You might already know that online casinos are top-rated, with millions of people playing their favorite games each day. Most people think the most popular online casino game is poker or maybe blackjack – but it is online slots!
Slots account for about 70% of the available casino games online.
Since slots were first introduced into pubs and other casino establishments, they have had more than a few facelifts – but what has held is how you play and how much people enjoy them.
Where once slots were large machines with limited functions, you can now play slots on your mobile phone and have a deeply enjoyable experience.
How did slots become so popular?
Slots is an incredibly simple game, which is part of why it has seen such steady growth. As a game, bingo slots have been popular for years with sites like Jackpotjoy, and it all started with a machine that you’d pull the lever, and the reels would spin.
Slots are also referred to as fruit machines or poker machines, sometimes shortened to pokies.
Since those early days of pulling a level and online having only three reels and limited options, developers have created thousands of incredible possibilities. You’ll find slots with stuffed animals, vampires, fire and flames, historical periods, and more.
The main factors that contributed to slots becoming a mainstay of the online casino are:
- Themes
- Simple rules
- Low learning curve
- Convenient
- Free spins
- Affordable
- Jackpots
- Bonuses
What makes a slot game popular?
Just like with every type of game, some slots are more popular than others. The most popular slots have incredible graphics and an enjoyable soundtrack and often offer some of the most exciting additions to playing.
The most popular slots often have exciting wilds, fun icons, triggerable bonuses, and the chance to win big on a jackpot.
Developers invest a lot of money into making sure that their games are the most enjoyable, and with so many slots on the market, competition is fierce. But it is precisely that that allows the players to reap the rewards.
Slots made the transiting from a machine to online and mobile apps very smooth, and they didn’t lose anything that makes them what they are.
One of the best things about slots is that you can try out many before you settle on just one – because they all play the same – the only difference is the theme and some of the bonus options.
Top 5 slots to play online right now
If there are five slots that you have to try out right now, here is the list!
Rainbow Riches
Rainbow Riches is one of the most popular slot games and has been in the top spot for years. What makes rainbow riches unique is that, unlike many of the newer slot games, it started as a physical slot machine and has kept all of the run features that players loved.
There are eight variations of Rainbow Riches slot games, and each has different features. Yet, the original Rainbow Riches remains one of the most popular slot games.
Rainbow Riches first came online in 2009, and while it has benefitted from new innovative game development technology, it has stayed true to its original premise.
Mega Moolah
For players who like to be in with a chance of winning mega-money, Mega Moolah is nicknamed the millionaire maker. In 2015 a lucky UK winner hit the jackpot and walked away with £13.5 million, but there have been plenty of winners since then. Including in June 2022 when someone won $4,147,104.
Every few months, one lucky player lands a jackpot that is typically over 3 million. 50% of the winners to date are from Canada, 20% from the UK, 15% from New Zealand, 10% from the EU, and 5% from Asia.
The enormous progressive slot is available across multiple versions of the slot, but the more popular Mega Moolah slot after the classic game is the Mega Vault Millionaire.
Starburst
The Starburst slot competes with Rainbow Riches in terms of popularity, and like Rainbow, Riches has held the top spot for years. One of the reasons that Starburst is secure in the top spot is that it looks and feels like the ever-popular CandyCrush.
What might be surprising is that Starburst doesn’t have some of the features that make Rainbow Riches or Mega Moolah popular – there isn’t a progressive jackpot or updated graphics.
However, the combination of low volatility and the high RTP that keeps players coming back – getting little payouts often is much of what makes Starburst so popular.
Book of Ra
The Book of Ra slot game feels like Indian Jones in style and offers s lot of fun features, including free spins, wilds, and scatters. It plays incredibly well online but really shines on the mobile app.
There are several versions of the Book of Ra, including the Book of Ra Deluxe.
Having a storyline is one of the reasons this slot is popular, mixing slots with mystery and a mission.
Thunderstruck 2
For players who like to mix some old Norse mythology with their slot games, Thunderstruck 2 offers that. What has secured Thunderstruck 2’s top spot is the bonus games that players can enjoy, as well as fun symbols, wild multiplier, and scatter symbols.
If you snag three Bonus Hammers, you unlock the Great Hall of Spins bonus and access more features like free spins.
You will meet characters like Loki, Valkyrie, Odin, and Thor on your journey to the Great Hall of Spins. The Wild Storms feature will turn five reels wild; each character your meet will offer things like 20 free spins (Odin) and Wild Magic (Loki).
Slots have stood the test of time because they are bright, fast-paced, and enjoyable games. With all of the new technology available to game developers, it won’t be long before we see even more innovative games – and maybe a few twists on the classics.
