Slot machines are by far the most demanded iGaming category on South African online gambling platforms with thousands of titles you can choose from.
But with such a vast assortment of games, it is easy to see how this genre may be confusing and overwhelming for beginners and newcomers. The team of Which Casino has prepared this ultimate guide to SA online slots to help you have a smooth start with machines of any themes and styles.
In order to make the task of introducing beginners to South African online slots more approachable, it is reasonable to split these games into different sub-genres. Thankfully, there are several criteria already in place that are generally used to navigate through massive lobbies of modern casinos.
3-reels Slots
As the name suggests, 3-reel slots are machines with three vertical columns. They most commonly feature a 3×3 layout with only three or five paylines, making it a perfect entry point for beginners.
Since there are so few betways, you can easily track the combinations as they fall, and these games also rarely feature any advanced mechanics that might potentially confuse aspiring gamblers.
5-reels Machines
Similarly, 5-reel slots are machines with five vertical bars. They tend to be noticeably more advanced compared to 3-reels, frequently offering up to 243 paylines worth of matching space.
Even though these titles are not always as beginner-friendly, there are still some releases in this sub-category that might be suitable for newcomers, especially if you have already tried out 3-reel machines.
Megaways Slots
Megaways slots are advanced games that offer the exclusive feature originally invented by Big Time Gaming. This mechanic allows symbols to come in different sizes that are randomly rolled on every spin.
As a result, you can potentially reach more than 116,000 betways, which is obviously almost impossible to track on the go. Thankfully, most of these titles immediately display the number of paylines you received, allowing you to manage your expectations throughout the round.
Tumbling Reels Games
Tumbling Reels are another interesting feature available in some SA online casino slots. This mechanic is triggered every time you match a successful combination, destroying the symbols used in it, and allowing symbols on top of them to fall down, potentially creating new combos.
There is no limit to how many times this feature can occur, allowing for some impressive win streaks from a single spin. Some software providers even take it a step further by applying a multiplier for every subsequent match, making each new combo progressively more beneficial.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
As the name implies, progressive jackpot slots are machines with progressive prize pools. All bets made by the players contribute small portions to these global prize pools that can be landed with every eligible bet.
Depending on the specific game you select, the reward for the luckiest players might reach millions of rands, although the chances of actually hitting these jackpots are incredibly low. In some of them, the prizes are only landed once a year or even less frequently.
Bonus Buys Machines
Bonus mini-games are available in many South African slots, and they are usually triggered by landing three or more Scatter Symbols anywhere on the grid. The chance of such a roll is usually very low, so some software providers have started implementing the Bonus Buys mechanic to their games, allowing you to launch the free spins immediately for an additional fee.
Even though it is impossible to highlight all worthy slots available at South African online casinos in a single article, we would still like to showcase some all-time hits for you to get a better impression of what is popular among other players. In this section, you will find some of the most trending releases across all categories we covered previously.
Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus is one of the most iconic slot machines by Pragmatic Play. Themed with Greek Mythology, this game combines appealing looks with stunning animations and thrilling mechanics.
It is a Scatter Pays slot, meaning you don’t need to land matching symbols on any predefined paylines. Instead, it is enough for them to roll out anywhere on the screen for you to receive a payout.
Combined with the Tumbling Reels feature and Multipliers, this results in a very engaging experience, where every single spin can result in a massive chain of wins. The game also comes with an RTP value of 96.50% and a maximum payout multiplier of x15,000, making it even more appealing to experienced gamblers.
Big Bass Bonanza
Big Bass Bonanza is another classic release by Pragmatic Play. Themed with fishing, this machine might have simple and minimalist visuals, but its relaxing vibe and its advanced gameplay make this title worth trying out years after its initial release.
Compared to the previous game in our selection, Big Bass Bonanza is a much simpler slot, so we at Which Casino can definitely recommend it to beginners. It has a basic 3×5 layout with only ten paylines, making the process very intuitive.
At the same time, this slot is equally popular among the veterans of the genre, as it comes with a Return to Player value of 96.71% and a maximum payout coefficient of x2,100. The experience is even further enhanced by additional mechanics such as Free Spin Rounds, Multipliers, and Symbol Collection that add a ton of replay value to an already amazing game.
Temple Tumble Megaways
Next on the list we have Temple Tumble Megaways, which was one of the first slots to popularize the Megaways mechanic. Its adventurous theme and distinct visual style make the slot immediately catch your eye in any SA casino lobby, while its advanced gameplay features turn it into an extremely thrilling experience.
Temple Tumble Megaways has an RTP value of 96.25% and a maximum payout coefficient of x9,600. Thanks to these parameters, many players grind this machine for long periods of time to stack up tournament points or quickly progress through VIP clubs at their respective casinos.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
Gonzo’s Quest is an iconic slot machine that has been dominating the Popular pages of online casinos all around the globe for decades. At the time of its original release, the players were impressed with its top of the line 3D graphics, although both the visuals and mechanics have long become outdated.
The good news is that Gonzo’s Quest Megaways solves both these problems, as it is essentially the same game packed with modern graphics and some new additional features. It comes with an RTP value of 95.77%, which is lower than with most other titles on this list, but still higher than average for SA casino slots in general.
Warrior Conquest
Last on the list we have Warrior Conquest, one of the most popular new slots by RealTime Gaming. Even though it might not be as demanded as other machines we have highlighted, our team still felt it was reasonable to include it, as many SA online casinos have RTG as their sole software provider.
Warrior Conquest has a rather universal appeal, as its simple 3×3 layout makes it beginner-friendly, while its additional features such as Expanding Multi Reels make it interesting enough for experienced players. Jackpot hunters will also be pleased to discover the game comes with a maximum payout multiplier of x2,000.
The Best Software Providers for Slot Machines at SA Online Casinos
Software providers are companies that develop and maintain slot machines for online casinos in South Africa and all around the globe. Knowing these studios is a great way to navigate around iGaming lobbies, as these brands usually focus on the same additional features and deliver games with consistent levels of quality.
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is currently one of the leading software providers in the world, as it both has an impressive collection of hits in its portfolio and continues to release popular slots to this day. Some of its most iconic games include:
- Sugar Rush
- Sweet Bonanza
- Big Bass Bonanza
- Gates of Olympus
- The Dog House
The immense popularity of this studio is clearly not a coincidence. Its games come with high replay values, massive payout multipliers, and thrilling advanced features like Bonus Buys, Tumbling Reels, Multipliers, Scatter Pays, and more.
Big Time Gaming
As we have previously mentioned, Big Time Gaming is the software provider responsible for inventing the Megaways feature. Considering the huge popularity of Megaways slots, it only seems fit to include this studio to our list. Some of BTG’s most popular slot machines include:
- White Rabbit Megaways
- Monopoly Megaways
- Danger High Voltage 2
- Temple Quest
- Lucky Streak
- Haunted House
Aside from the Megaways mechanic, this software provider is also well-known for including other advanced additional features to its games. Most Big Time Gaming releases also come with high Return to Player percentages, making them even more appealing to experienced gamblers and long term grinders.
RealTime Gaming
RealTime Gaming, often referred to as RTG, is an all-in-one studio that develops both slot machines and table games. Many South African online casinos choose it as their only software provider, as its portfolio is diverse enough to fit virtually any preferences in terms of style and features.
In general, slots by RTG tend to lean towards beginners and casual players rather than advanced gamblers. This company’s games usually have small layouts with intuitive paylines, and they normally only have a couple of additional features to keep things simple and easy to read.
NoLimit City
NoLimit City is a software provider that has been rapidly growing in popularity over the last few years. Once a regular developer of generic slots, this company has taken a gamble with releasing a couple of edgy machines with darker themes, and these titles skyrocketed to the top of iGaming lobbies. As of right now, the studio is mostly known for the following machines:
- Kenneth Must Die
- San Quentin
- Fire in the Hole
- Mental
- Skate or Die
- Brute Force
On top of interesting and unusual themes and styles, NoLimit City also implements tons of additional features into its releases. Some of its games come with five or even more bonus mini-games, all of which can typically be launched through Bonus Buys features.
Spinomenal
Last on the list we have Spinomenal, a studio that has been consistently delivering high quality slots for decades. Much like Pragmatic Play, this developer has a ton of major hits under its belt. To name a few, here is an overview of its most iconic releases:
- Majestic King
- Demi Gods
- Book of Tribes
- Age of Pirates
- Western Tales Bounty Pursuit
- Wolf Fang
Considering this software provider has more than 200 releases in its portfolio, you won’t be surprised it has something in store for players with any preferences. Spinomenal develops both beginner-friendly 3-reels and advanced titles with tons of additional mechanics.
How to Play Slot Machines on South African Gambling Sites
If you’re already looking to start playing slot machines at South African gambling sites, make sure to follow our guide to have a smooth start with these games.
Step 1: Choose a Casino
Choose one of the SA gambling sites suggested by Which Casino and visit its website. We will use SportingBet for this example, but the steps are the same on every other platform.
Step 2: Click and Fill Out
Click on the Register button in the top-right corner and fill out the sign up form according to the instructions.
Step 3: Deposit
Launch the cashier by clicking the Deposit button, choose one of the available payment methods, and finish your transaction.
Step 4: Play
Visit the lobby, select the Slot Machines category, and start playing games you like with real money bets.
Tips for Playing Slots at Online Casinos in South Africa
Even though slot machines are games of luck, there are still several tips the team of Which Casino would like to share to help you improve your efficiency with these titles. Let us go through them one by one.
Try First
Most SA online casinos offer free-to-play demo versions for all their slot machines. It is always better to try the game’s trial version before you place any real money wagers to avoid spending your bankroll on titles you won’t end up enjoying.
Manage Your Bankroll
Speaking of bankroll, managing your budget is incredibly important when it comes to playing slot machines. Most of these games come with high volatility indexes, meaning payouts can be massive but rare there. Thus, it is more beneficial to place many small bets rather than going all in on your first spin.
Benefit from Bonuses
Almost all SA online casino bonuses are designed with slot machines in mind, meaning you can get a ton of freebies to boost your grinding. This includes free chips, free spins, loyalty points, and many other promotions you can participate in while playing slots.
It is worth pointing out, however, that you should carefully read through the Bonus Terms of every promotion before activating it. Make sure you fully understand rules like wagering requirements before claiming the freebies.
Play High RTP Slots
Speaking of wagering requirements, the most efficient way to complete them is to play slots with high Return to Player values. RTP is the opposite of the house edge, and even though it has a very minimal effect on an individual user’s performance, it is still better to have the numbers on your side.
SA Online Casino Slots FAQ
What are the best SA online casino slots?
Some of the best online casino slots available in South Africa include Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza, Temple Tumble, Warrior Conquest, and Gonzo’s Quest Megaways.
What are the best software providers for South African slots?
Some of the most popular software providers at SA online casinos include Pragmatic Play, RTG, Big Time Gaming, Spinomenal, and NoLimit City.
Can I play SA slots on mobile?
Yes, the vast majority of South African online slots are compatible with mobile devices that support HTML5. Normally, you can run them directly in the browser of your smartphone without any performance issues.
Where can I try South African online casino slots for free?
You can try slot machines for free on every website suggested by Which Casino. Some of these platforms will require you to create an account first, but all of them offer free trial versions of their slot machines without requiring any deposits.
