Best Slot Games that Pay Real Money in 2023

Real money slots quick facts

Top 5 real money slot games

The U.S. is home to many reputable, licensed, and trusted online casinos, and they all offer huge selections of slot games that pay real money. We looked for titles with excellent graphics, fun gameplay, high Return to Player (RTP), and enticing bonus features to bring five of the best slot games that pay real money in 2023:

1. Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)

  

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Bright, colorful, and vibrant, Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza is a candy-themed slot that has earned legendary status in the iGaming world. 

Sweet Bonanza's scatter pays mechanism allows players to win big without paylines, as unique symbols pay out winnings when they appear scattered across the reels a specified number of times. Free spins bonus rounds come with multipliers to crank up the value of all wins. 

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Sweet Bonanza, one of the most popular Pragmatic titles available at U.S. casinos.

⭐ Sweet Bonanza at a glance:

Payout %: 96.49%

Volatility: Medium-high

Maximum payout: 21,100x bet 

Paylines: Scatter pays  

2. Big Bamboo (Push Gaming)

  

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Take a trip to the jungle and join forces with a giant panda in Push Gaming’s uber-popular animal-themed slot, Big Bamboo. 

Mystery prize symbols can land on the reels, while the golden bamboo feature offers an instant prize or a multiplier symbol to boost wins. 

With a 50,000x max win up for grabs, Big Bamboo is a game you can’t ignore if you’re looking for big wins while playing slot games that pay real money.

⭐ Big Bamboo at a glance:

Payout %: 96.13%

Volatility: High

Maximum payout: 50,000x bet

Paylines: 50

3. Cursed Seas (Hacksaw Gaming)

  

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This horror-themed pirate adventure is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of Hacksaw Gaming’s most popular online slots in 2023.

Played on a 5x4 grid, 26 paylines, and two bonus games offer a great chance to unlock the game’s 12,500x max win. 

If you’re intrigued by the legend of Blackbeard and other notorious pirates of the Golden Age, Hacksaw’s Cursed Seas slot is the game for you.

⭐ Cursed Seas at a glance:

Payout %: 96.22%

Volatility: High

Maximum payout: 12,500x bet

Paylines: 26

4. Ankh of Anubis (Play’n GO)

  

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Play’n GO’s Ankh of Anubis is one of the best Egyptian slots ever made, offering fun-filled gameplay with a 576 win-all-ways mechanism in play. 

Though set in the ancient past, this slot features a futuristic and unconventional 3-4-4-4-3 setup. The bonus round offers up to 20 free spins to use to land the game’s max prize of 15,000x the bet.

For ancient Egyptian gameplay with a twist, check out Play’n GO’s Ankh of Anubis at your chosen online casino.

⭐ Ankh of Anubis at a glance:

Payout %: 96.20%

Volatility: High

Maximum payout: 15,000x bet

Paylines: 576

5. Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger)

  

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The Megaways version of Gonzo’s Quest takes this legendary slot game to a different level. 

Avalanches occur after winning combos to provide additional winning opportunities, while unbreakable wilds and free spins can lead you to the 21,000x max win. 

With a respectable RTP and awesome gameplay, Gonzo’s Quest Megaways is another excellent slot game that pays real money.

⭐ Gonzo's Quest Megaways at a glance:

Payout %: 96%

Volatility: Medium-high

Maximum payout: 21,000x bet

Paylines: 117,649

Slot games explained

Although slot games are easy to play, understanding how they work takes a little time — especially if you’re new to online casinos. We recommend carefully reading the game rules and considering the following before playing:

Types of slots

The first thing to be aware of is that there are different types of slots, including video slots, classic slots, progressive slots, and jackpot slots. Most online casino slot games are video slots. Find the type of slot that best suits your needs.

Betting limits

Consider betting limits before playing a slot game that pays real money. Betting limits vary significantly from slot to slot, ranging from $0.01 to $500 per spin, and ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Game overview

Read through the game’s rules to learn about its payouts, maximum win, RTP, and volatility. Consider bonus features like free spins, wilds, multipliers, and cascading wins. Some games let you buy access to specific bonus features, which is a fast track to some of the biggest wins in the game.

Covers Tip: Online slots are powered by Random Number Generators (RNGs), meaning that the outcome of every spin in the game is random. You can win or lose each time you spin the reels.

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How to choose a real money slots casino

Due to the sheer number of slot games that pay real money online, it can be challenging to identify the best games by leading developers. Use the following helpful tips before choosing your game: 

Payouts

How much does the game in question pay out? If you’re looking for big wins, check for games with max wins over 5,000x the bet. You should also look at a game’s paylines and pay table for more details about how to win. 

RTP and volatility

The industry average RTP for slots is 96%, so be sure to play games with an RTP of 96% or higher. This figure represents the percentage of wagers returned to players over time. You should also consider whether a game has high, medium, or low volatility to understand how often it pays out.

Graphics and theme

Slot games that pay real money vary in quality and presentation. From ancient Mayan temples to the high seas, you can find games with multiple themes and excellent graphics, so pick a game that aligns with your interests for peak entertainment value. 

Security

It’s important to confirm that your chosen online casino is licensed to operate in the U.S. You should always look for the site’s license details before depositing funds to play real money slots online.

Mobile gaming

The best slot games that pay real money are optimized for mobile gaming, thanks to HTML5 technology. If you plan to play slots on the go, ensure you can play your game on a smartphone or tablet.

Developers

Choose slots from specific developers once you’ve become familiar with what each provider offers. Leading casino game studios include developers like Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and NetEnt.

Top 5 online slots casinos

Online casino	Claim welcome bonus	Claim sportsbook bonus
FanDuel Casino	$1,000 Play it Again	Bet $5, win $150
BetMGM Casino	100% match up to $1,000	$1,000 in bonus bets
BetRivers Casino	$500 2nd Chance Bonus	$500 2nd Chance Bet
DraftKings Casino	Play $5, get $100	Bet $5, get $150
Caesars Palace Online Casino	100% Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Reward Credits	$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Types of slots bonuses

The best way to boost your bankroll before playing real money slots is to take advantage of online casino bonuses. From online casino no-deposit bonuses to free spins and reload offers, you'll have plenty of options at many legal sites in the U.S.:

Welcome bonus

• Offered to new customers only.
• Usually awarded after registering and making a first deposit.
• Must satisfy wagering requirements before withdrawing.

Free spins

• Exclusive to slots.
• Players receive a specific number of spins.
• Typically limited to select games.

No-deposit bonus

• Most sought-after online casino bonus.
• Play with house money — no deposit required.
• Meet wagering requirements before accessing winnings.

Reload bonus

• Rewards active players for their loyalty.
• Awarded after an additional deposit is made.
• Usually available on specific days of the week.

Referral bonus

• For users who invite friends or family to play.
• Involves a unique link or code.
• Bonus awarded after a friend or family member makes their first deposit.

Best real money slot development companies

There are many slot game developers in the casino industry, and some are certainly better than others. Below are a few of our favorites in 2023:

• Pragmatic Play: One of the industry leaders, with a vast library of games spanning myriad themes and styles.
• NetEnt: A studio known for its high RTP slot games, offering great value for players.
• Big Time Gaming: The studio responsible for the Megaways mechanic, an increasingly popular and engaging slot experience.

Other studios worthy of a mention include Hacksaw Gaming, Play’n GO, Nolimit City, and Push Gaming, as they all offer excellent slot games that pay real money at various online casinos in the U.S.

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