Online Slots for Real Money
You can now play real money slots at legal online casinos in the United States. There are thousands of slot games to choose from, all with different features and bonus rounds. Our experts break down the best real money slots, evaluated on a criteria of bonus features, graphics, gameplay, and return to player. In the guide below, you can read about the top real-money slots casinos, the highest-paying games, sweepstakes casinos, and bonuses.
Sadly, online casinos are not available in your state yet. You do have the option of playing at sweepstakes or social casino sites. These sites offer similar games, allowing you to win cash prizes by playing slots. Below is our list of recommended sites.
Best casinos for real online slots
of Gold Coins for $10
Top 5 online slot games to play for real money
Regulated US gaming features many entertaining online slots. However, certain games stand out above others regarding graphics, bonuses, win potential, and/or originality. The following 5 real money slots are among the best that the American market offers.
1. Wheel of Fortune: On Tour
- Large progressive jackpot
- $.25 minimum bet
- 5 reels
- 30 paylines
- Up to 96.6% return to player
- Spin the wheel bonus round!
2. Lobstermania 2
- Max jackpot: $222,000
- 40 paylines
- Up to 96.05% return to player
- Lucky Larry bonus game
- Free spins bonus game
3. Quick Hit
- 5 reels
- 30 paylines
- Up to 94% return to player
- 5000X jackpot
- Free spins bonus game
4. Buffalo Slots
- Unique All Ways Wins
- Wild symbols
- Amazing sound effects
- Free spins bonus game
5. China Shores
- Max jackpot: 3,119,800 credits
- 30 paylines
- Scatter symbols
- Wild symbols
- Free spins bonus round
Latest slot releases for August
Why you should trust our slot review process
PlayUSA’s slot reviews use a rating system that combines gameplay, visuals, bonus features, and more into a score out of five. Each slot is played and tested by three reviewers who all voice their personal experiences with each game. Read more about our review process below.
PlayUSA only reviews legal online casinos that are licensed to operate in the US. Playing at a regulated casino gives you options if something were to go wrong. With a regulated casino, you can file a complaint with the state gaming control board.
PlayUSA is also licensed in multiple state jurisdictions: Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The experts behind PlayUSA have over 15 years of combined experience in the gaming industry. Members of our team have worked for ESPN, SI, USA Today, PokerStars, WSOP and more.
Our opinions and reviews are never influenced by our affiliate partners. Our news team is independent and committed to covering all aspects of online gambling.
PlayUSA is committed to following responsible gambling guidelines. We do not publish content that does not follow responsible gambling guidelines.
If you or someone you know is experiencing problem gambling, please reach out to your local problem gambling center. More information on problem gambling help can be found here.
We have a multi-step editorial process that includes fact-checking to ensure 100% accuracy. Information on our editorial policy can be found here.
- Game testing: Three of our PlayUSA game reviewers play and test each slot during the review process. This involves assessing the gameplay, visuals and bonus features. The reviewers write about their personal experience with the slot. Our reviews contain a combined score, rating bonus rounds, gameplay, visuals and more.
- Casino recommendations: Before we recommend any online casino, it must have a license to operate in the relevant state and be reputable. Our reviewers then download the app and play the games. They test the user experience and ease of use for the casino and cashier system, as well as customer support response time. All casino reviews receive weekly updates with news and promotions.
- Industry experts: Our reviewers then pass off their reviews to one of our industry experts for fact-checking. Our experts have decades of combined experience, working for companies like Wynn, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Poker News and Bluff Magazine.
- Slots rating system: PlayUSA slot reviews use a five-star rating system. The ratings are based on the independent research of our reviewers. Factors that influence ratings include bonus features, graphics, gameplay and jackpots. The final rating is a combined score, and is the result of hours of testing.
Getting started with real money slots
Playing slots for real money at an online casino is actually quite easy if you’re in a state where online gambling is legal. Just follow this step-by-step guide:
1. Choose a casino
Pick an online casino that has a wide variety of the type of slots you like to play. Plus, check if it has a bonus or bonuses for new players that you can easily clear by playing your favorite slots.
2. Create your account
Sign up for an account by providing all the personal and account info that the casino requires. Plus, enter any necessary bonus or promo code for that online casino to make sure you claim the new-player bonus.
3. Deposit funds
Make a deposit into your account at that online casino. Available banking methods should include debit and credit cards as well as third-party payment processors like PayPal.
4. Select a game and start playing
Browse through the slot selections and click on any game you want to play to load it. The casino should also list pertinent information about each slot to give you an idea about what each one offers.
Highest paying online slot machines
As a slots player, you want to maximize your play time. That is why you should only play games with a respectable return to player. RTP is what percentage of a player’s money a slot will return, over the long-term. For example, a slot with an RTP of 98% will return 98% of the money wagered, eventually. Understanding RTP is key to understanding how slots work. Most online slots have an RTP in the mid 90’s. Check the table below for some of this highest RTP slots.
| Slot | RTP | Max Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Suckers | 98% | $250,000 |
| Wheel of Fortune on Tour | 96.6% | $250,000 |
| China Shores | 96.1% | $301,510 |
| Black Diamond | 96.09% | $350,850 |
| 88 Fortunes | 96% | $200,000 |
| Dragon Spin | 96% | $250,000 |
Comparing real money vs. free games
| Real money slot games | Free-to-play slot games |
|---|---|
| 👍 Have the chance to win a real jackpot | 👍 Try hundreds of different games in the browser |
| 👍 Able to earn rewards points and bonuses, depending on the casino | 👍 Get to know the games and how they work with zero risk |
| 👍 Extra money when you claim a deposit bonus | 👍 Find your favorite game without spending any money |
| 👎 Cash outs can sometimes take a few days | 👍 100% anonymous. No registration required. |
| 👎 Can lose real money | 👎 No bonuses, jackpots, or rewards |
Whether you are ready to play high limit slots for real money or want to play for free, we have you covered. Click here for real money slots, or visit our free slots page to browse over 300 games.
Best bonuses for slot players
Our rating for the best online casino bonuses for slot players depends on a few factors — the type of bonus, size of the bonus, cap on the bonus and the playthrough requirement. Below we have scored some of the best online casinos based based on these bonus criteria.
BetRivers — 5/5
- 100% up to $500 in bonus money
- 10x playthrough requirement
The BetRivers Casino welcome bonus comes in the form of bonus bets after making your first deposit. In other words, you can get hundreds of extra dollars to try out the site.
DraftKings — 4/5
- 100% up to $2,000 + $35 on your first deposit of $5 or more.
- 15x playthrough requirement on slots.
At Draftkings Casino, you’ll receive a $35 casino credit just for completing registration. This bonus is one of the largest of its type in the US, and it only requires a 1x playthrough. You’ll also qualify for a 100% matching bonus for up to $2,000 on your first deposit. However, the 15x wagering requirements is pretty high.
BetMGM — 4/5
- $25 Freeplay on sign-up with a 1x playthrough requirement.
- 100% up to $1,000 on deposit with a 15x playthrough requirement for slots.
You can start by signing up and collecting the $25 BetMGM Freeplay bonus. Provided you deposit at least $10, you’ll also qualify for a 100% matching bonus for up to $1,000 on deposit.
FanDuel — 4/5
- Get up to $1,000 play it again if you are down after your 24 hours.
- Playthrough requirement of 1x before you can withdraw winnings.
The FanDuel Casino bonus is an interesting “play it again” proposition. It credits back any losses you incur during the first 24 hours of playing casino games. You then must wager the site credits you receive at least once to be able to withdraw any winnings. FanDuel Casino also regularly offers deposit bonuses and game-specific bonuses.
Best slot machine by each game developer
Many players do not know that slot games are not made by the casino. They are made by game development companies, and then they are licensed to the casino. This means there are many different styles of games available. Each game maker has their own unique take on slot games, and you may find yourself enjoying games from a certain provider more than others. Below are some of the top games from the best slot makers.
| Slot Provider | Slot Name | Paylines | Bonus Round | Payout % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGT | Lobstermania | 40 |  | 94.9% |
| Bally | Quick Hit | 20 | | 93.95% |
| NetEnt | Asgardian Stones | 20 | | 96.31% |
| Konami | China Shores | 30 | | 96.1% |
| High 5 Games | Betti the Yetti | 30 | | 96.2% |
| Ainsworth | Crystal Cash | 100 | | 94.06% |
| Inspired Gaming | Big Bonus | 50 | | 95.68% |
| NextGen Gaming | Foxin Wins | 25 | | 95.6% |
| Everi | Jackpot Inferno | 50 | | 96% |
| Lightning Box | Enchanted Waysfecta | NA | | 96.19% |
| Spin Games | 25 Diamonds | 9 | NA | 95.93% |
Mobile slots and real money slot apps
There are many quality real-money casino apps that have slots. Once you’ve chosen a secure one, downloaded and installed it on your device, it’s just a matter of picking a slot to play and tapping on its title.
Luckily, most online casinos have almost their entire slot library available on mobile. Plus, even those that don’t will still have a decent-sized selection, meaning you should be able to find something to play.
Just like the traditional online casino experience on a computer, the app experience starts with a choice. With mobile, you simply want to choose an app that has a good variety of the type of slots you like to play on mobile. Then make sure you can work with the requirements for the welcome bonus, and, once you’re satisfied, download and install the app.
Next, create your account, again using a bonus code if one is necessary. You will be able to clear that bonus by playing games on the app if you like. Make a deposit so you have funds to play with. Then, finally, browse through the slot library on the app and tap on any game you want to play to load it up on your phone or tablet.
You’ll find most of the account management processes are quite similar on the app as on a computer. The big differences come in playing similar games. Screen size matters when it comes to slots. Even though most games are optimized for mobile play, playing on the smaller screen on a mobile device might take some getting used to.
It’s mostly the same games available on mobile and desktop online casinos, but the experience can vary, even with the same titles. Both are enjoyable, but nothing beats the convenience of playing real money slots on an app, even if it might take you a bit of time to adjust to the screen size.
Choosing the right online casino for playing real money slots
- Find a legal real money slot site in your state: For residents of the states where online casinos are legal, you’ll frequently have choices. Competition can be fierce among online casino sites in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Michigan and Connecticut, potentially with more states to follow. If you are outside of these states, then sweepstakes-style casino sites may offer a legal option for online slots.
- Check the bonus offers: Many online casinos offer free play, free spins or matched casino sign-up bonuses. Read the fine print before you deposit to check the terms and conditions.
- Check available games: The number of titles and the game studios that created them can vary widely from casino to casino. You will be able to play in demo mode at many online casinos, which can give you a preview of the choices.
- Check player promotions: Online casinos also may provide additional promotions beyond any welcome bonuses. Look for comp (points collection) programs, free spins and leaderboard-style contests.
- Check available jackpots: Some online slots feature progressive jackpots in the $1 million-plus range. They can include MegaJackpots from IGT and some online-only ones like Mega Moolah from NetEnt.
- Download the app: You can play online slots on a desktop or laptop computer, but most casinos also have apps or responsive websites that allow you to play via smartphone. Test games on your phone in demo mode first to make sure they work smoothly before you spin for real money.
Playing Vegas slots for real money online
If you are a fan of Vegas games, then you’ll find several ways of enjoying slots online for free and for real money.
Many popular titles by the biggest and best slot software creators have been adapted for online play.
You can’t entirely re-create that live experience of the huge cabinets with surround sound and special effects. But what you will find is the same gameplay, bonus rounds and, in many cases, those same life-changing jackpots.
The most accessible slot machines to bring online include classics, e.g., Triple Red Hot 7’s and Lobstermania. These all play out within a simple grid for the reels, without the need for too many special effects. You can enjoy Cleopatra, Texas Tea or Quick Hits action on your iPhone / Android or your desktop computer.
With some of the tallest cabinet games, think Kronos Unleashed, Heidi’s Bier House, or the newer Michael Jackson-themed slots. You’ll get the narrow band of the reels on your screen to fit in everything. While this is not quite the same as the big-screened originals, these games can still be a lot of fun.
In the world of free online slot games, few ideas are truly original ideas for long. As soon as a theme, novel gameplay concept or bonus game gets popular, many slot studios copy it.
Examples include the famous Buffalo game by Aristocrat slots. You’ll find almost every studio has a similar title featuring Native American wildlife, many with similar cows running toward you.
The games Cleopatra, Lightning Link and Wheel of Fortune have also been copied many times over.
For players, this is good news.
For those times you cannot find the original Vegas slots you are looking for online, you’ll find games that closely resemble them. Who knows, those “copies” may even have an extra feature or two that make them even more enjoyable.
Progressive jackpot slots
The biggest real money slot prizes and slot machine wins pay out via progressive jackpots. Progressive jackpots are so called because the jackpot increases gradually with each wager from players. Often, especially online, several or even dozens of machines are hooked up to the same jackpot.
Each wager adds to the jackpot until it’s triggered. Then, one lucky player wins it all. At the time of writing, the largest online slots jackpot win in history is $19.6 million. The largest land-based slot win was in Las Vegas in 2003. An anonymous Los Angeles gambler won .
Real Money Slots FAQ
The best online slots site is going to be a regulated online casino that offers plenty of games and payment options. Customer support should be responsive, and the casino should have positive customer reviews. A good deposit bonus is helpful, as it provides extra money to play with. We recommend checking out the casinos at the top of this page, as they have all undergone our review process.
If you sign up at an online casino and deposit money into your account, you can indeed play slots for real money. You will have access to popular slots, bonus games and progressive jackpots. Some casinos offer bonuses just for creating an account, essentially providing free money to play with. If you meet the bonus requirements, you can cash out actual money.
By design, all slots are “rigged” to provide a house edge to make the casino money. Over time, they will pay out less money than they take in. Slot designers often program near-misses to make players feel as if they “just missed” a big payout. Their randomness is what makes them fun. You never know when or how much of a payout is coming.
For every state with legal online casinos, there will be some sort of gambling regulator that will test and check that no legal casino has rigged the games in an unfair manner. All return-to-player percentages are verified and published.
If you are playing at a licensed casino in a legal state, yes, real money slots are safe to play. State gambling control boards audit and verify the fairness of all the games.
Online casinos frequently offer players extra money as an incentive to sign up and play. However, this money will have requirements that you’ll need to meet before you can withdraw any winnings from playing with it, aka playthrough or wagering requirements. Generally, you must wager a multiple of the bonus amount. This varies from casino to casino, and some games contribute more than others to the playthrough requirement. Slots usually contribute 100%, while low-edge games like jogo blackjack may contribute less.
BetRivers stands out as it has just a 1x playthrough requirement for its bonus. A low requirement like this makes it more likely you’ll actually be able to cash out your bonus money.
The right bet amount is key. Before playing, make sure you are betting an amount you are comfortable with. You don’t want to accidentally spin the reel for too much money.
Nearly all online casinos require players to be 21 or older. There are a few exceptions with cruise ships and tribal casinos. For more details, see the legal gambling age page.
A trustworthy casino will be licensed in the state where it is operating. License costs are substantial, meaning that the casinos that do operate are established companies with years of experience. Casinos must keep up with requirements, and licenses receive regular reviews for renewal. Failure to comply with all regulations can result in license suspension, which would be detrimental to the casino.