Introduction to Slot Sites

With more online slots on offer than ever before, choosing the best site at which to actually play these games has never been more important! You really ought to choose a site that not only offers a wide variety of games, but also one that is licensed, offers a range of payment methods (fast cashouts) and offers a great welcome package.

Fortunately for you, we’re well placed to help you with the above. At Bingo Paradise, we only list sites that are licensed by the UKGC and we present you with the best offers available as well as information about the finer details such as deposit methods and withdrawal requirements.

On this page, as well as listing the best uk slot sites, we’re going to take a bit of time to talk about actually playing slots online – what to look out for, how to play and, to finish off, we’ll take you through a rundown of the best games to play when it comes to payouts. Let’s kick things off with a look at why people choose to play online slots.

Why Play Slots Online

While playing classic slot machines in land-based casinos still holds a place in many players’ hearts, today, there are many reasons why online gameplay is superior. The first, and most noticeable benefit, is the actual payout rates of slots.

In land-based casinos – and this includes arcades, betting shops and pubs – slot machines take up physical floor space. They’re mechanical – things need fixing – and subsequently, they are more expensive for operators to run. Because of this, the payouts are far lower than slots you’ll find online, which are completely virtual. For example, the industry-average payout (RTP) for an online slot is around 96%, while those found in land-based casinos can average as low as 85%. This means that for every £100 wagered, the casino can, on average, expect to make a £4/£15 profit respectively. Clearly, meaning the player could be better off online 1

What’s more, when playing slots online you have access to a much broader selection of games. At the press of a button you can search through hundreds – if not thousands – of different titles, and this makes it far easier for you to find games you actually enjoy.

When you play slots online, you can also take advantage of generous sign-up bonuses. This means, when you join a new slots site, you can enjoy a matched deposit bonus, free spins or cashback – and these are all components that are rarely found at land-based establishments.

What to expect from the Best Slot Sites

When you choose to play at one of the best slots sites recommended here at Bingo Paradise you’ll be able to enjoy complete peace of mind that you’re playing at a licensed, fair, and reputable site.
You can, at first glance, expect a wide variety of games, spanning a number of categories, themes and genres. You’ll also have access to a wide variety of slots in terms of volatility. For example, if it’s high-variance Megaways slots you’re looking for, you’ll be able to choose from all the latest releases, while the best slots sites also offer more old-school, lower-variance titles for you to choose from.

Top-notch customer service is a given at any of the best UK slot sites you’ll come across, and you’ll normally be able to contact the customer support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through live chat, email – and, in some cases, by telephone too.

The payouts will also tend to be above-average, and we like to try and recommend slots sites that are completely transparent with their payouts, with genuine no wagering requirement sites being the holy grail!

How we rate the UK slot sites

When we’re looking for the best slot sites there are a number of factors we take into account. Below, we’ll cover a few of the most important aspects we look at:

Game Selection
The variety of online slot machines on offer at an online casino is a major factor we take into account when considering whether to recommend a site or not. For example, does the site offer a wide variety of machines – from big and small software providers – or do they offer games from big-name brands only? Generally speaking, the more slots on offer the better as this offers you far greater variety and choice when it comes to choosing your desired game.

Welcome Bonus
The sign-up bonus you can claim at an online casino is also a major factor we take into account; after all, if you’re joining a new slots site, it’s only fair that you should be rewarded and enjoy some free spins or a matched deposit bonus. However, here at Bingo Paradise, we don’t just look at the generosity of the bonus; we also look at the terms and conditions attached to it. We aim to help you choose welcome bonuses that are actually fair – where the wagering requirements are achievable, there are no ‘hidden catches’, and in short, you stand a good chance of actually cashing out winnings from the bonus.

Slot Payment Methods

Today, online casinos are expected to provide players not just with a wide variety of slots but also plenty of payment methods. Out of all the payment methods available, debit cards are probably the most common, with all online casinos accepting major brands such as VISA and MasterCard.

You’ll also find Ewallets almost universally accepted at slots sites, so you can deposit (and withdraw) using Neteller, Skrill, and, occasionally, PayPal.

Most payment methods see funds credited to your account immediately, although some, including those made via Bank Transfer can take up to 3-5 working days to appear.

Any casino licensed by the UKGC must allow players to withdraw their funds at any time, and this means your slots winnings can be cashed out whenever you like. 4 However, due to anti-fraud regulations, you are usually required to withdraw back to the same payment method you deposited with. Exceptions can be made when the original payment method is no longer available or when it doesn’t accept withdrawals.

How to Play Online Slots
Playing online slots couldn’t be easier, and first, you need to decide which game you’d like to play. The game you choose will then automatically fill the size of the screen you’re playing from, and you’ll be able to see your account balance in one of the corners of the screen.

The next step is to determine how much you’d like to wager (bet) for each spin. While each slot developer orchestrates the bet-selection tool in slightly different ways, it’s usually very straightforward, and you simply need to select the total amount you want to bet. (Some older slots may require you to choose a coin value; this works in a similar principle, but it’s the amount you’re wagering per ‘coin’. This correlates directly with the number of paylines played.)

Once you’ve selected your preferred stake, all you need to do is hit the “Spin” button to get started – and any winnings as a result of that spin will then be credited to your balance.

How do Slot Games work?
While each slot developer has their own slightly different way of doing things, all games today utilise a similar mechanic to deliver a fair, random result. This is made possible through the use of a random number generator (RNG). Each time you press the ‘spin’ button on a slot, the game uses this RNG to select a random outcome. This outcome is then used by the slot machine to determine which symbols land in which positions.

There’s a common myth, usually passed around in pubs which states that a machine is more likely to pay out if it has been subjected to a long gaming session – i.e. someone has filled it up! This is of course total nonsense.

It should also be pointed out that staking larger sums of money does not improve your chances of winning – although an exception is seen occasionally in progressive jackpot games.

Any slot available at a UK-facing casino must undergo stringent testing to ensure it’s compliant with UK gambling legislation. This sees the slot performing hundreds of millions of simulations at an approved testing house. Only once a testing house has ensured a slot is truly random will it receive certification, allowing it to be played at online casinos.

The Manufacturers
Who makes online slot machines is a question often asked by players, and today, there are hundreds of such developers, from all corners of the globe. The competition is intense, but rewards high, as successful slot releases can generate software providers significant revenue for many years.

As with any industry there are a few big name brands in the slots world, the most notable of which is, perhaps, Microgaming. Based in the Isle of Man, Microgaming has a portfolio of more than 400 different slot machines and they were also pioneers in developing poker technology. 2

Playtech are another major brand, best known for supplying titles and proprietary software to most of the big UK bookmakers. They too, have hundreds of slot machines, although are generally harder to find online than Microgaming’s.

NetEnt is another major name, and this Swedish game developer is behind some of the most successful slot machines in history. NetEnt also developed proprietary casino software which is in use at hundreds of online casinos today. 3

Other big games in the slots development world includes Big Time Gaming (the creator of the Megaway mechanic), ELK Studios, Thunderkick, Novomatic, Blueprint Gaming, Quickspin and Play’n Go.

Online Slots FAQ

• Are online slots fixed/rigged?

  No. In order to be made available on a UK licensed site, all slot games must be tested by a certified testing house. This is basically a lab which closely inspects the games and makes sure that they are generating truly random outcomes to each spin. You should never consider playing at a site that isn’t licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

• How do slot games work?

  At the heart of every slot game is a Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG generates a continuous flow of random numbers which are used to determine the outcome of each spin.

• Are there any secrets to winning on slot games?

  A good single piece of advice is to familiarise yourself with the concept of Return To Player (RTP). The RTP which is expressed as a percentage, is the amount of money that a slot game pays back to the player. You should be looking for RTP's in the high 90’s, all slots are required to state their RTP’s.

• Are slot sites the same as online casinos?

  It can be confusing. Slot Sites and Casino Sites (and even Bingo Sites) generally all offer slots and casino games. However, Slot Sites focus on slots whereas Casinos tend to place an emphasis on the table games and even the live dealer games.

• Do online slots payout more than physical slot machines?

  Usually online slots payout more than physical slot machines located in casinos. This is understood to be because the operating costs are significantly higher for physical slot machines therefore they need to retain a greater amount of money to cover their costs and turn a profit. As a very rough rule of thumb, online slots tend to payout upwards of 95% RTP, whilst physical machines tend to payout around the 85% RTP mark.