Online Video Slots in Canada
If you’ve played at an online casino before, you might have noticed that slots dominate the game selection. Video slots, in particular, have skyrocketed in popularity thanks to their straightforward gameplay, immersive graphics, exciting game mechanics, and user-friendly appeal.
To help you make the most out of your slot-spinning experience, our experts have spent around eight hours scouring the internet for the best video slots in Canada. Keep reading this all-encompassing guide to explore everything you need to know before playing!
How Video Slots Work
After booting up a video slot, you’ll find the game grid containing reels (which run vertically and spin) and rows (which run horizontally). Video slots feature a grid of symbols you must match in a payline to win money. Adjust your bet amount and spin the reels, and then Random Number Generator (RNG) technology will determine the results. Most video slots also have exciting bonus features you can trigger during gameplay, such as free spins, wild symbols, and multipliers.
Video Slots Features
The best video slots casino sites offer go above and beyond with features designed to enhance your playing experience. Examples include:
High-quality graphics – An aspect that can make a slot game truly captivating is its graphics quality. Clear and vibrant visuals make the game more immersive, especially when combined with sound effects that play when you win a prize or activate a bonus feature.
Variety of themes – Of course, playing the same slot game over and over would get pretty boring. That’s why the theme is super important. You can find slots based on your favourite movies and books or classic themes like fruit, horror, and fantasy.
Unique ways to win – The best video slot machines offer numerous ways to win. For instance, Megaways games offer up to 117,649 possible ways. Aside from matching symbols in a payline, some games may offer cluster payouts or win-both-ways.
Jackpot – Another popular online slot feature is a jackpot, which can be fixed or progressive. As the name suggests, a fixed jackpot is predetermined, while a progressive jackpot increases with every bet until a lucky player lands the winning combination and takes it all! The appeal of a jackpot is clear – with just one click, you could win life-changing money.
Payouts – A high Return to Player (RTP) percentage and maximum win are also features that make the best online slots. With an RTP above 96%, you’re more likely to be going home with a profit. However, the RTP is determined over hundreds and thousands of spins, meaning it won’t necessarily hit every time you spin the reels.
Games and bonuses – Finally, bonus features are undoubtedly a make-or-break factor shaping the overall experience. Features like free spins, expanding and sticky wilds, scatters, or mini-games like ‘pick-and-win’ games are immersive additions. They may even grab you a nice profit, too.
Our Top 5 Video Slots
Now that we’ve covered all the exciting features that make video slot machines so popular, you may wonder which game to try. With countless options available on the internet, we understand that it can be overwhelming to make sure that you select the right one. That’s why we’ve listed our top five video slots of all time below. And trust us, we’ve done the research.
| Slot game | Software Developer | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderstruck II | Games Global | 96.65% |
| Starburst | NetEnt | 96.1% |
| Wheel of Fortune | IGT | 96.6% |
| Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | 96.49% |
Thunderstruck II
First up is Games Global’s Thunderstruck II. We’ve been playing this one for a while – it’s been kicking around since 2010. The game’s Norse mythology theme and immersive gameplay have kept us coming back for more. One of its best features is the Great Hall of Spins, in which the four gods represent a different free spin feature. With 243 paylines and the potential to win up to 8,000 times your stake, Thunderstruck II offers huge win potential.
Starburst
Even if you’re not an avid slot player, we would be surprised if you haven’t heard of Starburst. NetEnt first launched this iconic game in 2012, which has grown in popularity thanks to features like free spins, expanding wild symbols, and its win-both-ways pay system. The colourful, high-quality visuals and lively sound effects are bound to capture your attention, and we’re sure the high win rate will, too. We also think it’s one of the easiest to play, with a minimum bet of just $0.01.
Wheel of Fortune
IGT’s classic Wheel of Fortune video slot is inspired by the popular TV show. It has spawned a series of successful games, but we think the original is the most fun. The Wheel of Fortune symbol acts as a Multiplier while also replacing other symbols to form combinations and give you double payouts, adding plenty of excitement to the reels. Featuring 5 reels and 5 paylines, you can wager from as little as $0.01 up to $5 per spin on Wheel of Fortune, making it the perfect game for budget bettors.
Gates of Olympus
This Pragmatic Play slot took us on a captivating journey into Greek Mythology, set against an ancient temple with Zeus to the right of the 6x5 reels. One of our favourite features is the cascading reels, offering abundant opportunities to win big with every winning spin. It’s a pretty new game, launched in 2021, but this also means modern, high-quality graphics. Gates of Olympus has a 5,000x maximum win and bonus features, including multipliers and free spins.
Sweet Bonanza
Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza is an absolute delight! Set in a candyland, it features sweets and fruits alongside bonus features like free spins, multipliers, and the Pay Anywhere mechanic. You can win up to 21,100 times your bet with every spin, featuring cascading wins where winning symbols pop like bubbles and new ones fall in their place.
How to Play Video Slots Online
All slot games are different, but the general steps to play remain the same. Once you’ve chosen a title, click the ‘i’ button to view the paytable. This will help you understand how the game works and how to win. Then, use the arrows from the menu at the bottom of the screen to adjust your bet amount. When you’re happy, click the button to set the reels in motion. Once the reels stop and any bonus rounds are complete, you’ll receive a payout for any winning combinations.
How to Win Real Money with Video Slots Online
Unlike free slot games, when playing video slots for real money, it’s important to understand that there is no way to guarantee wins. Since online slots use RNGs, which ensure each spin is completely unpredictable, it is impossible to anticipate results based on previous spins or patterns. Still, there are some strategies you can use to make your bankroll last longer and enhance your odds.
First of all, if you’re looking to win some real money, you’ll need to wager real money. Once you’ve set up an online casino account, head to the cashier section to deposit with your preferred online payment method, whether a card, e-wallet, or bank transfer. You may also be able to claim a welcome bonus and boost your bankroll.
Then, wager on your chosen slot game. You’ll win if you land matching symbols in a payline, as per the paytable. Some slots payout for matching as little as two symbols. We recommend playing slots with an RTP above the industry average of 96% for an optimal chance of winning a real-money prize.
Best Video Slots with Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot slots feature a jackpot that increases with every bet until one lucky player wins the lot. We’ve tried and tested many progressive jackpot slots in Canada, and we think the best titles include:
- Games Global’s Mega Moolah
- NetEnt’s Mega Fortune
- Playtech’s Jackpot Giant
Video Slots vs Classic Slots
Classic slots are those three-reel games with limited paylines. Video slot machines evolved from these in the mid-1970s, introducing features like animated graphics, unique themes, bonus rounds, and jackpots.
Check out the key differences between the two in the table below:
| Video Slots | Classic Slots |
|---|---|
| Unique grid formats with animations | Simple three-reel grid format |
| Huge selection covering thousands of themes | Tend to stick to classic themes like fruit |
| More bonus features | Mostly base game |
| Can have complex rules | Easy to understand and play |
Other Slots Resources
- Tips and Tricks to Win at Online Slots - Explore the best ways to increase your chances to win at online slots.
- How to Play Online Slots - The gateway to everything you will ever need to know about the process of play online slots.
FAQ's
- How do I win on video slots?
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Video slots use RNG technology, meaning the results are random. However, there are a few tips you can follow to increase your chances of winning. For instance, you can choose games with high RTPs and stick to a budget.
- Can I win real money playing online video slots?
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Of course, you can win real money on video slots online. You’ll need to deposit and wager real money. Then, if you land matching symbols in a payline, you’ll receive a payout according to the game’s paytable.
- Which online slots are the best?
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There are thousands of awesome video slots to choose from on the internet. However, we’ve listed our favourites right here in this expert guide. We’ve got decades of combined experience playing slot games, so you can bet we’ve tried out a load.
- Can I play video slots on my mobile phone?
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Yes, you can. The best video slot games in Canada are built on HTML5 technology, meaning they are responsive and optimized for the screens of mobile browsers. Some Canadian casinos even have their own app, which you can download from your iOS or Android app store.
- What is the difference between classic slots and video slots?
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Classic slots are easy-to-follow, while video slots can come in many formats, with more paylines and extra bonus features. There are so many options on the internet, with thousands of themes to choose from. Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Ziv (Steve) Chen
CEO at Major League Content
Ziv has been working in the iGaming industry for more than two decades, serving in senior roles in software developers like Playtech and Microgaming. He then followed his lifelong passion of writing and became a fulltime journalist, covering casinos, sports betting, legislation and other gambling topics and news with a specialty in North America.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziv-steve-chen-94b01b5/
