Best Online Slots Casinos in Ireland

Introduction to Online Slots

Online slots are popular for a variety of reasons. One is that they are so simple to play.

There is no need to learn any of the complex rules around some of the other top games at online casinos. Slots are easy - just make a deposit, pick a game, set the stake and start spinning.

No slots strategy is needed, just pure luck, which makes these games attractive. Add in the fact it is often common to be able to earn free spins and it is clear why people love online slots.

On the other side of the coin, online casinos in Ireland love slots too. It is a stated fact that the vast majority of the income that is made by casino sites comes from online slots. It is often said that casinos make around 70% of their income from slots, but it is higher at online sites.

This makes it clear they are extremely profitable for online casino sites despite the fact players can win millions of euros from a single spin of the reels.

Various types of online slots are available - we will cover them all in detail later - and there is so much variety that people are sure to find a few favourites that tickle their fancy.

New games also come out at online casinos all the time, which means there is always going to be a fresh slot to try out when logging into an online gambling site in Ireland.

Innovation is also very common in the world of online slots, with these games often where developers across the industry push the envelope in terms of what can be achieved.

Among the benefits of choosing online slots include the fact they are usually designed to be played on mobile sites and apps, making it quick and easy to bet while on the move.

Next up, let's take a look at how online slots at casino sites in Ireland work.

How Do Online Slots Work?

Many people may be confused about how online slots work, given they cannot see the mechanism through the internet.

But they are simpler than most would expect. Online slots work on a random number generator (RNG), which means that every spin is independent of both the last and the next.

What this means in practice is that even if a player thinks a near-miss means a payout must be close, this is simply not the case. Similarly, just because a slot has not paid out for a while does not increase the odds of this happening on the next spin. 

The odds of a win are the same for each spin as a result of the RNG that is at the heart of each slot game at online casinos. Slots do not have a memory. If the jackpot is triggered, the chances of it happening again on the very next spin of the reels are exactly the same.

Online casinos are regulated to make sure that each slot has this RNG, as without it there can be no guarantees that the game is fair for players. Fairness is crucial for online casinos and if they are found to not be using RNG, this is something that would likely destroy their reputation.

Game developers - we will go over them later - produce slots that are then added to the library of games that are available to play at online casinos. Some of these casinos are tied to one particular developer, which means only their games will be offered on those sites.

Why You Should Play Online Slots

There are plenty of reasons to pick online slots, including the fact that they are just fun to play.

Add in the fact that they tend to have quite high payout percentages and it is clear why online slots are so popular among people logging into online casino sites in Ireland these days.

Many slot games have massive jackpots, which means that players can change their lives by scooping a gigantic amount of money from a single spin of the reels at quite low stakes.

Speaking of stakes, they are very flexible on most online slot games. High rollers can ramp things up and bet a significant amount of cash on each spin, while those who have a lower budget can bet a small stake on their preferred games in order to make funds last longer.

At online casinos, there are usually a lot of bonuses and promotions offered for online slots. No deposit free spins are typically available, which means there is not even any need to risk real cash on games. Reload bonuses are among the other types of promotions Irish casinos now offer.

The variety of games is one of the top reasons to play slots, though. Most online casino sites have hundreds of different slot games, so players are sure to be able to find a new favourite.

Online Slots Variations 

Players from Ireland who sign up to play at a slots site for the first time might be confused about the many different types of game that are available.

In order to clear things up, here are the most common types of slots that can now be played:

Video slots: Bonus features and side games are usually included in the action-packed gameplay on video slots, which helps to explain why they are such a popular choice at casino sites in both Ireland and around the world.

Jackpot slots: Progressive jackpots are a growing part of the industry, with slots such as Mega Moolah regularly making headlines as a result of people winning millions on these games. Jackpot slots are sometimes linked up to other games in other to offer even larger potential winnings to those who select them at Irish online casinos.

Branded slots: Nowadays, online casinos in Ireland are packed with branded slots. These can be based on Hollywood movies and TV shows, while even bands such as Motorhead have got the treatment with the release of their very own online slots. Branded games such as superhero slot games are designed to appeal to fans of the existing property and they include popular characters, as well as clips, in order to make them a familiar choice of game.

Classic slots: Not everyone wants complication from their choice of slots at the online casino. For these players, classic slots are likely to be a good choice due to how simple they are. Classic slots might only feature a single payline and they are likely to lack bonus features.

3D slots: New technology is always making innovation possible in the world of online slots. Among the key developments of recent years has been the rise of 3D slots. Developers can now produce photo-real animations that compare to anything players can see in movies.

Mobile slots: Another technological innovation has resulted in mobile slots becoming a lot more common at Irish casino sites. Players increasingly want to be able to spin the reels on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Developers do not just make sure their slots play well on mobile, but often build them from the ground up to be at their best on a smaller screen.

Fruit machines: Like classic slots, fruit machine games will be popular among those who do not want any frills from their choice of games at top Irish casino sites. These games are designed to look just like a fruit machine game that might be found in a local pub.

Bonus games: Most online casino sites in Ireland now offer plenty of bonus games among the various types of online slot they have in their library for players to pick from. These bonus games might not be for everyone, but they offer something a bit different from other slots.

Vegas slots: For many people, Las Vegas is the home of gambling and a holiday in Sin City is often seen as being a once in a lifetime experience, having been featured on movies such as The Hangover. For those who do not fancy a trip to Nevada, Vegas slots are a great option.

Top Online Slot Games 

There are thousands of different slot games out there, across all types of genres, such as sport, movies, TV shows, animals, fantasy, magic and many more.

The chances are that if a player can think of an idea for a slot game, it has already been done and can be played at a slots site in Ireland.

But a handful of slots are considered to be among the best around, due to reasons such as sheer playability, payout percentages, design and fun factor.

Here are 10 of the top online slot games that players at Irish slots sites should consider trying:

Starburst: This five-reel, three-row video slot might be the most famous game of its type in the world right now. Always a popular choice at Irish online casinos, Starburst is a NetEnt game that is always an engaging selection to play due to its strong range of bonus features. Even though Starburst is a few years old now, it still looks modern and is expected to remain popular for a long time to come as a result of its combination of solid RTP and low variance.

Mega Moolah: Famous for making millionaires of slot game players on a regular basis, Mega Moolah is probably the top progressive jackpot game in the world. Mega Moolah often sets new records when it comes to winnings from a single spin of the reels, making it a huge hit for Microgaming. The African wildlife themed game has paid out over £1 billion in winnings.

Book of Dead: Play'n GO title Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead has spawned a few sequels from the operator, as well as imitations from other developers in the world of online slots. High volatility gameplay means there is always a lot of excitement for those who choose Book of Dead at their favourite Irish online casino site. Other games in the series include Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness, Rich Wilde and the Pearls of India and Rich Wilde and the Aztec Idols.

Gonzo's Quest: Another slot from NetEnt is up next, with Gonzo's Quest without a doubt one of the best games to play at online casinos in Ireland right now. Gonzo's Quest is nothing short of a casino classic, with its 3D graphics standing up to scrutiny despite the age of the slot. Gonzo's Quest has a total of 20 paylines and its avalanche feature keeps players coming back for more.

Cleopatra: IGT title Cleopatra is known for its large payouts and bonus games. Even though it is now about 15 years since Cleopatra was released on to the market, it remains popular now. The old-school design of this slot game is in contrast to the bells and whistles of modern slots.

Rainbow Riches: This slot game from Barcrest is among the most famous in the world, even though its RTP is quite low compared to many other options at online casinos in Ireland. With a leprechaun theme, Rainbow Riches might be an obvious selection for Irish casino players. The unique bonus features are among the reasons why Rainbow Riches is considered an elite slot.

Age of the Gods: No list of the best online slots to play in Ireland would be complete without a mention of Age of the Gods. This game from Playtech has sparked a wide range of sequels, becoming a juggernaut for this slot developer. Age of the Gods has a progressive jackpot while multiple bonus features have been included to increase the repeat playability of the game. Many different Age of the Gods games have now been released by Playtech to online casino sites. Among the best of them are Age of the Gods Norse: Ways of Thunder, Age of the Gods: Medusa & Monsters, Age of the Gods: King of Olympus and Age of the Gods: Furious 4.

Jammin' Jars: The garish design might not appeal to everyone, but Jammin' Jars has found an audience at slots sites around the world, including in Ireland. Jammin' Jars - which is made by Push Gaming - has an RTP of almost 97 per cent, which means it offers great value. This 3D video slot has an unusual layout, with the reels laid out in an 8x8 grid, while cluster wins offer something a bit different to most of the other top slot games that made the cut on our list.

Twin Spin Megaways: NetEnt's slot Twin Spin was one of the top slots of all time, but its successor Twin Spin Megaways might just be even better. Twin Spin Megaways offers up to 117,649 ways to win, with its top features including symbol cascades.

Immortal Romance: Our final pick of top slots to play at online casinos in Ireland is Immortal Romance, another game that comes from the expert developers at Microgaming. There might only be five reels, but Microgaming has cooked up 243 ways to win on this slot game. Immortal Romance was launched in December 2011 to coincide with a boom in vampire products.

How Online Casinos Get Their Slot Games

Some people who play at online casinos in Ireland might be surprised to learn that these sites do not develop their own games.

Instead, they tend to license them from third-party companies, some of which we named above in our selection of top slots to select at Irish casino sites.

One of the reasons for this is that developing slot games is much more expensive than most would guess. It would not be feasible for an online casino to develop its own games.

Instead, developers sell their games to slot sites and they also usually take a cut from the money that is made by people playing the game at online casinos.

A number of online casinos also have exclusivity deals with developers. This means that the games are only available to be played on those sites, which costs them a premium fee.

It is also common for online casinos to have special tie-ups with developers that mean only their games are offered.

Developers usually also create online casino software, which means an operator can bundle everything into the same platform, which is usually cheaper and easier.

Popular Online Slot Providers 

Irish slots casinos are likely to feature games from a wide range of providers. Some companies are better known than others, but even smaller developers can produce fantastic slot games.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most popular slot providers at Irish online casinos right now:

Microgaming: Claiming to have developed the world's first true online casino software in 1994, Microgaming has long been one of the industry's most important companies. Microgaming was also a pioneer in the launch of the first mobile casinos, having launched its software in 2004.

NetEnt: Swedish studio NetEnt has been one of the most popular slot providers in the world for many years. Founded in 1996, NetEnt produces all types of casino games but has a strong focus on slots. Over 200 online slots have been released on to the market by NetEnt so far.

IGT: International Game Technology is one of the best known casino game providers in the world, with a long and proud history of slot development. IGT has been around for decades but the release of a new game from this slot provider still provokes a lot of excitement.

Novomatic: A range of video slot classics are available from Novomatic, with Book of Ra, Sizzling Hot and Lucky Lady's Charm some of the company's biggest hits to date.

Playtech: Founded in 1999, Playtech is now one of the most popular slot providers in the world. At the end of 2019, Playtech launched an industry-first, with its Live Slots potentially offering a glimpse of the future of online casinos. Age of the Gods: King of Olympus is one of the best Playtech slots that is available to play at online casino sites in Ireland.

Play'n GO: Specialising in high variance slot games, Play'n GO has grown into one of the most popular slot providers around over the course of recent years. Play'n GO titles include the huge Rich Wilde series, which has spawned a wide variety of imitations across the industry.

Pragmatic Play: A leading provider of slot game content for online casinos, Pragmatic Play hits include Wolf Gold and Dog House. Despite only being founded in 2015, Pragmatic Play games can be found at most of the top online slots sites in Ireland, with the company continuing to grow.

Yggdrasil: Slots from Yggdrasil are known for their incredible design, with progressive jackpot games among those produced by the developer. ‎Valley of the Gods is one of the top online slot games to have been released by Yggdrasil, with Holmes and the Stolen Stones up there too.

Quickspin: Another Swedish studio operating at the top of the online slots industry is Quickspin, a company that focuses on quality rather than quantity. This means that Quickspin does not release nearly as many new slot games as other providers, but they are always worth trying.

Realistic Games: Last on our list of the best online slots providers is Realistic Games, a leading casino content developer. Realistic Games is the company behind the hilarious Hot Cross Bunnies game, with the UK-based firm also producing games like Take Note.

How to Play Online Slots for Free

Not everyone is experienced with playing at online casinos, which means trying them out for free might be a good first step.

Luckily, it is easier than ever before to play online slots for free. First of all, a lot of sites now allow players to test out top slots games via demo mode.

Naturally, it is not possible to win any real cash in demo mode, but it can give players an idea of how a game works, as well as offering a chance to test out any of the bonus features within the slot. Playing in demo mode retains the fun and thrills of spinning the reels, with no risk.

Promotions, bonuses and offers are the other main way that it is possible to play online slots for free. With so much competition in the industry, slot sites have to be creative in the ways that they try to attract new users to sign up for an account.

As a result, welcome bonuses continue to get more generous, with free spins often included. This gives players a chance to play slots for free, while still having a chance to win the jackpot.

No deposit bonuses and deposit match bonuses also give opportunities to play slots for free.

However, players at Irish casino sites who want to make the most of these deals should make sure that they pay attention to the terms and conditions, especially the small print.

This is because there might be a maximum win limit for free spins and other similar bonuses. It is almost always the case that there is a wagering requirement in place too.

The wagering requirement means the bonus money has to be bet a certain number of times. Until this happens, the cash cannot be withdrawn from an account at an Irish online casino.

Keep in mind that not all games will contribute 100% to wagering requirements for bonuses at online casinos in Ireland too.

However, it is usually true that slots do contribute the full 100%, though it is always worth checking this detail in the terms and conditions of bonus deals from Irish online casinos. Some slots may even be excluded from contributing the 100% to the wagering requirement.

After playing online slots for free - either thanks to demo mode or online casino bonuses - players in Ireland are likely to decide it is time to start playing online slots for real money.

Playing Online Slots for Real Money

Playing online slots for real money is a popular option at casino sites in Ireland. Indeed, most operators make most of their profits as a result of people choosing slots on their websites.

However, this should not put people off from playing online slots for real money. The chance to win millions of euros is simply not offered on any other type of casino game than online slots.

Stakes can be small and still give players a chance to scoop a life-changing amount of money. This makes slots extremely appealing, even if there is no guarantee that they will pay out.

Irish casino customers can do a few things to boost their chances of making a profit on online slots, though it is important to stick to the golden rule of never betting more than they can comfortably afford to lose.

One good way of playing online slots for real money is selecting slot games that offer the best value for money at online casino sites in Ireland.

To give an idea of good value slots, RTP of around 97% more usually constitutes strong value in the world of online slots, while games at 95% or less might be best avoided.

It might not seem like a big difference, but those who play online slots a lot will soon see they get more of a return than slot games that have a higher RTP. The RTP - or return to player in full - should be clearly displayed for all slots on online casinos that are available to join in Ireland.

Variance is the other big thing to keep in mind when playing online slots for real money. Variance, which is sometimes also known in the industry as volatility, is a measure that shows how often a slot is likely to pay out to players and it is shown as either low, medium or high.

High variance slots pay out less frequently, on average, when compared to low variance games.

But that does not mean that high variance online slot games should be avoided. This is because high variance slots tend to offer a bigger chance of scooping a big win than low variance games.

When playing online slots for real money, Irish casino customers, therefore, need to think about the balance they want from their game. A slot with high variance and low RTP might not be a good combination, for example, though a high roller might not be worried about how they work.

Those who have a lower bankroll with which to play at slots sites in Ireland might be better sticking to low variance slot games at online casinos.

These low variance slots should offer enough wins to prevent a balance from depleting quickly, while still offering a chance to win big.