Ready to Spin? The Best Online Slots in Canada

Online slot games are wildly popular among Canadian casino fans for their simplicity, variety, and jackpot potential.  They’re easy to play, require no skill, and offer much bigger potential payouts than most other casino games. Some slots in Canada can make you an instant multi-millionaire.

Our experts were recently tasked with finding the most exciting and innovative slots online. It was a fun assignment that involved countless hours of playing  slots at some of our highest-rated Canadian online casinos. This guide will let you know which online slots made the cut and which top casinos offer them. We will also explore the various types of online slot machines, the most exciting features, and how to choose the best online slots for you.

Top Online Slots Casinos

Our mission is simple. We strive to help Canadian slot enthusiasts find the most exciting, safe, and fair slot games. One of our top qualifications is that we are slot players ourselves. We don’t just put together random lists. Instead, we carefully select our top picks after putting in a lot of screen time to test and assess these games thoroughly.

Before we play online slots, we ensure that the casinos that offer these games meet our high standards. This includes being licensed, offering games from top software developers, and providing Canadians with the fastest withdrawals. Of course, we also consider other extras like customer support, Canadian-friendly payment options, and access to a steady stream of fair bonuses and promotions.

After careful consideration, our experts picked the following five casinos as the best options for Canadian slot fans.

While we were testing the best slots to play in Canada, we noticed that a few specific titles stood out among players. This can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, a game may have a particular popular feature like Bonus Buy, Avalanche, or Sticky Wilds. Maybe it’s something like a larger-than-normal potential payout. There are lots of possible reasons.

Here are 10 of the most popular online slots at Canadian casinos right now:

Starburst (NetEnt)

Starburst is a space-themed slot with 5 Reels, 3 Rows, and a 96% RTP. It’s also one of the most popular slots for using free spins on.

Book of Dead (Play’n Go)

Book of Dead is one of Play’n Go’s most successful releases. Its special mechanic is heavy on Free Spins and Expanding Symbols.

Rainbow Riches (Barcrest)

Released in 2009, Rainbow Riches is a 5X3 slot with a distinct Irish theme. It’s a medium-high volatility slot with Bonus Symbols, Multipliers, Stacked Symbols, and a Bonus Game.

Cleopatra (IGT)

Cleopatra is a 5X3 slot with a 95.7% RTP. You can win up to 10,000X your bet in a single pull.

Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play)

Released in 2017, Wolf Gold is a 5X3 medium-volatility slot that offers a maximum payout of 2,500X. Features include Free Spins, Hold & Win, Mega Symbols, and Wilds.

Buffalo Blitz Megaways (Pragmatic Play)

Buffalo Blitz Megaways debuted in 2021, perhaps the most popular of the 100+ Megaways titles. It offers an RTP of 96.29% and a max payout of 5,000X.

Mega Moolah (Games Global)

Since its release in 2006, Mega Moolah has offered some of the biggest progressive jackpots ever. Many jackpots have exceeded $10 million.

Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)

Gates of Olympus was released in 2021. It offers a unique 6X5 reel configuration, Cluster Pays, Cascading Symbols, Multipliers, and Bonus Free Spins rounds.

Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)

Another hit from Pragmatic Play, Sweet Bonanza features 6 Reels, 5 Rows, Cluster Pays, Pays Anywhere, and Bonus Buy. Win up to 25,000X your bet.

Narcos (NetEnt)

Based on the television series of the same name, Narcos is a 5X3 slot with a 96.23% RTP, a 1,506X max win, and features like Free Spins, Multipliers, and Symbol Swap.

Online slot machines can be categorized in several ways. You can divide them into classic slots and modern slots. Slot games may be classified by theme, RTP, volatility, potential payout, and feature. Having so many parameters helps players personalize the experience and select games ideally suited to them. Here are the most common types of slots you’ll find online:

Classic Slots

Classic slots are based on the first generation of slot machines. Typically, these are games with 3 Reels, a single payline, and classic symbols like cherries, Lemons, and Bells. They usually offer few, if any, features beyond Wilds. Classic slots offer straightforward play and a throwback experience.

Video Slots

Video slots refer to modern slot games, often featuring five or more reels, multiple paylines, and features like Cascading Reels, Stacking Symbols, and Free Spins. They also offer polished, HD graphics and engaging sound environments.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

Progressive jackpot slots offer the biggest payouts. With these, the jackpot is seeded with a minimum guaranteed payout. The jackpot continues to grow as a portion of each bet goes into the jackpot. The jackpot will continue to build until a lucky winner brings it down. Many progressive jackpots have eclipsed the $10 million mark. A few have exceeded $20 million.

Megaways Slots

Megaways slots are unique because most offer 117,649 or more ways to win. This is due to the Megaways mechanic, which provides an exceptional reel modifier that changes the number of symbols on each reel. In most instances, the number of symbols will range between 2 and 7. Megaways slots are famous for offering the latest features like Cascading Reels, Expanding Wilds, Free Spins, and Bonus Buy.

Branded Slots

Branded slots are games based on movies, television shows, bands, board games, and famous individuals. The game provider must obtain a special license to create a branded slot. Some popular branded slots include the Ozzy Osbourne slot, The Goonies, and The Price is Right.

Cluster Pays Slots

Cluster Pays is one of the most innovative slot features over the past few years. Compared to traditional real money slot machines that require you to land identical symbols on a payline, Cluster Pays games require you to land clusters of identical symbols.

As mentioned, having so many slot themes, features, mechanics, and volatilities to choose from makes it possible to customize your slots adventure easily. The theme indicates the visuals and storyline. If you are into horror, then you can quickly find horror-themed slots.

Some players enjoy high risk and rewards, while others like to lower the risk, even if it means lower rewards. Which approach do you prefer? You must also consider the game’s features, such as RTP, bet limits, and max payout. Many top online casinos offer filters that allow you to search using these and other parameters.

Different types of players prefer different types of slots. The most popular games won’t necessarily appeal to your tastes, just as your favourite slots may not appeal to the masses. We have listed several types of slot players below. We then paired each common player's personality with the kind of slot we recommend.

New Players

New players should start with classic slots that offer low volatility and minimal features. This will allow you to learn the fundamentals of slots without any distractions. Low volatility slots tend to pay out more frequently, which will keep you engaged.

Risk Takers

Those who enjoy maximum risk, if it means maximum rewards, those who enjoy maximum risk should start with high-volatility progressive jackpot slots. High volatility slots typically pay out less frequently, but those payouts are often higher than average. Progressive jackpot slots usually offer much greater payouts than fixed-jackpot slots.

Budget-Conscious Players

High RTP slots are ideal for budget-conscious players because they offer a lower house edge. This means you can expect a higher overall return. A lower bet limit allows you to play longer and easily survive losing streaks.

Feature Hunters

Feature hunters should play games with an abundance of features, including Free Spins, Respins, and Multipliers, along with interactive extras like Gamble and Bonus Games. Every feature adds an interesting twist to the game.

Fans of Fast Gameplay

Almost all modern slots online have features designed to speed up gameplay. These include a Quick Spin and Turbo Spin option. We also found that these features, used in conjunction with Cluster Pays, offer a very fast-paced experience.

Story-Driven Players

A lot of slot games offer interesting and engaging storylines. Many even provide exciting cut scenes to help narrate and progress the storyline. You’ll find that many branded slots tell great stories through cutscenes and soundbites.

Movie Buffs

Countless slot games are based on popular movies like Rocky, Jurassic Park, and The Dark Knight. Of course, many of these games also come with a variety of clips, sound effects, and even musical scores from those films, making them ideal for movie buffs.

We suggest that you only play slots from the most trusted and talented software providers. Certain providers are known for making uber-high-quality slots and offering the trendiest features. There are plenty of providers out there. Many of our top operators feature 50 or more, including these top names.

NetEnt: NetEnt was established in 1996 and has been considered among the best ever since. The provider has released well over 200 slots, including Gonzo’s Quest, Dead or Alive, and Starburst.

Games Global: Previously known as Microgaming and launched in 1995. The company has released over 1,000 slots and other types of casino games, such as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.

Pragmatic Play: Pragmatic Play has risen to the top of the software provider industry. The developer has released over 500 games since it was established in 2015.

Big Time Gaming: Although Big Time Gaming may have only created about 80 slots since launching in 2011, the developer clearly values quality over quantity.

Features are those innovative extras that add excitement to the slot experience. It can be something as simple as Autospin, or something more complex like Walking Wilds. Almost all slot games come with a special feature. A lot of newer releases have loads of them. Let’s look at some of the most common features found on modern slots online.

Wild Symbols

Wilds were among the first notable features to be added to slot machines. Wilds replace other symbols to help form a winning combination. Wilds can also have special features allowing them to expand, stack, and walk.

Scatter Symbols

Scatters usually trigger bonuses like Free Spins, Respins, and Bonus Games. However, they can also act as pay symbols and don’t always have to land on a payline.

Free Spins

Free Spins is a bonus feature usually triggered by Scatters or Bonus Buy. The number of Free Spins typically depends on the number of Scatters you land to trigger the round.

Multipliers

Multipliers are welcome as they multiply your payout by a set amount, like 2X, 5X, 10X, or 100X. While you’ll commonly find them in Bonus Games and Free Spins rounds, some slots include Multipliers in the base game.

Cascading Reels

With Cascading Reels, each winning symbol disappears, and new ones fall in their place. This gives you a chance to win several times in a single spin.

Megaways

Megaways is a unique mechanic that randomly alters the number of symbols on each reel. This can create up to hundreds of thousands of ways to win.

We like previewing a slot’s spec sheet to quickly learn about RTP, volatility, RNG auditing, and any special features or functions. However, we base our ratings and reviews on hours of gameplay. We look at originality, ease of play, features, visuals, and how well we expect a slot to hold up over time. We only highlight titles that provide players with authentic entertainment and value.

Theme – Creativity Counts

An original theme can attract players who want entertaining alternatives to popular themes like Ancient Egypt, fruits & gems, and fishing. We enjoy games that cater to niche tastes.

Design – Visuals and Sound Matter

A game’s visuals and sounds provide a lot of entertainment. Modern slots offer HD graphics and engaging soundtracks. Many even offer video clips to help tell a story. These factors add to the immersion, engagement, and overall fun.

Software Providers – Trusted Names Only

Many modern online casinos feature dozens of talented software providers. However, we are particularly fond of top providers like Microgaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Play’n Go. These providers are famous for delivering reliable, fair, and engaging gameplay.

RTP – Know What You’re Playing

Return to Player is the amount of money you can reasonably expect to win back over infinite spins. If the RTP is 96%, then you can anticipate a return of $96 for every $100 spent over the long run. However, slots are random, so there is no guarantee.

Volatility – Smooth Sailing or Wild Rides?

Low volatility games are prone to paying out more often than high volatility games. However, the payouts are usually much smaller than those on high-volatility slot machines. Knowing the volatility will give you some insight into what to expect in terms of winning.

Win Potential – From Steady Wins to Huge Jackpots

Would you like to win a small, fixed jackpot, or something bigger like a multi-million-dollar progressive jackpot? The choice is up to you. Just understand what’s at stake.

Features – Wilds, Reels, and Multipliers

Slot features can add a lot of fun to an online slots experience. They can also increase your chances of winning and winning big. Some folks like games loaded with features, while others prefer classic slots with minimal features. Again, it’s up to you.

Bonus Rounds – Where It Gets Interesting

Bonus Games like Free Spins and Pick ‘Em Mini-Games usually offer the biggest payouts. However, they are also an exciting departure from the monotony of the base game.

Many of our most beloved online casinos allow you to play their online slots for free in demo mode. This is a great way to learn how to play without worrying about losing real money. It’s also a good way to have some fun while you’re on the go. Of course, you won’t win any money when you play for free.

Real money online slots are even more entertaining because the possibility of winning big always exists. Just as the possibility of losing exists. That’s the essence of gambling.

The best slots to play in Canada are easily accessible and widely available across all devices. They provide a lot of entertainment regardless of whether you play real money online slots or free slots. That said, playing at a real money casino is much more exciting as it comes with the prospect of winning large sums of cash.

Modern slots have many exciting and innovative features that take the adventure to the next level. Features like Multipliers, Free Spins, Respins, and Bonus Games offer a temporary change of scenery, which keeps the gameplay fresh.

If you want to play online slots in Canada, you can get started in minutes by following these steps.

1. Find a licensed online casino: We suggest starting with one of the licensed online casinos highlighted earlier in this guide. Our experts have thoroughly tested and approved those sites.
2. Create an account: When you find the perfect online casino, hit the “Registration” or “Sign Up” button. You can then fill it out and submit it to activate your account.
3. Make a deposit: You can fund your account using various Canadian-friendly payment options.
4. Find an online slot game to play: You can browse the site’s various slot categories or use a search filter to help you find the ideal game.
5. Start playing: Simply click or tap on the game you want to play to instantly launch it on your desktop or mobile device.