How to Play Online Slots
Whether you're casting a line, picking four-leaf clovers or exploring an Egyptian tomb, how to play online slots is more or less the same across the thousands of different games now spinning at BetMGM Casino.
The Basics of Playing Online Slots
Lucky 7 is a classic online slot symbol… the same number of steps you’ll find below for how to play slots online:
1. Choose a game: We’ve got online slots fit for every theme and occasion. For our most-played titles check out our ‘Popular’ section and ‘Exclusives’ for show-stopping games you won’t find anywhere else.
2. Check the paytable: Every online slot has its own set of symbols, and each pays differently depending on the symbol and how many land in a winning combination. The paytable, found in the game’s info or help menu, lists them all, along with any special symbols like Wilds and Scatters.
3. Set your stake: Use the + and − buttons on screen to raise or lower your bet based on your budget. The value of this bet will remain in place for every spin played unless changed or your balance can no longer cover it.
In the UK, stake limits apply to all adults (£5 limit per spin) and those aged between 18-24 years old (£2 limit per spin).
4. Spin the reels: Press spin and watch the reels roll, then slow down and stop on a random set of symbols.
5. Trigger the bonuses: Bonus features change up gameplay in wild and wonderful ways and can be triggered by landing certain symbols on the reels. From Bonus Spins and multipliers to expanding Wilds, bonus wheels and respins, every game has something different going on.
6. Check your win: Matching symbols in a winning combination pay according to the paytable, and wins are added to your balance straight away. Where the paytable lists 5x your stake for three matching symbols, a £1 stake pays £5.
7. Know when to call it: Play at a pace that suits you, step away whenever you fancy a break and use our safer gambling tools if you need to set limits or reminders while spending time with us.
Online Slot Terms to Know Before You Play
Now that you know how to play online slots, it’s time to touch on a few terms you’ll hear often. Paylines, RTP and volatility all sit behind the reels and shape how a slot plays, whatever the theme.
What are paylines and ways to win?
These decide what counts as a win. Paylines are set paths across the reels, while ways to win pay for matching symbols on neighbouring reels wherever they land. Knowing which a game uses tells you what a winning spin looks like.
What is a Random Number Generator (RNG)?
Every online slot is settled using a random number generator (RNG) that has no memory of the one before it. That means no patterns to spot and no spin that’s due, making every spin unique regardless of the size of your bet or how long you’ve been playing for.
What is RTP%?
Return to player (RTP) is an average of how much a slot pays back over millions of spins over a very long time. At 96%, that’s £96 for every £100 staked. It’s a good way to compare games, but it’s an average and won’t tell you what any one session will pay.
What is Volatility?
Volatility gives you an idea of how often wins of different sizes tend to land. Low volatility slots tend to pay smaller amounts more often and high volatility slots tend to pay larger amounts less often.
What are slot features and bonuses?
Features and bonuses are what a slot adds to its base game, from Wilds and Scatters to multipliers and bonus rounds. Every game combines them differently, which is why two slots with the same theme can play very differently.
Tips for New Players
With all the lights, reels and bonus rounds on offer, here are five tips to keep in mind ahead of your first few spins.
Entertainment, not income. Decide ahead of time what you can comfortably afford to spend and set that amount aside before every session. Need a hand managing your betting budget? We’ve got a number of safer gambling tools that have you covered.
No two slots are the same. Wilds that expand across the reels, bonuses you build towards over several spins, symbols you collect as you go. However alike two games look, their features and gameplay can be completely different.
Watch out for new releases. New slots land all the time, often with a mechanic you haven’t seen before, and the ‘New’ section of the BetMGM Casino lobby is the easiest way to find them.
Check out some online slot reviews. When a game catches your eye, a quick look at what other players and reviewers make of it tells you what to expect, from the volatility to the bonus rounds.
Don’t fall for the myths. There’s no such thing as a ‘hot’ machine and no slot is ever ‘due’ a payout. Choose a game because you like the look of the theme or its different bonus features, and you’ll have a better time whatever the reels do.
Playing Online Slots at BetMGM UK
Ready to head out on the BetMGM Casino floor? We’re home to thousands of top online casino titles and MGM Exclusives brought to you by some of the most talented providers in the game.
For new players, there’s a chance to reel in 200 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash, one of our most popular slots, when you sign up and play £10.
New customers: Deposit £10+ and wager 1x on casino games (wagering contributions vary) within 7 days from registration. Get 200 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash (worth 10p each), valid 3 days, no wagering on winnings. Opt-in required. 18+. T&Cs apply.