Online slot machines: explained

When you sign up at Royal Panda Casino, you’ll find hundreds of different casino games split into different categories. No matter if you choose online slots, video poker, live dealer games, or any other category, you’ll be playing games of luck that are fun and entertaining.

The world of casino games has changed drastically over the course of multiple centuries. Today, there are thousands of online casino games, with hundreds of new ones released each year. Competition among game developers is fierce, and this leads to the incredible use of new technologies and an experience designed to entertain as well as reward players.

Online slots are the single most popular casino game category around the world. These games offer a quick and simple way to have fun that does not require any prior knowledge or skill, as is the case with many table games.

Moreover, thanks to the mostly automatic gameplay, players are able to sit back and enjoy the show, rather than focus on their next move.

The evolution of slot machines

The past

Those players who are looking to find out how online slot machines work must begin by understanding their history. Even though these games are not as old as Roulette or Baccarat, their exact origins are disputed. They were likely created in San Francisco in or around 1894.

The Liberty Bell, manufactured by Charles Fey, was the first proper slot machine to be commercialized. Featuring three reels and one payline, this machine provided an automated payout system that quickly grew to become a popular source of entertainment.

In 1907, the first fruit symbols began to appear on slot machines. These would later be called fruit machines and their legacy would live on to this day. In fact, many new classic and video slots created today feature the same cherries, plums, and other traditional slot symbols.

By 1963, slot machines had developed into powerful machines that utilize electromagnetic components to deliver a fair and random result. The first slot machine to use this technology was manufactured by Illinois VGT World called Money Honey.

During this period, most slot machines continued to be played with a long arm. This gave them the nickname of one-arm bandits. However, by 1976, the vast majority of slot machines featured buttons instead of metallic arms.

Towards the end of the 20th century, slot machines were welcomed into a new era of casino games. The dawn of the Internet brought about big changes, including the first online casino slot that was launched in 1994.

The present

Today, there are thousands of online slots featuring every theme, game mechanic, and potential payout imaginable. Hundreds of new games are released each year by a large number of software providers who are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible.

Mobile gameplay has also been transformed in recent years and today it’s possible to play the entire Royal Panda Casino catalog of games without downloading any app or software. You can connect to our platform, select your game, and start playing in just a few easy taps.

The future

It’s difficult to predict with certainty in which direction slot machines will continue to evolve. With entertainment remaining a top priority for game developers, it is likely that augmented reality will play an ever-greater role in this and other casino game categories.

Payments and payouts will also continue to be enhanced, and whilst a lot of attention is currently given to cryptocurrencies, it is also likely that CAD payment methods will also be improved. Mobile payments in particular will likely be given prominence as a quick and convenient way to deposit and withdraw funds safely.

Playing slot machines online

Online slots have revolutionized the world of slot machines and casino games. Rather than having to travel for miles to get to an open land-based casino, you can simply switch on your computer or mobile device and start playing instantly.

Whilst land-based casinos mention their hundreds of thousands of slot machines, these are normally multiple machines featuring the same game. However, when we say we offer hundreds of games, we mean hundreds of individual and unique titles. If you start playing one but wish to switch to another, you can make the change in under a minute.

Beyond the flexibility offered by online slots, playing these games gives you the opportunity to win better rewards. Whilst slot machines may simply feature a random jackpot, most online slots provide a collection of bonus rounds, including free spins, and several ways to win valuable prizes. These can oftentimes reach values equal to 3,000x your stake or more.

In addition to bonus features, playing online slots at Royal Panda Casino also makes you eligible for a variety of welcome and ongoing bonuses and offers. These rewards are exclusively available to players who register an account and use an eligible payment method.

Pub slots online - themes - classic slots, 777 slots, fruit slots

Every proud slot creator will give a slot a particular theme to help it stand out from other games. This theme normally features throughout the game, and is frequently included in the title. Symbols, bonus rounds, and overall visuals and sounds in the game are also normally directly associated with the theme.

Some of the most popular slot themes include:

• Fruit slots: Juicy, tasty, and delicious, it’s not surprising that fruit is often part of slots online.
• Animal slots: From wild beasts from remote parts of the world to friendly pets down the road, the world of animals is featured frequently in online slots.
• Adventure slots - There are many different ways to go on an adventure by playing online slots, and the best part is that you won’t be chased by giant rock balls.
• Norse slots: Centuries later, players are mesmerized by the powers of Thor, Loki, Odin, and other Viking gods.
• Sports slots: Cricket, football, rugby, and many more sports slots are available to quench your thirst during the off-season.

In addition to these popular themes, you’ll also find several less popular slot themes that provide a unique experience with unusual elements. Zombie or Apocalypse themes are still quite rare, as were fishing themes until Pragmatic Play releases the Big Bass Bonanza franchise.

How are online slot machines designed?

There are thousands of online slots, each one featuring a different collection of bonus features, unique characteristics, and potential payouts. However, there are some similarities among all online slots. These are the main ones:

• Grid : This is the most important part of the online slot as it’s where the game is played out. Typical video slot grids have five reels and between three and four rows, but in reality, you can find all sorts of grid sizes. Some of the latest slots, for example, offer 7x7 grids or grids that change size according to the number of wins.
• Reels: Classic one-arm bandits had between three and five reels, but online slots today can have any number of reels. These columns hold the slot’s symbols and, combined with the paylines, provide the game’s payouts. Whilst reels used to always spin, in new slots, they can sometimes collapse, expand, or even explode.
• Buttons: No matter how innovative or creative an online slot is, it relies on buttons to give players access to control the game. Just like slots themselves, buttons come in all shapes and sizes, but more important ones, such as the spin button, are normally larger than less critical ones.
• Menu: On the slot’s menu, you’ll be able to find a list of useful options, including viewing the paytable. This is where all symbol payouts, special features, and other useful information are located. The menu also provides the rules of the slot and details the overall maximum win in a round.
• Betting settings: When you launch an online slot, the game is set with a default wager. You can adjust this using the appropriate betting buttons, choosing from one of the supported stakes. Whilst the reels are spinning, you won’t be able to make any adjustments to the stake, but you can do this before the next round.

How are online slots programmed?

Every online slot is given a Return to Player (RTP) percentage based on the theoretical return across thousands or more consecutive spins. This percentage indicates the size of the rewards that you can expect when you play a particular slot.

An RTP of 94%, for example, means that an online slot should provide $94 for every $100 wagered. However, this is not a guarantee, and anything can happen on every spin. If the RTP was accurate for each spin, there would be very little payout excitement.

Various top providers are known for creating online slots with an RTP of 95% or higher. Jackpot slots, especially ones with progressive jackpots, normally feature lower RTPs as part of each wager goes towards the jackpot.

Keeping slots fair

All the online slots available on the Royal Panda Casino website are checked for fairness by independent test labs. These are professionals that verify that games are powered by random number generators (RNG) that are unbiased and random.

A somewhat common and certainly unfortunate myth that resurfaces on the Internet from time to time is that online slots are somehow programmed and that the outcome of a round is predetermined.

This is certainly not the case, and you would need to play tens or even hundreds of thousands of spins before you land the same exact combination of symbols.

Slot fairness is an important part of the experience and this is why we only partner with reputable software providers that are known to be fair and hold one or more casino game licenses.

What are the characteristics of online slot machines?

Here are some of the main characteristics of your typical online slot machine:

Volatility

Every slot is given a volatility level to help players assess the likelihood of winning payouts. Just like RTP, the game’s volatility is no guarantee of a slot’s performance but can help you understand the average frequency and value of payouts.

When you play an online slot with low volatility you can expect frequent low-value prizes. High volatility slots tend to pay out less frequently, but when they do, prizes are usually more valuable. Low/medium and medium/high volatility slots fit somewhere in between.

Features

The main purpose of online slots is entertainment, and this is delivered through a number of features. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Wilds: Almost every online video slot features a wild symbol that substitutes for any standard symbol and helps to complete a winning combination. Some of these special symbols also provide an additional payout or multiplier, or even have the ability to become sticky or expand.
• Scatters: Scatter and other bonus symbols are normally responsible for triggering the slot’s main bonus round. Very often, the more of these symbols that land in a single round, the higher the number of free spins or special powers that are activated.
• Cascading reels: When one-arm bandits were first manufactured, symbols would spin on the reels. Today, symbols can do all sorts of things, including cascade or tumble. Apart from being entertaining, these and other features provide additional win opportunities in a single paid spin.
• Megaways mechanic: Megaways and other slot mechanics have enhanced the user experience by providing a multitude of ways to land winning combinations. Developed by Big Time Gaming and adopted by lots of other providers, the Megaways mechanic offers up to 117,649 ways to win with every spin.
• Free spins: It’s hard to imagine a new video slot being released nowadays without at least one special feature, and normally, this feature is a round of free spins. With such a round, you can play multiple rounds of the game without needing to pay. Moreover, you could play with a new slot or with special rules.

Basic play

All online slots begin with basic play or the base game. During this portion of the game, some of the bonus features may not be available or may have less value. Nevertheless, you can still win payouts by landing the right combination of standard symbols.

Most online slots, particularly video slots, normally always include a bonus round that can be triggered during basic play. Innovative slots, however, include special bonus features during the base game, making every spin a thrilling one.

Bonus play

Most online slots include one, or sometimes more bonus rounds. These can come in many different forms, but free spins are the overall most popular type. You can find the exact rules of how to trigger this bonus in the paytable, but you’d normally need to land scatter symbols.

In a growing number of online slots, players also have the opportunity to either increase the likelihood of a bonus round or outright buy one. Either option would cost more than your basic stake but can lead you to play bonus games more frequently.

Bet size

The vast majority of online slots are able to cater to a wide audience. Before each spin, you’ll be able to adjust the bet size to suit your bankroll. Different games support different minimum and maximum limits, and these often can be as low as $0.20 or $0.25.

If you’re looking for high-limit slots at Royal Panda Casino, you won’t be disappointed. We’ve got plenty of slots that whilst accepting low minimum wagers, also support stakes of $100 or more per spin.

Payout

Online slots simply wouldn’t provide the same level of entertainment if there weren’t any payouts. This is an integral part of online slots and is normally provided by standard symbols.

Normally, landing three or more identical symbols in a particular combination provides a winning payout. You can find out more about specific payout conditions, including whether special symbols provide additional prizes or multipliers, in the online slot’s paytable.

Autoplay function

You can activate the autoplay function in most slots to avoid having to press the ‘Spin’ button at the start of every round. You can choose the number of spins you wish to play automatically and you can stop this feature at any time.

Top providers

At Royal Panda Casino, we’ve partnered with a variety of leading brands to offer you a comprehensive choice of online slots. Some of the top providers featured include Microgaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and iSoftBet.

Your personalized online slot checklist

There are hundreds of online slots out there, so we’ve created this summary to help you find the best games for you. Here are some of the most important criteria to keep in mind:

• Pick your volatility: Games with low volatility are statistically better for steady prizes whereas those with high volatility are ideal for adrenaline rushes.
• Paytable: Before you start spinning an online slot, read through the paytable to learn about the different features and how to trigger them.
• Betting limits: Different slots support a range of wager limits. It is possible to find slots that let you wager $0.20 as well as ones that accept stakes as high as $250.
• Jackpot slots: There’s no doubt that daily and progressive jackpot slots are fun and exciting, but it’s important to remember that standard payouts are lower to make up.
• Casino bonuses: Before you start playing online slots or placing a deposit, view the latest Royal Panda Casino bonuses to make the most out of your experience.

Top 5 slots to try out

Even though new slots are released monthly, some games are so ingenious and entertaining that they stay on the leaderboard for years. Here are the top five best slots:

Book of Dead

Book of Dead is an ancient Egyptian-themed slot that stars Rich Wilde, a fearless archeologist that has since starred in several other Play’n Go slots. This game offers a few simple, yet rewarding bonus features that when combined together, result in exciting wins of up to 5,000x your stake.

Gates of Olympus

Mere mortals were never allowed to be in the company of the gods, that is, until Pragmatic Play created this engaging and exciting slot. This might not be the first online slot to feature a Greek gods theme, but it was one of the first to offer the Tumble Feature. This replaces winning symbols with new ones to give you multiple potential wins in a single paid spin on Gates of Olympus slot.

Golden Buffalo Double Up

This buffalo-loving slot is brought to you by iSoftBet, a smaller game developer known for offering great-looking slots with crisp animations. Trigger the Double Up feature to increase the likelihood of triggering the bonus wheel and winning free spins or one of the three jackpot prizes. A free spins round can also be retriggered and features multipliers of up to 27x.

Hot Spin Hot Link

It’s a hot day in the world of iSoftBet, but fortunately, you’ve got a delicious and juicy fruit slot to play. In what appears to be an homage to traditional slot machines, this game features a collection of antique symbols, including bells and lucky number 7s. However, unlike classic machines, this game offers three jackpots with prizes of up to 3,000x your stake.

9 Masks of Fire

Don’t let the masks of fire scare you as they’re just props dreamed up by the creative team at Microgaming. This slot features a bundle of innovative bonuses and special symbols, but it also celebrates one-arm bandits by featuring a collection of retro symbols, such as cherries and golden bells. What’s more, if you collect enough masks, you can win up to 2,000x your stake.