus rounds.
Ideally you want to choose a high variance slot machine with decent RTP. A good high variance slot machine will give you a payout of 95% and upwards.
Be aware though, these slots have their high variance label for a reason. If there is a chance to win big, the chance is even greater that you end up loosing your deposit. A good slots provider that focus on high variance slots is NoLimit City.
ARE YOU A HIGH ROLLER? PICK A HIGH LIMIT SLOT
If you are on the lookout for a slot machine which will offer you a large maximum bet per spin, then you should check out high roller slots.
Some high roller slot games will allow you to bet up to £500 per spin.
We would always recommend to pick a high limit slot which also comes with a high RTP.
Please play these slot games with caution. Betting the maximum amount per spin always has the opportunity to end in large losses.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE LATEST SLOTS
Every month, slot machine developers release new games. In many cases, these slots are almost exactly the same as the regular old games available on the UK gambling market, but sometimes new and innovative slots are released.
The new slots therefore have the potential to offer players a fun and interesting gaming experience. However, due to the high number of new slots sites being launched, it can be difficult to choose the right one.
To increase your chances of making a successful choice, we recommend reading slot reviews of the games you are interested in playing. You can also check out the most popular slots in 2023 as well as the slot game trends we expect in 2023.
FREE SPINS AND SLOT MACHINE BONUSES
It is almost always possible to grab a free spins bonus on all online slot machines.
Casinos will usually offer these bonuses, but you can also check out our list of no deposit free spins bonuses as there are lots of sites offering them.
Free spins are the most common form of slot machine bonuses. Casinos will offer free spins to their new players, these include free spins with no wagering requirements.
Most often the free spins will come as a part of their welcome package, but sometimes casinos also give out no deposit free spins. The most common slots that they give it on is Starburst, Gonzos Quest, Book of Dead and Aloha Cluster Pays.
If you are a loyal player then a casino will also likely provide you with free spins.
Of course, some free spins are better than others. Always keep track of the bonuses offered by casinos whether you are a registered player or not.
It is much more beneficial to your bankroll if you have access to online casino free spins.
SLOT DEVELOPERS
There are hundreds of development companies whose main purpose is to create greater and better online slot games. We have reviewed dozens of different slots developers.
RED TIGER GAMING
Red Tiger Gaming is one of the top slots developers, especially in the UK market. Red Tiger has produced some of the best slots of all time including the likes of Gonzo’s Quest Megaways and Apache Way.
For more info, read our page referencing the best Red Tiger Gaming slots games.
WAZDAN
Wazdan are fairly new to the UK slots scene, but have already released some cracking slots including Sun of Fortune and 9 Lions.
If you are intrigued, check out our page looking at the top Wazdan slots.
NOLIMIT CITY
Known specifically for their incredibly handsome slots, NoLimit City are perhaps the slots developers with the most unique games. Some of their best games include Punk Toilet and El Paso Gunfight.
See the NoLimit City slots catalogue in full.
PLAYBRO
Playbro are one of the smaller slots developers operating in the UK market. If you are not aware of them, we recommend taking a look they have a lot to offer including some excellent modern features.
Find the top Playbro slot games here.
PETER AND SONS
Another new slots developer with some truly beautifully designed slot games, Peter and Sons continue to release unique games into the UK slots market. Rome: The Conquerors and Hammer of Gods are two of our favourite games.
Find all Peter and Sons slot games in the UK here.
FINAL REMARKS ABOUT CHOOSING AN ONLINE SLOT MACHINE
Slot machines are the most popular form of casino gambling today. There is a huge range of slot machine variations, from classic slots to video slots and progressive jackpot slots.
Since online slots were launched, we have seen a vast improvement in the quality, excitement and design of slot machines.
The constant improvements ensure that no slot player can ever get bored.
There will be a perfect slot machine out there for everyone, you just need to search for it.
CONTRIBUTORS
Greetings, I’m Stephen Cummings
Stephen Cummings is often referred to as ‘The Oracle’. What he doesn’t know about slot games isn’t worth knowing. He’s our genius slot machine analyst who spends most of his time reviewing new games & sites.
Slots analyst since 2020
