Online slots are a great way to try your luck, but it can be difficult to win. While you might think that online casinos tailor the outcomes of their slot games to take more money than they give out, this is not true.
Every online casino has to adhere to strict regulations to maintain its license. These regulations require them to pay out winnings in accordance with the game rules.
So does anyone ever win big on online slots? Yes, they do! Just like in real-life slot machines, some people have walked away from playing online slots with huge jackpots and life-changing amounts of money.
Most players will indeed lose money in the long run, but it does happen that some people win big.
This article discusses the top online casino tips to improve your chances of winning big on online slots. We also highlight some of the biggest wins in recent years to help you better understand what’s possible when it comes to playing online slots.
Remember, no matter how random and unpredictable the outcome of each spin is, if you play responsibly and follow our tips, you could be the next big winner! Therefore, feel free to take a spin and see what luck has in store for you.
How Can You Increase Your Chances of Winning a Jackpot Slot?
1. Choose the right casino
Make sure you’re playing at a reputable online casino with the necessary licenses. The casino should also be regularly audited by third-party organizations. This will give you peace of mind when playing, knowing that your funds are safe.
2. Pick your online slots wisely
Choose slots with the highest RTP (return to player percentage) and look out for progressive jackpots.
Also, try to stick to games with low volatility. Low-volatility games are more likely to pay out smaller prizes regularly, whereas high-volatility slots award bigger prizes less often.
3. Set your budget and stick to it
Before you start playing, decide how much money you’re willing to lose. Then ensure you stick to your budget and don’t chase losses. Responsible gambling is key when playing online slots. Take regular breaks and enjoy the game. One tip to take home: Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
4. Claim bonuses and free spins
Most online casinos offer bonuses and free spins. You can often use these to try out new slots and test your luck at winning jackpots.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions before claiming any bonus, as certain wagering requirements may apply. The free spins may help you better understand the slot’s features and strategies you can use to win.
What are the most common bonuses for online slots?
- Welcome bonuses – Most gambling sites provide welcome bonuses to encourage new players to sign up with their casinos. They usually come with steep wagering requirements. Thankfully, playing online slots often contributes 100% to the wagering requirement.
- Cashback – This is a form of money-back bonus that helps return part or whole of your losses.
- Free spins – Free spins are usually given during sign-up and within online slot games. You should make the most of them. Remember bonus spins have a time limit, expiry date, and wagering requirements.
- Reload bonuses – This is a deposit bonus in which the casino matches a percentage of your deposit in bonus money. For instance, you may be given a 75% match bonus on your first deposit of up to $200.
5. Always practice for free before playing for real money
Have a go at the slot in demo mode first to get used to the mechanics and features of the game.
You can also utilize free spins and bonuses to practice in real-money mode without risking your own funds.
This is a great way to get the hang of online slots, particularly if you’re new to the game. It also helps hone your strategy and build confidence before you move on to real-money slots.
6. Pay attention to the pay table
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the pay table before you start playing. Knowing which symbols trigger bonus rounds, free spins, and jackpots is key to success in online slots. In addition, learning how different combinations of symbols will affect your winnings gives you an edge over other players when it comes to big wins.
What are the things to consider in a casino slot paytable?
- Slot symbols – The paytable typically lists all the symbols used in the slot. It will also mention the value of each symbol and whether it has special features.
- Special features and bonuses – It also indicates if the online slot has bonus rounds and other special features.
- Jackpots – The paytable will provide instructions on finding and winning jackpots on the slot game. Most online slots have a minor, major, and mega jackpot, with the latter offering the biggest prize.
- Scatter & Wild symbols – You will know if the online slot game has lucrative wild symbols or scatter symbols by checking the paytable.
- Multipliers – Read the paytable to determine if the slot game has multipliers or wild symbols that will lock in and multiply your payouts.
7. Go for smaller jackpots
As much fun as it is to go for the big jackpots, remember that the odds of hitting them are lower.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, it’s best to opt for slots with smaller jackpots. These tend to be easier to win as there are fewer players competing for them. Also, slots with smaller jackpots tend to pay out more frequently, giving you a better chance of making profit.
8. Take advantage of progressive jackpots
Playing on slots with a progressive jackpot allows you to win a much bigger payout than you could usually expect from a single spin. So check out which games offer progressive jackpots, as this could be your ticket to a big win.
9. The amount you bet
A common misconception is that betting more will increase your chances of landing a jackpot. No matter how much you bet, it does not influence your odds of winning. The outcome of each spin is completely random, and the amount you bet does not make any difference to the end result.
But betting the maximum amount does give you access to all possible paylines. This increases your chances of hitting a winning combination and thus cashing out bigger prizes.
When it comes to winning jackpots, your bet amount must be enough to make you eligible for the prize. However, some online slot games give everyone a fair shot at the jackpot, regardless of their bet amount.
What Are the Biggest Online Slots Wins Ever?
While winning a big jackpot is not common, it does happen from time to time. The biggest recorded win on an online slot was almost $40 million on Mega Bucks in 2003.
There have also been some massive wins on other popular slots. Here are some of the biggest:
- $39.7 million on Megabucks slot in 2003 at Excalibur Casino, Las Vegas
- $35 million by Cynthia Jay Brennan on Megabucks jackpot in 2000 at the Desert Inn Casino
- $27.6 Million scooped by a retiree in 1998 at the Palace Station Casino
- Roughly $23.6 million was won by a Finn online slot player on the Mega Fortune slot at PAF.com
- $22.6 million by Johanna Heundl on a Megabucks slot machine in 2002 at Bally’s, Las Vegas
- $21.3 million by a business consultancy professional on the Megabucks machine in 1998 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
- $21.1 million bagged by Elmer Sherwin on Megabucks slot machines at Cannery Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas
- $20.8 million by Jon Hayward from Crewe, the UK, while playing Mega Moolah slot at Betway online casino
- $17.3 million by a lady in 2012 while playing Megabucks slots at M Resort, Henderson, in Las Vegas
- $14.3 Million by a Megabucks lucky player in 2013 while playing the popular progressive jackpot slot at the Rampart Casino, Las Vegas
These stories of life-changing wins prove that sometimes the odds can work in your favor. However, luck plays an important role in winning big jackpots. So always stay within your limits and remember that it’s not guaranteed that you’ll walk away from the slots with a big win.
Why Do Gamblers Rarely Win?
Online slots are highly unpredictable, and the outcome of each game is decided by a random number generator (RNG). Therefore, it’s impossible to predict when you will win.
With that said, some players may have better luck than others due to their strategies, but in the end, everyone has an equal chance of winning or losing.
Here are a few reasons why gamblers rarely win:
They don’t understand the game and the rules
Before you play online slots, you should thoroughly understand the game, the odds of winning, and the potential rewards. If you’re not sure how to play or which bonuses are available, read up on it first to know what to expect when it comes time to spin.
They don’t use bonuses or free spins when available
Bonuses and free spins can give you a chance to win real money without spending a dime. Be sure to take advantage of these offers when they come your way. You can also use them to practice your skills before playing for real money.
They mismanage their bankrolls by betting too much money
Online slots are all about having fun. You should never bet more than you can afford to lose. Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Also, remember that the amount does not determine your chances of winning. Slot machines are completely random, so everyone has an equal chance of hitting it big or losing out.
They play high-volatility slots
High-volatility slots have bigger jackpots, but they also come with higher risks. The chances of hitting a big win are much lower than with low-volatility slots. Therefore, most players lose much more than they gain.
Low-volatility slots offer smaller rewards, but the winning potential is much greater.
If you’re looking for a more consistent payout, it’s best to stick to games with low volatility.
Misconceptions
Many people believe online gambling is a source of extra cash. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Gambling does come with risks, and you should always remember that there’s no guarantee of a big win. You are as likely to lose as you are to win.
Which Online Slots Have the Greatest Return to Player Percentages?
This list includes some of the best slots with the highest return-to-player (RTP) percentages.
These games are more likely to pay out than other slots, so you have a better chance of winning.
- Playtech’s Ugga Bugga (RTP – 99.07%)
- Relax Gaming’s Book of 99 (RTP – 99%)
- Barcrest’s Ooh Aah Dracula (RTP – 99%)
- NetEnt’s Mega Joker (RTP – 99%)
- NetEnt’s Jackpot 6000 (RTP – 98.86%)
- Thunderkick’s 1429 Uncharted Seas (RTP – 98.6%)
- Relax Gaming’s Marching Legions (RTP – 98.12%)
- Pragmatic Play’s The Catfather (RTP – 98.1%)
- NetEnt’s Blood Suckers (RTP – 98%)
- Yggdrasil Gaming’s Jokerizer (RTP – 98%)
What Are Some of the Slots With the Best Odds?
Online slots are divided into low-volatility, medium-volatility, and high-volatility games. Low-volatile slots come with smaller rewards but a higher winning potential.
Medium-volatility slots pay out consistently. They provide a balance between high- and low-volatility casino games. Finally, high-volatility slots have bigger jackpots but come with a much lower chance of winning.
The following games offer the best slot machine odds:
- IGT’s Triple Diamond
- Microgaming’s Wild Scarabs
- NetEnt’s video slot Jumanji
- Microgaming’s Mermaids Millions
- NetEnt’s Starburst
- Microgaming’s Thunderstruck II
- RealTimeGaming’s Enchanted Garden II
- Thunderkick’s Esqueleto Explosivo
- NetEnt’s Bloodsuckers II
- Yggdrasil Gaming’s Mr Holmes and the Stolen Stones
Verdict
As an online casino, you can have the chance to win big on slots. You only need to be smart and strategic when playing slots. You should always familiarize yourself with the game, check for available bonuses, manage your bankroll wisely, and stick to low-volatility slots.
If you do all that, you can make some real money when playing online slots.
So what are you waiting for? Get spinning and see if you can be the next big winner!