The best slot games that pay real money in the U.S. offer players cutting-edge graphics, exciting gameplay, and the potential to win huge payouts. But with so many online casino options, it's difficult to know where to start.
At Covers, we've tested thousands of games and reviewed countless online casinos to help you find the best value slots. Check out our operator recommendations before you search for a new favorite real money slot game.
Legal states | CT, DE, MI, NJ, PA, WV |
Legal gambling age | 21 |
Best casino for slots | ⭐ FanDuel Casino ⭐ |
Best slot game | ⭐ Sweet Bonanza ⭐ |
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
Game and provider | RTP | Play at |
---|---|---|
Mega Joker (NetEnt) | 99% | BetRivers Casino |
Blood Suckers (NetEnt) | 98% | DraftKings Casino |
Rainbow Riches Pick N Mix (Barcrest) | 98% | bet365 Casino |
Starmania (NextGen) | 97.87% | FanDuel Casino |
White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming) | 97.77% | BetMGM Casino |
Zeus Lightning: Power Reels (Red Tiger) | 97.73% | bet365 Casino |
Golden Tour (Playtech) | 97.71% | bet365 Casino |
Blood Suckers Megaways (Red Tiger) | 97.66% | bet365 Casino |
Guns N’ Roses (NetEnt) | 96.98% | Betway Casino |
Blood Suckers 2 (NetEnt) | 96.94% | Tipico Casino |
Dead or Alive (NetEnt) | 96.82% | Unibet Casino |
Butterfly Staxx (NetEnt) | 96.80% | 888casino |
Fruit Shop (NetEnt) | 96.70% | Bally 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Online casino | Claim welcome bonus | Claim sportsbook bonus |
---|---|---|
$1,000 Play it Again | Bet $5, win $150 | |
100% match up to $1,000 | $1,000 in bonus bets | |
$500 2nd Chance Bonus | $500 2nd Chance Bet | |
Play $5, get $100 | Bet $5, get $150 | |
100% Match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Reward Credits | $1,000 First Bet on Caesars |
Not all real money online casinos and sweepstakes casinos are created equal. Many websites operate in the U.S. illegally in 2023, posing as licensed and registered operators. We rate and review legal online casinos only and suggest you play exclusively on these legitimate platforms. We strongly recommend avoiding the following websites:
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.:
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:
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.
Covers has been a trusted source for sports betting and online gaming for over 25 years. Reputable media outlets turn to Covers for expert analysis and gambling information.
Online slots are casino games that play out across reels, rows, and paylines. To earn a payout, you need to match symbols across one of the game’s paylines, and you can use a raft of bonus features to help you land the game’s biggest wins.
Online slots are created by software providers and hosted by licensed online casinos. When you spin the reels, every outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) ensuring games are random and fair.
Yes, online slots are legal in the U.S. You can legally play at real money online casinos in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Yes, you can play online slots for real money in the U.S., provided you live in one of the states where online casino gambling is legal.
Yes, online slots are fair and random. The outcome of every spin on a slot machine game is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG), meaning you can win or lose each time you place a bet. Slot games are also independently reviewed and tested for fairness.
A payline in a slot game is the pattern winning combinations can form on a base game spin. There are different types of paylines, including fixed, variable, clusters, Megaways, pay-all-ways, and other mechanics.
To choose the right online slot game, look for games with a reasonable RTP (above 96%) and a theme aligned with your interests and preferences.
You can find online slots that allow you to get started with bets of just $0.01 and those that have max bets of up to $500. Therefore, you can find online slots to play that suit your budget.
Progressive jackpot slots are games with a separate jackpot that continues increasing until someone wins. A small amount of every bet is set aside to fund this jackpot. It’s common to see progressive jackpots offer multi-million dollar payouts.
You can deposit money to play online slots in various ways. The easiest method is to use a debit or credit card, but you can also deposit via an e-wallet. Read your selected casino's payment terms and conditions for more information about payment methods.
Yes, you can play online slots for free. Most online casinos offer demo versions of their slots, meaning you can spin the reels for free to get a feel for the game before risking your own money.
The easiest way to contact customer support is via the casino’s online chat, usually offered 24/7. Failing that, check for an email address or phone number that allows you to contact the casino directly to raise your concerns.
Jeff has been reviewing sportsbooks and covering North American sports betting and iGaming at Covers since 2021. The former NHL prospects writer has crafted over 100 reviews and guides for the Covers community and has been sweating his own picks for over a decade.
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