Online Slots Glossary: The Complete Guide to Slot Game Terms at Fatbet

Online slots are the beating heart of any casino platform — and Fatbet is no exception. With hundreds of slot games from top providers like Tomhorn, GameArt, Evoplay, Spinomenal, ThreeOaks, and SmartSoft, our catalogue has something for every type of player in South Africa. But whether you're spinning the reels on Shaolin Tiger, Book Of Spells, or Gold Of Ra, you'll get far more out of your experience when you understand the language of slots.

This glossary breaks down every important slot term — from the basics to advanced mechanics. Bookmark it, study it, and come back whenever you encounter an unfamiliar word during your session at Fatbet.

What Is a Slot Game?

A slot game is a casino game in which a player places a bet and spins a set of reels covered in symbols. When those symbols land in specific combinations along active paylines, the player wins a payout. Every spin result is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) at the exact moment you press the Spin button, making the outcome completely fair and unpredictable.

At Fatbet you can explore a massive library of slots — from classic three-reel fruit machines to feature-rich video slots with cascading reels, multipliers, and progressive jackpots. Better yet, most of our slots are available in demo mode, so you can learn the ropes without risking a single rand.

Types of Slot Games

Before diving into the full glossary, it helps to know the main categories of slot games you'll find at Fatbet:

Classic Slots — Traditional three-reel games with simple gameplay and familiar symbols like bars, sevens, and fruits. Games such as Monkey 27 and Flaming Fruit on Fatbet are perfect examples.

Video Slots — The most popular category today. These five-reel (or more) games feature rich graphics, animations, themed soundtracks, and a variety of bonus features. Shaolin Tiger, Book Of Spells, and Hot Blizzard are just a few of the video slots waiting for you in our catalogue.

Progressive Jackpot Slots — Slots where a portion of every bet feeds into a growing prize pool. The jackpot keeps climbing until one lucky player hits the winning combination and takes home a potentially life-changing sum.

Fruit Machines — Inspired by the original British-style slot machines found in pubs and arcades. They typically feature fruit symbols and a simple, nostalgic feel.

Crash Games — Not a traditional slot, but hugely popular at Fatbet. Games like Aviator and JetX feature a rising multiplier — you cash out before it crashes. Timing is everything.

Full Slots Glossary: Terms from A to Z

A

243 Ways to Win — A common slot format, especially among video slots, that offers 243 fixed ways to form a winning combination. Instead of traditional paylines, you win by landing matching symbols on consecutive reels from left to right.

• Action — The total amount of money a player wagers over a given session or period.

• All-Way Slots — Slots that have no fixed paylines. Winning combinations are formed whenever matching symbols appear on adjacent reels, giving you many more ways to win on every spin.

• Auto Play / Auto Spin — A convenience feature that lets you set a number of spins to run automatically. You choose your bet, select how many rounds to play, and the game does the rest. Most slots on Fatbet offer this option.

• AWP (Amusement With Prize) — A British term for a specific type of slot machine, commonly known as a fruit machine.

• Annuity Winner — A jackpot payout structure where the prize is distributed in instalments over several years rather than as a single lump sum.

B

• Bar — One of the most recognisable symbols in classic slot games. Single, double, and triple bar symbols are staples of traditional reels.

• Basic Slots — Simple, traditional slot machines with a single payline and a fixed jackpot. No bells and whistles — just straightforward spinning.

• Bet Max — The maximum amount a player can wager on a single spin. Betting max often activates all paylines and may be required to qualify for the top jackpot.

• Bet Min — The minimum amount a player can wager per spin. At Fatbet, minimum bets are kept accessible so that players of all budgets can enjoy the action.

• Bet One — An option that allows the player to stake a single credit or coin per spin.

• Bet Per Line — The amount of money wagered on each individual payline for a single spin.

• Betting Units — The credits or coins a player uses to place bets.

• Big Hit — Slang for a jackpot win or any exceptionally large payout on a slot machine.

• Bonus Feature — An extra gameplay element built into a slot, such as free spins, re-spins, pick-and-click mini-games, or expanding wilds. Bonus features add excitement and can significantly boost your winnings.

• Bonus Multiplier — A multiplier that activates during a bonus round, increasing your payout by a specified factor (for example, 2x, 3x, or even higher).

• Bonus Round — A special game-within-a-game triggered by landing certain symbols (often scatters). Bonus rounds may award free spins, instant cash prizes, or interactive mini-games.

• Branded Slots — Slot games themed around well-known movies, TV shows, music artists, or fictional characters.

• Buy a Feature — A mechanic available in some modern slots that lets you pay a set amount to trigger the bonus round instantly, rather than waiting for it to activate naturally.

• Buy a Pay — An older slot machine format where inserting additional coins unlocks extra winning combinations.

C

• Candle — The light on top of a physical slot machine that flashes to signal a win, a malfunction, or the need for assistance.

• Carousel — A circular or oval arrangement of multiple slot machines on a physical casino floor.

• Cascading Reels — Also called tumbling reels, avalanche reels, or swooping reels. When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols disappear, and new symbols fall into their place — potentially creating additional wins from a single spin. This feature can chain multiple payouts together.

• Cash Out — Withdrawing your winnings from your casino account. At Fatbet, you can manage deposits and withdrawals through the Banking section.

• Cashback — A promotional refund based on a percentage of your losses (or total bets) over a given period. Fatbet offers cashback as part of its Promotions and Loyalty Club programme.

• Casino Bonus — Any promotional reward offered by the casino — such as deposit bonuses, free spins, or cashback — to enhance your playing experience. Check Fatbet's Promotions page for the latest offers.

• Certified Slots — Slot games that have been tested and approved by an independent regulatory authority to ensure fair play and proper RNG function.

• Classic Slot — A traditional three-reel slot game with simple mechanics and a limited number of paylines.

• Coins / Credits — The virtual currency used to place bets within a slot game. Real money deposited into your Fatbet account is converted into credits for gameplay.

• Coin Size — The monetary value assigned to each coin or credit. Adjusting the coin size changes the total bet amount.

• Cold Machine / Cold Slots — Player slang for a slot that has not been paying out frequently. It's important to remember that every spin is determined by the RNG, so past results don't influence future outcomes.

• Collect — The process of converting your in-game credits back into withdrawable cash.

• Comps — Short for "complimentary." Rewards and perks given to loyal or high-volume players, similar to what Fatbet's Loyalty Club offers.

• Credits — The numerical representation of money loaded into a slot game, used for placing bets.

• Credit Meter — The on-screen display showing your current credit balance during gameplay.

D

• Denomination — The value of each coin or credit. Common denominations range from fractions of a rand to much larger amounts, depending on the slot.

• Demo Mode — A free-play version of a slot game that uses virtual credits instead of real money. At Fatbet, most slots offer a demo mode so you can test games, learn their mechanics, and find your favourites before wagering real rands.

• Doubles (2x Multiplier) — Multiplier symbols that double your payout when they appear in a winning combination.

• 3D Video Slot — A video slot enhanced with three-dimensional graphics and animations for a more immersive visual experience.

• Drop Bucket — In a physical slot machine, the container at the base that collects excess or overflow coins.

  E

• EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) — A general term for any electronically operated gambling device, including slot machines.

• Expanding Wilds — A wild symbol that, once it lands on a reel, expands to cover the entire reel. This creates more potential winning combinations and can lead to significantly larger payouts.

  F

• Five-Reel Slot (5-Reel Slot) — The most common format for modern video slots, featuring five vertical spinning reels. The majority of slots in the Fatbet catalogue are five-reel games.

• Fixed Jackpot — A jackpot with a predetermined, unchanging prize amount. Unlike progressive jackpots, the payout stays the same regardless of how many players have been spinning.

• Fixed Value Slots — Slot machines where the bet amount and coin size cannot be adjusted — the stake is locked at a set value.

• Free Play — An opportunity to play a slot game without using real money, often as part of a promotion or demo mode.

• Free Spins — Spins that you don't have to pay for. They can be awarded as part of an in-game bonus feature (triggered by scatter symbols, for example) or as a promotional offer from the casino. Fatbet regularly includes free spins in its bonus packages.

• Free to Play — Playing a slot in demo mode without depositing or wagering real money. A great way to explore new titles at Fatbet.

• Fruit Machine — A slot game featuring fruit symbols (cherries, lemons, oranges, plums). The term originates from British-style slot machines. On Fatbet, games like Flaming Fruit carry on this tradition.

G

• Gamble Feature — An optional feature in some slots that lets you risk your latest win on a 50/50 bet (usually guessing the colour or suit of a card). Win and your prize doubles (or more); lose and you forfeit it.

• Games Per Hour — The number of individual spins or rounds a player completes within an hour.

H

• High Volatility — A slot characteristic that means wins are less frequent but tend to be larger when they do hit. High-volatility slots suit players who are comfortable with longer dry spells in exchange for the chance of a big payout.

• Hold Percentage — The percentage of total bets that the casino is statistically expected to retain over the long run. It's the inverse of RTP.

• Hot Machine / Hot Slots — Player slang for a slot that seems to be paying out frequently. As with "cold" machines, remember that RNG makes every spin independent.

• Hopper — In older physical machines, the mechanism that holds and dispenses coins for payouts.

I

• Icons — Another word for the symbols displayed on the reels of a slot game.

• Instant Winner — A jackpot that pays out the full prize immediately, as opposed to an annuity-style payout spread over time.

J

• Jackpot — The top prize available in a slot game. Jackpots can be fixed (a set amount) or progressive (growing with every bet placed).

  L

• Lever — The mechanical arm on the side of a traditional slot machine used to set the reels spinning. This is why old-school slots are sometimes called "one-armed bandits."

• Line / Payline — A specific pattern across the reels along which matching symbols must land to form a winning combination. Slots can have anywhere from one payline to hundreds or even thousands of ways to win.

• Line Bet — The amount wagered on a single payline.

• Linked Progressive Slots — Two or more slot machines whose progressive jackpots are connected, pooling bets from all linked games into one shared prize.

• Loose Slot — Player jargon for a slot believed to have a higher payout rate. In reality, the RTP is set by the game developer and certified by regulators.

• Low Volatility — A slot characteristic indicating frequent but smaller wins. Low-volatility games are ideal for players who prefer steady, consistent payouts and longer playing sessions.

M

• Maximum Bet — The highest possible wager per spin on a given slot game.

• Megaways — A popular slot mechanic (developed by Big Time Gaming) that uses a variable number of symbols on each reel per spin, creating up to 117,649 (or more) ways to win. The number of active ways changes with every spin.

• Minimum Bet — The lowest possible wager per spin. Fatbet's slots cater to all budgets, with many titles starting at very low minimums.

• Mobile Slots — Slot games optimised for play on smartphones and tablets. The entire Fatbet platform — including all slots — is fully mobile-friendly, and you can also download the Fatbet Android app for an even smoother experience.

• Multi-Line Slots — Slots offering more than one payline, giving players multiple chances to win on each spin.

• Multiplier — A feature or symbol that multiplies your winnings by a specified factor. For instance, a 5x multiplier turns a R10 win into R50.

• Multi-Way Slots — Video slots that offer multiple ways of forming winning combinations beyond traditional paylines.

N

• Near Miss — When the reels stop just one position away from a winning combination. It can feel tantalisingly close, but each spin is entirely independent.

• Nudge — A feature in some slots (especially classic fruit machines) that lets you shift a reel up or down by one position after it stops, potentially completing a winning combination.

O

• One-Armed Bandit — A classic nickname for traditional slot machines, referring to the lever (the "arm") on the side of the machine.

• One-Liner — A slot game with a single payline. To win, you must line up matching symbols on that one line.

• Online Slots — Slot games played digitally over the internet, as opposed to on physical machines. All of Fatbet's slots are online slots accessible from any device.

  P

• Payline — The line across the reels on which a winning combination of symbols must appear. See also "Line."

• Paytable — The information screen within a slot game that shows the value of each symbol, the payline patterns, bonus rules, and special feature details. Always check the paytable before playing a new slot — it tells you everything you need to know.

• Payout / Payout Percentage — See "RTP" below.

• Progressive Jackpot — A jackpot that increases incrementally every time a player places a bet on the game (or a network of linked games). Progressive jackpots can grow to enormous sums before being won.

  R

• Random Number Generator (RNG) — The computer algorithm that determines the outcome of every spin. The RNG produces thousands of number combinations per second, ensuring each result is completely random and fair. All slots on Fatbet use certified RNG technology.

• Reels — The vertical columns on a slot game that spin and display symbols. Classic slots typically have three reels; most modern video slots have five or more.

• Re-Spin — A feature that lets one or more reels spin again after an initial result, often triggered by a specific symbol or bonus condition. Unlike free spins, a re-spin usually occurs within the base game.

• RTP (Return to Player) — The theoretical percentage of total bets that a slot is programmed to pay back to players over time. For example, a slot with a 96% RTP will, on average, return R96 for every R100 wagered over the long run. The remaining 4% represents the house edge.

S

• Scatter Symbol — A special symbol that typically triggers bonus features (such as free spins or bonus rounds) regardless of its position on the reels. Unlike regular symbols, scatters usually don't need to land on a specific payline to count.

• Spin Button — The on-screen button you press to start the reels spinning. In the digital age, this has replaced the physical lever.

• Stacked Wilds — Wild symbols that appear stacked on top of each other on a reel, covering multiple positions and increasing the chances of big wins.

• Sticky Wilds — Wild symbols that remain in place for a set number of spins, continuing to substitute for other symbols across multiple rounds.

• Symbol — Any image or icon that appears on the reels of a slot game. Symbols can include fruits, numbers, letters, themed characters, wilds, scatters, and more.

T

• Three-Reel Slot (3-Reel Slot) — A slot machine with three vertical spinning reels. This is the classic slot format.

• Tumbling Reels — See "Cascading Reels."

• Turbo Spin — A speed setting that makes the reels spin and stop faster, allowing for quicker gameplay.

  V

• Video Slots — Modern online slots that feature five or more reels, advanced graphics, animations, themed sound effects, and various bonus features. The vast majority of the slot library at Fatbet consists of video slots.

• Volatility — A measure of risk associated with a slot game. High volatility means bigger but less frequent wins; low volatility means smaller but more frequent wins. Medium volatility sits in between. Choose a volatility level that matches your personal playing style and budget.

W

• Wagering Requirements — Conditions attached to a casino bonus that specify how many times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings derived from it. Always read the terms of any Fatbet promotion to understand the wagering requirements.

• Ways to Win — The total number of possible winning combinations on a slot. Modern slots can offer anywhere from 10 to over 100,000 ways to win.

• Wild Symbol — A special symbol that substitutes for most other symbols on the reels to help complete winning combinations. Think of it as the joker of the slot world. Wilds come in many varieties: expanding, sticky, stacked, shifting, and more.

• Win Line — See "Payline."

How to Play Online Slots at Fatbet

Playing slots at Fatbet is straightforward:

1. Browse the Slots section and pick a game that catches your eye — or try it in demo mode first to get a feel for the mechanics.

2. Set your bet amount according to your budget. Adjust the coin size and number of active paylines (if applicable) to control your total stake.

3. Press the Spin button and watch the reels go.

4. If matching symbols land on an active payline, you win! Payouts are calculated based on the paytable.

5. Look out for bonus features — scatters, wilds, free spins, and bonus rounds can significantly boost your winnings.

6. When you're ready, head to the Banking page to withdraw your winnings.

Remember to always gamble responsibly. Set a budget before you start playing, stick to it, and know when to stop. If you need support, call the National Gambling Programme at 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp HELP to 076 675 0710.

Why Play Slots at Fatbet?

Fatbet is a licensed online casino platform in South Africa, regulated by the Eastern Cape Gambling Board (Bookmakers Licence ECBM 025). Here's what makes our slots experience stand out:

Huge game library — Hundreds of slots from trusted providers including Tomhorn, GameArt, Evoplay, Spinomenal, ThreeOaks, SmartSoft, and more.

Demo mode — Try virtually any slot for free before playing with real money.

Mobile-friendly — Play on any device, anywhere. Download the Fatbet Android app for the best mobile experience.

Generous promotions — Free spins, cashback, deposit bonuses, and a Loyalty Club that rewards you for every spin.

Safe and fair — All games use certified RNG technology, and the platform operates under South African gaming regulations.

Ready to put your new slots vocabulary to use? Head to Fatbet, pick a slot, and start spinning.

FAQs

What is RTP and why does it matter?

RTP (Return to Player) is the theoretical percentage of wagered money a slot pays back over time. A higher RTP generally means better long-term value for players. Most modern slots have an RTP between 94% and 97%.

What is the difference between high and low volatility slots?

High-volatility slots pay out less often but offer the chance of larger wins. Low-volatility slots deliver smaller, more frequent payouts. Your choice depends on your risk appetite and bankroll.

Can I try slots for free at Fatbet?

Yes. Most slots on Fatbet are available in demo mode, letting you play with virtual credits to learn the game before wagering real money.

What are free spins?

Free spins are bonus rounds where you spin the reels without paying for each spin. They can be awarded within a game (triggered by scatter symbols) or as a promotional offer from Fatbet.

How do progressive jackpots work?

A small percentage of every bet placed on a progressive slot contributes to a shared jackpot pool. The jackpot grows until a player hits the winning combination and claims the prize. Progressive jackpots can be linked across multiple games, leading to very large potential payouts.

Are online slots fair?

Yes. All slots on Fatbet use Random Number Generators (RNG) that are tested and certified by independent authorities, ensuring every spin is completely random and unbiased.

What does "ways to win" mean?

Instead of traditional fixed paylines, "ways to win" slots award prizes whenever matching symbols appear on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of their vertical position. A 243-ways-to-win slot, for example, offers 243 different symbol combinations that can result in a payout.