Everything You Need to Know About Free Spins in Online Slots 

We speak to Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box Games, to get the lowdown on free spins in online slots

Free spins are the original online slot feature and, to this day, are the most sought-after bonus by players. Not to be confused with online casino free spin bonuses, these free spins are triggered within a slot game and ramp up the big win potential. 

They are usually triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols and can be combined with other features such as wilds and multipliers to really build anticipation and hit the biggest payouts within the game. 

To learn more about online slot free spins, we spoke to Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box Games. 

What are free spins in online slots? How do they work? 

Free spins are the most classic and original feature in slots and still resonate with online and land-based players to this day. They literally provide players with free spins via a trigger sequence through the base game or the buy the bonus feature if available. 

They have been popular since the 90s when I used to go to the pub with a few mates to have a slap at the pokies (Aussie slang for slot machines).

How can players trigger free spins in slots?

There are many ways of triggering free games, but the original and most common is three or more scatter or bonus symbols landing on the reels during the base game. 

Of course, today there are many twists on this, including options with a left-to-right trigger on all reels, a trigger on the first and fifth reel, five to six cash symbols, and even triggers through perceived persistence objects and bonus wheels. 

Are there different types of free spins in online slots?

Yes, there are. With standard free spins, you are awarded a set amount of free spins, usually based on the number of triggering scatter or bonus symbols. This is usually between 10 and 12 free games. 

But you also get free spins with respins and hold & spins, both of which are really fun and engaging. 

With respins, once triggered, you generally have the option of continuing the respins feature if you land a symbol or sequence that allows for the game round to be prolonged. 

With hold & spin, it’s usually triggered with cash symbols on the reels, with three or more free spins awarded giving you the chance to land more cash symbols. If they do land, the spin count usually resets to three and again allows you to prolong the bonus until no more cash symbols drop. 

What makes free spins such a great bonus feature for studios to include in their games? 

Because it’s a chaser feature that every player is after, and when they trigger a free spins bonus and get into it, they get drawn into the deep engagement it provides, as well as the ability to see what they can win from the round. Slot games must have bonus features beyond the base game, and free spins are one of the most thrilling for sure. 

Can free spins be combined with other bonuses?

Absolutely. In fact, this is the true beauty of slots and free spins. You can mix and match mechanics to tailor the game towards a certain type of player. Many free spins bonuses now come with modifiers, whether it’s multipliers (in most cases, this would include a wild in the win where the wild substitution has the multiplier applied to the line/ways win) that get added to the winning combination, expanding wilds or colossal symbols (these are big symbols that split), to name just a few. 

Lightning Gorilla from Lightning Box Games is an example of free spins with respins and colossal symbols

Why should players play slots with free spins? 

Because free spins increase their chances of landing a bigger win and one that is more satisfying than what they can get in the base game. It gives players tons of anticipation, especially with near misses, and the chance to chase down a feature that can be incredibly rewarding. This is why free spins are so popular and why at Lightning Box, they show up in so many of our games. 

Free spins will continue to be a part of slots, whether suppliers choose to use them or not. It’s one of those mechanics that will always have a place in games and will continue to evolve with new swag and modifiers.