What are online slot tournaments, and how do they work?
If you regularly frequent
UK online slot sites, chances are you’ve come across slot tournaments. These promotional events pit players against one another in a points-based contest, with the top-scoring players walking away with a prize.
That’s all well and good, but how do slot tournaments actually work? And how are the prizes distributed? We hope to clear up these queries, and more, in our beginner’s guide.
The basic concept of online slot tournaments
Given that online slot machines are 100% based on chance, thanks to their underlying RNG mechanics, you might be wondering how casinos manage to make them competitive. Well, we’ve aimed to answer that with an overview of online casino slot tournaments below:
- Online casinos invite players to join a slot tournament, with a specific start and end time.
- Participants will need to play a pre-selected slot game, although there may be two or more available for some contests.
- The objective is to win as many points as possible over the duration of the tournament.
- At the end of the tournament, players are placed on a leaderboard, with prizes like cash, free spins, or other rewards going to the top performers.
That’s a
very
brief crash course into how online slot tournaments work. Bear in mind that there are lots of different formats for free online slot tournaments, so it’s worth comparing the different contests and events that online casinos offer before you sign up.
What are the pros and cons of online slot tournaments?
Pros and cons
- Fun way to mix up play
- Try new slot games
- Competitive gameplay element
- Potential for winning prizes
- Timed tournaments can apply pressure
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Three slot games that are perfect for tournament play
While there’s no real way of predicting which slot tournaments a casino will host, or when, there are certain games that we love to see featured as part of a brand’s agenda. Some of our favourite slots for tournament-based play include:
Book of Ra – An iconic slot game that’s perfect for competitive tournament play
Book of Ra
-
RTP:
96
-
Theme:
Mythology
-
Volatility:
high
Novomatic’s Book of Ra slot has been entertaining gamers for years thanks to its Indiana Jones-style graphics, simple gameplay mechanics, and high volatility rating (which means wins are less frequent but potentially bigger when they do happen). It’s these characteristics that make it a great title for tournament-based play, with the potential to pick up plenty of points over the duration of the event.
Buffalo Gold – Awesome bonus features and classic Wild West vibes await
Buffalo Gold
-
RTP:
96
-
Theme:
-
Volatility:
high
We’re not exactly sure why buffalo are so closely linked to online slot games, but one of the best buffalo-based games is Aristocrat’s Buffalo Gold. Part of a multi-game franchise, this popular slot is revered for its exciting bonus features, which include frequent free spins, bonus rounds and retriggers. The classic “BUFFALOOO” call is pure nostalgia for many players, which is why this is one of the best games to play in an online slot tournament.
Deal or No Deal – Play’n GO’s beloved slot game is sure to be a hit with British slot fans
Deal or No Deal
-
RTP:
95
-
Theme:
Movie & TV
-
Volatility:
-
Thanks to the popularity of the hit TV show with the same name, the Deal or No Deal slot is already a firm favourite with UK-based casino players. In terms of gameplay, the Deal or No Deal slot has few similarities to its namesake TV show, but the theme, graphics, and sound effects are all on point. We think bonus features like “Pick a Briefcase” and “Banker Offers” should make it a great choice for tournament-based play, with exciting and varied playthroughs all but guaranteed.
| Slot game |
Reels and rows |
Paylines |
RTP |
Volatility |
| Book of Ra |
5 reels and 3 rows |
9 |
95-96% |
High |
| Buffalo Gold |
5 reels and 4 rows |
1,024 ways to win |
94-96% |
Medium-high |
| Deal or No Deal |
5 reels and 3 rows |
10-20 (version-specific) |
95-96% |
High |
Our recommended UK casino sites for online slot tournaments
If you like the idea of participating in regular online casino slot tournaments, it’s worth noting that some brands do better than others when it comes to this type of event. So, if you’re looking to compete against some of the top reel spinners in the UK, here’s a shortlist of our recommended casino brands that specialise in slot tournaments and contests. Incidentally, these three brands also offer some of the UK’s
best online slots welcome offers
too, so they are definitely worth checking out.
BetMGM – Awesome slot tournaments available every day of the week
BetMGM UK: Pros & Cons
- Wide range of casino games
- Great collection of live casino games
- Great selection of sporting events
- Comprehensive sports betting markets
- Mobile app available
- Small selection of payment methods
BetMGM UK is one of our favourite casino brands for online slot tournaments. It’s currently hosting the Pragmatic Play Drops & Wins event, which offers slot-based contests on a daily and weekly basis, with a massive prize pool worth £2 million available for the top-performing players. Better yet, new players here can grab a generous welcome deal that gives you 200 free spins on Big Bass Splash if you deposit and play £10 on any casino games.
The great thing about the Drops & Wins event at BetMGM is that entry costs just 15p, which is small fry when you consider some of the prizes that are up for grabs. Plus, since this is a Pragmatic Play event, you can get involved by playing any qualifying slot developed by this revered game studio, including beloved titles like Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza.
Betnero – Look out for slot tournaments landing on the Betnero promotions page
Betnero: Pros and Cons
- Excellent rewards program
- UKGC licensing
- Over 1,700 casino games
- Full range of sports covered
Unlike BetMGM, Betnero doesn’t currently have a permanent slot tournament offering. However, don’t let that put you off, as we have encountered regular slot-based contests on the brand’s promotions page previously, so make sure you stop by here often to keep tabs on the latest events. To sweeten that slightly disappointing news, we can tell you that Betnero has a generous welcome bonus, which offers a 100% deposit match up to £300, and 50 free spins.
Betnero offers an excellent range of slot games from a choice range of developers, so when tournaments are advertised, you can bet they’ll be based on exciting titles. Some of our favourite slots to play at Betnero include Mega Moolah, Starburst, Book of Dead, and Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, a couple of which have been the focus of the brand’s slot tournaments in the past.
Betway – Enjoy over 400 slots and regular tournaments
Betway: Pros and Cons
- Wide variety of sports markets available.
- Consistently strong pre‑match odds offered.
- Responsive 24/7 live chat support.
- In‑play odds weaker than pre‑match.
Betway UK boasts over 400 premium slots, so you can look forward to hours of reel-spinning fun across the brand’s diverse range of slot machines. You’ll also get a sweet 150 free spins welcome bonus when you sign up with Betway and play £10 on any slot games, so you can jump straight in and start pulling that “Spin” lever.
As for slot tournaments at Betway, the brand doesn’t have a permanent rotation of events like BetMGM, but it does host some tournaments on its promotions page from time to time. And, since the brand has partnered with top-rated game developers like NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Pragmatic Play, it’s likely that its tournament offering will centre around these popular game providers.
Slot tournaments are a great way to up the ante while spinning the reels
While there’s no doubting that standard slot play is exciting, slot tournaments bring a whole new dimension to your online casino experience. With an added competitive element and the prospect of walking away with a prize, it's no small wonder that some of the UK’s best online casino sites host regular slot tournaments.
Of course, when participating in slot tournaments, you should still stick to your usual gambling habits. These events can encourage fast slot play, so be careful that this doesn’t influence your usual gameplay pattern. Meanwhile, if you'd like to learn more about the different slot tournaments available at sites like BetMGM, Betnero, and Betway, check out the banners around this page.
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Online slot tournaments FAQs
🎰 Can you participate in online slot tournaments in the UK?
Sure you can! Some of the UK’s top-rated casino sites, like BetMGM, Betway, and Betnero, offer regular slot tournaments so that you can participate in exciting contests and events.
💵 Are there free slot tournaments in the UK?
You’ll find something of a mix to be honest. Some slot tournaments in the UK require a buy-in, which gives you a certain number of ‘credits’ to play with, but many events are free to enter, as they typically focus on slot titles the casino site is promoting.
🏆 What sort of prizes can you get playing slot tournaments?
The prizes awarded for slot tournaments depend on the original prize pool and where you place on the overall leaderboard. First-place prizes often include cash rewards, while lower-placed entrants may receive free spins or other perks.
