Every year, online casino software groups release scores of top-quality online slot games in what has become a highly competitive industry. South African players are testament to the fact that the graphics, bonus features and rewards potential of online slots get better with each passing year, and this year promises to be no exception.
Most online casinos not only allow, but also encourage players to try out new and popular online slots for free. There is a good reason for this. After you try free online slots, you will be very tempted to try real money slots – and there is every reason to take this path. You’ll get the fantastic entertainment benefits, and in addition, you stand to win real money. Some online slot games offer jackpots that boast literally life-changing size prizes!
Out of all the new and existing online slots, how can you choose the best real money slots available? How do you know which platform to play on? That’s where we come in. Our team has taken the time and used its many years of experience and expertise to choose the best real money slot online casinos for South African players. You can use our guide to select fair, safe ZAR online casinos, or read our in-depth reviews of Return to Player and refers to the rewards that you can expect to win in a real money online slot hundreds of real money online slots in our archives.
Our Top 3 Casinos for Real Money Slots
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Real Money Slots vs Free Slots
At the best South African online casinos, you’ll find two ways to play the slot games. The first is free play and the second is real money slots play. Sometimes these two modes will be known by different names such as play-for-fun or demo mode in the case of free slots. But the bottom line is that you can play slots for free or for real money at most online casinos.
Playing online slots for real money:
- You spend real money and have the opportunity to win real money.
- To start playing slots for real money, you need to open an account at an online casino and make a deposit into your account using a chosen banking method.
- Most online slots are set in play for real money as a default.
- You have the option to choose the number of coins you want to bet, as well as the value of the coins.
- There is no limit to the slot games you can play, and you can play for as little or as much as you want per spin, within the framework of the slot’s minimum and maximum limits.
- Real money slots playing is exciting and has the potential to pay out big jackpots.
- You can withdraw your winnings when you’re ready to do so.
Playing online slots for free:
- An online casino can give you credits to play slots for free.
- Free spins bonuses can be offered in several ways, for example as a no deposit free spins offer, as part of a welcome package, in the form of loyalty rewards or complimentary spins at the launch of a new slot game.
- It will be made clear to you at the online casino that you are playing for free and not with real money.
- You will use credits awarded to you to play the slot game for free. There is a limit on the number of credits awarded to you.
- The probabilities are the same in demo mode as they are in play for real money to give you a good feel for the game.
- Some of the advantages of playing slots for free: you get to test-drive the game and software without spending your own money; you can keep some of your winnings and you can try different games to discover your favourite genre.
- The downside, however, is that you aren’t playing with real money and so there is a limit to how much you can win. Before you can withdraw your winnings, you need to meet strict wagering requirements, and the online casino will cap the amount that you’re allowed to withdraw.
Why Play Real Money Slots
The advantages of playing slots for real money – especially if played at a reputable and safe online casino – are many. We highlight just some of them below:
- The thrill factor: Playing online slots for real money adds an entire new dimension of thrills and excitement to your gaming session. You just never know when the next jackpot will hit and you’re always just one spin away from a big payout through rewarding bonus features.
- The choice factor: While nobody will turn up their nose at a free slot offer, there is something to be said about the limitations of these bonuses. The online casino will almost always cap the amount you can bet and win, and the selection of games is also limited. When you play for real money, however, you have an unbelievable selection of games to play. We’re talking hundreds, if not thousands of games to play at the online casino – from classic slots to the last word in bonus-rich video slots machines.
- The bonus factor: When you need to complete the wagering requirements on an online casino bonus, nothing pumps up your total like online slots do. Spin to win and complete the wagering requirements in no time!
Thousands of Online Slots at your Fingertips
PlayCasino.co.za has one of the largest archives of online slot reviews available. South African players make this their go-to site when they want to discover the particular features and mechanics of literally thousands of online slot games.
Our team has written in-depth reviews of all these slots, created by the best software providers in the industry. As new games are added to the portfolios of these providers, we, in turn, review them and add our recommendations to our Slots Review page. If you haven’t checked out our Slots page yet, we strongly recommend that you pay it a visit today!
How we Select the Best Real Money Slots Casinos
With many years of experience behind it, PlayCasino’s expert team has got the art of choosing the best real money slots for you down pat. Part of enjoying the ultimate online slots session is playing at the best real money slots casino. Our team knows exactly what to look out for in an online casino to ensure that your play session is fantastic and potentially rewarding.
This is how we select the best real money slot casinos for South African players:
– Licensing and regulation: The best online casinos are licensed and regulated by the strictest gambling jurisdictions. Their operations are fair and transparent, and they provide top-quality platforms. We make sure that they meet the highest demands of South African players for excellent gaming standards.
– Software and games: When the search is on for the best real money slots, it goes without saying that the quality of games is of the utmost importance. We choose real money slots casinos based on the reputation of the software companies that provide their games to the platform. You’ll only find the best vendors on our list, including Realtime Gaming, Rival Gaming, NetEnt and Playtech. You’ll find a wide range of games, from classic real money slots to real money video slots, and from casino poker to blackjack.
– Bonuses and promotions: Once we’ve established that an online casino is legal and regulated, and that you’ll be entertained through the games lobby, we turn our attention to the bonuses and promotions offered to players. It goes without saying that the welcome bonus should be generous and redeemable. There should also be a good range of ongoing promotions for loyal players, including cashbacks, free spins, tournaments and VIP points.
– Payment Methods: We make sure that the banking methods supported by the real money slots casino are SA-friendly, safe and convenient. Of course, it’s imperative that the casino accepts payment in ZAR and that winnings can be withdrawn fast and securely.
– Safety, security and customer support: A safe and secure real money slot online casino means that the operator uses the last word in online casino security technology to protect its players’ financial and private information. It means that a professional customer support team is on hand 24/7 to answer all questions and address all concerns. And it also means that the site takes issues such as responsible online gambling in South Africa and steps to avoid gambling addiction very seriously.
The Most Prestigious Real Money Slots Game Providers
There are multiple vendors that provide their real money slot games to the industry, but there exist only a handful that are truly iconic. These are game providers that have stood the test of time, yet still manage to keep their content fresh and innovative. Players have come to expect real money slots of the highest standard from these game providers, and they are never disappointed. Below, you will find information about what we consider to be the most prestigious real money slots game providers in 2021.
RTG
Part of the industry since 1998, Realtime Gaming (or RTG) offers its games to players from all around the world. Its games, and in particular its real money slot games, are very popular among South African players. The slots have been adapted for mobile play on a large range of mobile devices, including Apple iOS, Android smartphones and many more. Play the latest 2021 RTG real money slot games such as Paddy’s Lucky Forest slot, Mardi Grass Magic slot and Spring Wilds slot.
Evolution
Evolution Gaming is the world leader in Live Casino games. Its thrilling portfolio incorporates the world’s widest selection of live tables, including live blackjack, live baccarat, live poker and live roulette. You’ll also find Live Game Shows such as Monopoly Live, Mega Ball and Dream Catcher. The games are available on multiple platforms (desktop, tablet and smartphone)
NetEnt
The Stockholm-based NetEnt (previously Net Entertainment) is a highly skilled SA online casino games provider, best known for its top-quality online slots. NetEnt games are firm favourites at ZAR casinos – both desktop and mobile versions. What makes NetEnt so unique is that it produces new games on a regular basis, and yet its quality is not compromised by quantity. NetEnt has some of the best branded real money slot games in the world, such as its legendary South Park slot. Its Mega Fortune Jackpot was responsible for one of the biggest multi-million-dollar progressive jackpots ever hit in history. Play the latest NetEnt real money slots 2021 such as Rome: The Golden Age, Fruit Shop Megaways and Dazzle Me Megaways.
3 Important Things to Know about Slots
Many online casino players think that they know everything about slots. But when they read a little deeper into the subject and get to know the wonderful world of real money slots, they will understand that there are many other things to look for when choosing a game. We bring you information about three important things that we think you should know about slot games.
The Higher the RTP or Payout Percentage, the better
Every real money online slot game has an RTP (Return to Player) or Payout Percentage rate. For many players, the RTP of an online slot is the determining factor of whether they play the game or not. In a nutshell, the slot’s RTP is a measure of how much the machine pays back to players for each unit that is bet over time. The RTP can also be expressed as a percentage. So in fact, the higher the percentage, the more often you can win at the game over a longer period of time.
Say, for example, an online slot has a RTP of 97%. It means that it will give players back R97 for every R100 that they spend. Another way of looking at it: The online casino’s house edge is the slot game’s RTP subtracted from 100%. If we use the same above example, the casino’s house edge on the game is 3% (100% minus 97%).
The bottom line is that it only natural that you’ll want to choose games with a higher RTP or payout percentage. It also means that your chosen games will have a lower house edge.
Slot Volatility or Variance is Different from RTP
It’s a common mistake among online gamblers to confuse slot volatility or variance with the game’s RTP. It’s possible for two games with the same RTP to have different variance or volatility. If a slot game has lower variance, it means that it pays out smaller amounts and more frequently. If it is a high variance game, the payouts will be larger and more infrequently.
Let’s illustrate this point through an example. Two slot games have a RTP of 97%. The payout percentage is calculated over a set amount of spins – usually one million. Machine A will pay out more frequently but in smaller amounts, while Machine B will pay out less frequently but in higher amounts.
Progressive Jackpot Slots are Different from Regular Slots
There are significant differences between standard real money online slots and progressive jackpot real money slots. Their main difference lies in the makeup of their jackpot. With regular slots, the highest possible jackpot that you can win is preset by the software provider. This amount cannot be changed or added to. In contrast, progressive real money online slots have variable jackpot amounts. The more frequently that jackpot fund is added to by players, the higher the value of the jackpot grows. Progressive jackpot slots have the potential to create instant millionaires after just a few spins. Their jackpots will ‘progress’ or grow higher.
10 Best Payout Slot Machines
| Slot Name | RTP | Overall Rating | |
| Mega Joker by Netent | 99% | 7/10 | |
| Jackpot 6000 by NetEnt | 98.8% | 8/10 | |
| The Catfather by Pragmatic Play | 98.10% | 7/10 | |
| Joker Strike by Quickspin (Playtech) | 98.11% | 8/10 |
Tips when Choosing Slot Machines
Don’t just jump into online slots machine playing without knowing how to choose the right games for you. Of course, you should feel a connection with the theme and genre, but if you want to win at real money slot machine playing, there are other things that you should take note of as well:
Pick Slots with Payout Percentages
You will want to find slot machines that have the highest Return to Player (RTP) percentage (or payout percentage) possible. The higher the RTP percentage, the more likely the slot will pay out. The RTP is the average amount of money that will be returned to a player in the form of winnings. It may not guarantee that you’ll win in one session, but the more spins you make on the game, the better your chances of winning.
You’ll find the payout percentages of specific slot games in various locations. Some online casinos post this information under each game. Other times, you’ll find the information on the software provider’s official website, or at gambling portals such as PlayCasino.co.za. Read our reviews of the best real money slots where the RTP is included in the information.
Check Maximum Payout
Every regular real money slot machine has a maximum payout amount – in other words, the maximum payout you can win by lining up particular symbols. Other times, an online casino may cap the amount that you can win in a jackpot.
To check the maximum amount that you can win on a slot machine, go to the game’s paytable and see how to win top prize. You should also read the terms and conditions at the online casino to make sure that you are able to withdraw all your jackpot winnings according to the rules of the site.
For the Biggest Prizes, go for Progressive Jackpots
It’s no secret that the biggest slot jackpots in history have been hit on progressive slot machines. Take a look at the life-changing prize hit on NetEnt’s Mega Fortune slot by a Finnish player who won an eye-watering EUR 17.9 million (that’s R325,000,000 if you were wondering!).
If you want to win the lottery of slot games, then put aside part of your bankroll and take your chance on the progressive jackpot real money slots. The best online casinos offer separate sections with listed jackpot games so that you can choose what to play and how much to bet. The online casino also lets you know the current value of the game’s jackpot.
Go with Slots from the Top Game Developers
The top game developers such as NetEnt, RTG, Rival Gaming, iSoftBet and Playtech are real pros in the business. They know exactly what contemporary players are looking for in their online slots and they create their games with this in mind. The best real money slot games have been designed for pure entertainment and rewards potential. They boast amazing bonus features, and their jackpots are impressive. Top game developers also make sure that their games cover a wide betting range so that all players can enjoy them, from amateur players to high rollers.
Best Progressive Jackpot Slots
– Mega Fortune: This medium volatility 5 reel, 25 pay line slot by NetEnt has players activating one of three jackpots, and many have won prizes worth well over R10 million. Mega Fortune slot boasts wilds, free spins, a bonus game and scatters. It can be played on all mobile devices.
– Jackpot Pinatas: Realtime Gaming’s 20 pay line Mexican-themed progressive slot is a delight to the eye with its bold, colorful symbols. Look out for features such as scatters and the wild Pinata Donkey. Spin your way to big rewards thanks to free spins and an extraordinary bonus game. Land five Pinata bull symbols to trigger the progressive jackpot, which is seeded at $250,000.
– Beach Life slot: Join the massive party on the beach with Platyech’s sun, sea and summer-themed slot. The game has simple graphics that tie in with the general theme, but the main attraction of Beach Life is its superb progressive jackpot. Also check out the bonus game, wilds and scatters.
Most Common Slot Features Explained
| Feature | Definition |
| 3 reels | Three-reel slots are the simplest form of online slot games and are based on the original fruit machine games. They generally have a reduced number of symbols and are simpler to play than the more complicated multireel slot games available. They make ideal games for new players to the world of real money online slots. |
| Multiline | Multiline slots are slot machines with several reels – anything from 4 – 9. The more reels there are, the more winning combinations a player can make. Combos can be achieved vertically, horizontally or diagonally. |
| Paylines | A slot payline (aka pay line, betting line, or winning line) is when a combination of symbols results in a win. Paylines can be horizontal, in different shapes or formations such as zigzag. The slot machine’s paytable will show how much a payline will pay out. |
| Volatility | A slot machine’s volatility refers to how risky it is to play the game. It indicates how often you can expect to win, and how big your wins will be. Low volatility slots are likely to pay out lower sized wins more frequently, while high volatility slots pay out less frequently but higher amounts. |
| RTP | RTP stands for Return to Player and refers to the rewards that you can expect to win in a real money online slot. It is the term used to describe the percentage of all the wagered money a slot machine will pay back to players over time. An RTP is actually the flip side of house advantage. If a machine has a 10% house advantage, then its RTP is 90%, meaning that over time the machine keeps 10% of its all money bets and returns 90% back to players in winnings. |
| Autoplay | When you activate a slot’s autoplay feature, the machine plays through the spins over and over again automatically. You’re shown the results and then the machine goes onto the next spin. You first need to set up how many spins you want to be automatically played before you begin, as well as how much you want to play for and how many paylines you want to activate. |
| Bonus game | A slot bonus game is an additional game within the slot. Some bonus games are played directly in the slot, while others are played on a second screen. An example of a bonus feature includes free spins, wheel-of-fortune style games or pick-a-box. |
| Multiplier | Multiplier symbols are unique features found in online slots. They have the capacity to multiply winnings by a predetermined figure. Wins can be increased by 2 x (doubled) or even up to 1,000 x. Some multipliers appear in the base game, while others only appear during bonus games such as free spins. |
| Progressive | A progressive jackpot is a payout that increases each time the game is played. When the progressive jackpot is won, it is reset (seeded) to a predetermined value and starts to climb again. Some progressive jackpots are linked to a standalone game, while others are part of a network of games. |
| Multiple free spins | In video slot games, the free spins feature is triggered when three or more of a particular symbol appear anywhere on the reels. Multiple free spins will be unlocked – the number depending on how many symbols triggered the feature. |
| Scatters | Scatter symbols are special symbols in a slot game that have their own unique functions, depending on the game. Some have the ability to trigger different types of bonus features, while others act as multipliers or wild symbols to form winning combinations. |
| Wild symbols | A wild symbol is a symbol in a slot game that can stand in for most other symbols (usually not the bonus or scatter symbol) to help form winning combinations. |
| Stacked wild with bonus rounds | Stacked wilds substitute as wild symbols and help complete winning combinations. They differ from regular wild symbols in that they come stacked on top of one another on the reels. A stacked wild comes with greater rewards potential than regular wilds. They can appear in the base game or during bonus games, depending on the slot machine |
Play Safe with Secure Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
One of the most important things to look for in a real money slot machine casino is how you can deposit and withdraw money. For South Africans, this means paying with ZAR and using banking methods that are recognized and safe for local players.
Some of the most popular deposit and withdrawal methods for South African players include:
Credit cards: South Africans can use a variety of credit cards to pay for their online gambling entertainment, including Mastercard and Visa. Credit cards are easy to use: It simply requires entering your credit card details as you would any other online purchase and choose to deposit money into your online casino account. When you are ready to withdraw your winnings, you can choose to do so to your credit card.
Skrill: Previously known as Moneybookers, this third-party payment processor is extremely popular in South Africa. One of its biggest advantages is that all your private banking details are kept private as they are not handed over to the online casino. Set up your free Skrill account and deposit money into your casino account. You can also withdraw into your Skrill account by opting for this method as your withdraw option.
Easy EFT: This South African-owned product was created uniquely for local residents and enables transactions in ZAR – removing the headache of currency conversions. Easy EFT acts as a link between your existing personal bank account and the casino cashier. Your money thus remains within the limits of the traditional and regulated South African banking system. Transfers are made instantly and cashing out is very simple and convenient.
FAQ
That would depend on what you’re looking for in an online casino!. There are many excellent real money slot casinos in South Africa, powered by different software companies and offering different games and bonuses. Read our reviews to find online casinos that meet your standards and requirements and try them out to find the best ones for you.
Basically, any slot game that has a payout percentage of over 97% is considered good. That’s not to say that having an RTP of less than that makes a slot machine one to avoid. It simply means that the chances of you winning in the long run are greater if the RTP is higher.
RTP stands for Return to Player. It refers to the rewards that you can expect to win in a real money online slot and is expressed in percentage. It is the flip side of the house edge. If the RTP percentage of a real money online slot is 97%, the house edge on the game is 3%.
Yes it is. The two terms are used interchangeably when referring to the payout rate of an online slot game.
Slots with RTP of over 97% are considered games with high RTPs. Check out games such as Jackpot 6000 by NetEnt with an RTP of 98.8% or Good Girl Bad Girl by Betsoft Gaming with an RTP of 97.8%.
A winning slot machine is one that has a high RTP (payout percentage). For the best chance to win, you should also choose games with a medium volatility level so that there is a nice balance between the frequency of the payouts and the amount you win.
Online casinos that are powered by the top real money online slot providers are those that carry the biggest progressive jackpot slots. That’s because the more popular an online casino is, the more often the games are played and the higher (and faster) the progressive slot jackpots will climb. Look out for casinos powered by Realtime Gaming, NetEnt and Playtech, for example.
There are so many great progressive slot games out there that it’s difficult to pinpoint our favourites. But if we had to choose, it would be Beach Life by Playtech, Mega Fortune by NetEnt and Jackpot Pinatas by Realtime Gaming. Choose your own favourites for yourself by playing the progressive jackpots for free at top-quality South African online casinos and then switching to real money play, for the chance to win life-changing amounts of money.