Slot games are the most popular choice at land-based and online casinos alike. When choosing a slot to play, most players look for the bonus games it offers, specifically free spins bonuses.
If you are looking for popular slots with bonus rounds (free spins in particular), then continue reading this article. We will get into the nitty-gritty of how bonus rounds work, and list slot games with the best and most free spins.
How Do Bonus Rounds Work?
Bonus rounds are special features in some slot games that give extra chances to win. They are usually triggered by landing a specific combination of symbols as set out in the game rules.
A common example is free spins, which often require 3 or more bonus or scatter symbols anywhere on the reels, or as specified by the paytable. Once triggered, the game may move to a different screen where the reels spin again, or a wheel spins for prizes.
Bonus features vary by game. Typical examples include free spins or variants of free spins, win multipliers, cash prizes and mini-games that can offer jackpots.
Free spins bonuses can award a fixed number of spins or involve a mini-game to determine how many spins you receive. Some games use an open-ended system with conditions that end the feature, which in theory can result in an undefined number of free spins if the end conditions are not met.
Mechanics differ from title to title. For example, the Big Bad Bison slot offers a free spins bonus when you land 3 gold coin scatter symbols anywhere on the reels on the same spin. You may also receive extra free spins if 2 or more scatters land during the feature.
By contrast, the Gladiator Legends slot by Hacksaw has a respins bonus that resets to the initial number of respins whenever a “VS” symbol appears during the bonus.
For full details on any slot bonus feature, check the game rules or paytable.
Best Slots with Bonus Games
Choosing the slot with the most appealing bonus feature comes down to personal preference. Below are several popular titles known for standout bonus rounds and features.
Golden Winner
Golden Winner is a popular slot from Inspired Gaming. The bonus feature in this game can be triggered by landing 3 bonus symbols on the reels.
The bonus is a trail bonus with 12 increments and 3 enhanced stages. You start with 10 free spins but can reach a new stage with an increased multiplier if a total of 4 or more bells land during the free spins.
Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive from NetEnt delivers a Wild West theme with a classic slot layout.
Free spins are activated by landing enough scatter symbols, with wins enhanced and sticky wilds helping to create additional winning combinations.
Fluffy Favourites
In fluffy favourites there are two bonus features which can be triggered. The first one is the Toybox Pick which is triggered if 3 or more scattered Claw symbols appear anywhere.
The player will be awarded one pick for each scattered Claw symbol in the triggering combination.
The second bonus is free spins. If 3, 4 or 5 scattered Elephant symbols land on the reels, it will trigger 15, 20 or 25 Free Games respectively.
Vikings Go Berzerk
Vikings Go Berzerk from Yggdrasil Gaming features multiple bonus mechanics.
Free spins can be triggered by scatters or by completely filling a Viking’s rage metre, and a random modifier is granted before the round begins.
Book of Dead
Book of Dead by Play'n GO comes with free spins feature triggered by landing enough tomb scatters.
Before the round starts, an expanding symbol is chosen at random. If it lands frequently enough, it can expand to cover entire reels and deliver significant rewards. See the Book of Dead paytable for symbol details.
Gates of Olympus
In Gates of Olympus, landing 4 or more scatter symbols will trigger the free spins feature and 15 free spins will be awarded. Additional free spins can be awarded by landing 3 or more scatters during this feature. If a multiplier land on a winning spin, it will be applied to the total multiplier value for the duration of the bonus.
Online Slots with the Most Free Spins
Below are some of the slot games you may find in online casinos in the UK, such as Clover Casino.
Please be advised that this list is by no means exhaustive. We are listing only a few. Online casinos like Clover Casino can offer hundreds of thousands of slot games!
Montezuma
The Montezuma slot game is an Aztec-themed title by WMS. The free spins feature is triggered by landing at least 3 scatter symbols in a spin.
This takes you to a wheel which spins to determine your number of free spins, with the potential to win up to 25 free spins. At the start of each bonus spin, a wheel above the reels spins to award a random win multiplier of up to 10x. Landing 2 or more scatters in a spin can also award extra free spins.
Raging Rhino
Raging Rhino, also by WMS, is an online slot with up to 4,096 ways to win. It includes a free spins bonus triggered by landing 3 or more scatter symbols in a spin.
Landing 3, 4 or 5 scatters typically awards 15, 20 or up to 50 free spins respectively.
Fruit Shop
The Fruit Shop slot is a classic fruit-themed game from NetEnt. It has 5 reels, 3 rows and 15 paylines.
The free spins feature can be triggered by landing a winning combination with identical fruit symbols. During the free spins bonus, winning combinations can award extra free spins as shown in the game’s paytable. In addition, any winning bet lines formed during the free spins bonus pay at 2x.
Gods of Giza
Gods of Giza features 5 reels, 5 rows and 20 paylines. The game offers Depleting Wilds, a Tumble feature, a free spins bonus and a maximum win potential of up to 5,000x your stake.
The Free Spins feature is activated by landing 3 or more scatters. Three scatters award 10 spins, with an additional 5 free spins for each extra activating scatter. For example, landing 5 scatters triggers 20 free spins. Up to a maximum of 25 scatters can land, which could award as many as 120 free spins.
John Hunter and Galileo's Secrets
John Hunter and Galileo's Secrets is an adventure-themed slot by Pragmatic Play. In this game, three Scatter symbols can trigger the Free Spins round. Before the round starts, a symbol is randomly selected as the Mystery symbol for the round.
Slots with Bonus Rounds FAQs
Can You Buy the Bonus in Slots?
No. You cannot buy bonuses in UK slot games. Bonus buying does not align with the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) aims to promote responsible gambling.
Can You Win Big with Free Spins?
Yes. You may potentially win big during a free spins bonus. In many slot games the largest possible wins are available during the free spins feature, though this varies between titles.
How Do You Trigger Free Spins on Slot Machines?
Mechanics for triggering free spins differ by game. Typically you must land a specified number of scatter or bonus symbols to activate a free spins feature. To be sure how a particular slot works, check the game rules and/or the paytable.
Are There Any Slots Where You Can Buy the Bonus?
No. There are no real-money slots in the UK where you can buy a bonus due to UKGC regulations.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.