Top Online Slots Canada - Best Slots to Play in 2024

Online Slots With the Best Payout

While it isn’t the only reason people play online slots, wanting to win is a significant reason behind their popularity. Knowing about metrics such as RTP and variance is pivotal if you want to enjoy the most payouts. These statistics can give valuable insight into the house edge and frequency of winning spins, which delivers more wins, hopefully leading to more withdrawals. 

RTP is arguably the most important metric to know regarding slot payouts. It stands for Return To Player and refers to the average amount players can expect to win back from their bets. For example, a 96% RTP online slot can theoretically return $96 on a $100 session. However, this isn’t guaranteed. Return To Player is calculated over millions of spins, so it’s only an average.

Aside from enjoying more wins, playing online slots with the best payouts is also great for wagering requirement fulfilment. Generally speaking, you can win more on average playing high RTP games, so learning about these games is never a bad idea. Our expert team has researched, so you don’t have to. Check below for a summary of the best high RTP slots that can increase the chances of a payout: 

Slot	Provider	RTP	Volatility
Ugga Bugga	Playtech	99%	Low
Ooh Aah Dracula	Barcrest	99%	High
Book of 99	Relax Gaming	99%	Medium
Jackpot 6000	NetEnt	98.75%	High
1429 Uncharted Seas	Thunderkick	98.6%	Medium
Tropic Reels	Playtech	98.5%	High
Joker Strike	Quickspin	98.11%	High
Moon Shadow	Barcrest	98.10%	High
Rainbow Riches Pick N Mix	Barcrest	98%	High
Blood Suckers	NetEnt	98%	Medium
Starmania	NextGen	97.87%	Medium
Golden Tour	Playtech	97.71%	High
White Rabbit Megaways	Big Time Gaming	97.7%	High
Zeus Lightning: Power Reels	Red Tiger Gaming	97.73%	High
Guns N Roses	NetEnt	96.98%	Low

Gamblers can enjoy various benefits while playing high RTP slots. If the operator you have chosen has many games with high RTP, that increases its overall payout and it becomes a high payout casino. When playing at such an establishment, your overall payout will increase substantially and they most likely host some or all of these high RTP slots.

Types Of Online Slots

One major advantage online slots have over many other casino games is the sheer variety on offer. There are many different types of online slots available nowadays, generating an endless stream of fun for players. Whether you’re looking for nostalgic money slot games with vintage aesthetics or the latest cutting-edge technology, there’s something for everyone out there. 

But you can’t just jump in without learning the basics behind each slot variant. This knowledge is vital to helping players find the same game they want to play. Each type has slightly different benefits and negatives, so you’ll want to choose one that suits your playing style. We’ve reviewed thousands of different games and developed a keen understanding of how each variant works. Check below for a round-up of the most popular types of online slots: 

Fruit Machines 

Fruit machines existed before online slots, supplying gamblers in the 20th century with online slot entertainment in various places. From casinos to bars, you were never too far from a humble fruit machine. Legend has it these games got their name from some of the first slot machines, which paid out fruit-flavoured candy instead of money. They also use fruit-inspired symbols, contributing to the popular nickname. 

Nowadays, you can easily play fruit machine-inspired online slots at Canadian online casinos. Some popular examples include Fruitoids by Yggdrasil or Berryburst by NetEnt. These games often have high RTP scores and use a vintage design. Fruit machines are one of the highlights of the gambling industry's history. They offer nostalgic gameplay and countless opportunities to win prizes. Please give them a go to see what all the fuss is about! 

Jackpot Slots 

Jackpot slots are for players who like taking risks. These games can leave you waiting before a winning spin, but when it does, the rewards are well worth the wait. All record-breaking wins come from jackpot slots, whether it’s the legendary land-based Megabucks games or online slots like Microgaming’s Mega Moolah. 

There are a few different types of jackpot slots to know. The most exciting titles are progressive jackpot games, where the overall prize increases with every losing spin on a network of games. This can result in a huge jackpot, so it pays to be a winner. Other jackpot slots have fixed prize tiers during bonus features or free spins rounds. These games are some of the industry’s best online slots. 

Classic Slots 

Classic slots are modelled on the vintage games that caused incredible excitement during the Las Vegas golden age. They use symbols from the early days of slot machine entertainment, with iconic icons, including bells, BARs, lucky 7s, and cherries, typically on display. Another hallmark of classic slots is their basic construction. Most of these games have three reels and only one payline, harking back to the early 1900s when slots were much simpler than they are now. 

Playing classic titles is great for beginners, as there tends to be far less to understand. Vintage slots are also known to have high payout rates, especially titles such as Mega Joker by the Scandinavian software development powerhouse NetEnt.

No Wagering Slots 

No wagering slots are exclusively available at online casino platforms offering bonuses with no playthrough required. Usually, casino bonuses have wagering requirements attached. For example, you could be gifted 100 free spins but have to bet the total winnings 50x over before you can make a withdrawal. 

This is where no wagering slots come in. The best online casinos offer bonuses where you don’t have to wager the winnings to claim them as real money. You could earn hundreds of free spins on no-wagering slots and be entitled to keep the winnings without having to jump through any special hoops. 

Video Slots 

Video slots are a broad term for most games on the market. Before the 1980s, slot machines very rarely used video screens, if at all. The action would occur on a set of metal reels rather than a screen filled with digital symbols. This all changed when video slots came along and set the foundations for the current wave of online slots on the market. These games cover various themes and gameplay mechanics, with countless options. 

Players enjoy superb graphics nowadays, with developers such as Thunderkick and Pragmatic Play pushing boundaries regarding high-definition aesthetics. The video slot world is always advancing, with new technology creating evermore complex and interesting games. Megaways titles are a clear example. Without video slot technology, there’s no way Big Time Gaming could have invented it's up to 117,649 ways to win concept. 

Free Slots 

There are several popular ways to enjoy free slots. The most simple method is by playing demo games. These are readily available in many places nowadays, offering players a perfect way to practise playing without spending any money. Just remember: demo slots cannot pay out any actual prizes. 

If you want to play free slots and win money, using online casino slots bonuses is a great place to start. For example, you can use loyalty points earned from a VIP program to acquire free spins on some platforms. This provides you with free slot gameplay entertainment with real-money prize possibilities. Additionally, taking advantage of a deposit bonus can also grant free spins or bonus funds that can be used to play free slots. 

Free Slots VS Real Money Slots

Pros and cons are associated with both free slots and real money slots. Spinning the reels for free is great fun, but winning cash prizes on these games is much harder. On the other hand, real money slots can generate enticing payouts. However, there’s no guarantee of winning; you could also lose more money than you win. 

One of the main things to consider regarding free slots is how you will play. Demo slots are great ways to practise, but if you want to score jackpots, they won’t be the answer to your problems. Meanwhile, playing free slots via casino bonuses does give the possibility of winning actual money. The only thing to watch out for is unrealistic wagering requirements, which can stop you from withdrawing cash. 

Another way to enjoy free slots is through the growing sweepstakes industry. These websites offer players virtual currency that they can use to play slots and other casino games. Some of these platforms offer real money prize redemptions, although you won’t be able to win as much money as on a conventional online casino. 

Generally speaking, real money slots are more fun overall than free slots. In most cases, you’ll have a far larger selection of games, and the prizes for winning can also be much larger. 

Ultimately, choosing free and real money slots depends on your preference. Are you looking to practice your online slot gameplay without spending any bankroll? If so, free slots will suit you perfectly. But what if you want to try and win huge jackpots? In this case, playing real money slots is the avenue to go down. 

Common Online Slot Features 

Online slot features have become increasingly complex over the past two decades. Modern players benefit from advanced iGaming technology delivering all manner of special ingredients. While free spins were the benchmark in the early days, modern slot games use plenty more exciting innovations. Here are a few of the most common online slot features:

Scatters & Free Spins 

Free spin bonus rounds are arguably the most common online slot features. Most games have some kind of free spins feature, often unlocked by finding enough scatter symbols on the reels. The premise behind this bonus is simple: players get to spin the reels for free several times and win prizes. Most free spin features come with added benefits, including multipliers, added wilds, or expanded reels. 

Wilds 

Wild symbols are every slot enthusiast’s favourite things to see on the reels. Almost every slot nowadays has at least one type of wild symbol. These can swap with all base mode symbols to generate winning combinations. Wilds are extremely useful for hitting winning spins and will often have a special appearance. Online slot developers have created various wild symbols over the past decade. Here are a few to watch out for: 

• Expanding Wilds 

• Transforming Wilds

• Walking Wilds

• Multiplier Wilds

• Stacked Wilds 

• Random Wilds

Cascading Reels

The cascading reels mechanic is a relatively new slots game invention. It’s also known as an avalanche or rolling reel, with different providers using their names for the concept. Cascading reel slots offer players the chance to achieve consecutive wins on the same spin, with all winning combinations disappearing from the reels and allowing new icons to fall in their place. 

If you’re lucky, this can trigger another win, resulting in more cascading reels action. This feature is often seen in Megaways games, where it helps to activate up to 117,649 ways to win. Many of the best online slots use cascading reels to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. 

Pick ‘Em Bonus

Although they aren’t quite as popular in modern games, pick them bonuses are still incredibly common across the industry. Players must hit a certain quantity of special symbols to activate these special features. The gameplay then transports to a different screen, where they are given a choice between several icons with multiplier prizes behind them. 

Progressive Jackpot

A progressive jackpot feature is at the top of the list for players looking for big wins. As mentioned earlier, games with this bonus can deliver outrageous payouts. Progressive jackpots grow exponentially with every losing spin, ultimately generating massive prizes. 

Megaway Slots

Big Time Gaming launched the Megaway slots concept with Dragon Born in 2016, but the Australian developer took a few years to iron out the details. Nowadays, Megaway slots are everywhere. This special feature can deliver up to 117,649 ways to win (or 248,832 in the case of White Rabbit Megaways), providing high-octane gameplay and sizable jackpots. Instead of matching symbols across a payline, players must only find them on adjacent reels, making things much easier. 

The Megaways feature often comes alongside cascading reels, so you get two bonuses for the price of one! It results in some of the best online slots across the industry. 

Expanding Symbols

Expanding symbols have become remarkably popular over the last few years. Slots like Guns N Roses or Greedy Goblins use this bonus feature well. Players can enjoy expanding symbols that generate higher payouts and create more chances for winning combinations.

Sticky Respins

Online slot developers are increasingly using sticky respin bonuses, much to the delight of the iGaming community. These special features are great if you’ve narrowly missed a winning symbol combination, giving you another go with high-value icons stuck in place. Respins are similar to free spins, with the main difference coming from the sticky symbols. This can often generate successive wins and increasing multiplier prizes.

Expanding Reels

Expanding reels are some of the most exciting common slot features. Games like The Grand Galore by Elk Studios or El Dorado Infinity Reels offer bonus rounds where the reels and paylines expand to create insane win potential. This is often triggered via successive cascading reel wins, although some games also have a special expanding reels bonus icon. 

Increasing Multipliers

There are countless online slots with increasing multipliers available nowadays. This special feature is regularly seen in Megaways slots, where the multipliers increase each time the ways to win expand. Check for games such as Jammin’ Jars when looking at slot sites, as these games deliver theoretically unlimited and exponentially increasing multipliers.

Gamble Feature

Eyecon is widely regarded as the first online slot developer to use the gamble feature in its slots. This is a great option for players who risk their wins in exchange for double or sometimes even quadrupling the overall jackpot. The only downside? If you lose the 50/50 chance, you’ll lose your entire jackpot. Choose wisely! Some of the most famous gamble feature slots include Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, TED Megaways, and Rise of Merlin. 

Bonus Buy

Bonus Buy slots let players buy their way into free spins, bonus rounds, and other special features. As you can imagine, this is a hugely tempting proposition, especially on slots with fantastic bonuses. The only catch? It often requires a 50x - 100x larger bet. Nevertheless, this can be more than worth it. Check out games like Money Train 2 and White Rabbit Megaways to taste what’s available. 

Online Slots Software Providers

Microgaming and NetEnt were the two main online slot developers in the early days, with other companies, including Playtech and Eyecon, also playing an instrumental role in the early 2000s. Countless software providers are creating top-tier online slots, with the industry enjoying plenty of new additions over the past decade. 

One of the most important things as an online slot fan is keeping track of all the companies available. Our expert review team is always looking for new developers to keep our eyes on. It is exciting to see how the iGaming industry is progressing, but it also means we’re the first to know about any new slots or slot features. 

Knowing your software providers also makes it far easier to navigate through game options at slot sites. For instance, if you’re in the mood to play a top-quality Megaways or Megaclusters game, you’ll likely want a Big Time Gaming creation. Most progressive jackpot fans agree that Microgaming is the best developer for large prizes. 

It’s difficult to go wrong playing slots from the leading providers. Here are some of the main software developers responsible for supplying many of the best online slots on the Canadian market: 

• Betsoft 

• Play’N GO 

• NetEnt 

• Big Time Gaming 

• Microgaming 

• Yggdrasil 

• Pragmatic Play

How We Test Slot Machines

Testing slot machines are on our agenda, as we want to give you the most valuable insights into the best games and top strategies possible. Various factors are involved when testing slot machines, including security evaluation, mobile app compatibility, and other characteristics. 

For instance, we always check for regulation by bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority to ensure full safety. Additionally, our expert team looks for third-party game testing to verify whether or not RTP and other slot statistics can be trusted. Another key part of our process is reading customer reviews to discover problems or particular gameplay highlights. 

After we’ve built the foundations with the initial checks above, it’s time to play the best online slots for ourselves. We check out the demo mode first and spin the reels for at least a few hours to get a genuine feel of how the game works. Finally, we’ll play with real money to see how the bonus features and base mode gameplay translate when actual cash credits are on the line.

The steps above give us a considerable amount of information to deal with. We use this to find the best online slots for payout rates, bonus features, graphics, and gameplay. Our final ratings are decided by these main factors, although we also consider various other things.

How to Play Online Slots

You might come across several guides that promise the best strategy; however, there is no easy or guaranteed way to win at slot machines. Our experts have shortlisted the most important factors of how to play slots at Canadian casinos, so you safeguard your bankroll and have a better chance at winning.

How Do Online Slots Work? 

Numerous challenges are involved with designing online slots, from creating high-definition visuals to providing accurate RNG technology. 

The first step in learning how online slots work is understanding how Random Number Generators power the gameplay. This piece of software generates a random sequence of numbers that allows slot developers to ensure the reels are spinning entirely randomly. Evolution Gaming is one of the only companies without this technology for all their games, known for live dealer games like roulette, poker, or blackjack. 

When you press the “Spin” button, you’re triggering a surprisingly complex software process that spins the video reels just as randomly as on a physical land-based slot machine. Afterwards, it’s down to the software providers to design appealing aesthetics, bonus features, and other gameplay elements. We’ll run you through some of the main areas to consider: 

Slot Games Return to Player (RTP) 

We touched on Return To Player slightly earlier, but now it’s time to get into more detail. This information is arguably the most useful metric when choosing a game. The percentage value indicates how much you can expect to win back from your playing session on average. The current benchmark is 96%, although the industry is showing an upwards trend regarding RTP scores, so this may get bumped up to 97% in future. 

Return To Player is also a crucial factor in how to play slots. Typically, online slot providers will decide on an RTP score and program the RNGs pay out accordingly. 

Online Slots Features 

Aside from the exciting bonus rounds, online slots also have plenty of other features to make the gameplay more enjoyable. For example, most titles offer an auto spin mode, where you can set a bet and then kick back and relax as the game spins the reels for you. Elsewhere, slots for iOS and Android mobile users have special optimization features. Big Time Gaming’s Starcluster Megaclusters is a great example, with the mobile version changing the layout to make things clearer.

Online Slots With Bonus Rounds 

Online slots have countless potential features. From free spins to expanding reels, all these characteristics require sophisticated computer programing to do this work. Many online slot features are triggered randomly so that any spin can be lucky. Free spins bonuses are mainly triggered by scatter symbols, while other types of special icons can kickstart other special rounds.

Online Slot Tips 

There are no guaranteed ways to win more coins while playing the best online slots, but several strategies can help you boost your luck. Consider some of the tips below if you want to enjoy more success while enjoying these games: 

1: Consider Slot Volatility 

Online slot volatility (often referred to as variance) is another key metric when calculating slot payouts. A low variance slot will typically generate more frequent winning spins, but the wins tend to be smaller than average. On the other hand, a high variance slot will have a smaller frequency of winning spins. The upshot is that these wins can be enormous. Make sure you find out your chosen slot’s volatility and bet accordingly. 

2: Take Advantage of Online Casino Promos 

Online casino promos can deliver sign-up free spins and bonus dollars on top of your deposits. These incentives are a great way to supercharge your bankroll and have more betting money. You can take advantage of limited-time offers which are usually based on seasonable events. Whether it's Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine's Day bonuses, these seasonal offers are available for new or existing players and are usually even more generous than a casino's regular offers.

The best way to not miss out is to research the sites that offer current customers the best welcome bonus and other ongoing promotions. These promos can significantly help you in terms of extending your game time with a boosted bankroll. Remember wagering requirements, as some platforms can disguise their generous promos under unrealistic playthrough amounts.

On another note, aside from regular and seasonal offers, casinos love to celebrate just about anything, it doesn't even need to be a holiday event! The promotions page is often updated based on the season or current events. So keep an eye on the promos page to see if your chosen operator offers Winter and Summer promotions or even Black Friday bonuses.

3: Practise Slots in Demo Mode 

Practising slots in demo mode is the easiest way to understand how to play each title and what to expect from bonus features. Although you won’t win any money this way, demo slots don’t require actual cash bets, so you’ll save your bankroll at the same time as learning. 

4: Play High RTP Slots 

Playing high RTP slots is a simple way to boost the probability of profiting from an online session. Aim for games over the 96% mark, such as White Rabbit Megaways or Blood Suckers. Doing so is a complete no-brainer! Consider slot volatility when placing your bets to make the most out of high RTPs. 

5: Choose the Best Online Slots from Leading Providers 

The best online slots generally come from the same leading pack of developers. You’ll enjoy the experience far more playing games from these software designers, and chances are, you’ll also win more. For the best gameplay and bonus features, stick to companies like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Big Time Gaming, and Microgaming. 

6: Consider Using A Betting System 

Betting systems can be great ways to give your wagering tactics a solid structure. These are typically designed for table games like blackjack or baccarat, but the same principles apply to online slots. For example, the Martingale strategy requires players to double their bet after each losing spin. 

7: Be Strict With Your Bankroll 

One of the main reasons why using a betting system can be advantageous is that it helps players effectively ration their bankroll. Taking care of your gambling funds is one of the most important online slot strategies. You could easily end up unable to play slots without doing so. Set strict limits for daily spending and be careful so you can keep your sessions going for longer. Statistically, this can result in a higher chance of winning.

8: Research How Bonus Features Work Before Playing 

The modern slots industry is highly skilled at creating complex and exciting bonus features. As a result, doing your research to find out how bonus features work before playing can pay serious dividends. For example, take Play’n GO’s Reactoonz. This game has several bonus features available, so reading about them is crucial if you want to have the most success. 

9: Don’t Get Carried Away 

It’s easy to get carried away in all the excitement of spinning the best online slot reels, but it’s important to maintain a level head. Take your time while playing to ensure you place tactical bets at the right times, especially during the bonus features. This can help you increase your chances of winning and save money at the same time. 

10: Choose the Best Casino Site 

In many ways, choosing the best gambling site is even more important than finding the right slots to enjoy. You’ll want to consider the interface, deposit bonuses, welcome package, rewards program, compatibility with mobile devices, VIP club for members, and slots library to find the best site. 

Check reviews for an indication of the sites you can trust to perform. We also advise checking the available payment options to avoid problems when depositing or withdrawing. Things like Neteller and Mastercard are a given, but cryptocurrency deposit options are even more enticing for some players. Additionally, look for minimal transaction fees to maximise your bankroll.