Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino snagged the title of 'Best Locals Casino' in 2008, awarded by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. And with 2,405 slot machines, it's easy to see why. The casino also offers a host of bonuses, promotions and free slot play. The Orleans – Las Vegas, Nevada This popular destination houses 2,525 slot machines. The best Las Vegas Casino for slots includes the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino offering well over 1,700 slot machines including everything from high limits to progressive and penny slots, the Wynn and Encore casinos combined offer 2,195 slots, while the Palms Casino have over 1,300 slots.
If you want to play slot machines in America, there’s nowhere quite like Las Vegas. Home to some of the biggest and best casinos in the world, let alone in the United States, Las Vegas is virtually synonymous with gambling.
And yet, many players who finally make it out to Vegas are overwhelmed by the sheer number of machines. How is a newbie in this town supposed to know which Vegas slot machines are the best and where to play them?
That’s why I’m here! I’ve been to Vegas a few times, but I’ve also spun the reels in lots of casinos across the states, in the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, and at The Hippodrome Casino in London, so I know my way around most land-based slot machines.
From all of the slots that I have played and researched for this post, these are the top slots in Vegas. If you’re in Sin City, make sure you check these out.
The Top Five Slot Machines in Las Vegas
Before I give you the lowdown on each of the top five slots in Vegas, there are a few things you should understand. These are concepts which experienced slots players will already be familiar with, so it’s been written with beginner players in mind. Still, even if you’ve spun the reels more times than you can remember, this could be a good refresher for you.
- RTP – This is the payback rate of a slot machine. It’s an acronym for “Return to Player.” For example, a slot with an RTP of 96% generally pays back $0.96 out of every $1 wagered on it.
- Volatility – This determines how frequently a slot machine will pay and how big the wins are likely to be when it does. Low volatility slots pay smaller wins more often, and high volatility slots pay larger wins after longer losing streaks. Here’s a more in-depth article on slot volatility and variance if you’re interested in learning more about these concepts.
- Progressive Jackpot – Most of you will already know that a jackpot is the biggest win a machine can pay. A progressive jackpot is a collective jackpot often contributed to by multiple casinos. For example, every spin on Megabucks slot (which you’ll hear about below) contributes to the Megabucks progressive jackpot. This is why these jackpots can grow so huge.
Now, let’s shift focus and look at some of the best slot machines in Las Vegas.
1. Wheel of Fortune
The first Wheel of Fortune slot was released way back in 1966, and they’ve been a player favorite ever since. You’ll find them in most of the top Las Vegas casinos.
There are two dozen Wheel of Fortune slot machines, and which one(s) you’ll have access to depends on the casino you play at. They all have larger than average jackpots, though, and players are attracted to the money-wheel features.
Just like in the TV game show, you can access a bonus round which gives you the chance to spin a money wheel for cash prizes. If you’re lucky, a Wheel of Fortune slot machine will rain money down on you. These slots have made instant millionaires out of many hundreds of people over the years.
2. Triple Red Hot 7s
Some players don’t like lots of fancy bonus rounds and extra features, they just want to spin the reels, attempt to win jackpots, and enjoy themselves.
If this describes you, Triple Red Hot 7s is for you. It’s an incredibly simple game with an old-school feel. It has three reels and is a high-volatility machine, meaning the wins tend to be explosive when they do come.
That’s not to say that this slot has absolutely no features. It does dish out free games, and some variants have game multipliers which can triple wins. Ask the casino attendant if they offer Triple Red Hot 7s and get started spinning ASAP.
3. Double Jackpot
One of Bally Technologies’ best slot machines, this one will also appeal to players who enjoy classic slot games. You’ll see all the familiar fruit machine symbols on the reels, like cherries, bells, bars, and 7s which can appear as singles, doubles, or triple 7 combos.
Double Jackpot slot can pay big wins. Five Double Jackpot game symbols across the reels pay 50,000. Just landing a Double Jackpot symbol in a regular winning combination can win you multipliers of up to 16x.
This is a simple, no-frills slot machine. You just need to sit, spin, and hopefully win. It’s a Vegas casino favorite!
4. The Monte Carlo
There’s no doubt that the Monte Carlo slot machine is one of the most interesting looking slots ever created. These machines stand taller than the average person, and since you’ll be sitting down to play it at most Vegas casinos, they seem huge.
Monte Carlo slots offer free spins and multipliers, but the main feature of these slots is the roulette wheel above the reels. If you land a Monte Carlo Spin symbol, you’ll get a spin on it. Each pocket has different win amounts in it, and one of them will award the Super Jackpot if you’re lucky.
This unique blend of slot machine crossed with roulette has made this one of the most popular land-based games of all time. I strongly suggest you check it out. Don’t expect to enter the roulette wheel feature too often, and do walk away if you experience a big win.
5. Megabucks
Now we come to the slot machine of all Vegas slot machines, the one that could change your life forever. Before I begin, let me whet your appetite with some of the biggest Megabucks jackpots of all time.
- In 1998, a retired flight attendant played $300 on Megabucks at Palace Station and won $27.5 million.
- Elmer Sherwin, a WWII airman, won $4.6 million on Megabucks at the Mirage in 1989. Lady Luck visited him a second time when he won $21.1 million playing the same slot machine at the Cannery Casino a couple of decades later.
- A 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles won the biggest Megabucks jackpot to date when he scooped $39.7 million at the Excalibur in 2003.
You can read about more Megabucks slot jackpots here.
You can expect some free spins during gameplay, but look out for the Megabucks symbols. They can award multipliers of up to x5, and if you’re lucky enough to get them straight across a payline, you can win the Megabucks progressive jackpot. It’s this jackpot that made the above players filthy rich in a few seconds flat.
Where to Play the Best Las Vegas Slot Machines
This article wouldn’t be complete without an overview of which Las Vegas casinos are best for slots players. There’s no doubt that you’ll have plenty of choice in Las Vegas, but you’ll find that these casinos offer the best slots in town.
The Bellagio
Arguably the most famous casino in Las Vegas, the Bellagio has 2,300 gaming machines including slots and video poker games. Several of its machines offer progressive jackpots, and it also hosts regular slots tournaments with prizes worth up to $2 million.
MGM Grand
With 2,500 slot machines spread across this massive casino, this could be considered a slot player’s paradise. The MGM Grand offers popular machines like Heidi’s BeerHaus, 88 Fortunes, and Frogger: Get Hoppin’. You can play penny slots for $0.01 per spin, or you can wager up to $1,000 per spin on some of the MGM high limit slots.
Treasure Island
Another slots mecca, Treasure Island has 2,200 electronic gaming machines to choose from. Many of these are slot machines, but they also include video poker and keno. Visit the Link Lounge to play 80 progressive jackpot slots for a chance to win the biggest jackpots in Vegas.
Caesars Palace
This casino is associated with Las Vegas in the minds of many tourists. It has a massive floor boasting thousands of gaming machines, including some of the best Vegas slots as well as video poker and keno. If you’re looking for a particular game, the Caesars Palace website has a cool tool called the Slot Finder. Check it out if you ever find yourself in this Las Vegas casino.
Mandalay Bay
No, I’m not being paid by MGM Resorts to promote its casinos, several of which are on this list. They just happen to be some of the best casinos in Las Vegas, so I had to include them here. Mandalay Bay offers thousands of machines including The Goonies, Sphinx 4D, Texas Tea Pinball, and lots of others. Several of the slots listed above are available here including Wheel of Fortune, Monte Carlo, and Megabucks.
How to Win Slots in Vegas
I know you’re in Vegas to have some fun first and foremost, but wouldn’t it be awesome if you could come home with a massive jackpot, too? I can’t provide you with any surefire way to win Vegas slot machines, but I can give you a few pointers on how to win more often.
Forget Finding Loose Slots
When I first started playing slot machines, I wasted lots of time trying to find loose slot machines. What’s a loose slot machine? The idea is that it’s a machine that’s ready to pay anytime.
Slots players have different methods for finding loose slot machines. Some believe in playing after observing another player spin the reels for a long time without success. Others believe in playing a test amount of $10 or $20, and if they’re breaking events, they think this is a signal that the slot may pay soon.
I don’t believe in loose slots. I know that modern slot machines are controlled by Random Number Generators. The machine will not pay until the algorithm spits out the right number at the right time. There’s absolutely no telling when that might be, so just sit down, spin, and have some fun! If Lady Luck arrives, she arrives, and if not, there’s nothing you can do about it.
New Slot Machines In Vegas
Don’t Play Progressive Slots at the Start
I know that most of the top Vegas slots I mentioned above are progressive jackpot games. I also know that the temptation of a Megabucks jackpot can be too much to turn away from. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t play progressive jackpot slots in Las Vegas, I’m just saying not to play them at the start of the night.
The chances of winning a progressive jackpot are slim, millions to one at best. Add to this that these slots have a notoriously low payback percentage, and playing them from the outset is the best way to blow your bankroll.
What I prefer to do is play low volatility slots which pay smaller amounts more frequently. It’s even better if they have a high RTP. Once I’m playing with house money and have safely tucked my starting bankroll back into my wallet, I switch to the progressive jackpot slots.
If I lose, it doesn’t matter. It was never my money until I cashed it out anyhow. That’s the mindset you have to have if you want to win in Vegas.
Trust Your Intuition
This is the one tip on this list that I can’t quantify. While I base the others on a hard-won understanding of how Las Vegas slot machines work, this tip is more mysterious, yet countless slots players will attest to its truth.
Sometimes, for some unexplained reason, you just get a feeling about certain slots. You can just know for sure this isn’t your lucky machine, and other times, a seemingly random slot can grab your attention out of nowhere, and lo and behold, you scoop a massive jackpot.
Some players think this is Lady Luck guiding them, while others attempt to understand this intuition as the subconscious mind processing data you aren’t aware of. I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s real. Trust your intuition when you play slots in Vegas!
Now you know the best slot machines in Las Vegas and where to play them. With these top slots tips, you’ll have a better chance of winning. Good luck, and enjoy Las Vegas!
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Note from 10Best:Someday, we'll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we'll keep supporting the places that inspire us. Please check individual casino websites for the latest updates.
The D Las Vegas
On the first floor of The D Las Vegas, players will find the latest table games and slot machines. The recently updated second floor casino is a step back in time to Old Vegas with vintage slots and the only Sigma Derby horse racing simulation in Las Vegas. There’s also the hockey-themed BarCanada and a refreshed Circa Sports book with bar-top table games and big-screen TVs.
Photo courtesy of The D Las VegasPlaza Hotel & Casino
The Plaza Hotel Casino packs a ton of options into its 80,000 square feet of gaming space. Players can play bingo in a 400-seat bingo hall–the only one in Downtown Las Vegas, place bets at 21 table games or try their luck at more than 700 slot machines. Keno games run regularly throughout the day.
Photo courtesy of Plaza Hotel & CasinoThe Venetian & The Palazzo
The sister casinos at the Venetian and Palazzo offer players a combined 2,270 slot and video poker machines and hundreds of table games, with free gaming lessons on weekends. Imperial Baccarat at The Palazzo puts a new twist on a classic game.
Photo courtesy of The Venetian Las VegasWynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort
Sparkling golden in the Nevada desert sun, the Wynn Las Vegas houses an 111,000-square-foot casino space decked out with table games, slots, video poker, a 27-table poker room and a state-of-the-art race and sports book.
Photo courtesy of Wynn Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
A classic Las Vegas casino, Caesars Palace brings the gaming experience to an ancient Roman setting. Encompassing 85 acres on The Strip, Caesars pairs its unique atmosphere and comprehensive casino offerings with some of the best retail, dining and entertainment in the city.
Photo courtesy of Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & CasinoDowntown Grand Hotel & Casino
The casino floor at the Downtown Grand, located just steps from the Fremont Street Experience, features more than 500 slot machines–a mix of classics and new favorites–as well as an assortment of table games and a William Hill sports book.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Hotels & ResortsRed Rock Casino Resort & Spa
Frequented by both locals and tourists, the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa sits on 70 acres of land near the beautiful Red Rock Mountains in Summerlin, about 10 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. The resort casino includes 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 60 table games, a race and sports book with a 96-foot video wall, a 20-table smoke-free poker room, 600-seat Bingo hall, a 20-seat Keno lounge and two private rooms for high-stakes gamers.
Photo courtesy of Red Rock Casino Resort & SpaThe Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
A relatively new addition to the Las Vegas Strip, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has already earned a spot among the ranks of elite Sin City casinos, thanks to its friendly dealers, swanky setting and modern amenities. The gambling menu includes classic table games as well as 1,300 slots and video poker machines with a wide range of denominations–everything from $0.01 to $500.
Photo courtesy of The Cosmopolitan of Las VegasSAHARA Las Vegas
The 60,000-square-foot casino at SAHARA Las Vegas offers a luxe gaming experience, with crystal chandeliers and a rich color scheme. Gamblers can choose from more than 50 table games and 600 slot machines, place a bet in the Sports Book or play live poker in the new seven-table poker room.
Photo courtesy of SAHARA Las VegasBellagio
Famous for its dancing fountains, the Bellagio is all about extreme luxury and the thrill of the game, making it one of the most popular gambling stops on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The 100,000-square-foot casino floor an impressive 2,400 slot machines, poker room, race & sports book and nearly any table game you could want to play. Five outdoor pools, four whirlpools and a Spa Tower help guests unwind before or after betting.
Photo courtesy of Bellagio
- The D Las Vegas
- Plaza Hotel & Casino
- The Venetian & The Palazzo
- Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort
- Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino
- Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- SAHARA Las Vegas
- Bellagio
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning casinos!
The Experts
Steve Bourie
Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino... Read More
Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide. Published annually since 1992, it is the number one bestselling book in the U.S. on casino gambling and travel. His YouTube channel has more than 28 million views and he offers a free American Casino Guide app for both Android devices and iPhones/iPads.
List Of Slot Machines At Vegas Casinos Real Money
Steve Bourie
Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide. Published annually since 1992, it is the number one bestselling book in the U.S. on casino gambling and travel. His YouTube channel has more than 28 million views and he offers a free American Casino Guide app for both Android devices and iPhones/iPads.
G. Douglas Dreisbach
G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern... Read More
G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations, a regional gaming and travel magazine offering offering gaming tips, casino reviews, travel recommendations, special offers and more. G&D is considered to be the gaming authority of the region and subscriptions, tips and property reviews are available at GamingandDestinations.com.
G. Douglas Dreisbach
G. Douglas Dreisbach is the publisher of Southern & Midwest Gaming and Destinations, a regional gaming and travel magazine offering offering gaming tips, casino reviews, travel recommendations, special offers and more. G&D is considered to be the gaming authority of the region and subscriptions, tips and property reviews are available at GamingandDestinations.com.
Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic
Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino... Read More
Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino Player magazine and Strictly Slots magazine. Now in its 32nd year, Casino Player has thrived as America’s most popular gambling magazine. Over the decades, millions of gamblers have enjoyed and benefited from Casino Player’s gaming strategies, as well as its ever-changing lifestyle stories. In 1994, Lisa launched its sister publication, Strictly Slots, the nation’s only magazine written exclusively for slots and video poker players. Lisa is an accomplished director specializing in the gaming industry and has more than 35 years of publishing experience.
List Of Slot Machines In Las Vegas Casinos
Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic
List Of Slot Machines At Vegas Casinos Slot Machines
Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic is the Publisher of Casino Player magazine and Strictly Slots magazine. Now in its 32nd year, Casino Player has thrived as America’s most popular gambling magazine. Over the decades, millions of gamblers have enjoyed and benefited from Casino Player’s gaming strategies, as well as its ever-changing lifestyle stories. In 1994, Lisa launched its sister publication, Strictly Slots, the nation’s only magazine written exclusively for slots and video poker players. Lisa is an accomplished director specializing in the gaming industry and has more than 35 years of publishing experience.