What Are Video Slot Machines?

Video slots are the beating heart of online casino gaming. If you've ever browsed our online slots games, you might have noticed they make up the vast majority of what's on offer, and for good reason. They're visually engaging, packed with features, and built around mechanics that go well beyond pulling a lever and watching three fruit symbols spin.

But what exactly is a video slot machine, and how does it differ from other types of slots? Good question. Here's what you need to know.

What Is a Video Slot Machine?

A video slot machine is a digital slot game that uses software and a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each spin. Unlike the mechanical slot machines of old, which relied on physical reels and springs, video slots run entirely on code. The reels you see on screen are a visual representation of what the RNG has already decided.

Most video slots are built around a grid of reels and rows, typically five reels across three or four rows, with a set number of paylines or ways to win. When you spin, symbols land across the grid. If they line up in a winning combination along an active payline, you get a payout based on the game's paytable.

That's the core of it. The real appeal of video slots, though, is everything else built on top of that.

Worth knowing: video slots aren't exclusively online. You'll find digital video slot machines in land-based casinos, too. The key difference is variety; online, the range of games, themes, and features is considerably wider. More on that further down.

Key Features of Video Slot Machines

Video slots have come a long way from three reels and a single payline. Modern video slot games are rich with features, the kind that make you want to read the paytable properly.

Wild Symbols:

Wilds substitute for other symbols to help complete winning combinations. Some games include expanding Wilds that stretch across an entire reel, or sticky wilds that remain in place for multiple spins.

Scatter Symbols:

Scatters don't need to land on a specific payline to count. They typically trigger bonus features, most commonly free spins, when enough appear on the reels at once.

Free Spins:

One of the most popular bonus features in video slot games. Land the right number of Scatters, and you'll unlock a round of free slot spins, often with additional modifiers like multipliers or extra Wilds.

Bonus Rounds:

Many video slots include separate bonus games: pick-and-win features, wheel spins, or mini-games that activate during play. These vary widely from game to game.

Multipliers:

A multiplier increases the value of a win by a set amount. A 5x multiplier on a £2 win pays out £10, for instance. Some games stack multipliers during free spins rounds.

Megaways™:

A mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming, Megaways™ changes the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win. It's now licensed to dozens of developers and used across hundreds of slots.

Video Slot Machines vs Other Types of Slots

Not all online slots are video slots. Classic slots tend to use three reels and a minimal set of symbols, think the traditional fruit machine style. They're simpler and often faster-paced, but they don't offer the same range of features.

Then there are cluster pays slots, which ditch the reel-and-payline setup entirely. Instead of matching symbols across a payline, you need to land clusters of identical symbols anywhere on a grid. If you want to know more about how that works, our guide to cluster pays slots covers it in detail.

Video slot machines sit between the two: more complex than classics, more structured than cluster pays. They're also what most players picture when they think of online slots.

For a broader look at the full range of slot types, our guide to all types of slot machines covers classic slots, Megaways, progressive jackpots, and more in one place.

How to Win at Video Slots

No guarantees here. There’s no proven strategy for how to win at video slots. Every spin is decided by an RNG, which means outcomes are entirely random and independent of previous spins. (Anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.)

That said, understanding a few key terms can help you make more informed choices about the games you play.

RTP (Return to Player):

RTP is the percentage of total wagers a game is designed to return to players over time. A slot with 96% RTP will, in theory, return £96 for every £100 wagered across all players over a long period. It's a useful indicator of how a game is designed, not a guarantee of what you'll receive in any individual session.

Volatility:

It's also called variance. High-volatility slots tend to pay out less frequently but with larger amounts when they do. Low-volatility slots pay out more regularly, but with smaller wins. Medium volatility sits in the middle. Knowing where a game sits on this scale helps you choose one that matches your preferred style of play.

Paylines and Bet Sizes:

Always check the paytable before you play. It tells you which symbol combinations pay out, how much, and what each feature does. Setting a comfortable stake and sticking to it is a sensible way to approach any session.

Free Video Slots: Playing in Demo Mode

Not ready to play with real money? Free video slots, also called demo mode, let you try out games without placing a real wager. It's a straightforward way to explore a new title, get familiar with its mechanics, and see how the bonus features work before committing.

At Virgin Games, most of our slots are available in demo mode. Just browse the slots page and look for the option to try a game for free.

Ready to play slots for real money but not sure how much you want to stake? Worth knowing that many video slots at Virgin Games can be played from as little as 1p per spin. Penny slots tend to follow a more classic style, with a single active payline and straightforward base game action, but the same RNG principles apply. A lower stake per spin doesn't change how the game works.

Whatever your casino budget, the Virgin Games mobile app puts the full slots library in your pocket. Every game available on the website is also available in the app, including demo mode, with no stripped-down versions or compromises. It's free to download on iOS and Android, and your balance and bonuses sync automatically between mobile and desktop. One tap, same experience.

Video Slot Machines at Virgin Games: Our Recommendations

Our slots library runs to hundreds of slot machine games. A few worth exploring:

Starburst: A NetEnt classic, and one of the most popular slots in the UK. Simple, clean, and built around Starburst Wilds that expand and trigger re-spins. Five reels, ten paylines. No fuss.

Big Bass Bonanza Megaways: The Megaways™ take on of the fan-favourite Big Bass slot series. Fishing-themed, feature-rich, and with a free spin round that includes a money-collect mechanic. More ways to win than you'll know what to do with.

Virgin Gates of Olympus: Our exclusive take on the Pragmatic Play classic. A cluster pays video slot with a special Virgin Games symbol, the highest-value one in the game, plus multiplier symbols and a free spins bonus. It's ours. Naturally, it's a bit special.

9 Pots of Gold Megaways: An Irish-themed Megaways™ slot from Gameburger Studios. Six reels, up to 15,625 ways to win, and a free spins bonus with a pot collecting mechanic. Solid stuff.

Online Video Slots vs Land-Based Machines

One question that comes up often: how do video slots online compare to the machines you'd find in a land-based casino?

The core mechanic is the same: RNG, reels, paylines. But online video slots tend to offer a far wider variety of games, themes, and features than anything available on a casino floor. Stakes are also more flexible, often starting from just a few pence per spin.

For a fuller comparison, our online slots vs casino slots guide breaks down the key differences in detail.

Ready to Spin?

Video slot machines are one of the most varied and entertaining categories in online gaming. Whether you're here for the bonus features, the themes, or just a straightforward spin, there's something in our library for you. (Probably several somethings, if we're being straight with you.)

Explore our full range of online slots at Virgin Games and find your next favourite. Your pace, your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are video slots different from classic slots?

Yes. Classic slots typically use three reels and a single payline, with minimal features. Video slots usually have five or more reels, multiple paylines or ways to win, and bonus features like free spins, Wilds, and multipliers.

Are video slots fair?

Yes. All video slots at Virgin Games use a random number generator (RNG), independently tested to ensure each spin is entirely random. The outcome of one spin has no effect on the next.

What does RTP mean on a video slot?

RTP stands for Return to Player. It's the percentage of total wagers a game is designed to return to players over time. A 96% RTP means £96 returned per £100 wagered on average, across all players over a long period. It's not a guarantee per session.

Can you play video slots for free?

Yes. Many video slots at Virgin Games are available in demo mode, so you can try a game without wagering real money. It's a useful way to get familiar with the mechanics and bonus features before playing for real.

Is there any skill involved in video slots?

No. Every spin is determined by an RNG, so outcomes are entirely random. Understanding RTP and volatility can help you choose a game that suits your style, but neither affects the result of any individual spin.

Hundreds of video slots, one place to play. From classic five-reel titles to Megaways™ and beyond, our slots library has a game for every style. Set your limits, pick your stake, and spin your way. Join Virgin Games today.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.