Let’s face it, we all enjoy getting something for nothing, don’t we? Whether it’s a free coffee, book or meal, a little freebie goes a long way to putting smiles on our faces. Freebies are increasingly par for the course when it comes to the iGaming industry too. If you’re unfamiliar with the iGaming scene – which spans online lottery and casino gaming – free promotions are a great way to get started with zero risk to you. The sector has become a very crowded marketplace, with new operators seemingly popping up monthly. That’s why most new sites commit to free spins on selected slot titles upon sign-up, enticing you to their platform, whilst giving you a risk-free introduction to playing online.
Some slot games are more popular than others when it comes to free spins promotions. Below, we shine a spotlight on the most popular slot games used by online casino operators for free spins awarded to new customers once their accounts are up and running. The hope is that you’ll then be familiar with these free spin slot games, allowing you to take full advantage of the bonuses made available to you.
Starburst
NetEnt’s Starburst slot is one of the longest surviving slot games in the entire iGaming industry. Originally launched in 2012, it’s still just as popular a decade later. This intergalactic-themed slot has stayed on the radar of the newest online casinos due to its simplistic gameplay, which makes it an excellent entry-level game for slot newcomers.
There is only one bonus feature here, with the expanding wilds symbol capable of filling entire reels and unleashing a free respin each time it appears. It’s a low-volatility slot, which means you can expect relatively frequent wins on the reels, although they’re more likely to be smaller in size.
Gonzo’s Quest
Gonzo’s Quest is another immersive video slot from NetEnt, which seems to take the fancy of new slot operators when it comes to free spins. Heavily inspired by the Mayan civilisation, Gonzo’s Quest takes you on a journey with the intrepid explorer, Gonzo. This five-reel slot has 20 paylines – double that of Starburst – and there’s also a three-fold increase in the number of bonus features too.
Like Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest has easily recognisable base game symbols in the reels. All of which are heavily inspired by Mayan artefacts and culture. It’s also been revamped on multiple occasions, with the first iteration not built for mobile devices. The dawn of HTML5 technology transformed the ability to deliver consistent cross-platform user experiences. Its HTML5-based makeover ensures Gonzo’s Quest is now fully responsive for all devices and screen sizes.
Finn and the Swirly Spin
This game is heavily inspired by Irish folklore, with Finn, the friendly lucky Irish leprechaun taking you on a journey across the rolling fields of Ireland. Finn and the Swirly Spin is a much newer slot release than the likes of Starburst, coming to our screens in 2017. It carries a return-to-player (RTP) percentage of 96.62%, which makes it a low-volatility option, although this means you shouldn’t expect to win life-changing sums on this game.
There is a quartet of free spins features, which can be unlocked even with the free spins you receive as a new customer. Just find a key scatter symbol in the middle reel to unlock the Star Bar bonus, with anything from two to five wild symbols added to the reels during seven free games. The Lava Lair, Lucky Mug and Golden Pot free spins features also give you three, four and two free games respectively.
Rainbow Riches
Rainbow Riches is said to be the godfather of Irish-themed video slots. Developed by Barcrest, Rainbow Riches helped set trends in ‘luck of the Irish’-style slot gaming and even inspired elements of Finn and the Swirly Spin that we’ve already mentioned. Many of the leading online casinos use Rainbow Riches for free spins promotions.
There are three enjoyable bonus games waiting to be unlocked. The Road to Riches bonus is triggered by landing three-to-five leprechaun scatter symbols on the reels. It is a wheel-based game that can magnify winnings the further you can advance along the trail. The Wishing Well bonus is a pick-me bonus with win multipliers galore. The Pots of Gold bonus is also a wheel-based feature with bronze, silver or gold multipliers to be won.
Now that you’re familiar with the most popular free spins slots, the next time you claim a sign-up promotion you’ll be able to hit the ground running with those reels!
