Online Slots – a Step-by-Step Guide

Slots are some of the most popular online casino games. Based around a theme – for example Irish folklore or Ancient Greece – the dynamic gameplay is designed to enhance the user experience. Slots usually opt for simple mechanics that are easy to follow. As there are endless themes for slot providers to use, online slots are diverse and offer something for everyone. You can find your favorites by picking releases based on factors such as slot type, gameplay features, RTP and volatility.

How Online Slots Work

Online slots use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of every spin. Each spin is generated independently and at random, meaning previous results have no influence on future results. Random Number Generators are rigorously tested and certified before they are implemented. The testers are independent auditors to ensure fairness.

Online Slot Features Explained

Online slot features vary depending on the slot. Not all slots offer the same features, so you should consider the ones you like to play before choosing a game. If you’re unsure, check the in-game information for full details.

Here’s an overview of the most common online slot features:

• Scatter Symbol: usually unlocks a bonus round for three or more matching symbols.
• Wild Symbol: substitutes for other symbols (except special symbols like the Scatter) to form new combinations.
• Multiplier: boosts the total of any wins by a set amount. For example, 2x or 3x the stake.
• Free Spins: extra spins that don’t come out of your budget.

Paylines, Ways to Win, and Cluster Mechanics

Online slots contain terms that sound the same but differ in what they offer. Paylines, Ways to Win and Cluster mechanics are three examples that seemingly overlap. Actually, they are standalone features.

Paylines are active lines where matching symbols form winning combinations that pay out. slots can have as few as 10 paylines or as many as 2,000. Ways to Win pays out for matching symbols anywhere on adjacent reels. Cluster mechanics create winning combos out of clusters of matching symbols and don’t rely on paylines. Clusters typically include matching symbols of five or more and are grouped vertically or horizontally.

RTP and Volatility in Online Slots

RTP stands for Return to Player. It’s the mathematical figure a slot should pay out over millions of spins. The figure is always represented as a percentage. For example, a 96% RTP means the game should theoretically return 96 credits for every 100 credits wagered.

Volatility describes the frequency of wins and their size. A high volatility slot pays out less often, but the wins are usually bigger when they do payout. Low volatility slots are the opposite and medium volatility slots have a more well-rounded balance.

Playing Online Slots on Mobile

Online slots are designed to work smoothly on mobile devices. The gameplay is optimized for smartphones and tablets, which have smaller screens and touch controls. That makes adjusting stakes, activating features and spinning the reels very straightforward.

As a result, mobile slots offer the same user experience as desktop versions because they provide full access to game features while on the go. Whether playing via a web browser on mobile or an app, the slot’s compatibility and level of security are consistent.

PokerStars Casino has an excellent selection of online slots for you to enjoy. Our collection includes a range of titles across a variety of themes that are designed with the latest features and top-of-the-range mechanics. Our releases are constantly growing, too, so there are new slots added regularly from the most reputable providers.

If you’re looking for new ways to play, or something a bit different from the standard slots experience, you’ll find it here. For example, The Slotlist is an exclusive gateway to the hottest slot of the moment. These slots include innovative and distinct features and are handpicked each month.

Play Exclusive Online Slots

Exclusive slots are games that may include unique mechanics, themes or formats which have been developed for the PokerStars platform. These include collaborations with established game providers, as well as some releases that are only available to play at PokerStars.

Our PokerStars Originals collection also includes slots developed by our in-house team. This includes recent releases like Chicken Blast and long-standing classics like Cashzuma and Big Blue Bounty.

Most Popular Online Slots at PokerStars

Online slot games have a wide array of features to suit every player, but some slots are more popular than others because they offer a well-balanced player experience. Everything from the overall style of play to the game’s familiarity affects popularity.

At PokerStars Casino, the most popular slots are waiting for you to explore. Don’t know what they are? We’ve outlined the slots that our players are enjoying most below:

Top 5 slots for February 2026 (based on aggregated player activity):

1. Legacy of Dead: an Egyptian-themed slot from Play’n GO (5x3, 10 paylines) that offers Free Spins and an expanding symbol. The feature can be retriggered to include extra expanding symbols.
2. Book of Dead: another Egyptian-themed slot from Play’n GO played on a 5x3 grid with 10 paylines where Free Spins are up for grabs.
3. Buffalo Rising Megaways™ JPK: a popular Blueprint Gaming slot that uses the Megaways™ mechanic. Includes a Free Spins bonus where you can choose between different options, as well as the Jackpot King feature with progressive jackpots.
4. Cashzuma: a grid-style slot where the bonus is triggered by landing Scatter symbols. You can pick between the Multiplying Spirits or Lunar Eclipse bonus, with additional Free Spins available in both.
5. Big Bass Splash: a fishing-themed slot from Pragmatic Play with 10 paylines on a 5x3 grid. Features include Free Spins, increasing multipliers, nudges and level up.

Slot Types You Can Play

Every angle is covered when you play online slot games at PokerStars Casino as you can choose from a varied selection of slot types. Everything from classic to Megaways™ slots and Progressive Jackpot slots are on offer.

Classic slots are the original online games that put simplicity and the gameplay above everything else. They utilize traditional symbols and a retro theme. Megaways™ slots are an innovative game type where the layout of the grid can change with each spin. As a result, some of our Megaways™ slots offer up to 117,649 ways to win.

Progressive Jackpot slots work by taking a portion of each bet and adding it to a jackpot that gets bigger with every wager. That means they offer the opportunity to win huge sums of money. Once the jackpot it won, the jackpot resets.

Online Slot Game Providers

The slot providers available at PokerStars Casino are some of the biggest and most reputable in the industry. We work with established providers with a track record of offering high quality gameplay for players. When you play online slots with us, you’ll find games from operators including ELK Studios, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Games Global and Blueprint Gaming. We even have games that we create ourselves; keep an eye out for our PokerStars Originals collection.

Trusted and Responsible Online Slots

PokerStars takes responsible gaming seriously, which is why we provide a secure environment to play online slots. You can check out our dedicated Responsible Gaming page to learn more about our comprehensive range of tools to help you stay in control. These include setting game limits, time limits and deposit limits. Plus, all our online slots use Random Number Generator technology to generate independent, random outcomes.

How do online Slots work?

Online Slots have symbols on reels that spin when a player hits a button. Wins are created when relevant combinations land on paylines, special symbols like wilds and scatters can offer more winning potential.

• In standard Slots, paylines run across reels and define where symbols must align to create wins.
• Each symbol type carries a different payout value, usually the more you land on a payline, the more you win.
• Bonus rounds can be triggered at random, which offer the potential for higher payouts.
• Random number generator technology ensures that every spin is fair.

What is volatility in Slots?

Volatility refers to the typical frequency and size of payouts in a Slot game. Low volatility Slots have frequent, but smaller wins. High volatility slots have less frequent, but bigger wins.

• Low volatility Slots are popular with players that prefer frequent, smaller wins that help extend gameplay.
• Medium volatility Slots provide a midpoint between low and high volatilities.
• Choosing the right volatility depends on a player’s budget and playing preference. Most operators, like PokerStars Casino, will offer a wide variety of volatilities.

• High volatility Slots offer the potential for bigger wins, but those wins tend to occur less frequently.

• Medium volatility Slots provide a midpoint between low and high volatilities.
• Choosing the right volatility depends on a player’s budget and playing preference. Most operators, like PokerStars Casino, will offer a wide variety of volatilities.

What are progressive jackpot Slots?

Progressive jackpot Slots have a jackpot that grows with every spin until a player wins it, after which the jackpot resets and starts climbing again.

• A small portion of every wager on the Slot adds to the growing jackpot.
• When the jackpot is won, it resets back to a base value ready to be won again.
• Progressive jackpots can reach very lucrative amounts making them very appealing to players.
• Most operators offer this type of Slot, PokerStars Casino has a wide variety of Jackpot Slots available.

Are online Slots rigged?

No, online Slots are not rigged if you play on officially licensed sites. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) regulate online gambling sites to ensure the operator’s games are fair.

• Licensed online casinos, like PokerStars Casino, follow strict rules set by the regulator.
• Random number generators guarantee every result is fair and unpredictable.
• Licensed sites are independently audited and tested to verify Slot game fairness.
• By playing at regulated sites, you know that security is prioritized to enable a trustworthy experience.

What are the odds of winning on Slots?

The odds of winning on Slots are based on the RTP (Return to Player), which is a percentage of the amount of money that has been wagered on a Slot that should be paid back to players over the long-term.

• For example, if the RTP is 96%, then on average 96 units are paid out for every 100 units wagered.
• A higher RTP offers better long-term value but does not guarantee wins.
• Actual results over the short-term can differ widely from the official RTP.
• A Slot’s RTP will be stated within the individual game.

What are Free Spins in Slots?

Free Spins enable you to spin the reels without using your real-money balance. They can come in the form of promotional Free Spins or in-game Free Spins.

• Promotional Free Spins are awarded as part of marketing campaigns.
  • They will be accompanied by terms and conditions and may have wagering requirements to convert them into real money. Here are some more details about how Free Spins work at PokerStars Casino.

• In-game Free Spins are usually triggered by gaining entry to a bonus round.
  • Real cash winnings will be collected and credited at the end of the bonus round.