Online Slots Canada
Online slots have come a long way from the basic mechanical games found at casinos and amusement arcades for well over a century. Ever since casinos went online, slot sites have been offering more engaging, sophisticated and rewarding games than ever before. Online slots in Canada are now by far the number one choice for online casino players. Scroll to the bottom for our quick FAQ section, or keep reading to learn about:
- The different types of online slot games and their special features
- Hints and tips for playing Canadian online slots
- Explanation of various slot-related terms and expressions
- Where to go for the best online slots Canada
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Why Play Slots Online in Canada?
Although slots are by their nature among the simplest casino games, there are still a few things that are useful to know before sitting down and spinning the reels. Our information pages will arm you with all the knowledge you need to get the best out of these casino favourites. Players in Canada and all over the world vastly prefer playing online slots to any other kind of casino game. There are several reasons why they have become so incredibly popular, and it’s all thanks to the freedom that the online format offers.
- Online casinos have very low overheads compared to a land venue, so these sites can afford to be much more generous to their customers. Online casino bonus offers are bigger and payouts are higher, but this is just the start.
- Slots may be simple, but they are also incredibly versatile. Many online slot games, especially the newest ones, have incredible graphics, eclectic themes, and a multitude of special features to make the gameplay more exciting and dynamic.
- These features are only possible in a virtual game. Let’s take a closer look at some of the variations that can be found in Canadian online slots.
Classic 3-Reel Slots
Players looking for a very basic slot game may choose a classic 3-reel slot. These are similar to the original mechanical games, with three moving reels that spin when you hit the play button.
- In most cases there is one way to win, when symbols on the three reels match up across the centre line.
- These games should be familiar to anyone who has ever seen a cabinet machine in a bar or a casino.
- There are plenty of 3-reel online slots to be found, with very few special features and little in the way of bonus rounds.
Many slots sites in Canada do offer these, and a lot of players enjoy them for their simplicity. However, in order to explore all the possibilities of online slots, most modern games have gone a step further.
5-Reel Slots and Multiple Paylines
Online slot games really came into their own with the addition of two extra reels. 5-reel slots are now the most prevalent type to be found at slot sites in Canada and elsewhere.
- The additional two reels allow for many more winning combinations, rather than just the single payline across the centre.
- The standard for many 5-reel slots is 15 ways to win, although as we shall see later there are some that offer a lot more than that. Three rows of five symbols are displayed when the reels stop spinning, and winning lines can be horizontal, diagonal or zig-zag from left to right.
- 5-reel slots usually have a lot more action than 3-reelers. Graphics tend to be more dynamic and animated, and bonus features and symbols usually come as standard. In order to fully appreciate what can be done with online slots, it is recommended to try out 5-reel games.
Jackpot Slots
We all know the expression to hit the jackpot, and so these games are fairly self-explanatory. A jackpot slot is one with a large prize that can be won from a single spin. Some online casinos have a few different jackpot slot games running at any time. Jackpots are triggered in various ways, and some are guaranteed to pay out to one lucky player once a day, for example.
Progressive jackpots are a bit different. These have a prize pool that increases with each spin from each player. Progressives can be within one site or more often linked across multiple casinos, and the potential payouts are absolutely enormous.
Tips for Playing Slots Online in Canada
If you just choose a game at random and start playing, then you probably won’t be getting the most out of the slots experience. Here are a few hints and tips for how to decide on the top online slots Canada, and what to do before you start.
- Look for a slots bonus.
When signing up at a casino site, be on the lookout for a generous welcome bonus that will make your money go further. Many of these offers include free spins on certain slot games as part of the deal. For more information on how to choose a slots site, see further down this page. - Try free demo play to practise.
These days it is very common for casinos sites to offer a free version of slot games. These function exactly as the real money version, so it can give players a good idea of the gameplay. Play these demo slot games before deciding if it is a game to wager money on. - Decide on a budget.
When playing online slots with real money, it is a sensible practice to set your budget before you start playing. Many good slot sites have settings where you can specify a daily, weekly or monthly limit. Even if your casino doesn’t offer these functions, you can still create a budget plan yourself. - Look at the RTP.
As we will explain in more detail, RTP is a measure of the average payout of a slot game. Generally speaking, it is better to choose a game with RTP of at least 96% which is actually rather common among the best payout slots online for Canadian players. - Read the paytable.
Most of the rules and information that you need for each game is available in the online paytable. Here you can find out about bonus features, symbols, payouts, paylines and more.
Slots Canada Glossary
When reading a slot or casino review, you will find many special terms and expressions relating to the games. The good news is that these are very easy to understand with just a little explanation. In this section we present the definitions of the most important slot-related words and phrases.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
- The RNG is the mathematical computer operation that ensures that the online games are just as fair and random as their physical counterparts. RNGs are used for all virtual casino games, to mimic the conditions of real life.
- The RNG performs mathematical functions at an incredibly fast rate. Every millisecond a new value is generated, and it is the random value at the exact moment the player hits the spin button that determines the outcome of the spin.
- While the RNG does not exactly recreate the true chance conditions of a dice roll or coin toss, it is as close as to be indistinguishable in practice.
- Because of the RNG, casinos cannot fix any of their games. It means that each spin of the reels is independent from the last. This is important to remember, because slots don’t become more or less likely to pay out based on past gameplay. It also means that free demo games are exactly the same as the full version, minus the money.
Reels
We looked at these terms earlier, but let’s delve a little deeper. The reels are the moving parts of a slot game, which spin vertically on each turn.
- Each reel moves independently, and contains a certain number of symbols.
- On cabinet machines, the number of symbols on each reel is restricted due to physical size constraints, and can be as few as ten.
Online slot games are different, of course. The reels are animated to spin, but it is the RNG that decides what symbol ends up on each reel. Depending on the game, there can be a huge number of possible combinations. Most virtual slots have five reels, which allows for many more possible paylines.
Paylines
Paylines are the different ways to calculate a winning combination on the reels.
- The simplest is a straight horizontal line from left to right. On the old machines, there was a single payline through the central row of symbols on the three reels.
- In the newer 5-reel slots, there are three (or even more) horizontal paylines – one at the centre and one above and below. By allowing the paylines to be read on the diagonal as well, a large number of winning combos can be created.
- Some Canadian online slots have adjustable paylines, so the player can decide how many to activate and bet on at any given spin. A fairly standard number of paylines for modern slots is 25.
- With a coin value of $0.10 a player bets one coin per line and keeps all 25 paylines active. Each spin will therefore be worth $2.50.
Betting on all paylines increases the chance of winning something at each spin, but it can make the spins quite expensive. Players can decide to reduce the coin value, which will make each potential payout smaller as well, or limit the number of active paylines.
Return to Player (RTP)
One very important aspect of a slot game is the return to player percentage, usually abbreviated to RTP. This is a measure of how much the game pays out on average, and varies between games and between individual casinos.
- The higher the RTP, the better the returns over time. Online slots have a better RTP than those found in land casinos, because online casinos have fewer expenses.
- The RTP can be found in the paytable, and it gives an indication of the payout. It is only an estimate, and as an example it does not account for a big jackpot win within a small time period.
- RTP is calculated by looking at the average percentage of wagered money that is returned to players in winnings over time. A minimum of one million spins is taken as the basis for the calculation.
What this means in practice is that a slot with an RTP of 98% will return $98 out of every $100 bet. Remember that this is based on a million or more spins, so its accuracy over smaller timescales is reduced. The RTP is another way to express house edge – that is, 98% RTP is equal to 2% house edge. Slots are among the casino games with the highest RTPs in general. Other game types that do not fall far behind are some variants of real money online bingo.
Volatility AKA Variance
These are terms that can be confused with RTP, but in fact the volatility (also known as variance) is an independent factor. It refers to the size and frequency of payouts. In simple terms, a high volatility slot pays out less often but each win is bigger. Low volatility slots pay out smaller amounts more often.
If we think about our 98% RTP slot, it can be either high, medium or low variance. As it is calculated over a million spins, the RTP stays the same whether the slot pays out one hundred wins of $9.50 or ten wins of $95 for every $1000 wagered.
Scatters and Wilds
The majority of symbols on the slot reels are the regular ones, sometimes known as face symbols. In addition to these, there are other more occasional symbols that perform special functions in the game.
- First we have the scatter symbols. These are the rarest, and they unlock special features such as bonus rounds, mini games or free spins. Usually more than one scatter symbol is required to activate a feature, but they can appear in any position on the reels.
- Wild symbols stand in for any standard symbol, allowing you to complete more winning paylines. Game developers have become very creative with how wilds can be used. Sticky wilds, for example, stay on screen for multiple spins. There are also more recent innovations such as stacked wilds and walking wilds.
Finding the Best Online Slots Canada
Whatever kind of slot you want to play, from classic 3-reel to progressive jackpots, we have the best selection of Canadian slot sites right here. We only list casino sites that are fair, safe and fun. Each of the slot sites in our collection has a fantastic range of slot games and more, and every single one has been certified secure for players in Canada. Not only that – top online slots are also available on the best Android casino apps.
Online Slots Reviews
Online Slots Canada FAQs
- Can I play online slots on mobile?
Yes. Most new slots are now optimised for mobile play, and casino sites can be accessed via mobile browser. Some sites still have an app, although fewer than a couple of years ago. Many players prefer the experience of mobile slots.
- How do I know the RTP of a slot?
The better casino sites list all the RTP percentages of their games. In most cases, the RTP can also be found in the slot paytable.
- Can I play online slots for free?
Yes, many sites have all their slot games in demo mode. The RNG ensures that the game is identical to how it plays when there is money involved.
- Can I win real money with online slots?
Of course. Many players walk away with their bankroll higher than when they started. However, please remember that the game always slightly favours the casino in the long run.