What are video slots in a casino?

A video slot is an online version of a slot machine, the so-called “one-armed bandit”. On the playing field of the video slot, the reels spin and form winning combinations of identical symbols.

This is the most popular entertainment in modern online casinos. Players are offered slot machines from popular and new developers with different themes and payout characteristics. Video slots can be launched in demo mode and for real money.

We will tell you about the features of video slots in online casinos in Ukraine. We will show you how to choose the best game and evaluate its characteristics. We will offer some interesting games and tell you how to find an online casino with video slots.

What is a video slot

Casinos have always offered slot machines. Initially, these were physical machines in real establishments with a screen in the form of reels and a special lever to start the spins. The player pressed the lever and watched the symbols change on the reels. If the same images appeared on the same line, the player received a payout.

When online casinos appeared, physical machines were modified into video slots. That is, video slots are online games with the same reels, start button, and paylines. However, online casinos managed to make slots more diverse and interesting, adding bonus features and mini-games.

Video slots are created by providers. There are hundreds of development companies with headquarters around the world. Among the most famous are:

• NetEnt.
• Microgaming.
• Yggdrasil.
• Playtech.
• Endorphina.

Providers operate under a licence, and their slot machines are tested for the efficiency and honesty of the RNG in independent laboratories. Each developer has a special “handwriting” – a certain choice of themes, bonus features, graphics, etc.

On average, Ukrainian casinos offer from 20 to 70 providers. Slotoking, Pin-Up, Slots City, and First Casino have the largest number of video slots from different developers. The Champion Casino game library is somewhat unique, with 66 video slots from one provider – Champion Studio.

Video slots can also be launched for free, in demo mode. In this case, you do not risk money, but you cannot withdraw your winnings. In the paid version, you place bets for real money, having previously funded your casino account, and have the opportunity to win funds for withdrawal.

Features of video slots

Slot machines in casinos have a payout potential, but players have no guarantees of winning. There is always a chance to win and withdraw funds, but defeats are no less real. Losing in original certified slots is not cheating, it is just part of the gameplay.

Therefore, you should not spend more money on gambling than you can afford. We advise you to allocate a budget, set limits on losing and playing time. Do not risk your “last” money, as it is easy to lose everything.

If you’re looking to have fun, consider playing in demo mode. You won’t be able to make a withdrawal. But you can play any video slot in the casino endlessly. You will be able to choose the size of your bet based not on your budget but on your own preferences. The choice of demo slots is quite large.

How to choose a game

If you are looking for a video slot to play for real money, then the main parameters are as follows:

• RTP – the percentage of return to players. Video slots with a return of 95% or more are considered optimal.
• Volatility – shows the frequency and size of winnings. For example, a video slot with high volatility rarely pays out money, but with higher odds. Such a game requires more time and an impressive budget.
• Payout rates are the multipliers applied to each symbol. Bonus symbols usually have the highest odds.
• Bonus features – can contribute to bigger wins. For example, these are free spins, respins, risk games, mini-games, internal jackpots, multipliers, etc.
• How symbols appear – in most cases, symbols appear when the reels spin. But there are other options. For example, the cluster method, in which after one bet, you can receive a payout several times in a row.

You can find out all the characteristics from the descriptions on the thematic websites. You can also launch the slot and go to the paytable. The table offers a detailed description of the video slot from the provider.

Other criteria for choosing a video slot can be the type of graphics, theme, and provider. However, such parameters do not affect the winnings.

Top 3 video slots

• Gates Of Olympus 1000 is a Pragmatic Play video slot available in Slotoking, Pin-Up, First, and more. It is characterised by high volatility. There are no paylines. You win if you collect 8+ identical symbols anywhere on the field. The main bonus feature of the Fall is that after the payout, the winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones. So you can get several wins for one bet. The multiplier bonus symbol allows you to win up to x1000 of your bet. Bets of 5-3,125 UAH are accepted. The return is 96.5%.
• Cossacks is a video slot by Champion Studio, available at Champion, First, etc. The playing field is 5×3, 10 paylines. 4 Scatters activate 12 free spins. The wild substitutes for other symbols and can expand to the height of the reel. There are also respins.
• Jelly Valley is a Playson video slot that is available at Slotoking. Symbols appear in an avalanche pattern. If a win is formed, an additional multiplier of up to x100 can be activated. There is also an avalanche multiplier – after each continuous win, it grows and has no limit. Free spins are activated when a Scatter appears, or they can be bought at a price of x100 of the bet. The maximum win of the video slot is x25,000.

How to find a casino with video slots

We recommend that you choose a casino responsibly. Only Ukrainian-licensed casinos offer original slots with fair RNG for Ukrainians. So check out the rating of Ukrainian licensed casinos and read their descriptions.

The most important characteristics in the description are the following:

• Limits on deposits and withdrawals, payment system fees.
• The size of the game library, available entertainment, and providers represented.
• Bonus programme, promotions, tournaments, and draws.
• The availability of several ways to contact technical support, the speed of managers’ response and their professionalism.

We also recommend reading online player reviews.

Frequently asked questions