Best Irish Online Slot Sites - 2023

The Different Types of Online Slots

The best slot sites seen on this page have several categories of slot games you can play. Here’s are some different types of Irish slots you might find:

Classic Slots

Classic slots are the nostalgic pub slot games that have made their way onto the online slots scene. These are usually three-reel games, and the total number of payout lines for these slots can be significantly less than the modern-day games. Despite the progression in the Irish slots market, classic slots are still a firm favourite. 

Many of the top software developers have spruced up the best retro games to suit the modern player. As an example, check out Play’n GO’s Lucky Diamonds classic slot which sits amidst a slots library of more than 280 titles. Or perhaps Red Tiger Gaming’s Laser Fruit, which sticks to the classic style but includes features such as blue lasers, Megaways, and free spins. 

Video Slots

Video slots offer a more themed style of game than the classic slots and include great animations, in-play bonuses, and some rather cool sound and visual effects. Some examples of these games include Microgaming’s Rainbow Riches, NetEnt’s Starburst, and Deal or no Deal, plus hundreds of others. This type of Irish casino slot also offers the largest number of reels on the best slots sites, and the paylines are generally the largest of the four categories. 

Nowadays, it’s video slots that dominate a games library. With the freedom to be creative, it’s the easiest area for developers to show off their skills and create unique titles. It’s also the area in which you’ll find the most exciting features, such as wilds, bonus rounds, scatters, cascading reels, and much more. 

Progressive Slots

Progressive casino slots games are a great way to hunt for big jackpot wins. Each time a player makes a spin on a progressive game, the total jackpot increases until it is won. There have been many newsworthy progressive slots wins that reached high into the millions, most notably with Microgaming’s Mega Moolah which has produced winnings as high as $20m. However, this type of game is extremely high in variance and offers an RTP of a pretty low 88%. What this means is that the payout rate may be large when it arrives, but it pays out quite rarely.

Megaways Slots

Originally created by Big Time Gaming, Megaways is a mechanic that randomly modifies the reel of a slot game by changing the available symbols. But what is the benefit of this? With a Megaways slot, because of the change of symbols, the chances of winning are drastically increased, sometimes by thousands of times compared to traditional slots games. It can also add an exciting dimension to the game, especially when combined with other popular features such as multipliers and bonus round games. As an example, Temple Tumble was Relax Gaming’s first slot game to use the Megaways feature. It’s a popular title that offers 46,656 ways to win, holds an RTP of 96.2%, and is full of unique features and bonus rounds. 

Cluster Pays Slots

Cluster pays are unique slots games where you achieve winning combinations from clusters of the same, or matching symbols forming on the reel. Typically with slots games, it is a payline that must be completed, however, in this case, a win is achieved if the symbols gather in cluster formations. Many people enjoy cluster pay slots because of the unpredictability they offer – that element of not knowing where a cluster will form. In addition, there’s a higher chance of winning thanks to the formations required – not needing to complete a particular payline means more opportunities to win. If you fancy trying one out at the best Irish slots, Aloha! Cluster Pays by NetEnt is one of the most popular games around – it provides six reels and five rows, many opportunities for free spins rounds, and unique features such as the symbol drop. 

Slingo

Invented in the mid-90s, Slingo is a mashup of slots and bingo. The basic principle of the game sees players starting with an empty bingo grid that they fill with numbers through spins instead of by numbers being called out randomly through RNG technology. It’s a great individual or multiplayer game that’s available at the majority of the best Irish slots sites. As with most game types available to play online, Slingo comes in a wide variety of themes. One of the most popular is Slingo Rainbow Riches which offers 12 paylines, five reels and some unique bonus rounds like Magic Toadstool and Pots of Gold.

Slot Payouts, Paylines, and RTP

No two online slot games are the same. Indeed, game developers use all manner of culture as inspiration for the creation and design of their games – from ancient civilizations, to classical mythology, to DC Comics. Not only are the aesthetics of these games massively varied, but there are also lots of points of difference in the mechanics.

A slot’s payout rates depend on a variety of factors: the number of ways to win, known as paylines; the Return to Player (RTP) percentages, indicating average payout amounts; and variance ratings, which affect the size and frequency of these payouts. Let’s break these three areas down a bit further.

Paylines

The world’s first slot machines had a very simple payline structure – since there was only one reel in play, players only had access to one payline. When slot machines first migrated into the digital realm, they initially honoured this classical layout, replicating the much-loved fruit machines of the past. 

Slowly, slot developers started to change the scene by increasing the number of reels and the number of routes to success. This in turn increased the number of paylines initially to three, then to five, ten, and so on. Recent innovations in payline technology, such as Big Time Gaming’s highly-rated Megaways structure, has changed online slots forever.

These Megaways titles are available at all the top slot game sites, and offer an astonishing 117,619 ways to win, thanks to the changing number of symbols per reel throughout the game.

RTP

Return to Player rates give online gamblers an idea of how much they can reasonably expect to win from any one game. Expressed as a percentage, the industry average for online slots is around 96%, meaning that players wagering €100 on a slot with this RTP will receive €96 back on average.

Gambling sites should display the RTP percentages of all their games, although for casino games such as roulette, blackjack and poker, they will typically refer to the reverse figure of house edge. For instance, a game with an RTP percentage of 97% has a house edge of 3%.

However, players should always take the RTP percentages of online slots with a pinch of salt. Although these figures provide useful insight into average payout rates, the calculations are derived from machines that simulate millions of spins of the reels. As such, any one gambling session can deviate massively from the script, and returns from a playing session can be far higher or lower than the average.

RTP rates demonstrate the inherent house edge built-in to all casino games. These games have all been designed to ensure the casino makes money, and although players still have the chance to win cash, the more they play, the more likely they are to land on the game’s base RTP rate.

Variance

Of course, if everybody knew exactly how much they stood to win when they spun the reels, online casinos would quickly run out of business. What makes online slots worth playing is their variance, also referred to as volatility. The variance of a game is a reflection of the size and frequency of payouts when they occur.

Variance is typically referred to as low, medium or high – and preferences will come down to a matter of taste as well as budget. 

Slots with high variance are more likely to pay out infrequent but sizable rewards, while low variance slots will offer frequent but small cash prizes. Medium variance games, on the other hand, offer a balance between the two.

Random Number Generators

For years, many gamblers have convinced themselves that it’s possible for a slot to be ‘hot’ or ‘cold’, meaning more or less likely to pay out. Some players avoid games after a jackpot has just been hit as they think it won’t be due to hit again for a long time. However, this is all a myth — and we can be sure of this thanks to the Random Number Generator (RNG).

The RNG runs inside every slot game and uses an algorithm to generate a random number, which then corresponds to the combination of symbols that appear on the reels each spin. There are billions of potential numbers and combinations, ensuring every game is fair and truly random. What’s more, gambling regulators can check the results of each RNG programme to ensure a slot is operating as it should be.

Slot Features and Mechanics

Slot features and mechanics are designed to make spinning the reels even more fun and potentially more profitable too. You can find fun slots features on classic slots and new games alike, though it’s fair to say that modern slots have the edge when it comes to these exciting extra perks. Let’s check out some of the unique features that developers add to online slots to make them stand out from the crowd.

Wilds

Wilds are probably the most common feature you’ll come across when you play slots online. They can appear as simple symbols or as the main character of the game, such as in the Cleopatra online slot. In basic slots, wilds substitute for other paying symbols to help form winning combos. However, some more feature-rich slot games offer exciting variations like expanding wilds and sticky wilds. 

Scatters

Scatters usually work by triggering a bonus feature, such as a mini game or a free spins round. You might also come across a scatter pays feature, which does away with a bonus feature in favour of offering an immediate payout. To unlock the perks of scatter symbols, you’ll typically need to land three or more of these symbols, sometimes on specific reels. Landing more may unlock bigger and better rewards. 

Free Spins Round

A free spins round is a feature often triggered by landing three or more scatters. Sometimes taking place on a separate set of reels, you’ll usually get between five and 20 free spins to start. In some free spins rounds, you can re-trigger the feature, sometimes an unlimited number of times, such as in Cat Wilde and the Doom of Dead. In others, you might enjoy extra win potential in the form of multipliers and respins. 

Avalanche Reels

Instead of spinning, avalanche reels tumble down the screen. When a winning combo is formed, the paying symbols explode and more tumble into place, potentially adding more win lines. Avalanche reels were first seen in NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest, where each avalanche also increases the win multiplier by one. Other developers have been quick to launch their own versions, with Slingo Originals’ Slingo Cascade one popular example. 

Expanding Reels

Expanding reels work by expanding the layout of slot machine games, in turn providing players with more opportunities to land winning combinations. An example of expanding slot reels can be seen in Nolimit City’s edgy Punk Rocker slot, where collecting three or more bonus symbols unlocks a sixth reel, sets loose up to four jumping wilds and increases the number of paylines from 243 to 46,656. 

Multipliers

Multipliers in online slot games work by multiplying bets, line wins and total wins, usually up to 10x but sometimes up to 1,000x, 2,000x or more. Multipliers can be triggered in a variety of different ways, including by wilds and scatter symbols, as well as in free spins rounds and bonus games. In the Bonanza Megaways slot, the multiplier increases by one every time you land a winning combo courtesy of its cascading reels. 

Cluster Pays

Another innovation by NetEnt and first seen in its Aloha slot, cluster pays adopts a unique approach to winning combos. In cluster pay slots, matching symbols must land in a cluster with each symbol touching on at least one side. The minimum number of symbols is usually five, but the more you get, the bigger the payout. As with other popular features, other developers have launched their own take.  Roxor Gaming’s Secrets of the Phoenix Elements is a good one to try.

How to Play Online Slots

It is incredibly simple to get going with the best online fruit machines.

1) Check the Paytable

A paytable shows you everything you need to know, including the return to player (RTP), how much you can win depending on your bet, and your minimum and maximum stake options. You’ll also be able to find out more about bonus features here too.

2) Set your Stakes

Slot games usually have virtual coins that represent a real money value. Make sure your coin value suits your bankroll – don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose.

3) Select your Paylines

Most slot games these days feature multiple paylines. Betting on more paylines can give you a better chance of winning more money, however, you could just as easily lose.

4) Spin the Reels

Ready to go? Simply click spin. If you get lucky, you’ll know about it; the extravagant visuals will make it very clear and payouts are made immediately.

Other Games to Try at Irish Slots Sites

Many of the best online casinos and slots sites offer online and live dealer casino games — and sometimes sports betting too — alongside their selection of slot games. Let’s see what you might find on the menu.

Blackjack

This classic game takes centre stage among card games at online casinos for Irish players, and you’ll find many exciting variants complementing classic games like Microgaming’s Classic Blackjack Gold. We especially like Cashback Blackjack. This online blackjack game from Playtech offers odds of up to 100-to-1 on the 21+3 side bet. And, in a twist inspired by Deal or No Deal, you can also choose to hit the cashback button, end your hand early, and bag a prize. Don’t like the offer? Simply play on to see if you can win more. 

Roulette

Like blackjack, roulette comes in a huge variety of styles at online slots sites and casinos. Expect to find classic European, French, and American roulette games sitting alongside titles like Speed Roulette and 3D Roulette. We also suggest looking out for Golden Rock Studios’ Roulette x5. Here, a dice roll that follows each call gives you a boost of up to 500% on your winnings. There are also plenty of themed roulette games you can try, such as Pinball Roulette, plus exclusive online roulette games like BetVictor’s Blue and Black Roulette. 

Baccarat

One of the oldest and most glamourous of casino games, baccarat makes an appearance at most online casinos and slots sites. Sometimes referred to as Punto Banco, baccarat is a pretty simple game, requiring you to do little more than predict if the banker or player hand will be closest to 9. However, that doesn’t stop developers adding a few twists and turns to the tale. The best Irish online casinos sit classic baccarat games alongside must-try variations like Speed Baccarat and No Commission Baccarat. 

Video Poker

There’s no doubt that poker is one of the most popular games on the planet, so it’s little wonder that many online casinos add a few video poker titles into their mix of games. Video poker games like Joker Poker and Jacks or Better are often referred to as poker slots, but don’t be fooled. Unlike slots, the outcome of video poker games relies on a mix of skill, strategy, and chance — rather than luck alone. Microgaming’s Deuces Wild, where 2s are wild, is one of the highest paying video poker games, and a game worth mastering. 

Live Dealer Games

If an online slots site offers table games, there’s a decent chance it gives players the chance to play live casino games too. You can find live dealer options for classic casino games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, and many sites will also offer live dealer poker games like Evolution’s Casino Hold’em and Caribbean Stud Poker. You can also try your luck in the hot seat of upbeat live dealer casino game shows like Crazy Time, also from Evolution, and Sweet Bonanza Candy Land from Pragmatic Play. 

Sports Betting

Many of the top online casinos in Ireland pop real money sports betting under the same roof as online slots and casino games. From Aussie Rules to American Football, these sportsbooks usually offer betting markets on sporting events from around the world. And, of course, the Emerald Isle serves up plenty of homegrown action too. You’ll find horse racing at the likes of Curragh and Leopardstown Racecourses and golf at Old Head Golf Links and Palmer Course among the many ways to wager at Irish online casinos. 

Top Software Developers at Irish Slots Sites

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are some of the biggest software developers to look out for.

NetEnt

NetEnt is a master of online slot games, and is one of the most successful game developers in the industry, so it’s pretty much a given you’ll find this developer at all the top Irish slots sites. The veteran’s legendary titles include Starburst and Blood Suckers, but perhaps its most famous is Gonzo’s Quest, a game which popularised the cascading reels mechanic found in many slots today. 

But the innovation didn’t stop there: NetEnt made its first foray into virtual reality with Gonzo’s Quest VR, and since it was acquired by Evolution Gaming in 2020, the franchise has dipped its toes in the live casino world with Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, an exciting mix of live and slots-style action.

Pragmatic Play

Another major hitter in online casino games, Pragmatic is one of NetEnt’s main competitors, producing outstanding slot machines alongside its expert live dealer offering. Its most popular slot games are Wolf Gold, The Dog House, and John Hunter.  

Many slot enthusiasts favour Pragmatic Play titles for their varied mechanics — you’ll find thrilling features like multi-level bonus rounds and multipliers, scatters and stacked wilds, respins and free spins, and both progressive and fixed jackpots. 

Play’n GO

Play’n GO develops games that focus on the mobile casino market. Diamond Vortex, Riddle Reels, and Rally 4 Riches are three of its most popular titles you’re likely to find at the best online slot sites in Ireland.

Beautiful design is a key feature of any Play’n GO slot — the vibrant illustrative style is augmented by carefully crafted sound and flourishes of background animation, immersing players no matter what the central theme is.

International Game Technology (IGT)

Commonly known as IGT, this developer has been around since the 80s, expanding and evolving to meet the changing habits and technology of the gaming world. IGT’s best slots include Cleopatra, Da Vinci Diamonds, and Pharaoh’s Fortune Fortune. 

Those looking for jackpot slots should keep their eyes out for IGT’s MegaJackpots titles — these games are part of a progressive jackpot network that occasionally pays out millions.

Playtech

Another slot stalwart, Playtech has been around since the turn of the millennium, and its Playtech ONE omnichannel solution powers many online casinos today. The developer is responsible for the massively popular Age of the Gods slots series — now almost 30 titles strong if you include the Norse spin-off — but has also developed branded games like The Dark Knight and Justice League.

Microgaming

Microgaming is headquartered on the Isle of Man and has almost three decades of experience in the online casino industry. Along with popular slots like Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck, and branded titles like Game of Thrones, Microgaming also created Mega Moolah, a progressive jackpot slot famous for some immense payouts reaching nearly €20 million.

Nolimit City

A relative youngster in the scene, Nolimit City was formed in Sweden in 2014 and focuses its energy entirely on creating a detailed and varied range of slots titles for its gaming catalogue. Its games can be quite serious in theme, such as Serial which is about a killer on the loose, and Book of Shadows which is based on an enchanted altered reality. In terms of design, its slots often take on a hand-drawn cartoon appearance, with incredible graphics and just as exciting features alongside. For example, xSplit Wild which can split up scatter symbols and xWays symbols that can transfer normal payout symbols. As a brand, Nolimit City is unique, bold, and certainly a name to look out for among the best Irish slots.     

Yggdrasil

Founded in 2013, Yggdrasil has since launched a range of popular titles that particularly focus on video slots titles and are available at the best Irish slots sites. Some of these include Double Dragons, Valley of the Gods, and Nirvana. The brand may be one of the youngest of the major software developers, but it has already won numerous awards for its work, such as Casino Provider of the Year 2022 and Slot Provider of the Year 202 at the International Gaming Awards. Yggdrasil is ‘the world tree’ in Norse mythology, symbolising the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This brave choice of name represents the brand’s approach to creativity, and highlights the team’s ambition to reach the top of the iGaming industry.

New Irish Slots Sites

While you might be tempted to sign up with some familiar faces, new casinos are great options too. New slots sites often bring fresh site designs to the table, as well as player-friendly offers and features like generous cashback, player tournaments, or combined no wagering, no deposit deals. PlayOJO is a great example — since it launched, the site has offered all bonuses free of wagering requirements, meaning players can instantly withdraw any winnings with no limit on the amount.

While new slots sites may not have as many payment options as the more established operators, they’re often designed from the ground up with mobile devices in mind. They’re just as safe and reliable too, as long as you stick with a licensed site. Rest assured, all our recommendations — both old and new — hold full licences from reputable regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority. 

Best New Irish Slot Games

Another perk of new slots sites is access to the latest games from top slots developers. Here are a few of our recent favourites:

Mobile Irish Slots Sites

We always recommend casinos that have excellent mobile capabilities, including the availability of first-rate mobile apps on both Android and iOS operating systems. No one wants to be tied to a desktop when there are so many other things to do so mobile slot sites offer a convenience of being accessible wherever you may be. With mobile being the preference over desktop for many people, the best Irish slots are devised with this in mind, meaning a better functionality, clearer layouts and games that fit perfectly to a mobile-size screen. 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of playing at mobile Irish slots sites.

Casino Bonuses for Irish Slots

Online slots bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. As there are so many different kinds available, it can be difficult for new players to figure out which bonuses suit them best. In this article, we will address some of the main offers your Irish slot site could have in store for you. In the process, we hope you will gain a better idea of which bonuses could be up your street. 

We’ll also touch on some of the other factors influencing slots gameplay. Before opting in to any of these offers, always make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully to give yourself the best chance of making your bonus count. 

Matched Deposits

Matched deposits offer a way of boosting your account funds by a certain percentage. For matched deposit welcome bonuses, offers tend to be around 100% up to €100. Players making use of the full scope of this offer would therefore receive €200 from a €100 deposit, effectively doubling their money. 

Of course, one of the best things about matched deposits is that players can decide how much of the bonus they want to access. Although the offer might stretch to €100 or beyond, players are free to deposit whatever amount they’re comfortable with, providing it meets the minimum deposit. Sticking with the example above, players could choose to deposit €30 instead, receiving an additional €30 from the online casino.

For existing players, matched deposit offers will be less generous than the examples above. If you’re already a member, these offers are more likely to be in the region of 50% up to €50; if you wanted to use this offer in its totality, you’d receive €75 from a €50 deposit. 

Free Spins

Free spins may also be included as part of a welcome bonus, rewarding players for signing up with a bundle of bonus spins to use on selected slots. If you’re an existing player, these free spins bonuses tend to be unlocked by qualifying deposits, such as an offer of ten free spins when depositing €5. Free spins bonuses may also be tied to a specific game, such as 25 free spins to use on NetEnt’s Starburst. 

No Deposit Bonuses

The best slot sites will offer players no deposit bonuses – a reward issued to new players simply for signing up to the site, without the need to make their own deposit. These bonuses might come in the form of account funds or extra spins, but since they require no deposit on behalf of the player, their value will be smaller than matched deposits. Indeed, most no deposit bonuses are in the region of €5 or €10. 

Reload Bonuses

Bonuses targeted at existing players are known as reload bonuses, so-called because they indicate a ‘reloading’ of funds into the player’s casino account. As such, reload bonuses can take any form, including matched deposits, free spins, and promo codes.  

Low and No Wagering Bonuses

Some top slot sites will offer low and no wagering bonuses, which reduce or remove the limitations that wagering requirements cause. We’ll address what wagering requirements are in greater detail below, but essentially these bonuses reduce the need to make additional wagers before withdrawing any bonus winnings.

While low wagering bonuses have requirements lower than the industry average, no wagering bonuses remove these requirements altogether.