Free online slot machines Canada

Slot machines are the ideal casino game when you have a little free time or if you want something simple to relax after a long day. Originally called the one-armed bandit, slot machines simply consist of pulling a lever or pressing it to spin the reels, then checking if you have hit a winning combination. There are many slot machine sites, and I have conducted the most in-depth experiments in my laboratory to offer you the best online slot machines. Here is an overview of how to play, the types of slot machines and how to search for the best slot machines on the market.

How to play slot machines

1. Look for a casino site that offers a range of slot machines adapted to your preferences. Take a look at my Casino Teacher reviews to find out which sites offer the best slot machine options.
2. Choose a slot machine game. We have more information about the different types of slot machines that you can choose from below.
3. Select the number of paylines you want to use. Be aware that only winning combinations occurring on active paylines will result in a payout. Select "Max Bet" to choose all the paylines and the maximum number of coins per line.
4. Choose your coin value. If you have not chosen the maximum bet, you can choose to decrease the bet, depending on your available funds. Don't forget to stay within your limits.
5. Press the "Spin" button and wait for the reels to stop on a combination.
6. If you have landed a winning combination, it will light up on the reels and the amount will appear. You can also view the amounts of winnings that certain combinations will award you by consulting the game's paytable.
7. If a bonus feature is activated, additional free spins, this can trigger a bonus game or an immediate payout. For more information on the terms relating to slot machines, keep reading.
8. The money you win will be credited to your account and you can either exit the game or press "Spin" again to continue playing.

Types of online slot machines

Free spins / Free slots

Whether they are video slots or not, Free Spins are part of almost all eligible online slots. There are slot machines that derive their powers only from the Free Spins feature – no bonus games, no counter progress to follow, no jackpots. Just the possibility of encountering chained Free Spins, totaling more than 200 Free Spins in some places. They have no distractions for beginners or experienced players, because the main purpose of the slot is to hit the FS bonus.

Bonus slot machines

Bonus slots are also part of video slots, but they can be placed in their own subcategory. These are the slot machines that bet heavily on the history of the game and the in-game action. Taking a certain combo opens the door to another country for a series of spins or until a game bonus is claimed. They are the most interactive of all the online slots, and playing them does not minimize the amazing rewards they contain. It's simply done with the added element of telling stories while collecting prize after prize!

3-reel slot machines

At the beginning of the history of slot machines, all slot machines were 3-reel machines. These were classic games with mechanical operation, a small number of paylines and few bonus rounds. In the United States, they were called AWP - Amusements With Prizes - because instead of real money prizes, players were rewarded with chewing gum or gifts in exchange for a winning combination. Some are wondering if there is still room for 3-reel slots in the virtual industry, with an increasing number of reels and other additional features appearing online. A traditional three-reel game will have a single payline in the center, which means that there will be a lot of small wins, but few big jackpots. As a result, 3-reel slots have low volatility, which means that you will not get rich quickly, but you can expect small, regular and reliable winnings.

5-reel slot machines

This is an extremely popular type of slot machine game, which often corresponds to the number of reels chosen by software developers releasing a new game. The bonus points of a 5-reel game, compared to a 3-reel game, include the fact that the player can choose more paylines, in addition to additional bonus features. Historically, although 3-reel slot machines were the first on the market, there was already a mechanical 5-reel game – the poker machine, which had five mechanical drums and 50 playing cards. Thanks to the evolution of microchip technology, the designers were able to include more symbols – which resulted in more winning and losing combinations – on the reels. Since it is no longer necessary to rely on mechanical reels, this makes it much easier to place additional reels on virtual games.

6-reel slot machine

Although this number of reels can be considered unconventional, it is popular all over the world with many slot players. There will be either staggered reels, or a traditional 3×6 or 4×6 payout. There will often be hundreds of active paylines available at the same time, or they will be playable as "ways to win". In other words, there may be 243 or 720 ways to win. Instead of matching the paylines, the games, 'win ways' allow the player to win by matching the symbols on adjacent reels. Stacked symbols such as Wilds and Scatters are available with the 6-reel slots, and players will have access to both the big wins and the bonuses. The common features of this type of slot machine include thousands of paylines, many wilds and wild multipliers and free spins.

7-reel slot machine

Many slot machine games available online nowadays are 3 or 5 reels, but some will be 7 reels and can be developed thanks to software capable of handling more complex algorithms. This means that there are more ways to win, which appeals to players who like to win a lot of small victories. That being said, seven reels also increase the chances of getting a larger number of losing bets. The configuration of a 7-reel slot machine provides that there will be 7 reels each containing up to 50 symbols, the winning combinations paying off if they end up on the right paylines. Wilds and Scatters games, as in 5-reel games, and stacked reels with multiple paylines combine with these to offer an immersive alternative to a more popular slots style of play.

Video slot machines

Although they have only been around for a few decades, video slots have quickly overtaken mechanical slots as the desired game mode. Instead of using mechanical reels or physical workpieces that deserved the nickname "armed bandit", video slot machines use chips and processors to operate. The video screens display the reels and paylines, and there are buttons on the screen that you can press or click to activate particular functions. Since processors are capable of producing more firepower than mechanical parts, video slot machines have developed since their creation to allow multiple paylines, variable stakes and a multitude of bonuses.

Fruit machines – Fruit Machines

Those who have ever been in a game room will probably have seen a fruit machine, and the gameplay involved has not changed radically since its introduction. Even though the popularity of slot machines has declined in recent years, due to the growing popularity of video slots and progressive jackpots, this British-style slot machine remains a fun game, both online and in places like party docks, gas stations and cafes in the UK. They started in the 1960s in the United Kingdom, when Barcrest began producing fruit machines intended for distribution throughout the country. The games are mostly played with three reels and a payline, although some will play diagonal lines, creating a total of between three and six paylines. These slots are largely mechanical and operated by a button. Some virtual slots offer bonuses, one of the most popular being a "trail bonus", with a jackpot awarded for going through everything.

High-win slot machines

Many slot players think that the only games that offer the possibility of a big win are progressive jackpots, but this is not the case. High-win slots are another option. The casino professor has evaluated the slot machines with the highest payouts, and if you choose from this selection, you will increase your funds in no time. It is important to know what RTP means, and the games that allow the highest percentage of RTP - and I will deal with this in more detail below. Generally speaking, however, online slots will bring in a more generous amount than land-based casinos, and you should consult the paytable to find out the amount of variable payouts such as jackpots and Scatters.

Progressive jackpots

This type of jackpot is formed according to small percentages of each bet. The figure goes towards a maximum jackpot that is displayed on the game screen and slowly fades away, increasing in value. A typical rule is that players must wager the maximum bet to be able to claim the progressive jackpot. This can be triggered in several ways. One of the methods consists of aligning five winning symbols on the last payline, another is that it is simply activated at random, and a third possibility: after being triggered at random, you have to play a mystery bonus round or Wheel of Fortune. For example, the Mega Moolah slot triggers its progressive jackpot at random and sends players to a Wheel of Fortune. At this point, they must align the symbols to win one of the four linked jackpots: mega, major, minor or mini.

The 3D slot machines

For a high-quality experience, take a look at the 3D slots. These offer high-quality animation, immersive gameplay, excellent bonus features and detailed scenarios. These are video slots, but they offer more than the multiple paylines and features such as Wilds and Scatters that you see in this category. As part of the game, punters will be able to watch animations and cut-out sequences, usually from popular movies or TV shows. There may also be known characters on the game screen that appear and are animated.

Popular online slot machines

• The Miss Kitty slot machine
• The Siberian Storm Slot Machine
• The Zorro Slot Machine

Age of the Gods slot machine – This slot machine has five reels and 20 paylines. If you reach the 5 divine symbols on an active payline, you will win 200 times your line bet. There are 4 free game modes, with win multipliers and additional wilds. There is a mystery jackpot, which is a multi-level progressive mini-game.
Payment rate: 92-95%, depending on the edition played

Deal or No Deal Slot machine – Based on the popular TV show, the objective of the game in Deal or No Deal slots is to beat the banker and win the jackpot. To do this, land a winning icon combination on one of the 20 paylines. There are three bonus rounds: the Reel Banker, the Beat The Banker Bonus and Deal or No Deal. There is also a 3-level progressive jackpot to play.
Payout rate: 93 – 95% depending on the game and the betting lines

Thunderstruck II slot machine – This popular slot game was released in 2010 and offers 5 reels and 243 ways to win. The theme is Norse mythology, and there is a Wildstorm feature that makes, after being activated at random, 5 reels completely wild. The Great Hall of Spins feature allows players to play 4 free spins. There are 5x multipliers and Wild Magic symbols for random wilds.
Payout rate: 96 – 97% depending on the game and the betting lines

Starburst slot machine – This is one of the most popular online slots, and a huge win of £50,000 is up for grabs. It has 5 reels and 10 paylines, with bright colors and an arcade theme. Expanding Starburst wild appears on one of the three middle reels and spreads over the entire reel, remaining there for up to 3 spins, which means that these spins are free for the player.
Payment rate: 96.1%

Immortal Romance slot machine - Developed by Microgaming, this machine has 5 reels and 243 ways to win. The cost per spin only starts at 30p, and the vampire-themed game is now well known to slot lovers. The base game allows you to activate 5 wild reels randomly, and The Chamber of Spins unlocks 4 free spins features.
Payment rate: 96.86%

Avalon II slot machine – Based on the original Avalon game, Avalon II features high-quality 3D animation and bonus features. There are 2 randomly triggered functions in the base game, as well as 8 bonus functions once the Grail Bonus function is activated. This includes rolling reels, trailing wilds and 3 free spins.
Payment rate: 95.92%

Gonzo's Quest slot machine - Gonzo goes in search of the lost city Eldorado in this extremely popular slot machine. The unique Avalanche Reels feature offers players the opportunity to win up to 5 times multiplier. In addition, the Free Falls bonus feature offers the player 10 free spins and a multiplier of up to 15 times on the winning spins.
Payment rate: 96%

Book of Dead slot machine – This classic game was developed by Novomatic. It has 5 reels and 10 paylines, with an ancient Egyptian theme. It is especially popular in Germany and the United Kingdom. The price of a spin can vary between 10p and £400, which means it caters to a variety of budgets. The bonus feature is activated by landing 3 scattered symbols from the Book of Ra, and players receive 10 free spins with a 2x multiplier.
Payment rate: 92.13%

Jumanji slot machine - NetEnt has produced this game which is inspired by the classic 1995 movie. It has 5 reels and 36 paylines, four randomly triggered functions included in the main game and five additional bonus functions. The spins cost between £10 and £200, and players have to look for the Sticky Vines, Monsoon Wilds, Monkey Mayhem and Wild Stampede.
Payment rate: 96.33%

Laser Fruit Slot machine – Enjoy a futuristic version of a fruit machine with Fruit Laser, developed by Red Tiger Gaming. If you win a combination of 10 Lucky 7 symbols, your bet will be multiplied by 25. This can be achieved despite the 5 reels because the lasers will shoot at the reels and expand them, which means that the game can contain 10 reels at full capacity.
Payment rate: 96.02%

What is RTP?

You may have noticed that RTP is listed next to games on casino sites, but you are wondering what this term means. Essentially, RTP stands for Return To Player and is the number used by casinos to describe the percentage of money wagered that a slot machine will return to players over time. For example, if you make 100 bets at £1 on a slot machine with an RTP of 92%, you can expect to receive about £92. That being said, the advantage of the RTP and the house is calculated over the long term, and the short-term volatility applies for a standard gaming session. This means that you should always play within your means, and only with money that you can afford to lose.

Best RTP slot machines

Simsalabim slot machine
This high RTP slot machine includes 25 paylines and 5 reels. It is a video slot with a magical theme, and you can bet between 0.02 and 1.00. You can configure the automatic game up to 100 spins. Special features include a bonus level and free spins. The maximum bet is $250, which means that it is popular among high rollers.
RTP: 97.5%
Bork the Berzerker slot machine
This video slot has 5 reels and 25 paylines. It contains a comic strip and the Nordic cult theme. It features dramatic sound effects and high-quality graphics. If you win at least 3 purple monster symbols, you activate the free spins feature. If you win more than one wild player in a single game, you will be eligible for some important prizes.
RTP: 97.3%
Fruit Warp slot machine
This fruit-themed video slot was developed by the software provider Thunderkick. It does not have the traditional reels and paylines that those of the majority of slot machines. 5 or more symbols of the same type appearing on a screen will grant the player the Fruit mode and the value of the dynamic multipliers will increase with each win.
RTP: 97%
Mega Joker slot machine
This progressive slot machine was developed by NetEnt and works with 5 paylines. This is a traditional fruit-themed slot machine, and players can bet between 1 and 10 coins per spin. The progressive jackpot is added every time a player runs a part of the game and increases until someone wins it.
RTP: 99%
Monopoly Big Event Slot machine
Created by Barcrest, this video slot has 5 reels and 20 paylines. If you want to make larger bets, you can activate the Big Bet function. This unlocks extras such as the progressive win multiplier and other bonus features like Epic Spins and Persistent Wild Big Event.
RTP: 99%
Devil's Delight slot machine
This 20-payline video slot features the devil as a wild symbol, which is also an expanding wild. The scatter symbol is the Pentagram and the Reaper symbol is the bonus. When 3 or more scatters land on the reels, the free spin mode is activated. If the bonus symbol appears on reels 3, 4 and 5, the Soul Reaper bonus game is activated.
RTP: 97.6%
Starmania slot machine
This video slot has 5 reels and 10 paylines. It is located in a space context and the wild symbols can replace all symbols except the scatter bonus. If you get three or more bonus symbols on the reels, the free spins feature is activated. If you click on the Heart & Clubs button when you win a victory, you activate the Gamble function.
RTP: 97.87%
Blood Suckers slot machine
Produced by NetEnt, this video slot includes 5 reels and 25 paylines, as well as a vampire theme. The bonus symbols are the bloody bat and the sledgehammer, and the wild symbol can replace the value of all symbols, except for the scatter and bonus symbols. The vampire bride is the scatter, and getting three or more will trigger the free spins feature.
RTP: 98%
1429 Uncharted Seas Slot machine
With 5 reels and 25 paylines, this slot was developed by Thunderkick and has a nautical theme. The wild symbol is the ship and it only appears on the second, third and fourth reels. It expands vertically, helping to create winning combinations. The scatter is the compass, and the more you land, the more free spins you win.
RTP: 98.6%
Jack Hammer 2 slot machine
Powered by NetEnt, this video slot has 5 reels and 50 paylines. If you get at least 5 free spins symbols on the reels, this will activate additional spins. Automatic play is available so that you can spin the reels without interruption. The Sticky Win feature is activated after any winning bet line or 3 or more free spins symbols.
RTP: 97.1%

Tips, tricks and strategies for slot machines

Don't believe in the theory of flying machines

Some people claim that some slot machines will be more accommodating and generous than others, offering easier and higher winnings. However, slot games are all governed by a random number generator (RNG), which means that all results are completely random and unconnected. Believing in this myth and moving towards particular games will therefore only disappoint you.

Make the most of the game bonuses

Whether it's free spins, bonus game or multiplier, make the most of all the bonuses on offer. A boost to your game should never be rejected, because it makes victory much more likely. Learn what each bonus means and how to activate it with the game of your choice to maximize your chances of winning a serious sum.

Always bet max

Wouldn't you be annoyed with yourself if a winning combination fell on a payline that you haven't activated? To have the best chances of winning, always have all your paylines activated, because you never know where certain types of symbols will appear, and it can be extremely frustrating to see that you miss out on a win.

Stay up to date with the latest games

Any fan of slot machines should familiarize themselves with the latest versions and insider knowledge in order to play new games and find out how other people play. As slot machines are very popular, especially online, there will always be a new game to discover.

Playing responsibly

Although slot machines are incredibly fun, everything can fall apart if you are not responsible. It can be easy to forget that you are playing for real money when playing an online game. So make sure you have a bankroll limit and set yourself constraints on the amount of time you spend playing the game.

Glossary of slot machines

Scatter – A symbol that triggers free spins or bonus games.
Multiplier - Symbols that increase your winnings by a determined amount.
Free spins – A bonus that allows you to spin the reels at no extra cost.
Wild - Symbols that substitute for other symbols on the reels. They can also stack or expand.
Autoplay – Set a slot machine game to run automatically a set number of times.
Wager – The amount you bet on a spin in the slot machines.
Bet Max – Play for the maximum amount with all active paylines.
Jackpot – A sum of money accumulated over time and which is awarded to a lucky player.
Payline – A line passing through each reel to connect the symbols, which triggers the winnings.
Reel - Lines on a machine or a screen that shows the result of a combination of symbols.