How To Play Slots At Canadian Online Casinos

Online casinos in Canada are brimming with incredible online slots of all shapes, sizes and themes and with hundreds of amazing titles to choose from, it's well worth knowing how these multi-reel games actually work. If you're ready to start exploring these extremely popular games, read on to learn the basic rules of online slots, the best strategy to play them, and how to choose the best slots to play.

What Are the Gameplay Rules to Online Slots?

The basic rules of playing online slots include choosing your bet amount, selecting how many paylines to play where applicable, and spinning the reels. If you're playing a classic slot, you won't have the option to choose paylines to play, making it an even easier experience!

Here's a closer look at the rules of online slots:

  • Choose your bet amount: You can easily select your chosen bet per spin amount by clicking on the value shown and choosing from a range of options or adjusting the value using the + and - buttons.

  • Select paylines to play: Some slots offer you the option to choose how many paylines you play. If you prefer a more tailored gaming experience, opt for slots that let you choose your paylines, which you can do by adjusting the number shown in the box.

  • Spin the reels: When you're happy with your bet amount and number of paylines, hit the spin button, which is usually located in the bottom centre of the screen.

  • Look for matching symbols: Payouts come from matching symbols along the slot's paylines. If you get enough matching symbols along a payline, your payout will be credited to your balance automatically.

  • Play bonus features: Lots of slots have bonus features, especially more modern slots. If you're lucky enough to unlock one of these bonus features during gameplay, you might have some choices to make, such as picking one or more boxes to open to reveal your reward.

Can I Have A Strategy For Online Slot Games?

Here's a list of tips and tricks you can try to hone your skills playing online slots:

  • Play the maximum number of paylines: Always choose the maximum number of paylines for the best chances of winning. If you select fewer paylines to play, you might miss out on a payout.

  • Consider playing max bet: Some slots increase your chances of winning if you play at the maximum bet size. If you're concerned about large losses, it might be better to avoid this option.

  • Buy the feature: Online slots with bonus features sometimes include an option that lets you buy directly into the feature without having to wait to trigger it. If you're keen to play a short session but still want an exciting game, this might be a good option for you.

  • Consider RTP and volatility: A slot's RTP is the percentage of played funds that is expected to be returned to players over the long run, while volatility is a measure of small, frequent wins versus larger, less frequent ones, with a lot of variation between the two deemed to be high volatility. Choose slots with a higher RTP for a better chance of winning and pick a volatility level that matches the experience you want.

  • Keep an eye on your bankroll: To avoid large losses, keep a close eye on how much you're playing and how your wins compare to your losses during your session. If you're concerned about losing a lot of money in a short space of time, you can use a session reminder or loss limit option, which are usually offered at top Canadian online casinos.

  • Read the slot's rules: No two slots are the same and each one has its own particular set of rules that determine how the game plays. If you're unsure of how the slot works, click the menu or i icon in the game and you'll be able to browse through the rules. Look for things like which are the wild symbols, which symbols trigger the feature and how, which are the highest paying symbols, and in which direction symbol matches pay.

How Can I Choose the Best Online Slot to Play in Canada?

Choosing the best online slot in Canada involves picking a reputable and trustworthy online casino, playing with a strategy in mind, taking advantage of any available free spins offers, sticking to a budget and reading the game's rules carefully. If you're unclear on any of these, here's a guide to help you.

1. Choose the Right Slot at a Reputable Online Casino

Going with a safe and secure Canadian online casino will ensure your experience is a positive one. If you're unsure of how to spot a reputable online casino, take the time to read our expert reviews to find one that is:

  • Fully licensed by a legitimate Canadian authority

  • Offers top Canadian payment methods

  • Uses high level security such as digital encryption technology

  • Includes a wide range of slots from industry leading developers

2. Have a Strategy in Place

Always have a strategy in mind when playing online slots to ensure you get the most from your money. Here's what a good slots strategy should look like:

  • Play in demo mode to begin with

  • Bet at an amount you're comfortable with

  • Be aware of rules like how many matching symbols are needed to trigger payouts and how to trigger the feature(s)

  • Play each spin slowly and deliberately to avoid big losses in a short space of time

  • Know when to stop: Use session reminders, deposit and loss limits to stay in control

3. Use Free Spins Bonuses to Enhance Your Gameplay

A great way of getting more from your money is to take advantage of any free spins offers that are available. If you fancy claiming free spins offers, you can usually find them on the online casino's promotions or offers page. Free spins may be offered as part of a welcome package when making your first deposit, as an invitation to try a new game, or as a way to encourage you to explore more of the site's available slots. Just be aware that free spins usually come with wagering requirements, so check the T&Cs before claiming.

4. Don’t Overspend and Stick To Your Limit

Keeping a close eye on how much money you're spending on online slots is crucial to ensuring you have a positive experience. If you think you might easily lose track of how much you're playing, there are tools to help you maintain control:

  • Session reminders: Most trustworthy online casinos use popups to remind you of how long you've been playing, which is a great opportunity to take stock and see if maybe it's time to stop.

  • Deposit limits: You can set an amount that you don't want to exceed, so that you don't end up depositing too much in the heat of the moment. If you reach the limit, you'll be notified, so you can stop right there.

  • Loss limits: Similar to deposit limits, loss limits notify you if your losses reach a certain amount set by you.

It helps to have a budget in mind before you start playing and to have the resolve to stop playing when you reach that amount. Remember, never try to chase your losses.

5. Read the Game Rules Well

You will enjoy playing online slots much more if you understand how the game works, so take the time to read the rules carefully. If you're already familiar with slots, you'll still benefit from taking a few minutes to check on common variables like which symbols trigger the feature, the range of bet amounts, if there are any jackpots and how to trigger them, and how many matching symbols you need for a payout.

💡 Pro Tip
During the online slots review process, our experienced team of 50 reviewers spends an average of 1-2 hours exploring each slot, with more than 500 slots from over 100 different developers analysed in total. After significant testing, our reviewers report the most positive experiences come from playing online slots with unique payout mechanisms, such as Megaways or Pays Both Ways, unlockable special features, progressive jackpots (especially if there are multiple jackpots in the same game), and achievements.

Get Spinning on Your Favourite Online Slot

Online slots are phenomenal games to play as they come in so many different shapes, sizes and exciting themes. Once you've learned the basic rules that apply to most slots and figured out the specifics such as how many matches you need for a win, what the bonus features are and if there are any jackpots to play for, you'll have a whole world of entertainment at your fingertips! Just remember to start off in demo mode first, then when you're ready to start playing for real, take advantage of any available free spins offers to make your money go further. Play deliberately, make use of session reminders and spend limits if you think they'll be helpful, and, most importantly, have fun!

Join one of the leading online casinos in Canada and play online slots today!

How To Play Online Slots FAQs

Can you play online slots in Canada?

Yes, you can play online slots in Canada at a wide range of trusted Canadian online casinos. Be sure to check out our in-depth reviews of the best Canadian casinos to play online slots.

How do I start playing online slots?

The best way to start playing online slots is by finding a trustworthy Canadian online casino and test driving their slots in demo mode. Much of the time you can play free slots without even having to register an account. If you do have to open an account, there's no need to make a deposit to play online slots in demo mode, so you can explore the games risk-free.

Do you win real money with online slot games?

Yes, you can absolutely win real money playing online slots. If you play online slots with real money, any wins you trigger are real money too. The only time winnings are not real money is if you play in demo mode.

Giuseppe Faraone
Author Giuseppe Faraone verified symbol
Giuseppe, originally from Milan, now resides in Valencia, Spain, where he keeps up with the latest developments in the gambling industry. He covers new licenses, casinos, bonuses, and games, always striving to provide his readers with comprehensive information and updates. Giuseppe thoroughly tests and rates everything he reviews. In addition to his work as a gambling industry writer, he is also an author. In October 2022, he published his first book, The Untold Story of Online Gambling, which is available on Amazon.
Expert On: Gambling Laws Responsible Gambling Player's Rights
More articles by Giuseppe Faraone

Fact-checked by Valerie Lizotte

Reviewer Born and raised in Quebec, Valerie has over 10 years of experience working in the Canadian gambling industry, bringing wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Read More