There’s no shame in admitting that there are times when we have to tighten the belt and start spending less on entertainment. This leads to a smaller bankroll and, as a result, less time playing slots… or does it?
After all, you can play online slots with smaller stakes! Low-stake slots allow players to place smaller bets per spin, which may help some players manage their spending within a set entertainment budget. Even better, low stake slots are available from all the top providers, including big names like NetEnt, Play’n Go, and Pragmatic Play.
In this guide we’re going to tell you about the top budget-friendly slots from these top providers, how low the stakes in each game can get, and what makes them worth playing.
What to Expect from Top Providers
The top providers in the industry have made their names over the years through bringing about some of the best known slots out there. Here we’re focusing on three of the biggest names - NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Pragmatic Play - all of which have a stellar reputation in the business. Of course, the three are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), meaning their games are fully legal to play at your favourite UK casino site.
The UKGC does not only cover the licensing aspect of a slot - it also takes care of standards such as fairness testing, RTP disclosure, and responsible gaming tools. This means the providers need to fully test their games to ensure that they are truly random, and as such fair to play no matter the amount you’re spending on the game.
When it comes to the providers themselves, each one has their unique strengths. NetEnt is known for visually polished games based around a number of iconic brands, such as Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. The volatility of NetEnt slots tends to be on the higher side, but it does offer games with £0.10 minimum bets. Play’n GO is a specialist in mobile-first games with fast gameplay and low stakes. Volatility can vary wildly, while innovative bonus features keep things exciting. Last but not least Pragmatic Play brings beautiful games with unique bonus rounds and higher than average volatility. This can lead to exciting rounds even when playing with as little as £0.10 per spin.
Top Low Stake Slots From Each Provider
We’ve talked briefly about our three top low stakes slots providers, but what about the game themselves? Don’t worry, we got you here as well with our favourites from each developer, as well as the reasons why we think these games are worth playing in the first place.
NetEnt
- Starburst - considered a classic by many players, Starburst is playable for just £0.10 per spin. Check out its expanding wilds and relaxing medium volatility gameplay that manages to get the balance just right.
- Blood Suckers - feel the chills of this vampire-themed favourite as you play with stakes of £0.10. The high 98% RTP, which represents the expected return over a very long period of play, but it does not guarantee results for individual sessions.
- Gonzo’s Quest - the game that created an entire franchise, Gonzo’s Quest has a minimum bet of £0.25 and high volatility action complete with a cascade mechanic. Check out the ancient temples in this true adventure of a slot!
Play’n GO
- Book of Dead - the game that created an entire genre, and one you can experience for as low as £0.10 per spin. The book of the title acts as both wild and scatter, and landing 3 awards you with free spins complete with a random expanding symbol.
- Fire Joker - Fire Joker has a minimum bet of just £0.05, meaning everyone can afford to check out this cheerful take on the fruit machine genre. The game includes a maximum potential win multiplier, although such outcomes are rare and all results are determined by chance
- Reactoonz - you can enjoy the cluster slot action of Reactoonz for as little as £0.20 per spin. Land 5 matching alien symbols next to each other for a win before you get a cascade as all winning symbols are removed from the 5x5 game grid.
Pragmatic Play
- Big Bass Bonanza - one of the original fishing themed slots, you can access this watery action with a minimum bet of £0.10. The free spins and their fishing feature remain a highlight, not to mention a chance for a decent win once triggered.
- Sweet Bonanza - sweet times and high volatility gameplay await in Sweet Bonanza. Stakes can be as low as £0.20, while the unique scatter pays system has wins formed by landing 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the 5 reels.
- Wolf Gold - visit the North American plain for £0.25 per spin in this Pragmatic Play favourite. Landing 6 full moon symbols triggers the bonus feature, which can bring a jackpot worth 1,000x the stake if you fill all reel spaces with moons.
How Provider Differences Impact Gameplay
Each of these three providers brings a different style and gameplay experience with its games. Which one is the best ultimately boils down to personal preference, but it’s worth knowing which style each provider tends to go for. Play’n GO slots tend to be a wee bit more generous with the bonuses, while Pragmatic Play games tend to tease with the higher impact bonuses. NetEnt games, meanwhile, tend to stay somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.
All of these providers have good RTPs of over 96%, but note that Pragmatic Play slots can have variable RTPs that change from one online casino to the next. Always check your game’s Info or About section to confirm the RTP before playing! If you’re a mobile player then we have some good news - all of these providers offer mobile-friendly games, although Play’n GO games are the best optimised for quick mobile sessions.
Tips for Choosing by Provider and Personal Preference
First off, always play at an online casino site that is both reputable and licensed by the UKGC. The license ensures the site is operating legally here in the UK, and offers players all necessary protections as well as safe gameplay. We’ve already mentioned how the same applies for the providers!
Since we’re going for small stakes, you might want your bankroll to last even longer. In this case go for lower volatility games, in which case NetEnt should be the provider for you. If you’re a mobile player then Play’n GO seems to be the right option, although both Pragmatic Play and NetEnt have fully mobile-optimised titles. Last but not least, always review the stake settings carefully, as not all providers make it clear just how low the bets can get.
Go for Great Low Stakes Fun with NetEnt, Play’n GO and Pragmatic Play!
Whichever of these three top providers you go for you’ll surely be set for a great slot time here at Slingo! Each of these companies allows you to enjoy quality slots for little money, all without compromising on safety or the overall gameplay experience. Each one brings its special spice to the slot table, so make sure to try them all to find which games are your favourite.
Of course, while playing with low stakes you still need to do so responsibly. Set a bankroll for playing slots, and stick to it. Remember that these are games of pure chance with no such things as hot or cold streaks. As such, never chase your losses and consider slots as entertainment rather than a means to make a profit. With all of this in mind you’ll be all set to have a great time spinning the reels - even if on a budget.
