Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by Caesar
From the first coin drop, slots managed to reel in players across the globe – whether that’s the casino floors or an unassuming bar. Due to their popularity, slots have come a long way from the 3-slot fruit machines.
Now, there are more themes and paylines than ever – with so much choice, there’s always a new game to be found. But each slot machine has something in common – they’re easy to pay and play.
With the pull of a lever or click of a button you’re off! It’s a reel spin-to-win experience. Simplicity and all-thrills gameplay have kept slot machines popular and approachable. That popularity only seems to be growing with the introduction of online slots.
Online slots have long been a fixture of American casinos or British pubs – but they aren’t all that common in Canadian casinos. But with online slots people worldwide can spin to their heart’s content from the comfort of their home (or on the daily commute). Many sites offer easy access to online casino slot games – it’s more choice than you’ll find on the casino floor and you’re never waiting around to play. With better connectivity than ever, online slots are an ever-expanding form of entertainment.
So, we know why they’re popular – but what makes an online slot, and what types are there?
Features of Online Slots
Slots features are the key parts that comprise a slot machine game and make it what it is. If you want to try some of the best slots available in Canada, then it’s important to learn about these features. Depending on the gaming experience you’re after you’ll want to understand what these different features mean and do:
- Paylines refer to the rows on a slot machine where the symbols need to land for you to win. There could be multiple in a game, a single straight line through the middle, or even zigzag paylines. Most online slots let you select how many paylines to bet on, with some games running up into the thousands.
- Reels are the horizontal lines that spin – the more reels there are, the more that need to match. In modern games, things can be spiced up a bit. Sometimes, you can hold select reels on a spun symbol or incorporate wild symbols (known as wilds).
- While technically not a feature in the true sense, volatility has a huge impact on how you play the game just like the paylines or reels might. You can usually break volatility down into low and high volatility. Generally, high volatility means fewer wins with high payouts, low volatility means more wins with smaller payouts, and medium volatility is an in-the-middle approach.
- Jackpots are where the bigger wins are – though, this is usually at the cost of big bets. Traditionally, these jackpots were made by linking multiple machines to fund a huge jackpot pool. With online slots, it’s easier than ever to combine a network of slots to fuel jackpots.
- Wild symbols may sound mysterious, but they’re essential bonus reels that substitute for other symbols. In games that use them, matching wild symbols usually leads to bigger payouts than average. They might include other functions, such as duplicating or staying in place. They’re a way to add a bit of variety and excitement to your game if that’s your thing.
- Re-spins & Free Spins. Free spins are like they sound – a free spin attempt, usually with a fresh wheel. Free spins are triggered by a range of scenarios, such as matching certain symbols.
- Split Symbols. Splits are designed to add more symbols to a slot machine – they can boost the potential rewards. Say you’re on a five-reel game, with splits you get the chance at a six-symbol win boosting the rewards without increasing the reels.
Types of Online Slots
Classic Slots
Classic slots are what you’d expect – the quintessential 3-reel slot machine. They’re straightforward as can be – spin the wheel and match the slots hoping to line up fruit symbols or 7s. It’s an ideal choice for those who appreciate simplicity in gaming.
Video Slots
Video slots are a term that encompasses a variety of slot games, each with different themes and symbols – and usually more slots. On average, video game slots have at least five reels and some other frills like bonus rounds or free spins. They’re also more interactive, with animation and storytelling elements to immerse you. Think of them like video games meet slots, with some iteration on normal slots.
Vegas Slots
Vegas slots bring Sin City to your living room – they’re a range of Vegas classics, featuring bonus features like free spins, scatters, and big jackpots.
Penny Slots
Penny slots are low-entry, big-payout games played on multiple lines. Each line has its stakes, you can spine one line for a penny or go for the thrill of spinning multiple lines for a bigger buy-in with bigger potential. Because of that, penny slots can scale to the type of game you want to play.
Free Slots
Free online slots let you spin without putting anything in. These games are a way to experience the thrill without any risk. There are a lot of free slots games online so you can give things a go and explore the latest games.
3D Slots
3D slots are like video slots, but with 3D graphics. These can be immersive, engaging, and fun with the same game features as video slots.
Jackpot Slots
Jackpot slots are all about big payouts as a percentage of every bet is put toward a jackpot. These jackpots could be held just on that machine, across several machines, or a network of casinos.
Conclusion
Slots are easy to approach, but with so many online slots games it’s worth knowing what you’re playing as the features can wildly change your experience. That’s also the reason slots have become (and continue to be) so popular with such a range of people. Popularity also brings innovation, and games continue to grow and evolve bringing new thrills to every spin of the wheel.
