News & Insights

As lovers of slots, we’re all fortunate enough to live in a time where a great range of online casinos are available in abundance, each one playing host to both a wide range of captivating slot providers, and games in all forms of creative shapes and sizes. Whilst it can prove somewhat of a mind-boggling affair when browsing for those latest titles to add to your hit list, time and time again we often find ourselves heading back to familiar territory, loading up those classic favourites that have stood the test of time, without losing competitiveness amongst the new generational wave of mechanical offerings. With an almost bottomless pit of slot themes and features at a studio’s disposal, it comes as no surprise that, every so often, a game comes along that doesn’t just grip its audience, but captures it in a net of exciting, dynamic action, heart-pounding potential and whimsical enjoyment, leaving players crying out for more.

This week at Hideous Slots, we had a real clash of the titans – I managed to round up two of our most talented writers, Aisley and Jade, for a quick Q&A session. I asked them questions about life, love, and the future. Pffft… just joking, we spoke about slots, slots and more slots! We wanted to give our beloved community of players a quick insight into how our reviewers tackle writing about their favourite slots. We’re finding out how these two rate online slots, how they hone their process, what each writer looks for, whether they have ever misjudged a new release, and what their guilty pleasures are when it comes to features.

Looking back on the development of slots, there are a few moments where everything changed. Big Time Gaming gave us one of these moments when they introduced the innovative Megaways mechanic.

When Megaways slots first appeared, it redefined what players wanted from a slot. With its dynamic reel setup, Megaways lets players access up to 117,649 ways to win. It also deploys a random reel modifier rather than a set of paylines.

The modifier alters the number of symbols on each reel with every spin. All this combines to add to the excitement and the potential. There are many top Megaways slots to choose from. This blog will highlight 5 must-try Megaways slots that all players should know.

The slots industry has become a global force that is here to stay – this gaming juggernaut has captured the imagination of players with innovative mechanics, fun gameplay, engrossing themes, and an ever-expanding player base. Moving forward, the only logical question to ask at this point is where will the industry take us next? Some trends are emerging within the industry that could impact game providers, operators, and players, which has us wondering if 2026 is going to be a defining year for gambling. With the steady growth of AI, VR, and other elements such as mobile-first gaming, the industry will see big changes, and these will come thick and fast. We’ve grabbed our crystal ball to make big predictions for the slot industry in 2026, and we’re sharing them with you.

As July begins, players can expect a month filled with new slots chock-a-block with big payouts and highly volatile maths models. Over the next few weeks, players will be treated to a variety of new online slots to sample during those long summer evenings, each with unique features but all with one thing in common – their winning potential. One thing players will be eager to know is which of these new titles are going to have bigger payouts than the rest, especially if the rest of their defining features are as enticing. Well, we’re here to answer. This short list is your personal guide to the top 5 highest-paying slots releasing in July 2025.

Nothing fires up the reels better than triggering a free spin bonus – where anticipation, exciting gameplay, and the potential of big rewards collide. As a new player, opting into a free spins bonus can help add to your bankroll, unlock exciting features, and most importantly, entertain you. Whilst free spins are usually exciting, it can feel much more rewarding and engaging when you can use your spins on certain games. We’re going to take you through the best games for your free spins bonuses – from the titles that are most common and popular, to those that are rarer, but exciting nonetheless.

In the competitive and ever-evolving casino industry, there’s a handful of game providers that stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to winning potential. These studios don’t just create games with cute graphics and nice payouts, they produce releases that can award life changing wins to players across the globe. Usually, these payouts go hand in hand with extremely volatile maths models, meaning these titles are capable of making you scream for all the right or all the wrong reasons. Our experts have whittled down four studios with the biggest potential on the markets into this handy list, so if you’re looking for some game inspiration and chasing those huge wins, look no further.

As any player will tell you, the world of casinos is exciting and fast-paced. However, choosing the wrong casino can result in harm to not only your bank balance, but your trust in the industry as a whole. For this reason, players should be extra vigilant when selecting a casino to play at. Although the majority of casinos online are regulated and managed properly, there are some that have distinct red flags – and now our experts are sharing some of the most common ones with you. Let’s cover our top 3 red flags that a player should always look for – and in turn, always avoid.

We’re more than just a casino comparison site; our website exists to review and recommend scores of the best online slots and casinos, but also as a hub for our community members to read the latest reviews, news and chat to each other on our Forum.

As December fast approaches, there are a few things you can be sure of; someone in your neighbourhood will put their Christmas tree up just a little bit too soon, Mariah Carey will be playing on repeat in the local supermarket, and slot providers will get to work incorporating Santa into their upcoming releases.

Ever found yourself hitting a big win at an online casino and then twiddling your thumbs waiting for the payout? We’ve all been there. Thankfully, some payment methods can turn that endless wait into just a couple of hours. That’s right – some options are like the Usain Bolt of the banking world. So, if you’re an avid player at online casinos and eager to get your hands on your winnings ASAP, here are the three best payment methods for a fast payout.

As any player will tell you, the world of casinos is exciting and fast-paced. However, choosing the wrong casino can result in harm to not only your bank balance, but your trust in the industry as a whole. For this reason, players should be extra vigilant when selecting a casino to play at. Although the majority of casinos online are regulated and managed properly, there are some that have distinct red flags – and now our experts are sharing some of the most common ones with you. Let’s cover our top 3 red flags that a player should always look for – and in turn, always avoid.

Every year, the dynamic world of online slots is invigorated by fresh, creative game studios, each bringing their unique flair to the casino floor. It’s these studios that often stand behind the most thrilling and innovative releases, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from the best online slots. As we step into 2024, let’s spotlight three game studios that are not just on the rise but are setting trends and capturing imaginations.

Choosing an online casino can be like finding a needle in a haystack. With so many options, how do you know which is the golden haystack? Don’t worry – I’m here to arm you with the top three things to look out for when selecting an online casino. Get these right, and you’re in for a top-notch gaming experience.

In the competitive and ever-evolving casino industry, there’s a handful of game providers that stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to winning potential. These studios don’t just create games with cute graphics and nice payouts, they produce releases that can award life changing wins to players across the globe. Usually, these payouts go hand in hand with extremely volatile maths models, meaning these titles are capable of making you scream for all the right or all the wrong reasons. Our experts have whittled down four studios with the biggest potential on the markets into this handy list, so if you’re looking for some game inspiration and chasing those huge wins, look no further.

4ThePlayer is one of the gaming industry’s leading ‘challenger brand’ game suppliers with a focus on innovation and player entertainment! Their games include 60 Second Heist, 90k Yeti, 3 Secret Cities and 6 Wild Sharks. Their mission is to create the most exciting games for players with concise, engaging game mechanics and the best math profiles for big-win potential. Using innovation to create new gambling-focused entertainment experiences!

In the world of online casinos, the thrill of snagging a juicy bonus can sometimes lead to a rude awakening. Casinos aren’t just giving away free money – they’re in it to make a profit, and they clamp down hard on bonus abuse. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes, even well-intentioned players can find themselves on the wrong side of the rules without even realising it.

Looking back on the development of slots, there are a few moments where everything changed. Big Time Gaming gave us one of these moments when they introduced the innovative Megaways mechanic.

When Megaways slots first appeared, it redefined what players wanted from a slot. With its dynamic reel setup, Megaways lets players access up to 117,649 ways to win. It also deploys a random reel modifier rather than a set of paylines.

The modifier alters the number of symbols on each reel with every spin. All this combines to add to the excitement and the potential. There are many top Megaways slots to choose from. This blog will highlight 5 must-try Megaways slots that all players should know.

Casinos are exciting places that offer players a rollercoaster ride of bright lights, the sound of tumbling coins, and the hopes of big wins. Be it Las Vegas or a local casino, all casinos should offer players a complete experience. Players should be entertained and feel that they are welcome, in a setting that makes them comfortable and projects a sense of fairness to all who play there. However, this isn’t always the case. Some casinos may be known for poor customer service, whilst others may have a reputation for not offering value to players. Before playing at any casino, check for the following signs that show a casino may not be worth it.

With half of 2025 done and dusted, this seems like the perfect opportunity to look at what the rest of the year has in store for us when it comes to providers and their new releases. Slots players get giddy at the mere mention of new slots. To make life simple, the review team at Hideous Slots has dived into their bag of tricks to see what’s up with some of the best slots we’ll see over the summer of 2025! Don’t make plans or book any holidays just yet (just kidding, you can play on your mobile). Game providers like ELK Studios, Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, and others are lining up to bombard sites with new releases. The team has compiled five online slots that are destined to make a huge impact among UK players in the coming months. What are they? Well, find out in this blog and learn more about these exciting titles.

As lovers of slots, we’re all fortunate enough to live in a time where a great range of online casinos are available in abundance, each one playing host to both a wide range of captivating slot providers, and games in all forms of creative shapes and sizes. Whilst it can prove somewhat of a mind-boggling affair when browsing for those latest titles to add to your hit list, time and time again we often find ourselves heading back to familiar territory, loading up those classic favourites that have stood the test of time, without losing competitiveness amongst the new generational wave of mechanical offerings. With an almost bottomless pit of slot themes and features at a studio’s disposal, it comes as no surprise that, every so often, a game comes along that doesn’t just grip its audience, but captures it in a net of exciting, dynamic action, heart-pounding potential and whimsical enjoyment, leaving players crying out for more.

Hi Bryan and Johan. Congratulations on the success in 2023 so far. We had a great win on your previous release, Treasures of the Dead. Do you think it’s difficult to approach classic themes or mechanics and present them in a new light, or do you think it’s more difficult doing something new?

Provider 4ThePlayer pride themselves on their ethos to build releases with players in mind – listening to both their praise and criticism to grow their brand in the best way possible. After enjoying recent success with releases like 7 Gold Gigablox, 4 Deals With The Devil, and 4 Secret Pyramids, the team are back and are taking us to sin city in 9k Kong in Vegas. We sat down with Geoff Scaplehorn, Product Director at 4ThePlayer.com, to ask him 3 questions about this release.

Providers have been working hard in the past few months to prepare us some exciting releases for this summer, and so far we have a whole host of reasons to be excited. Let’s take a look at what 5 Providers have in store with their upcoming releases, when they should be relaxing in the sunshine in Malta, in this Summer of Slots

We sat down with Andre Villandberg, CEO of Bullshark Games to talk about their latest release, Age of Seth. Known for their bold storytelling and immersive design, Bullshark’s newest title dives deep into myth, mystery, and strategic gameplay. Andre gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, the challenges of development, and what players can expect as they step into the ancient world of Age of Seth.

Alice WonderLuck is BGaming’s latest release, drawing inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s classic novel. Alice in Wonderland has inspired many slots, but BGaming are hoping that their offering stands out. 

Alice WonderLuck is a highly volatile slot with an impressive 10,000x win cap, and a respectable score of 3.8/5 when it was reviewed on Fruity Slots. 

Today, Yana Drabianok, Game Designer at BGaming, will talk about Alice WonderLuck to shed light on how it works and why it’s an exciting release.

Relax Gaming’s release Ancient Tumble is highly regarded as one of the best in the series so far, and perhaps even one of their most popular games to date. With core elements of past games and the inclusion of modern popular features, Ancient Tumble stands out as a feature-rich slot with undeniable appeal. 

This week at Hideous Slots, we had a real clash of the titans – I managed to round up two of our most talented writers, Aisley and Jade, for a quick Q&A session. I asked them questions about life, love, and the future. Pffft… just joking, we spoke about slots, slots and more slots! We wanted to give our beloved community of players a quick insight into how our reviewers tackle writing about their favourite slots. We’re finding out how these two rate online slots, how they hone their process, what each writer looks for, whether they have ever misjudged a new release, and what their guilty pleasures are when it comes to features.

“Reader beware…you’re in for a scare.” Quite possibly the most iconic line of my childhood that, arguably, began a lifetime-love of all things haunting and horror. There was nobody else quite like R.L. Stein that could take childhood fears, play with young emotions and create a series of books so daunting and yet entertaining as Goosebumps. As years progressed, I would find myself being drawn in more and more to the horror genre; always looking for a scarier movie, a spookier costume at Halloween, a more haunting location to visit and explore. Now, of course, horror certainly isn’t for everyone, but the hidden beauty of fear is that a tone can be set within the genre to cater for individual limits. Take Halloween for example…traditionally a once-a-year night, dedicated to enabling children to dress up in exaggerated, often humorous, ghoul-ish costumes and eat a year’s worth of sugar in a matter of hours. It has only been in more recent years that the haunting holiday has began edging toward a more adult nature, seeing the opening of terrifying scare mazes and paranormal events, growing in popularity year after year.

If there’s one mechanic that we see time and time again, it’s the ‘book’ mechanic. Nearly every studio has tried their hand at a book game; that is, a game where special symbols can expand and pay anywhere on the reels. Now, Push Gaming are getting in on the action, combining their flagship mechanics and features with the classic allure of the book game to bring us Big Bam-Book. We sat down with Jack Marshall, Junior Game Producer at Push Gaming, to ask him some questions about this release.

With thousands of slots available on the market, favourite releases vary from player to player, but when you limit this to a shorter period of time, it’s much easier to get an understanding of some of the most popular releases out there – if not the most popular. This year, we put this theory to the test by offering the Hideous Slots Community a chance to vote on their Slot of the Year 2022, and we’re excited to announce that Push Gaming are taking home this prize with a Big Bamboo landslide victory – more than 400 votes ahead of our second place.

Big Time Gaming are known worldwide for being an incredibly volatile Provider. Indeed, we have seen both the good and the bad of some of their previous releases. This year comes the “most volatile” slot in their entire 10 year history – Wild Flower.

In any online space, there are topics that divide the community. From pineapple on pizza to whether there are more doors or wheels in the world, people will find frivolous things to debate on a nearly daily basis. But some debates stand the test of time, and it can feel like when you read the latest discourse you’ve been here a hundred times before.

Relax Gaming are bringing us their newest release in May 2021: Book of 99. This is one game that players worldwide will be talking about, though, with one enticing feature – a 99% RTP. But how will a 99% RTP affect individual players on a daily basis.

Book games have been some of the most popular online slot concepts since they first made their way into the online slots world. With a straightforward concept and the possibility for huge wins, to this day players still find comfort in the simplicity of these releases. Whilst these releases usually go hand in hand with an Egyptian theme, sometimes a provider goes in a different directions and now it’s ESA Gaming that are pushing the boat out (pun intended) to combine the much-loved pirate theme with this famed mechanic. We sat down with Josefin Uppeke, Head of Game Production at ESA Gaming, to chat some more about this release and the future of the studio.

We’re celebrating a huge leap for DreamSpin as their debut release Buzz Thrill hits our screens. Releasing as a Sky Vegas exclusive, Buzz Thrill hits the market on 26th September for the first time, marking a milestone in this studio’s journey. Buzz Thrill is DreamSpin’s first release, and the studio is the first to be founded by slot streamers. Hideous Slots’ Will Barnes and Fruity Slots’ Josh Green and Jamie Rosen founded DreamSpin with the belief that they could use their extensive experience and valuable insights as streamers and enthusiasts to create games that players wanted. Their deep understanding of the gaming community and their passion for it has driven the development of Buzz Thrill. Buzz Thrill was crafted with communities like Hideous Slots and Fruity Slots in mind, and this is just the beginning for this team – they’re committed to creating games that always put players first, with plenty more on the horizon.

One of the most divisive aspects of online gambling are the stakes players feel comfortable at. Often, players cannot relate to the stakes they do not choose, labelling those stakes unrealistic. But does the stake you choose actually affect your play?

Do hot or cold slots really exist? Should we choose the games we play based upon previous experiences we have had? Does this affect our future play? Lets explore what it means for a slot to feel like it streaks, and if slots really can go hot or cold.

Sometimes, when we watch streams, it feels as though the streamers always win. This has us convinced they have luck that we don’t, and something that is making their experience better than ours. But is it just luck, or is it the infamous Streamer RTP?

Players are opting to keep their gambling transactions separate from their regular finances, with the help of e-Wallets, particularly Skrill. Let’s take a look at what Skrill offers users, including Loyalty and VIP Rewards, from a safe and regulated platform

Evolution are set to release a new feature aimed at improving the experience of slot players – Spin Gifts. Similar to jackpots and cash drops mechanics with a new twist, Spin Gifts offers players free spins on participating slot games, triggered randomly. When triggered, the Spin Gifts wheel will appear, allowing players to spin it and be awarded up to 100 free spins. These will be regular base game spins played at no cost, rather than entry into any bonus game on offer. Most importantly of all, any spins awarded from the Spin Gifts wheel will be awarded on the initial game stake – trigger the wheel on a €2 bet, and trigger up to 100 spins on €2.

If there’s one mechanic that has dominated the online slots industry, it’s the ‘fishing’ mechanic. Over the years, dozens of studios have tried their hand at offering a game where the main goal is to collect cash values, and the popularity of these releases doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

In this ever-growing industry, you would think we would see new mechanics weekly, but change isn’t always so simple. With some of the most popular slots having been on the market for years, it can sometimes feel that everything that will be done has been done. Still, many teams are working behind the scenes to come up with something fresh and unique, a way to keep players as interested in their product as possible; and the result is that we still get to reap the rewards of these fresh ideas.

When we think of a fishing slot, most of us would consider Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, due to its age and continued popularity. However, it’s not just this specific game which proves popular – one of the most well liked concepts in the iGaming industry is that of a fishing game. Nearly 8 years ago, we were introduced to the first fishing game – the start of a snowball effect. The time which has passed since only serves to prove this popularity even further. Of course, we’re talking about Fishin’ Frenzy, by Reel Time Gaming – the original. A fairly simple concept, Fishin’ Frenzy was set on 5×3 reels, with 10 fixed win lines. What made Fishin’ Frenzy unique from the releases already on the market, however, was the fish and fisherman symbols added to the reels – land at least one fish symbol with a fisherman in view, and he will reel the cash value attached to the fish in, and add it to the total win for your spin.

Making an online slot isn’t as easy as many might think. As players, we often think it’s just about making a game that can give players big wins, but there’s much more to it than that. You have to be able to create something that feels exciting – even when you don’t win, and even when you’re playing on the minimum stake after making a small deposit.

For first time gamblers, it can seem overwhelming to consider the different aspects of gambling. Slots can break down into many different categories alone, and we also have Table Games. There are bonuses, wagering, bonus restrictions, stakes, and a variety of options that set each casino apart from the rest. In this guide, we’ll look at how you can approach gambling, if you choose to, in the safest way, and with the information you need to make sure you fully understand the decisions you will make.

It has been 3 years since GAMSTOP Self Exclusion went live, which has quickly become one of the most helpful resources for players struggling with gambling within the UK. Let’s look at GAMSTOP, and what players can expect to happen upon registration.

It’s that time of the year again; frost is starting to form, Christmas lights are twinkling and the smell of cinnamon follows you everywhere you go – from candles, lattes and potpourri. More importantly though, it’s around this time that we get a glimpse into the views of players across the iGaming sector as many websites, including ours, host awards, giving their community a chance to vote for their favourites from the year past.

It’s awards season in the iGaming industry as we wrap up another fantastic year filled with innovation, creativity and excitement. These awards often come from panels of judges and organisations looking to honour those in the industry that they believe lead the charge, but often players get involved too. Each year, like many other online affiliate websites, we ask our Hideous Slots community to share their thoughts on the previous year with us. This helps the many studios working in this industry to get some feedback and thoughts from players as well as their esteemed colleagues.

Let’s face it, when it comes to slot bonuses, we all love the thrill of the chase. That feeling of anticipation as we click the spin button, watching the reels spin, and hoping that this time, maybe just this time, we’ll hit that coveted bonus. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How big is a big bonus?”

Gambling online can be a whirlwind of excitement, but let’s not forget it’s also a financial activity. To keep that thrill alive without breaking the bank, savvy spending is key. It’s all about balance – enjoying the highs of gaming while keeping your wallet in check. Let’s walk through some smart budgeting tips for online gambling.

If you aren’t familiar with the work of Print Gaming, they are the team behind the innovative and quirky Royal Potato, and Out of the Ice – the latter of which has been our only max win to date during a stream, making it one of our favourites. Now the team are back again with Huntress Wild Vengeance – a highly volatile release with win potential up to 20,000x bet. We sat down with Carl Wiggman, CEO of Print Studios, to ask 3 of our most pressing questions about this new release.

4ThePlayer are a provider that have established themselves as just that – for the player. By offering features based upon feedback and their own experience as players, the team are trying to bring us releases that we will enjoy, but that are a little bit different. Their most recent release, 10x Rewind, offers players the first chance ever to travel back in time in a slot game – wherein we can see the wins we can expect from a feature before they’ve even happened, giving us anticipation and hope for multipliers to improve upon these wins.

Print Studios have rapidly evolved from a lesser-known developer to a standout name; first coming onto the scene with Book of Destiny, which subtly but effectively stood out with its differences from the regular ‘book-game’ format. Since then, Print Studios have marched onwards with a steadfast determination to stick by their ambition and make gambling more fun than it ever was. Each project they work on is ambitious, and their determination to make a difference is unshakeable. One particularly interesting element of some of Print Studios’ releases is the element of gamification in releases like Reapers, Cash Defense and Eldritch Dungeon. Gamification aims to incorporate game design elements – or video game-like features – into the world of slots. Gamification is something rarely attempted, and difficult to pull off, as we’re sure Print Studios would agree. We had the pleasure of talking to Carl Wiggman, CEO of Print Studios, to find out the inspiration behind some of these titles and why gamification is so interesting to them.

Push Gaming’s notable ‘fat’ series is continuing once more with Fat Banker, a highly volatile release featuring wins available up to 25,000x bet. We sat down with Serhii Pisotskyi, Game Producer at Push Gaming, to speak about this upcoming release.

Here at Hideous Slots, we’re more than just a casino and slot review site; we pride ourselves on having a fantastic community of gambling enthusiasts from all walks of life. This community was forged through our YouTube channel where Will, our founder, live streamed slots for a number of years. As we have grown, so too has our team and our connections, and now we work closely with Fruity Slots, another YouTube channel offering live streaming content. We sat down with Scotty and Aisley, streamers for Hideous Slots and Fruity Slots, to get their opinion on the slots released so far this year, and find out a little more about their favourite games and studios. Read what they had to say, and check them out on YouTube – live streaming the latest releases 6 nights per week.

There are countless studios releasing a huge number of games per year, giving players more choices than we’ve ever had before. One example of this is Wizard Games; the studio behind titles such as Wynmor’s Tales, Surtr’s Fury and Catchin’ Fortunes. Promising to combine time-tested recipes with innovative ideas, Wizard Games have scores of games in their catalogue, covering a variety of themes and mechanics to suit every player. We sat down with Mattias Nilsson, Director of Games Studio at Wizard Games, to chat to him some more about their latest releases, and what is next for this studio.

Jackpot King continues to change the lives of players across the sector, offering 3 different jackpot prizes, with the highest “Jackpot King” pot often being in excess of 1 million pounds. Now, the legendary progressive jackpot, pioneered by Blueprint Gaming, is being combined with their Prize Lines™ mechanic 

We’ve all dreamt of hitting the jackpot, but for each of us that means something different. When we consider online slots the jackpots available are capable, and succeeding, at changing lives continually. Jackpot slots are varied, but the most popular are progressive jackpots, with incredible prizes available

Just under 3 years since the release of Jammin’ Jars, Push Gaming are promising us a new release that has the potential to blow its’ predecessor out of the water. Jammin’ Jars 2 is coming in June 2021, but what should we expect from this new release?

Join us live for the launch of King of Cats Megaways Playerselect™, Big Time Gaming’s latest release, which offers players two game modes to choose from, with multiplying wild reels, a roaming multiplying wild, incrementing multipliers, and wins of more than 56,000x available in one spin

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that players love a feature-heavy release. At a time when volatility is at an all time high in the online slot industry, so too are the number of bonus options, feature spins, and mechanics on offer in each new release. Yggdrasil Gaming, one of the biggest names in this industry, have teamed up with Casino Grounds for their first collaborative project, and it fits perfectly into this category. Max Elements GigaBlox introduces us to Max, a wizard possessing the power to tamper with the elements. Boasting four modifier symbols, two bonus choices, a super free spins round, and feature spins, there’s plenty in Max Elements to keep every kind of player entertained. We sat down with Marcin Tomala, Senior Game Designer at Yggdrasil Gaming, to ask him some burning questions about this release.

Relax Gaming have recently released Money Train 3 – the latest in the series that has proved one of the most popular advances in the industry in general, but specifically for this team. Players and peers alike have remarked since release that Money Train 3 is as close to a perfect as you can expect from a sequel, so we know nearly all the questions have been answered by now. Still, we put 3 of our most pressing questions to Callum Sultana, Relax Gaming’s Game Product Owner, who was kind enough to answer them.

Nothing fires up the reels better than triggering a free spin bonus – where anticipation, exciting gameplay, and the potential of big rewards collide. As a new player, opting into a free spins bonus can help add to your bankroll, unlock exciting features, and most importantly, entertain you. Whilst free spins are usually exciting, it can feel much more rewarding and engaging when you can use your spins on certain games. We’re going to take you through the best games for your free spins bonuses – from the titles that are most common and popular, to those that are rarer, but exciting nonetheless.

We know that for players, multipliers are one of the most exciting features to find in a new release -promising to elevate gameplay and winning values to higher levels. These, combined with the scatter pays mechanic, result in some of the most popular releases on the market. Now Slammer Studios are joining in the fun as they bring us Mystic Multipliers – a captivating adventure that promises enchantment, enhancers and a magical druid to help you on your way. We sat down with Lloyd Roberts, Head of Studio at Slammer Studios, to chat to him and find out some more about this release.

Gamblers in the UK will be hit with more changes this year as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the regulatory body that oversees all casinos and betting sites operating in the United Kingdom, have introduced a new stake limit for online slots. In a press release issued today, the UKGC have announced that for the first time stake limits will be introduced to online slot games in September 2024. This includes a lower limit for younger adults aged 18-24 in the government’s continued efforts to roll out measures to protect players from gambling harms.

Nolimit City are one of the driving forces behind creativity in the iGaming sector of 2021, with the team continuing to push the boundaries of what we know, paving the way for wins capable of changing players lives. One of the most innovative elements of the Nolimit City catalogue are their mechanics available to facilitate the wins we know these releases are capable of

When we load up a new slot game, there is often a real expectation for something to happen quickly. Many of us will only give a new game a handful of spins before deciding to move on, and we want to see something that catches our interest. In the UK, with the introduction of slower spin speeds and the removal of autoplay, lots of players want to find the easiest slots to bonus.

There are hundreds of online casinos for players in the UK to choose from, each boasting their own special features or perks that promise to give you an experience you won’t forget.

The slots industry has become a global force that is here to stay – this gaming juggernaut has captured the imagination of players with innovative mechanics, fun gameplay, engrossing themes, and an ever-expanding player base. Moving forward, the only logical question to ask at this point is where will the industry take us next? Some trends are emerging within the industry that could impact game providers, operators, and players, which has us wondering if 2026 is going to be a defining year for gambling. With the steady growth of AI, VR, and other elements such as mobile-first gaming, the industry will see big changes, and these will come thick and fast. We’ve grabbed our crystal ball to make big predictions for the slot industry in 2026, and we’re sharing them with you.

What would you do if you won 1 million euros? It’s a conversation we’ve all had, sitting around a dinner table with friends as we dream about which supercars we would buy, or which Spanish town would make the perfect holiday home location. For online slot enthusiasts, progressive jackpots have long served as the bridge between this dream and our reality, offering life changing sums of money to those in the right place at the right time – or should we say, those on the right spin at the right time.

Relax Gaming have today announced one of the biggest launches so far in the history of the company – the studio and aggregator, founded in 2010 with the goal of simplifying B2B content delivery for the modern iGaming landscape, is adding a five-tiered progressive jackpot to their portfolio. Designed to revolutionise slot gameplay, Dream Drop Jackpots offers players the biggest must-hit jackpot to date.

It’s Safer Gambling Week this week, which is an initiative to promote safer gambling in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Running from 1-7 November 2021, Safer Gambling Week aims to start a conversation and encourage players to know how to gamble safely, the tools available to assist this and the resources available should they require help. Gambling is a form of entertainment that you pay for. This means that you are handing over money for something which should be fun, and which will last for a finite length of time – like buying a cinema ticket.

It’s not often a truly groundbreaking slot sequel hits the market, no matter how many times it’s tried. Creating the perfect sequel is a delicate balancing act, with teams focusing on upgrading features, offering better potential and improving audiovisuals to create something that feels worth of its name. One studio who have been trying their hand at this are Nolimit City, who have released Fire in the Hole 2, a few RIP titles such as Tombstone RIP and Deadwood RIP, and who are now bringing us the most hotly anticipated sequel of the year – San Quentin 2: Death Row. We sat down with Per Lindheimer, Head of Product at Nolimit City, to find out some more about this release, the team’s approach and how it compares to their RIP releases.

If you’re a regular player on slots, it can be tough to understand all of the symbols out there. When playing on the casino floor or visiting your favourite online casino, you can’t help but take a moment to stop and admire the symbols of each slot. Slot symbols are often colourful and flamboyant and can make or break a slot. But have you ever taken the time to stop and ask what these symbols mean? Don’t worry, help is at hand in this three-minute breakdown! This simple guide will cover all the famous slot symbols.

Let’s take a look at the different kind of slots available to players, and what really makes them different, along with how our RTP affects us in our day to day playing. How does volatility affect our play, and does anyone ever really win the Jackpot?

Branded slot games are some of the most popular on the market, but they’re also some of the most difficult to get right. When you combine the entertainment of online gambling with imagery that players already know and love, striking the perfect balance isn’t easy. Players have high expectations, and studios often walk a fine line between doing too much and not enough. BGaming are one of the latest studios to step up to this challenge, transforming the iconic Snoop Dogg into a vibrant and engaging slot release, Snoop Dogg Dollars. We sat down with Alexandr Shavel, Product Owner at BGaming, to chat some more about this project, and how the team brought this legend to life on the reels.

On Wednesday 14th July 2021, I’ll be live streaming the launch of Spicy Meatballs Megaways and I’m so excited to actually be a part of this new game. That’s right, not only am I teaming up with Big Time Gaming to bring you the launch, I also provide all the sound samples included in the game! If you’re ever feeling a little lonely – wishing Hideous Slots were there to cheer you up, firing up Spicy Meatballs will transport you to Hideous Slots’ Italian kitchen.

It’s always good news for players when rumours start floating about a sequel to their favourite online slot. This year, the PearFiction Studios team become the latest group to revisit their past and bring us another helping of a popular title, with Squealin’ Riches 2. Packed full of features and offering jackpot prizes, this upcoming release promises an abundance of features and an impressive maximum win. We sat down with Hayden Zwart, Creative Director at PearFiction Studios, to ask him about this eagerly anticipated game, its features and mechanics, creative freedoms, and what’s next.

Barcelona-based slot game studio Amigo Gaming is globally renowned for providing players with not only the highest quality products, but titles boasting fresh and captivating features along with audience values close in mind. With a rich catalogue of both mobile-enhanced and desktop options already at the team’s disposal, that list continues to rapidly expand with a whole host of new exciting and diverse titles soon to hit our screens. The latest game, Thunder and Love, offers a pop-culture take on Greek mythology, two themes very popular within the gaming industry, and we’ve taken the time to chat with Amigo Gaming’s Head Of Marketing, Rodrigo Curi, to find out all of the inspiration and insights behind the team’s latest creation.

Every month, dozens of new releases hit the online slots market from scores of game studios. Within these releases are a variety of new mechanics, features and themes, each immersing us into a new world every time we press spin.

As July begins, players can expect a month filled with new slots chock-a-block with big payouts and highly volatile maths models. Over the next few weeks, players will be treated to a variety of new online slots to sample during those long summer evenings, each with unique features but all with one thing in common – their winning potential. One thing players will be eager to know is which of these new titles are going to have bigger payouts than the rest, especially if the rest of their defining features are as enticing. Well, we’re here to answer. This short list is your personal guide to the top 5 highest-paying slots releasing in July 2025.

Like it or not, slots and mobile gaming are now a huge part of the entertainment world. However, it’s slots specifically that offer players the unique thrill of easy-to-play games combined with the potential of prizes and big wins. The beauty of playing on mobile is that it doesn’t matter if a player is waiting in line at the local bakery, slumming it on the couch on a rainy afternoon, or stuck on the bus or tube. There are thousands of top slot games a touch of the screen away. Any slots player with a mobile has a gateway to a world of thrills and spills, and it only takes a moment to load the best slots and play. Check out our list of the five best slots players can spin on while on the go below.

Like cinema, slots can entertain and thrill. Both give us interesting storylines, memorable characters, multiple genres, and we never know what going to happen next! Arguably, movies and slots have many elements in common. So, it’s only logical that both would cross over and give us popular slots based on our favourite movies. Movie-themed slot machines have become increasingly popular over the last decade or so, and providers and game studios are always on the lookout for the next big thing when it comes to adapting the latest blockbuster for the reels. The reason that online slots based on movies are so popular and work on all levels is that the association with the movies adds an extra layer to the player experience. The chosen slot becomes a cinematic spectacle that the player can relate to. Seeing their heroes on the reels can be akin to having posters on your bedroom wall – this is probably why we all can relate to this type of online slot. There are lots of these slots to choose from, and in this Hideous Slots blog, we’ve hand-picked 5 of the most legendary blockbuster movie slot games that still attract players today.

The online gaming industry is one that is constantly growing and evolving. Every year, studios work to put out the most innovative, exciting and visually impressive releases possible. This year, Realistic Games showcased this innovation with Top Tenner. Offering a thrilling experience that promises to fuse classic charm with modern excitement, Top Tenner’s standout mechanic is the ‘win again’ feature, where players have the opportunity to be awarded their last ten wins again. We sat down with Raj Varadarajah, Game Producer at Realistic Games, to chat to him some more about this new release.

One of the most important aspects of gambling online is being aware of the licensing body within your jurisdiction – who are they, and more importantly – what do they do? Having this information to hand can be useful for a number of reasons, not the least of which is recognising a reputable casino when you see one, and knowing exactly where you can visit to find the relevant licensing restrictions – that is, the code of conduct any casino licensed by this body must adhere to in order to retain their license. Failure to adhere to conditions can lead to any number of consequences for operators, including hefty fines, a license suspension, or in the worst case scenario – a complete removal of license.

Yggdrasil Gaming are one of the most recognisable names in the online slot industry, releasing scores of their own games every year and acting as an aggregator for a number of other studios to release their games. Their catalogue is a diverse one, exploring a range of themes and features to suit a variety of players. Their latest release, Valley of the Dead, delves into an atmospheric world where players can reap the souls of fortune. Introducing new GEMs BoltLock and OnlyWins, Valley of the Dead delivers thrilling mechanics and immersive visuals – just the right balance of innovation and familiarity. We sat down with Jose Simon Kadala, Commercial Director at Yggdrasil Gaming, to chat some more about this release.

Continuing their legendary world tour, and with the thunder of Olympus echoing on the horizon, we sat down with Marcin Tomala, Senior Game Designer at Yggdrasil Gaming to discuss the long-awaited sequel Vikings Go To Olympus. With the Vikings heading on yet another adventure, we’re keen to understand the long-lasting appeal of the Norse-inspired player favourite series. Here we explore the innovative mechanics awaiting fans in Vikings Go To Olympus and dive into how the team consistently injects fresh energy into this beloved saga.

Every year, scores of companies and websites in the iGaming industry host their awards, hoping to showcase what they believe to be the best releases of the year. Whilst in many cases this is decided by a panel of judges, in others players vote to determine the winners. Here at Hideous Slots, we put the control in our readers and viewers hands, allowing them to vote for what they believe to be the best of the best – good old democracy. After Big Bamboo from Push Gaming won in 2022 and Holy Hand Grenade from Print Studios took the title in 2023, we’re pretty confident our community know what they’re talking about, and now we’re giving them even more choices this year.

However, you shouldn’t forget that when you accept a bonus you’re accepting the bonus policy and terms and conditions that come alongside it. One of the most common terms is wagering, which will be attached to nearly every bonus you have available to you as a UK player.

We all want to beat the wagering when we are awarded a bonus by a Casino, but is there a strategic way to approach these requirements? Let’s take a look at which games are widely regarded as the “best” for play within wagering, and which slots don’t contribute

With such an abundance of online slot games out there, currently at our disposal, each title differs from the last, in some shape or form, from their intrinsic mechanics and in-game features to overall volatility and potential. It may all feel like a bit of a minefield, as a player, when trying to decide on where to place your hard-earned stakes and, whilst it may feel easier to simply fall back on your go-to favourites, quite often sampling something a little different can go a long way… So, what about when you’re not actually playing slots but, instead, watching them Yep, a good old, hearty slot stream, where thousands of eyes are glued to a screen for 3 hours of spinning reels, cascading clusters, countless bonus teases and more ups and downs than a jack-in-a-box glued to the back of a racehorse…all in the hope of sending viewers off to bed satisfied and achieving a bit of profit for good measure. An effective slot stream is all about a mixture of informative content, great entertainment and a wide variety of games played; the latter two arguably being key since playing slots and simply watching them can be very different kettles of fish, so what must be considered when deciding upon an entertaining, stream-worthy slot to play in front of an audience? We’ve outlined some of the core factors that, we believe, make for a perfect mix of, both, easy viewing and excitable potential when it comes to selecting games to present to our viewers.

We all want to know the best approach to slots, because we all want to win. Is there a method to approach the risk to ensure that we win big, and are there certain slots that pay better than others? Let’s have a look at whether the variance of the games we choose affects the potential

This year, Push Gaming brought us one of the most highly anticipated sequels in the online slot industry. Revisiting one of their flagship releases from 2018, Wild Swarm, this team took care to keep all the strong and well-loved mechanics whilst enhancing overall gameplay and offering us some new features.

Nolimit City’s xWays Hoarder xSplit has made not just 1, but 9 players very happy just 24 hours after release, by paying out the maximum available win of 11,030x bet to each of these players. Let’s take a look at the replay of one of these bonuses, triggered from just 3 scatters and 7 bunker raid spins