Slots are the most popular game in any casino. They are easy to play and need no skill. You press a button, the reels spin and the result appears in seconds. Yet there is more going on behind the screen than most players realise.
This guide explains how slot machines work in plain English. It covers the history of the game, the key terms and the different types of slots. You will also learn what RTP and volatility mean and how to read a paytable. We finish with tips for beginners and a few common myths.
Please read it before you play for real money. A little knowledge helps you choose better games and set realistic expectations. For other games, see our full set of casino game guides.
A Short History Of Slot Machines
The first slot machine was the Liberty Bell. Charles Fey, a mechanic in San Francisco, built it around 1895. It had three reels and five symbols. These were horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts and a Liberty Bell. You pulled a lever, and three bells in a row paid the top prize.
Slot machines were later banned in several places. Owners found a clever way around the rules. They changed the machines to pay out in gum, sweets and drinks instead of cash. Pictures of fruit replaced the card suits. Cherries and lemons are still popular today. The sticks of gum became the bars you still see on classic machines.
For decades, slots were a novelty. Casinos used them to keep the partners of table game players busy. That changed as the technology improved.
| Period | What changed |
|---|---|
| Around 1895 | Charles Fey builds the Liberty Bell, the first three-reel slot machine |
| 1900s | Fruit symbols and bar symbols appear to get around bans |
| 1960s | Electromechanical machines add lights, sounds and bigger payouts |
| 1976 | The first video slot appears in a Las Vegas casino |
| 1980s | Random number generators take over from mechanical parts |
| Mid-1990s | The first online casinos launch, and online slots follow |
| 2010s | Mobile play, Megaways and bonus buy features become common |
Early machines had limits. A reel with 25 stops on three reels gives odds of about 15,625 to 1 against the top jackpot. A casino could not make the jackpot too big, or it would lose money. Computers solved this problem. A program can show a few symbols on screen while using thousands of virtual positions behind the scenes.
Today, slots take up most of the floor space in many casinos. They also bring in most of the profit.
How A Slot Machine Works
Every modern slot runs on a random number generator, or RNG. This is a small computer program. It produces thousands of numbers every second, even when nobody is playing.
When you press spin, the game takes the number that is being produced at that exact moment. That number decides where every reel stops. The animation of the spinning reels is just for show. The result is already fixed the instant you press the button.
This design has some important effects:
- Every spin is independent. The last spin has no effect on the next one.
- The machine has no memory. It does not know if you have won or lost.
- Timing does not matter. Pressing the button a second later gives a different number.
- Speed makes no difference to the odds. A fast spin and a slow spin have the same chance.
Regulated casinos have their games tested by independent labs. These checks make sure the RNG is fair and that the game pays back what it says it does.
Key Slot Terms Explained
Slots come with a lot of jargon. The table below explains the words you will see most often.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Reels | The spinning columns of symbols |
| Payline | A line across the reels where matching symbols pay |
| Wild | A symbol that replaces others to complete a win |
| Scatter | A symbol that pays or triggers a bonus wherever it lands |
| Free spins | Bonus spins that cost you nothing |
| Multiplier | A boost that increases the value of a win |
| Bonus round | A special feature, often a mini game or a set of free spins |
| Hit frequency | How often a spin pays anything |
| RTP | The share of bets a game pays back over time |
| Volatility | How big and how often the wins tend to be |
| Progressive jackpot | A prize that grows with every bet until someone wins |
Types Of Slot Machines
Classic Three-Reel Slots
These copy the original machines. They have three reels, a few paylines and simple symbols such as fruit, bars and sevens. The rules are easy, and the games are fast. As a result, they suit players who like a simple spin.
Video Slots
Video slots are the most common type today. They usually have five reels and many paylines. They also come with themes, stories, bonus rounds and free spins. Some feature animated characters and cinematic sound.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
A small part of every bet goes into a growing prize pool. The jackpot can reach very large amounts before one lucky spin wins it. However, these games often pay smaller wins in between. The odds of hitting the top prize are also very low.
Megaways And Ways-To-Win Slots
These slots have no fixed paylines. Instead, you win when matching symbols land on neighbouring reels. The Megaways system, created by Big Time Gaming, changes the number of symbols on each reel at every spin. The original version offered up to 117,649 ways to win.
RTP And Volatility: What They Mean
Two numbers tell you a lot about any slot. Check them before you play.
Return To Player (RTP)
RTP is shown as a percentage. A slot with a 96% RTP returns R96 for every R100 bet, on average, over a very long time. The casino keeps the other R4. That is the house edge. Many online slots publish an RTP between about 94% and 97%.
The RTP is not a promise for one session. In a few hours, you might win much more or lose everything. The figure only shows up across millions of spins.
Volatility
Volatility, or variance, tells you how the wins arrive. The table below compares the three levels.
| Volatility | How wins arrive | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Small wins, often | Longer sessions on a small budget |
| Medium | A mix of small and mid-sized wins | Most players |
| High | Rare but large wins, with long dry spells | Players who accept big swings |
Two slots can share the same RTP and still feel very different. A high-volatility game can drain your balance fast, then pay a big win. A low-volatility game keeps you playing longer, but the biggest wins are smaller.
How To Read A Paytable
Every slot has a paytable or info screen. Most players skip it. That is a mistake, because it shows exactly how the game works.
- Open the info or help menu. Look for the paytable button, often a question mark or three lines.
- Check the symbol values. See which symbols pay the most and how many you need.
- Look at the paylines. Find out how many lines there are and whether they are fixed.
- Find the special symbols. Learn what the wilds and scatters do.
- Read the bonus rules. See what triggers free spins and how many you can win.
- Find the RTP. Many games list it in the rules.
Take two minutes to do this before your first spin. It helps you understand why a game pays or does not pay.
Slots Tips For Beginners
No tip can beat the house edge. However, these habits help you play smarter and enjoy your time more.
- Set a budget first. Decide how much you can lose, and stop when it is gone.
- Choose your bet size to match your budget. Smaller bets let you play longer.
- Pick a higher RTP when you can. A 97% game costs less over time than a 94% game.
- Match volatility to your goals. Choose low volatility for longer play, or high volatility for a shot at a big win.
- Try free play first. Many games let you play with demo credits to learn the features.
- Treat bonuses with care. Read the wagering rules before you accept any offer.
- Take breaks. Slots move fast, so set a time limit as well.
Bonus Features And What They Do
Modern slots pack in many extras. They make the game more exciting, but they also change how it pays. Here are the features you will meet most often.
- Free spins. A set number of spins that cost you nothing. Wins from them usually go to your balance.
- Expanding wilds. A wild symbol that grows to cover a whole reel. It can create several wins at once.
- Cascading reels. Winning symbols disappear, and new ones drop in. One spin can then pay several times.
- Pick-me games. You choose from hidden items to reveal a prize.
- Bonus buy. You pay extra to jump straight into the bonus round. This costs more and raises your risk, so use it with care.
Remember that bonus features are built into the game’s RTP. They do not add value on top. In other words, a game with many features does not pay more than a plain one with the same RTP. It simply pays in a different way.
A Simple Budget Example
Budgets sound boring, yet they matter more than any feature. Say you set aside R300 for an evening. You choose a slot with a bet of R5 per spin. That gives you about 60 spins before the money runs out, if you never win. A bet of R2 would give you about 150 spins instead.
Neither choice changes the odds. However, the smaller bet stretches your time and lowers the pain of a losing run. As a result, many players find it more enjoyable. Pick the bet size that fits your budget, and stop when the money is gone.
Common Slot Myths
Slots attract a lot of false beliefs. Here are the most common ones.
| Myth | The truth |
|---|---|
| A machine is due a win after a long losing run | Every spin is independent, so no win is ever due |
| Hot and cold machines exist | The RNG has no memory, so streaks are just chance |
| Casinos loosen machines at certain times | Payouts follow the game’s set RTP |
| Stopping the reels early changes the result | The result is fixed when you press spin |
| Higher bets increase your chance of winning | Bet size changes the prize, not the odds |
Playing Slots In South Africa
You will find slot machines in every land-based casino in South Africa. They are licensed and regulated by the provincial gambling boards. You must be 18 or older to play. Most casinos offer both classic and video slots, plus linked progressive jackpots.
Online slots are a different matter. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not allow online casino gambling in South Africa. No South African online casino licence exists. Offshore sites accept South African players, but they are not licensed here. As a result, you have no local regulator to turn to if something goes wrong. Our online gambling laws guide explains the position in detail.
If you choose to play at an offshore site, read our online casino reviews first. They show the bonus rules, the banking options and the licence details for each site.
Like slots? You might also enjoy our video poker guide. It is a game that looks like a slot but rewards skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I predict when a slot will pay?
No. The RNG produces random results, and nobody can predict them. Every spin has the same chance, whatever happened before.
What is the best RTP for a slot?
A higher RTP is better for you. Look for games at or above 96%. Remember that RTP only shows up over a very large number of spins.
Is a high-volatility slot better?
Not necessarily. It offers bigger wins but far fewer of them. It suits players with a larger budget and plenty of patience.
Do slots pay more at certain times of day?
No. Payouts follow the game’s RTP at all times. The time, the day and the crowd make no difference.
What is a progressive jackpot?
It is a prize that grows each time someone plays. When a player wins it, the jackpot resets to a starting amount.
Is online slots gambling legal in South Africa?
No. The National Gambling Act of 2004 does not permit online casino gambling, and no South African online casino licence exists. Land-based casinos are licensed by provincial gambling boards.
Where To Play Slots Online
Online casino gambling is not licensed in South Africa. The sites below are offshore, and you play at your own risk. Read each review before you deposit, and remember that you must be 18 or older. We checked these game lists on 8 November 2026.
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Springbok Casino An RTG casino that adds new slots every month. It says it offers more than 300 games. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Carousel Bets A slots lobby with filters for new and top games, plus crash games. Providers include Pragmatic Play and Yggdrasil. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
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Tusk Casino A very large lobby with slots from Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw and Relax Gaming, plus Megaways titles. |
| Visit CasinoRead Review | |
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is causing you harm, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation helpline on 0800 006 008.