Can You Play Penny Slots Online for Real Money?

By Alex Smith, Last updated May 17, 2024

Penny slot machines are some of the most popular online slots, and you’ll find these games at virtually all Canadian online casinos. Whether you’re looking to learn about popular penny slots, or want to find out how to play free penny slots, this blog aims to answer all of your questions.

Firstly, we’ll explore what penny slot games actually are, before, later, looking at the best penny slot games to play online. We’ll also explore progressive jackpot penny slots, examining which games are worth playing – and which should be avoided. So, without further ado, let’s get started – and take a look at what penny slot machines actually are.

Understanding Penny Slots

Before we dive into the details of playing penny slots online, let’s clarify what exactly these games are. Penny slots are slot machines that allow players to bet as little as one cent per payline. However, it’s important to note that the total bet per spin can often exceed a penny, as most games feature multiple paylines. For example, if a penny slot has 20 paylines and you bet one cent on each line, your total bet would be 20 cents per spin.

In the past, real money and free penny slot games generally allowed you to play at just one cent. However, as online slot machines and casino games grew in popularity, the term penny slot machine became interchangeable with basically any slot machine that allows you to play at low stakes.

Best Online Penny Slot Games To Play

Gold King

The first penny slot machine we’re recommending today is Play’n Go’s Gold King. This five-reel, three-row slot has 20 adjustable paylines, and, thanks to this format, you’re able to choose to play just one payline if you want – allowing you to spin the slot’s reels from as little as one cent per spin! The game boasts a decent RTP of 96.52%, but be warned that Play’n Go does offer its games in multiple RTP variations, so always check at the online casino you’re playing at to ensure you’re gambling on the highest RTP version of the online slot.

On certain spins, there’s a chance the Super Stack feature can be triggered, and this sees one random symbol chosen to randomly fill 12 spaces on the reels. If you can match symbols on the remaining two reels, you’ll secure a win! Now, with a win potential of 5,000x your bet, it’s easy to see why Gold King has become a popular choice with players wanting a penny slot machine with solid win potential – and if you can play this slot at many accredited casinos here at Casinomeister with Play’n Go slots!

Blaze of Ra

Blaze of Ra is one of those penny slot machines that you can’t adjust the paylines on – but it offers a very low minimum bet, making it well-suited for those wanting to enjoy high variance games at lower stakes. From Push Gaming, Blaze of Ra is designed around a five-reel, four-row layout, and there are 40 fixed paylines. The game takes you on a journey back to ancient Egypt, and, as the name suggests, all of the game’s action is based around the god of Ra.

The game has a pretty basic free spins bonus round which is triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 of the scatter symbols anywhere in view. Once you do, you’ll receive a random number of free spins, and during these spins, the first, third, and last reel are fully wild. Essentially, this means you only need to land matching symbols on the second and fourth reel to secure a win!

Gold Cash Free Spins

The third game on today’s recommended penny slots list is Gold Cash Free Spins, a video slot from Inspired Gaming. The game is designed around a five-reel, four-row layout, and you’ll find 40 fixed paylines once you begin playing. Now, this isn’t the most modern-looking slot – it’s clearly been designed to suit those wanting a more retro-inspired online gambling experience.

However, despite the “simple” look and feel of the video slot, there’s a surprisingly large amount of action! Firstly, there’s the wild symbol which substitutes for all other paying symbols. Landing three or more of the scatter symbols triggers the free spins bonus round, and here, you’re awarded eight free spins. During the free spins, only the gold bar and wild symbols are active – and this makes it much easier for you to hit big wins! Finally, there’s also a gamble feature which allows you to gamble base game wins for free spins!

Temple of Tut

Travel back in time to ancient Egypt in Microgaming’s exciting Temple of Tut online slot. This five-reel, three-row game has 10 fixed paylines, allowing you to play from as little as 10 cents per spin – perfect for those wanting to enjoy the thrill of online gambling without breaking the bank! The game boasts a decent 96.01% RTP and has a max win of 250x your stake on each spin.

One of the main features of Temple of Tut is the Super Reels feature, which can trigger randomly on any base game spin. When active, up to five reels can turn fully wild, massively boosting your chances of forming a win! There’s also a free spins bonus, triggered by landing three or more scatters anywhere in view. 

Once in the bonus, the Super Reels feature is active on every spin, and you can also land special bonus symbols to retrigger more free games – giving you the chance to hit some epic wins without risking much of your own cash! Temple of Tut is a solid penny slot machine to check out, and you’ll find it available on many accredited Casinomeister sites!

Vikings Go to Hell

Vikings Go To Hell is an action-packed video slot from Yggdrasil Gaming that takes you on a thrilling adventure to the underworld. The game uses a five-reel, four-row format with 25 fixed paylines, and the minimum bet is just 25 cents – so despite the epic theme, it’s still well-suited for those on a budget looking for exciting penny slots action. The game has a decent 96.1% RTP although Yggdrasil Gaming does offer its games in multiple RTP settings to keep this in mind.

The base game action is decent enough, but it’s the bonuses and features that really make Vikings Go To Hell stand out. On each spin, you collect Rage Points, and once you manage to collect 100, the Berzerk Free Spins bonus round is triggered. 

Here, you’ll be awarded 7 free spins, and the Vikings fight all demons – substantially increasing your chances of hitting bigger wins. If you manage to fill the entire screen with wilds during the bonus, you’ll also trigger a Treasure Chest feature awarding you additional wilds, multipliers and more – so there’s plenty of big win potential on offer despite the low-stakes betting options!

Divine Fortune

Step into the mystical world of ancient Greek mythology in NetEnt’s Divine Fortune online slot. This five-reel, three-row game with 20 fixed paylines offers a visually stunning journey filled with legendary creatures like the Minotaur, Medusa, and the majestic Pegasus. The game’s 96.59% RTP and medium volatility provide a balanced and exciting gaming experience, although it’s worth noting that today, we’re talking about the non-Megaways versions of the game.

Now, Divine Fortune is packed with thrilling bonus features to keep you engaged. The Falling Wilds Re-Spins, triggered by the appearance of the Pegasus wild symbol, can lead to multiple respins and increased winning opportunities. Landing three or more scatter symbols activates the Free Spins round, awarding up to 12 free spins. 

The game’s real win potential, however, is found in the Progressive Jackpot Bonus Game, where collecting bonus symbols can lead to winning one of three progressive jackpots – Minor, Major, or Mega! So, prepare to embark on an epic quest for divine rewards in this enchanting slot adventure!

Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect

The first Playtech slot on this list is Queen of the Pyramids: Mega Cash Collect. This five-reel slot with 30 paylines invites you to uncover the hidden treasures of the pyramids, guided by the alluring Queen Cleopatra herself. With bets ranging from 0.10 to 500 coins per spin, this game caters to both casual players and high rollers seeking a thrilling and potentially lucrative gaming experience.

The real excitement in Queen of the Pyramids: Mega Cash Collect lies in its variety of bonus features. The Cash Collect symbol is your key to unlocking a plethora of rewards, including instant cash prizes, free spins, extra reels, and even chances to win one of four jackpots – Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand! Plus, with wild substitutions and exciting modifiers like dropping wilds, cash spreaders, and sticky cash x2 symbols, every spin holds the potential for incredible wins. So, join Cleopatra on this exciting journey and see if you can collect the riches of the pyramids!

Book of Dead – The King Of Penny Slot Machines? 

Arguably the best known penny slot machine ever released is Book of Dead, a blockbuster video slot from Play’n Go. If you want to play penny slots online, this is one game you won’t want to miss – and it’s easy to see why. Once you load up the game, you’ll join the explorer Rich Wilde as he searches for the legendary Book of Dead, rumored to hold the key to untold riches and eternal life. This five-reel, ten-payline game offers a classic slot experience with a captivating theme and the potential for huge wins.

The game’s 96.21% RTP and high volatility promise an exciting ride filled with suspense and the chance to uncover massive rewards. The Book of Dead serves as both the wild and scatter symbol, helping you create winning combinations and trigger the game’s main bonus feature – the Free Spins round. During this feature, a special expanding symbol is randomly chosen, covering entire reels and leading to incredible payouts.

With bets ranging from 0.01 to 100 coins per spin, this game appeals to a wide range of players seeking a thrilling and potentially lucrative gaming experience. Please note, however, that some newer versions of popular penny slots from Play’n Go don’t always allow you to adjust the number of active paylines, so remember this before playing!

Pirate’s Charm

The first Quickspin online slot we’re covering today is Pirates Charm – a solid game that may not always be considered one of the best penny slot games, but is one that we think should be a game you check out. With exciting bonus games, this penny slot is one of our favorite low variance online slots, and it’s designed around a five-reel, three-row layout. Instead of conventional paylines, like other free penny slots, Pirate’s Charm uses a 243-ways-to-win mechanic.

With an RTP of 96.49% and medium volatility, Pirates Charm offers a balanced and entertaining gaming experience with wins of up to 1,215x your bet. The game’s unique Mystery Charm feature takes center stage, with mystery symbols appearing on the reels and transforming into matching symbols for increased winning potential. 

Land three or more Mystery Charms on the first three reels to trigger the Mystery Charms Respins, where the charms lock in place and continue to transform until no new Mystery Charms appear. 

Scatters on the middle three reels activate the Stormy Free Spins round, where Mystery Charms remain locked for the duration of the feature, and full reel coverage awards additional spins. Like the other popular penny slots we’ve covered today, Pirate’s Charm is available at most accredited casinos here at Casinomeister!

Big Bass Bonanza

Cast your line and reel in massive wins in Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza! This five-reel, ten-payline slot takes you on a fishing adventure like no other, with the chance to hook some truly impressive cash prizes. When you play penny slots, including free penny slots, this may not be one of the online slots that immediately jumps out at you – but it’s definitely one to check out!

The game’s 96.71% RTP and high volatility ensure an exciting and potentially rewarding angling expedition. You can wager as little as ten cents per spin (although some online casinos may choose to implement a higher minimum bet) and the maximum bet can reach into the hundreds of dollars – making it ideal for high rollers!

When you play, keep an eye out for the Wild Fisherman symbol, as he can substitute for all other symbols except the Scatter, helping you land winning combinations. Land three or more Scatter symbols to trigger the free spins round, where the real action begins. During this feature, any wilds you land are collected in a meter above the reels. Collecting four awards ten additional free spins with a 2x multiplier – and this can increase up to 10x!

Now, during the bonus round, any time you land a Fisherman symbol, he will collect any of the cash values that are also on the reels. This is where the big win potential is found – especially if you manage to reach the higher multipliers!

Valley of the Gods

Yggdrasil Gaming invites you to uncover the secrets of ancient Egypt in their mesmerizing Valley of the Gods slot. Set against a backdrop of imposing pyramids and mysterious temples, this 5×5 grid slot offers up to 3,125 ways to win and a thrilling journey filled with innovative features. With an RTP of 96.2% and medium volatility, Valley of the Gods promises an engaging and potentially rewarding gaming experience.

The game’s unique blocker mechanic sets it apart from other Egyptian-themed slots. These stone blockers conceal hidden treasures, waiting to be unlocked by landing winning combinations. Each win releases a scarab to destroy blockers and grant a respin, potentially leading to massive wins of up to 5,800x your stake. Blue scarabs award multipliers, while red ones grant extra lives, giving you more chances to uncover the valley’s riches. Again, this may not be one of the most common penny slot machines – but if you want to play penny slots, including free penny slots, this is a game we’d strongly recommend checking out!

Golden Colts

Golden Colts is another Play’n Go slot – and it’s actually a sequel to the highly popular Wild North – although this release is slightly more volatile than the original. Golden Colts is perfect for those on lower budgets, as, despite not allowing you to change the number of paylines, it offers a very low minimum bet – and is known for landing the bonus very frequently, which makes it perfect for those wanting continual action!

There’s not a huge amount of action to be found within the base game – but landing three scatter symbols on the first, third, and last reels triggers the bonus round – and here, you can win one of seven different features! The win potential may not be the largest in the world, but it’s a solid slot – and the high bonus frequency makes it ideal for those wanting constant action!

Gold Cash Free Spins Megaways

We already talked about Gold Cash Free Spins – and now, we’re recommending the sequel to the original – Gold Cash Free Spins Megaways! This game looks and feels almost exactly like the original, with one key difference: it includes BTG’s Megaways mechanic! This means up to 117,649-ways-to-win can be active on each and every spin!

Now, the gameplay and bonus games work in an identical manner to the original – but, like most Megaways slot machines and casino games, the win potential is significantly higher in this version of the game. So, if you’re looking for penny slot machines with a Megaways mechanic and bigger win potential – this is one of the online slots you won’t want to miss!

The Rise of Online Penny Slots

In recent years, penny slots have gained immense popularity in the online gambling industry. The convenience of playing from home, combined with the low barrier to entry, has attracted a wide range of players. Online casinos have responded to this demand by offering an ever-growing selection of penny slots with diverse themes, immersive graphics, and engaging gameplay.

Technological advancements have played a significant role in the rise of online penny slots. Software providers have created games with stunning visuals, smooth animations, and interactive bonus features that keep players entertained for hours. From classic fruit machines to modern video slots based on popular movies and TV shows, there’s a penny slot to suit every taste and preference.

One thing to note: when you find penny slot machines, you can’t always adjust the number of paylines. This means you can’t always play penny slots online for – well, a penny – but this is why, as we mentioned earlier, the actual name of these games is a little disambiguous these days!

The History of Slot Machines

Slot machines, also known as fruit machines or one-armed bandits, have a rich and fascinating history that spans over a century. The first mechanical slot machine was invented by Bavarian-born American inventor Charles August Fey in San Francisco, California, in 1894. This groundbreaking invention, called the Liberty Bell, featured three spinning reels with five symbols – horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell.

As slot machines gained popularity, they faced legal challenges and were banned in many states. To circumvent these restrictions, early slot machine manufacturers began offering food prizes, such as gum and sweets, instead of cash payouts. The fruit symbols on the reels, like lemons and cherries, were originally meant to represent the flavors of the gum or candy prizes.

Over time, slot machines evolved from mechanical to electromechanical devices. In 1963, Bally Manufacturing developed the first fully electromechanical slot machine called Money Honey, which could automatically pay out up to 500 coins without an attendant’s assistance. This innovation paved the way for even more advanced electronic games.

The advent of video slots in the mid-1970s marked another significant milestone. Fortune Coin Co. introduced the first true video slot in 1976, using a modified 19-inch Sony TV for the display. IGT acquired Fortune Coin Co. in 1978, leading to a wider distribution of video slots and setting the stage for their dominance in the gaming industry.

Online slots emerged in the mid-1990s, thanks to the rise of the internet. Microgaming, a software company based in the Isle of Man, claims to have launched the world’s first online casino in 1994. Since then, online slots have become a global phenomenon, captivating players with their convenience, variety, and immersive gameplay. 

Today, you can enjoy a vast array of online penny slots with diverse themes, innovative features, and the potential for big wins from the comfort of your own homes!

Benefits of Playing Penny Slots Online

One of the main draws of penny slots is the ability to enjoy low-risk entertainment. With minimum bets starting at just a penny per line, players can stretch their bankroll and enjoy lengthy gaming sessions without breaking the bank. This makes penny slots an excellent choice for casual players or those new to online gambling who want to get a feel for the games without risking too much money.

Another advantage of playing penny slots online is the sheer variety of games available. Online casinos partner with multiple software providers to offer a diverse selection of titles, each with its unique theme, features, and payout structure. Whether you prefer classic three-reel slots, action-packed video slots with bonus rounds, or progressive jackpot games with massive potential payouts, you’ll find a penny slot to suit your preferences.

Many online casinos offer bonuses and promotions specifically tailored for slot players. These can include welcome bonuses, free spins, reload bonuses, and cashback offers. By taking advantage of these promotions, you can boost your bankroll and enjoy even more penny slot action without additional risk. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand any wagering requirements or restrictions!

Remember, if you’d like to try penny slots for yourself, make sure you check out the accredited casinos here at Casinomeister. All of these online casinos have been hand-picked by our team of online gambling experts – guaranteeing they’re fair, licensed – and will actually pay you!

Choosing the Best Online Casinos for Penny Slots

With so many online casinos offering penny slots, it can be challenging to know where to start. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it’s essential to choose a reputable casino with a strong track record of fairness and reliability.

Begin by researching the casino’s licensing and regulation. Look for casinos that are licensed by well-respected authorities, like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). It should go without saying that if you come across an online casino that doesn’t hold a valid online gambling license, you should avoid it at all costs!

Next, consider the game selection. The best online casinos for penny slots partner with top software providers to offer a wide range of titles. Look for casinos that feature games from renowned developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, IGT, and Play’n GO. You may also want to choose a penny slots casino with games from more modern game developers like Hacksaw Gaming, Nolimit City, and Push Gaming.

Payment methods are another crucial factor to consider. Choose casinos that offer a variety of secure and convenient banking options, such as credit cards, EWallets, and bank transfers. The best casinos will process deposits and withdrawals quickly and without hidden fees. Don’t forget to choose an accredited online casino here at Casinomeister, as these sites will typically offer the fastest payouts – and they’ve all been hand-picked by Casinomeister’s online gambling experts!

Strategies for Penny Slot Success

While slot machines are primarily games of chance, there are some strategies and tips that you can employ to enhance your gaming experience and potentially increase your chances of winning. However, it’s essential to remember that no strategy can guarantee a win, and you should always remember this when playing. Play responsibly and never chase losses!

One crucial tip is to choose slot machines with a high Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The RTP indicates the theoretical percentage of wagered money that a slot machine will pay back to players over time. Generally, a higher RTP means better odds for the player. Online slots often display their RTP, so players can make informed decisions when selecting games. If you find penny slots without an RTP, consider making a thread in the Casinomeister forums; our knowledgeable members will do their best to help you out!

Another strategy is to manage your bankroll effectively. Set a budget for your penny slots session and stick to it, whether you’re winning or losing. Divide your bankroll into smaller session stakes, ensuring that you can enjoy longer playing times without risking too much money at once. It’s also wise to set win and loss limits, knowing when to walk away when you’ve reached your pre-set limit.

Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions offered by online casinos can also help you! Many casinos offer welcome bonuses, free spins, and other perks to attract new players and reward loyal ones. However, always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand wagering requirements and other restrictions.

Generally speaking, you should try to avoid progressive jackpot games. While these may look appealing – due to the (often) seven figure sums on offer, be aware that they usually offer much lower RTPs – and this is because a portion of your stake is deducted and added to the progressive jackpot prize pool.

Lastly, it’s important to choose slot machines that you actually enjoy! Whether you prefer classic three-reel slots or modern video slots with immersive themes and bonus features, playing games that entertain and engage you can make your gaming experience more enjoyable, regardless of the outcome. Remember, slots are primarily a form of entertainment, so always prioritize fun and responsible gaming.

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