Online slots tournaments
This ultimate guide to online slot tournaments delves deep into the subject by providing not only the most exciting slot tournaments but also top security, game choice, payments, and bonuses.
Then we’ll get a little bit more technical as we explain the different types of slot tournaments, and how they work and for the advanced players, we’ll also talk tournament strategy.
Current online slot tournaments October 2025
| Slot tournament type | Description | Where to play |
|---|---|---|
| Sit ‘n’ go tournaments | SugarHouse casino has a great selection of sit’n’go tournaments as part of their summer series slot tournaments. Registration is open way ahead of time with the tourneys starting around midday on the east coast. | SugarHouse |
| Buy-in tournaments | At BetRivers you can either randomly win a ticket to enter the tournament or buy it from the bonus shop. Slot tournaments happen multiple times every day during the RushRace. | BetRivers |
| Comped tournaments | There are currently no available comped tournaments at legal US casinos. However, Borgata casino (as part of the MGM brand) has one of the best VIP rewards clubs with plenty of perks to be enjoyed when playing at the online casino. | Borgata |
| Extender tournaments | Hard Rock Bet has some of the best tournaments around with some mega prizes that go beyond money. We’re talking about cruises and cars here and there are prizes even the 2,000th participant. | Hard Rock Bet |
| Survivor tournaments | At Party Casino, you will find Party Pots which work similarly to survivor tournaments. Entering is free and as you wager you’re in the chance to win the jackpot. Once the jackpot drops the winner will get 50% of it and the rest of the players will share the rest of the 50%. | Party Casino |
| Freeroll tournaments | BetMGM’s Lion’s Share works similarly to freeroll tournaments where you enter for free and as you wager you’re in for the chance to randomly win a jackpot. When the jackpot does drop, 50% is given to one lucky player and the rest is divided with all other active players. | BetMGM |
| One-shot tournaments | Most of the slot tournaments available in the US right now are one-shot slot tournaments. Wow Vegas has many of these, just keep in mind you will be playing for virtual coins here since it’s a sweeps casino. | Wow Vegas |
What are online slot tournaments?
Online slot tournaments are competitions that online casinos organize, where for participating and playing a selection of games in a designated time, you get tournament points. The more points you win, the higher you will be ranked on the tournaments leaderboards against other players, and the bigger your rewards will be. Entering the tournaments can be free, or require a buy-in, or by invitation (in case of VIP events).
The rewards can range from free spins, or a sum o money, or even physical prizes such as cruises or vacations.
Pros
- Bigger prizes
- Scheduled in advance
- Beginner-friendly
- Play anywhere
Cons
- Are time-limited
- May require a buy-in
Slot tournament glossary
To get yourself further acquainted with what online casino tournaments are, have a look at some of the most common terms:
Commonly used terms
Buy-in – This is an entry fee players must pay if they want to take part in real money tournaments. The size of the buy-in differs from tournament to tournament. The casino keeps a small percentage of the fee while the rest goes to the prize pool.
Bonus Round – An extra feature within a slot, often triggered by specific symbols (also called scatter symbols), that can increase winnings.
Comped tournament – A tournament for VIPs or loyalty program members who use their loyalty points to enter. Casinos give these points to players who spend the most money/time playing games.
Credits (or tournament money) – Virtual currency used within the slot tournament. The purpose is to create points on leaderboard rankings, but it does no have a real value outside game mode.
Extender (or Re-buy) – A feature in some tournaments where players can purchase an add-on that may help them remain in the competition when chips are running low.
Freeroll – A popular type of online slots tournament, a freeroll literally allows players to participate in the tournament for free. This means no paying an entry fee. Freeroll tournaments almost always have a smaller prize pool.
Leaderboard – A ranked list tracking player points/score during a tournament.
Manual spin – The action that the player need to do to initiate a spin in a game. It must be done manually because automatic spins are typically removed from tournament mode.
Points/Score – The quantified results following slots play, usually based on bet multipliers, wins or credits accumulated during the tournament.
Reload – Similar to an extender, a reload will allow players to buy themselves back into a tournament if they have been knocked out.
Spin – One round of slot play where the reels rotate and potentially produce a winning combination.
How do slot tournaments work?
Simply put, eligible players (18+ in most sweeps casinos, or 21+ for all other casinos) register for a tournament, which may be free or require entry fees, and start playing a set of designated games.
During a fixed period of time, points are accumulated based on the outcome of a spin. The players with the highest number of points on the leaderboard are awarded from a prize pool set from the start.
Entry fees
Some online tournaments are free, and for other, you may need to pay a buy-in fee, based on which you receive credits to a specific slot.
Game availability
Depending on the entry fees (free or buy-in) you are either allowed to play a set of slots selected by the casino, or you can play only one slot.
Tournament duration
For Sit n Go, One-Shot or Survivor types of tournaments, expect to play for 5 – 10 minutes, and be more competitive. For Scheduled tournaments, you will likely play up to a week, at a slower pace, more strategic.
Leaderboard
The leaderboard shows the descending order of players with the most tournament points. It helps you track your score in real time, and allows you to create a short-term strategy in terms of how long you still need to play.
Prize pool
Each tournament will have a prize pool, which is the funds that the casino uses to hand out rewards. While the winner takes the biggest prize, there are prizes for other players (usually within the top 20-50 depending on the size of the tournament).
How to enter an online slot tournament?
Entering an online slot tournament means following a few standard terms including registering an account with an online casino, funding it, selecting a tournament of your liking and playing during the active period.
- Register an account: Select any of the online casinos we recommend on this page. Click “Register” or “Join” on the top right of the casino homepage. Move through the registration process by providing information such as your name, email address, date of birth, currency, location, address, nationality, and phone number. The online casino may send an email verification link to follow to complete your account registration. You can also verify your identity and address when your account is ready. Alternatively, you’ll need to complete these KYC checks before withdrawing any winnings.
- Fund your account: Navigate to the “Cashier” section. Under “deposits”, choose your preferred payment method. Follow the deposit instructions and enter the amount you wish to send. Finalize the deposit. Funds should appear in your casino account within seconds.
- Claim a casino bonus: As a new customer, you are likely eligible for a welcome bonus. Sometimes, this unique offer is only claimable with your first deposit bonus. So before entering a tournament, take advantage of this special offer.
- Select your tournament: Go to the game lobby on the online casino and browse the available slots tournaments. Choose one of the competitions you want to play in.
- Enter the tournament: If the tournament is a buy-in, pay the entry fee to reserve your spot. If it’s a freeroll, simply enter the tournament.
If you’re a complete beginner, my recommendation is to start with freeroll or low cost tournaments. They will give you time to get used to the format and scoring system. As you gain more experience, you can progress to high-stake or faster-paced events.
Last but not less important: always read the terms and conditions before entering a tournament. The risk is to miss out on small details that might not qualify you to be on the final leaderboard.
Online slot tournament rules
Online slot tournament rules in US are well defined, with a few important non-negotiables on eligibility, participation, gameplay and winning mechanics that I recommend you always keep in mind if you don’t want to be removed from the final leaderboards:
- All players must be of minimum accepted age, typically over 21 years old, although sites like sweeps casinos will accept entry above 18.
- Play only if you are physically located in a US state where online casinos are permitted.
- Don’t try to play from multiple profiles, only one account per IP or household is accepted.
- Always sign up via the casino’s tournament lobby, never through a third party website.
- There is always a start and an end time for a tournament.
- All players will play on the same slot or slots, and they will have the same number of credits or minimum bets.
- Autoplay function is removed from tournament slots, in order to allow a fair competition.
- Tournament leaderboards are ranking players based on most points/credits/winnings accumulated while wagering.
- The highest scores define the prize winners of tournaments, and they can include cash, credits or other bonuses.
- Prizes are not transferrable from one participant to another.
How to choose a slot tournament
I recommend evaluating a few criteria before deciding to join a tournament. This is important in order to assess details such as time necessary to invest in it, how well you know the participating games, or even what type of prizes are offered.
Tournament type
Decide if you prefer scheduled tournaments with clear start/end dates, or quick events like Sit n Go, or if you prefer add-ons like reload/extend or multi-round events like the Survivor mode.
Entry type and cost
Freeroll tournaments are great for beginners, and also affordable. Buy-in events require more experience and commitment, and while more expensive to enter, the prizes are larger too.
Prizes and rewards
Have a look at the prize pool and reward type. Some casinos remunerate in cash prizes, free spins or loyalty points or a combination of all. You might find that the time and money invested in playing, may not be worth the prize. Also, some cash prizes may be offered in the form of a bonus you might need to wager before withdrawing.
Player pool and competition level
Some tournaments are network events, meaning that multiple online casinos may be hosting the same event at the same time. This is typical to freeroll events. A bigger competition may mean a bigger competition but also bigger prizes.
Game selection and mechanics
Game familiarity gives you an advantage if you are aware of their winning mechanics or payment frequency. For example, for a tournament where the winning criteria is a bet multiplier, you may want to play high volatility slots that pay less frequently but have larger multipliers.
Online slot tournaments vs. land-based
Online slot tournaments offer accessibility and convenience to casual players, while land bases casinos will offer a full social experience and interaction with other players, sometimes at lower prizes. Each setting has its own charm and benefits. To be fair, I was not able to choose my absolute favorite. Here is why they are both good:
| Online slots tournaments | Land-based tournaments |
|---|---|
| Accessible 24/7 from anywhere with an internet connection | Require your physical presence, traveling costs or even a specific dress code |
| Very large game variety and complex game mechanics | Limited to traditional slot machine mechanics |
| Larger attendance, which can mean bigger rewards for buy-in events | Smaller attendance lower rewards |
| Limited social interaction | Lively atmosphere, suited for social persons |
| Fast-paced events | Longer waiting times, more time for socializing |
| Larger competition, due to easier accessibility | Local, physical only competition |
Most popular online slot tournaments
You’ll find the most popular online slot tournaments come up in two forms: freeroll, and buy-in. Both of these then will have different types of variations, which I briefly mention lower on the page.
Free slot tournaments
Also known as freeroll tournaments, these competitions cost you nothing to enter. You can participate for free without committing any of your bankroll. While not as common as buy-in slot tournaments online, freerolls are available at several major casino sites, including sweeps cash casinos. It’s not surprising that free slot tournaments are immensely popular, although prize money will be lower than a buy-in tournament.
That makes sense because the online casino supplies 100% of the prize pot. In a standard buy-in tourney, each player pays a fee to contribute to the prize pool. Even so, several major advantages come with playing a freeroll tournament.
Pros
- Play online slots without spending money.
- Potentially win prizes without committing your bankroll.
- Play without needing to make a deposit.
Con
- Smaller prize pool than a buy-in slot tournament.
Buy-in slot tournaments
A real-money online slot tournament is behind a paywall. This means you must pay to enter the competition and participate in it. More commonly known as a buy-in tournament, you’ll literally be buying your way in. A small portion of your entry fee will go to the online casino as profit, while the rest will contribute directly towards the prize fund.
Entry fees and prize pools can vary depending on the tournament’s size. Some may have a high buy-in to attract only high rollers, while others will be more flexible and open to all types of players.
Pros
- Larger prize pots that free slot tournaments.
- More widely available than freeroll competitions.
- Fewer restrictions around eligibility (for example, VIP access)
Con
- You must pay to enter the tournament.
Different types of slot tournaments
There are different types of slot tournaments that you can play online, and you will probably discover that those are, more or less, variations of the freeroll free) or buy-in tournaments.
So, when playing at online casinos in US, expect to see competitions like:
Comped tournaments
Comped tournaments are basically VIP tournaments where players are invited to play as a complimentary perk for being such high rollers in a casino.
Extender tournaments
Players can purchase more spins or add-ons to help them boost their score.
Survivor tournaments
In these events, players are eliminated over a set of rounds, with only top performers advancing and fighting in the final.
One-shot tournaments
Here, players have one fixed number of spins which they need to use in a set period of time. The goal is to be as fast as possible and try to get the highest score.
Recommended casinos for slot tournaments
Use our the filtering system to choose your location and find what online casinos with tournaments are available for you:
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
91/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
92%
Playscore
based on
|
100% match bonus up to $250
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
2
|
88/100
Games rating
by Vule P.
85%
Playscore
based on
|
Bonus Money reload up to $500
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
3
|
82/100
Games rating
by Jack B.
86%
Playscore
based on
|
200% up to $100 + 25 free spins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
1
|
98/100
Games rating
by Denise M.
76%
Playscore
based on
|
Get 35,000 GC + 35 SC for $9.99
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
2
|
98/100
Games rating
by Sophie P.
79%
Playscore
based on
|
50,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
3
|
96/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
87%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 120,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
4
|
95/100
Games rating
by Vule P.
80%
Playscore
based on
|
35,000 Gold Coins + 5 Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
5
|
95/100
Games rating
by Sophie P.
81%
Playscore
based on
|
50,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
6
|
94/100
Games rating
by Denise M.
66%
Playscore
based on
|
15,000 Gold Coins + 15 Crystals
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
7
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
81%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 400,000 Gold Coins + 40 free Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
8
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
89%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 650,000 Gold Coins + 1,400 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
9
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
83%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 5000 Gold Coins + 0.6 Sweepstake Cash and 3 Treasure Chests
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
10
|
91/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
79%
Playscore
based on
|
25,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
How to win a slot tournament
Understanding the dynamics and specific gameplay requirements of how to win, can help you stay in for longer. That is why I’ve compiled expert strategic tips to help you maximize your chances at winning an online slot tournament.
Keep your finger on the spin button
Tournaments are different from regular online slot gameplay, and you have a set amount of chips to use. That means you should spin, spin, and spin to keep up a steady pace.
Wager on all paylines and bet high
Bet high when you can also make sure you can bet across all paylines. You are competing with the casino’s chips, not your own. This way, you are giving yourself the best chance of landing a big win if you get a good combo on the reels. Big wins mean more points to contribute to the tournament leaderboard.
Stay focused
It’s helpful if you are already familiar with some of the feature of the eligible slot game/s. That is not always possible because the casino chooses the tournament slots, not the players.
Gamble responsibly
No matter what gaming you do on an online casino, always gamble responsibly. Only use the disposable income you can afford to lose, know when to walk away if you lose, and stick to the budget you set yourself.
FAQs
How do slot tournaments work at online casinos?
Slot tournaments at online casinos work by allowing eligible players to compete in time-limited events, gain points and be rewarded for the highest score acquired.
Are online slots tournaments in the US free?
Yes, but not all of them. The online slots tournaments that are free in US are the ones also called Freeroll, where players an opt-in and play for free. An example is BetMGM’s Lion Share.
What different types of slots tournaments can I play?
Different types of slots tournaments you can play are variations of freeroll and buy-in events: scheduled or instant, VIP or available for the entire player base. Browse to the top of the page for where to play.
How do I calculate the odds of winning at a slot tournament?
To calculate the odds at winning an online tournament you can use the division 1/number of participants. This means that, the more participants, the smaller the chances at being at the top.
Can online slot tournaments be rigged?
No, provided that you play slot tournaments at licensed or trustworthy casinos recommended on our site or similar. Licensed casinos cannot be rigged because they follow strict regulations and undergo several audits from reputable controllers.
Is there a trick to slot tournaments?
The trick to slot tournaments is to focus on speed. This will increase your chances of getting the maximum number of spins out of the event, because in tournament mode, slots don’t have the auto-play button active.
Are slot tournaments worth it?
Yes, slot tournaments are worth it if you are seeking the thrill of competition, the potential rewards or even the social interaction element behind it. They are also a great opportunity to try out new games.
