Slot games are a staple in every type of casino. It’s easy to see why since they’re easy to play, offer exciting features, and can sometimes result in huge wins. Sweepstakes slots, in particular, have gained popularity on platforms like Pulsz, McLuck, and WOW Vegas.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of games throughout the industry, so narrowing down your favorite could be a bit difficult. There are progressive jackpots, hold and wins, classic slots, and everything in between.
So, which types are the most popular?
We’ve scoured the market and found that four types of sweepstakes slots get played a lot more than any other kind of slot.
Megaways slots are a revolutionary type of slot game that features a variable number of ways to win on each spin. Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines, Megaways slots use a dynamic reel modifier system. It’s a bit more complex but a lot more fun. This means that the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin, leading to thousands of potential winning combinations. Most players like this style of game for that very reason. After all, it’s all about winning, right?
Each reel can display a different number of symbols on every spin. These symbols typically range between 2 and 7.
The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if there are 6 reels with up to 7 symbols each, there can be up to 117,649 ways to win (7x7x7x7x7x7).
Winning combinations are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel.
Buffalo King Untamed Megaways by Pragmatic Play. This is a Megaways spin-off of one of the most iconic slot games in the industry — Buffalo Slots. This slot has extremely high volatility with 86,436 ways to win with each spin.
Tiki Hut Megaways by Pragmatic Play. A fun tiki twist on the Megaways style. There are tons of jackpot options, with 111,649 different ways to win.
5 Lions Megaways by Pragmatic Play. Playing on Chinese cultural symbols such as frogs, fish, and dragons, this slot has 117,649 ways to win.
Cluster Pays slots offer a slightly different twist on traditional slot gameplay. Instead of relying on paylines, these games pay out for groups of matching symbols that happen to touch each other, either horizontally or vertically. Think of it like a spinoff of Tetris, however, the wins don't have to be in a single line. This creates a fresh and exciting way to win, often resulting in larger payouts for bigger clusters. Cluster slots are definitely off of the beaten path when it comes to slot games.
There are no traditional paylines. Instead, wins are formed by clusters of matching symbols.
A cluster is typically defined as a group of 5 or more matching symbols that are adjacent to each other, either vertically or horizontally.
When a winning cluster is formed, the symbols involved in the win often disappear, and new symbols drop down to fill the gaps, potentially creating additional wins.
Aloha! Cluster Pays by NetEnt. A tropical-themed slot where clusters of fruits, flowers, and tiki symbols result in wins and symbols can stack for bigger payouts. Clusters of 9 or more win, but both horizontal and vertical clusters can be combined.
Star Clusters Megaclusters by Big Time Gaming: This game combines Cluster Pays with Megaclusters mechanics, where winning clusters are split into smaller symbols for more lucrative wins.
Cascading Reels slots, sometimes referred to as tumbling reels, are designed to give players multiple chances to win from a single spin. In these games, winning symbols disappear after a win, and new symbols fall from above to replace them. That’s where the idea of cascading comes from. This can lead to a chain reaction of wins. Many gamers love these slots as they’re fairly volatile and unpredictable. It’s easy to see how this could be more exciting.
When a winning combination is formed, the symbols involved in the win disappear.
New symbols fall from above (outside of the screen area) to fill in the newly empty spaces. These new symbols can lead to even more winning combinations.
This process can repeat multiple times in a single spin which means you can win multiple times over with a single spin. We’ve seen them repeat over and over dozens of times.
Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt. One of the first and most famous cascading reels slots, featuring a treasure hunt theme and increasing multipliers with each successive win. It’s an oldie, but goodie.
Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play. A candy-themed slot where cascading wins can lead to massive payouts, especially during the free spins. From bananas to lollipops, this medium volatility slot consistently shells out decent-sized wins.
Vikings Go Berzerk by Yggdrasil. A Viking-themed slot by this lesser-known creator is packed with amazing graphics on the cascading reels and a rage meter that triggers a free spins bonus game. Collect rage, go in berzerk mode, and win more. It’s as simple as that.
Just as the name implies, multi-pay line slots offer players numerous paylines on which to bet. This often provides hundreds of ways to win on each spin. These slots can range from traditional 20-payline games to more advanced 243-ways-to-win formats. This variability makes them a favorite among players who love more diverse betting options and frequent payouts. Every sweepstakes casino we’ve ever played in offers various multi-payline slots.
Players can choose how many paylines they want to activate and bet on. Some games have the max amount pre-set.
Wins are formed by matching symbols on activated paylines, starting from the leftmost reel.
Some advanced multi-payline slots use a 243-ways-to-win system, where any matching symbols on adjacent reels count as a win, regardless of their position on the reels.
Immortal Romance by Microgaming. A vampire-themed slot with 243 ways to win, offering a gripping storyline and multiple bonus features. We’ve noticed there are tons of wilds in this game, which makes winning a bit easier.
Thunderstruck II by Microgaming. A Norse mythology-themed slot with 243 ways to win and a unique Great Hall of Spins bonus. The graphics are not terrible, given that this is an older game.
Buffalo Gold by Aristocrat. One of the most popular slots with multiple paylines and free spins. These bonus spins can lead to massive payouts.
Sweepstakes slots come in various forms, however, we just found the four most popular types in some of the most popular sweepstakes casinos. Each of these offers unique gameplay mechanics and exciting features ranging from bonus spins and wild symbols.
Whether you prefer the dynamic reels of Megaways slots, the unique Tetris-style clustering of Cluster Pays slots, the chain reactions of Cascading Reels slots, or the numerous betting options of Multi-Payline slots, there's a game out there that we’re sure you’ll love. Many of the major sweepstake casinos offer bonuses for new users when they sign up so they can try out the various slots, so, don’t miss out on those!