Emma Trotter is a Senior Editor at Casinos.com. Emma has worked as a staff writer and editor for nearly two decades, extensively covering celebrity news and the Las Vegas entertainment, casino and tourism scenes. She spent several years in in-house roles at Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas before stepping into iGaming affiliate site content.
Lee James Gwilliam has over 10 years as a poker player and 5 in the casino industry. He has been all around the industry, working for a casino, writing more than 3,000 articles for various independent review sites and is an active player of slots, live dealer and poker.
Some folks can comfortably afford to bet big bucks when they play slot games. However, that isn’t the case for most players. If you want to stretch your online slot budget as far as it can go, then penny slots should be a part of your strategy.
In this guide to penny slots in the US, we will go over everything you should know about these popular and exciting games. You’ll find out what penny slots are, what separates them from other online slots, and what the benefits and drawbacks are.
Our experts will even introduce you to some of the most popular one-cent slots and highlight some of the valuable bonuses that you can use to play these games. Of course, we will also show you how to play penny slots at the best US slot sites. All of that and much more.
Top Penny Slots For 2024
Our editors and resident slots enthusiasts have hand-picked some of the best online penny slots available in the US. These games were created by some of the most talented casino software providers, and they offer the chance of winning big with just one cent.
Maybe the best thing about these featured games is that you can play them for free in demo mode by simply clicking on the game image. Did we mention that these games are mobile-compatible? Well, they are, which means you can play them in instant-play mode from almost anywhere as long as you have a mobile browser and an internet connection.
Penny Slot Game
Game Provider
RTP
Max Win
Book of Dead
Play'n GO
96.21%
$500,000.00
Age of the Gods: God of Storms
Playtech
96.14%
$125,000.00
Book of Ra Deluxe
GreenTube
95.10%
$50,165.00
Legacy of Dead
Play’n Go
96.58%
$500,000.00
Cleopatra
IGT
95.02%
$25,000,000.00
Where to Play US Penny Slots Online for Real Money
You can find the most trusted online casinos for US players right here. If you see an online casino listed on this page, you can rest assured knowing that it is reliable, safe, and fair. Our experts take great pride in objectively rating and reviewing American online casinos. We make sure that these sites use the latest internet security technology like SSL encryption.
Only casinos that hold licenses with respected state regulators, such as the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement or the Michigan Gaming Control Board, make it onto our guides. These gambling authorities ensure sites offer provably fair games, accessible bonuses, and games from the US’ top providers. You can also trust our top sites to support a full range of local US payment options and will pay out your winnings quickly and without hassle.
So, when you choose any of the sites listed below, you will give yourself the best chance of making your online penny slots experience as fun, safe, and fair as it can be.
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All Casino Games
190+
Slots
184
Top Slot Game
Real of Poseidon
iOS Casino App
Payment providers
Wagering Multiplier
1x
Value per Free Spin
Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Void in ID, MI, RI, TN and WA.
What Are Penny Slots?
The origins of penny slots can be traced back to the late 1800s and early 1900s when the first slot machines launched. Back then, slot machines were fully mechanical. Instead of seeing computer-generated graphics that simulate spinning reels, you would see the actual drums spinning and then grinding to a halt to reveal the results. Those vintage slot games used gears and brakes to determine the outcome of each spin, whereas today’s video slots online use computerized Random Number Generators (RNGs).
The first slots typically had three reels and either one or three rows. More importantly, they had just a single payline. Therefore, you only needed one coin to play. In many cases, a single spin would only cost a penny, although players could also wager with nickels, dimes, and quarters.
While penny slots remain popular today, they are very different than those old classic games. One key difference is that today’s slot machines offer a huge variety of themes and features like Cascading Reels, Expanding Symbols, and bonus games, which make them a lot more engaging. Meanwhile, innovative mechanics can completely change the way you play.
Another difference is that most modern slots feature multiple paylines. This can impact the cost of each round. If you play a one-cent slot that has 20 paylines, and you wager the one-cent minimum on each payline, that adds up to 20 cents per pull.
Still, because the minimum wager per payline on penny slots in the US is one cent, they are still technically considered penny slots. Penny slot refers to the minimum bet per payline instead of the total cost of a round.
To be clear, a lot of multi-payline one-cent slot games allow you to adjust the number of paylines you wish to wager on. This means you really can spin the reels for as little as a penny. That said, a lot of slot machines require a minimum of 10 cents per payline, which is why so many free spins bonus credits are valued at 10 cents.
Top Penny Slots Software Providers
If you’re a regular slot spinner, you may already be familiar with some of the top names in the US iGaming scene. Some of the biggest US online casinos partner with over 100 software studios, meaning they can offer the biggest and most diverse game collections.
Companies like NetEnt, Playtech, and IGT are among the industry giants that are famous for creating high-quality penny slots. Seeing how there are so many providers out there, we can’t cover them all in this guide. However, we would like to tell you a bit about the providers that are responsible for creating the top penny slots for 2024 as listed above.
Play’n Go: While Play’n Go makes all sorts of casino games, it is best known for its slots. Play’n Go penny slots in the US are loaded with special features and offer some of the most engaging graphics. Since its launch in 2005, Play’n Go has released over 300 games.
Playtech: With over 700 games in its portfolio, including jackpot slots and thrilling branded games, Playtech is one of the top software developers in the US. It also boasts several table games and live dealer options.
IGT: This long-standing casino software provider initially launched back in the 1970s, creating slot machines for land-based casinos. Now, it is known for producing some of the most popular online slots in the business.
GreenTube: Since opening its doors in 1998, this subsidiary of Novomatic has curated over 400 exciting games. Alongside slots, GreenTube has created table games, video poker, and even video bingo titles.
How To Play Penny Slots
You can start playing exciting penny slots in the US for free by selecting any of the games listed above. However, playing for real money is a little more involved, assuming you want to guarantee the experience is enjoyable, fair, and stress-free. Let’s go over all of the steps you need to take to play one-cent slots for real cash.
1. Choose an Online Casino
Whatever you do, don’t just play at any random site. Instead, start by checking out our in-depth expert reviews. Our casino reviews are conducted by experts who have decades of experience. They know exactly what to look for in an online casino site. They ensure those sites offer the biggest and most varied collections of games. On top of that, they demand that these sites use certified RNGs that are regularly tested by leading auditors, which guarantees games are fair and rig-free.
2. Sign Up
Signing up at any of our featured casinos is fast and simple. It should only take a minute or so to register when you follow these steps.
Click or tap on the “Register” button or similar icon to activate the registration form.
Fill out the registration form. You will need to provide a few personal details, like your name, date of birth, email address, and residential address, along with your mobile number.
You will also need to provide the last four digits of your SSN.
Once you have completed the form and checked the provided information for accuracy, you can submit it.
You may be asked to click on an activation link that the site will immediately send to your email. Alternatively, you may need to enter a one-time PIN that you’ll get via text message.
3. Deposit and Claim a Bonus
The best online casinos in the United States support a full range of payment methods. The most common ones include credit cards, debit cards, and online banking. Other popular options include Play+, vouchers like PayNearMe, and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. In some cases, you can even deposit at an affiliated land-based casino right at the cashier cage. You can make a deposit and claim a welcome bonus by taking these steps.
Log in to your online casino and select the “Deposit” option in the banking section.
Enter the desired deposit amount in the provided field and select the payment method you wish to use.
At this point, you may also be asked to select a welcome bonus. If you want to claim it, remember to read the terms and conditions of the offer.
Submit the deposit form. Your deposit should appear immediately.
4. Start Playing Your Favorite Penny Slots
Now that you have money in your casino account, you can start playing your favorite penny slots for real money. However, we suggest trying games for free in demo mode first. Doing so will help familiarize yourself with the gameplay and any special features or mechanics you should know.
Another thing you need to do before hitting the “Spin” button is to adjust the bet size and the number of paylines to your liking. You can do this by using the “+” and “-“ buttons beside each box. Now, you can set those reels into motion.
5. Withdraw Your Winnings
With a bit of luck, the gambling gods will smile down upon you and bless you with some winnings. Withdrawing these winnings is very similar to depositing. Just do the following.
Log in to your online casino and select the “Withdraw” option in the banking section.
Enter the amount you wish to withdraw, and then choose which payment method you want to use.
Once you have submitted the withdrawal, the casino operator will process it. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on which casino you play at.
If you use an e-wallet, you should have access to your funds within minutes of processing. You may have to wait a few days to get your money if you use a credit card, debit card, or online banking.
Penny Slots Casino Bonuses
US online casinos are famous for offering all sorts of valuable casino deals. Most commonly, they offer deposit matches or free spins packages, although many provide a combination of the two. The most important thing about bonuses is that you need to read and understand the terms and conditions that apply.
Online casinos won’t allow you to claim a bonus and immediately cash it out. You have to jump through a few hoops before you can do that. Pay close attention to the wagering requirements, which refers to the amount of money you need to stake to cash out any winnings. Other conditions can relate to eligible games, game weightings, time limits, and other restrictions.
When you win money from free spins, you’ll likely still need to satisfy the wagering requirements and all other conditions before you can cash out those winnings. That said, you may occasionally come across a free spins offer that doesn’t have a wagering requirement. Anything you win gets credited to your regular withdrawable balance.
The most common type of bonus is the welcome bonus. These offers are extended to new customers who make their first minimum deposit. Almost every online casino offers one. A lot of sites offer reload bonuses, too, which are pretty similar to welcome bonuses. The main difference is that reload bonuses are usually available to all customers.
It’s worth mentioning that the best online casinos for penny slots in the US run regular promotions, where you can claim more free spins and bonus funds. You can earn more perks through VIP programs and referrals. You might even unexpectedly receive free spins offers because it’s your birthday or some other special occasion.
Benefits of Playing Penny Slots
There are plenty of perks that come with spinning the reels of penny slots, starting with the fact that you can still win big. While it’s true that a bigger bet will often win a bigger prize, a penny can net you an impressive payout, too. It’s also true that penny slot players don’t need to have big bankrolls.
Another advantage is that the penny slot games at our top sites are fair. This is because their RNGs are certified and regularly audited by accredited software testers like eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs. Then, we have the fun factor. Penny slots in the US are highly entertaining. You can customize the experience by choosing your preferred RTP, volatility, theme, features, and mechanics. Don’t forget about all of the added value that you can get out of the many bonuses and promotions.
Pros and Cons of Penny Slots
Advantages
Penny slots are perfect for budget bettors who want to play online slot games.
You can play your favorite penny slots while you’re on the go using your mobile device.
Penny slots come in many different themes and boast tons of exciting bonus games and mechanics.
Disadvantages
You can still lose money when playing penny slots.
A single spin on a penny slot can also cost more than a penny if you want to wager on multiple paylines.
Tips On Playing Penny Slots Online
Many people are drawn to slot machines because playing them doesn’t require any skill. Slots are purely based on luck. However, we have compiled a list of five key tips that will help maximize your chances of winning.
Bet on the maximum number of paylines. Every payline is a chance to win. If you only wager on a single payline on a 20-payline slot, then you are eliminating 19 chances to win.
As is the case with all forms of gambling, you should never make bets unless you can comfortably afford to lose. Establish a bankroll that’s conducive to your budget, and be sure to stick to it.
Slot machines are rated by volatility. Low-volatility slots tend to pay out more frequently than high-volatility slots. However, those wins are often smaller than those provided by high-volatility slots. Pick the right volatility for you.
Understanding the RTP or Return To Player of a slot game is important because it gives you a rough idea of how much you can reasonably expect to get back. RTP is expressed as a percentage, but it is merely an average that is calculated over tens of thousands of rounds.
Almost all slots come with a variety of features, and software developers are constantly incorporating new ones. You need to know what these features do and understand how they affect the game. Make a point of reading the game’s instructions to learn more.
Conclusion
You should now have a full picture of what penny slots are. We have covered how they work, what makes them unique, and what you need to do to play them. We’ve even given you a few suggestions and links to some of the most popular one-cent slots you can try for free in demo mode.
What are you waiting for? Why not try a few rounds for free and then sign up at one of our recommended American casinos to play for real money? You can cash in on an awesome bonus to grab a quick win while you’re at it. Remember that any site we recommend meets our highest standards and will treat you fairly.
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Meet The Author
Emma Trotter
Editor
Emma Trotter is a Senior Editor at Casinos.com. Emma has worked as a staff writer and editor for nearly two decades, extensively covering celebrity news and the Las Vegas entertainment, casino and tourism scenes. She spent several years in in-house roles at Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas before stepping into iGaming affiliate site content.
Yes. Most of the online casinos featured on our site let you play for free in demo mode. You can also play any of the slots listed in the Best Penny Slots for 2024 section above by clicking on the game image.
Can you win real money by playing penny slots?
Absolutely. While not all slot games allow 1c per line minimum bets, you can find both both standard max-payout slots as well as progressive jackpot slots in the US that do allow 1c bets. Just understand that you can also lose real money, and prizes are usually in proportion to your stake.
What is the best penny slot in the US?
Tastes vary so there is no specific answer. The best penny slots are the ones that best suit your preferences in terms of game theme, RTP, volatility, features, mechanics, and potential winnings.
How do you adjust coin size and paylines on penny slots?
To adjust your bet size and paylines, simply use the “+” and “-“ sliders that are adjacent to the Bet and Paylines boxes below the reels. Most slots have an "I" icon that will lead you to an info page where the paytables are explained, and paylines are mapped for you.
Can you get free spins on penny slots?
Not only can you win free spins rounds playing penny slots, but you can also claim loads of free spins bonuses at our top online casinos through their various bonuses and promotions. So, technically, you can trigger a free spins feature within a slot game by playing a free spins bonus if you are lucky.
Are penny slots easy to find?
You bet. You can find our top penny slot picks in the Best Penny Slots for 2024 section further up in this guide. You can also use the various search tools and filters in your casino’s slots lobby to find penny slots along with other features, themes, and mechanics.
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