In online casino video slots, you typically get free spins when three or more scatter symbols appear on the reels in a single spin. These aren’t promos from the casino; they’re part of the game itself, paid for by your bet, and they often come with better prizes. Most online video slots include this feature, which is a core part of how the games work. I’ll focus on these free spins triggered by scatters, explaining how they work, what they do, and what to expect during gameplay.
How to start free spins
They start instantly if three or more scatters land anywhere on the reels in one spin at an online casino. Scatters don’t need to be on a specific line. For example, in Gates of Olympus 1000, getting four scatters earns you 15 spins, while five scatters give you 20. The number of spins is based on the paytable and goes up as you get more scatters:
- Three scatters: 8 to 10 spins
- Four scatters: 12 to 15 spins
- Five or more: 15 to 25 spins
No deposit or bonus code is needed; you get these from your regular bets in the casino game.
How free spins run
Once triggered, the extra spins use the same bet amount as the spin that activated them. So, if you bet a dollar per spin, each free spin is worth a dollar. Winnings go straight to your balance, without needing to be wagered again, unless the online casino has specific rules.
Key features:
- Extra spins: Get three or more scatters during the round to win additional spins.
- Special features: Multipliers, locked wilds, expanding symbols, or cascading wins might only show up during these spins.
- Return: These spins can account for a big chunk of the game’s overall return, often leading to the biggest wins.
Gameplay
Free spins triggered by scatters add excitement to casino slots. Money Train 4 offers 10 to 20 spins with sticky collectors, while Fury Dragon triples every win. Scatters usually appear every 80 to 150 spins, but the payback stays around 96% to 97% because of the larger payouts. You can’t buy your way into these spins; they’re earned through regular gameplay.
Popular casino slots with free spins
- Gates of Olympus 1000 (Pragmatic Play): Four or more scatters get you 15 to 20 spins with random multipliers from 2x to 1,000x.
- Money Train 4 (Relax Gaming): Three or more scatters award 10 to 20 spins with sticky collector symbols.
- Fury Dragon (Betsoft): Three or more scatters give 8 to 15 spins with a 3x multiplier on all wins.
- Deadwood R.I.P. (Nolimit City): Three or more scatters trigger 8 to 12 spins with nudge wilds and showdowns.
- Book of Dead 2 (Play’n GO): Three or more scatters provide 10 spins with one symbol expanding to cover the reel.
