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Mastering the Symbols, Features and Paylines of Online Slots
To the uninitiated, online slots can feel like a confusing world. A long way from the fruit machines you used to play down the local pub, modern slots are much more extravagant games. At the same time, they can offer much bigger jackpots, as well as the chance to scoop big wins from innovative bonus features and combination pays.
Understanding the symbols, features and paylines of online slots can enhance your playing experience, as well as improve your chances of making good decisions on your way to landing a big win. Knowing the common types of symbols and their roles, along with common ways of triggering bonus features can give you fresh insight into what’s going on when you spin the reels in the hope of landing a win.
Expert slot reviews are one of the best ways to explore all the features of different games, and to decide the right games for you. Ultimately, each slot game is different. But at its core, there are some features of the slot format that will crop up again and again.
Symbols, Reels and Paylines
Lining up symbols in matching combinations is the name of the game in slots. There tend to be a number of regular paying symbols – combinations of usually three or more of these in adjacent positions across the reels will pay out a win, which is calculated by multiplying your stake according to the value of the combination.
There are usually different paylines in play – these are the directions on the reels that will pay out when you land matching symbols in adjacent spaces. Sometimes these are fixed paylines, and only combinations landing on one of these lines will pay a win. In other cases, paylines are adjustable, or win all ways – i.e. paying out on any combination in any direction. This is down to the specifics of the game itself, but it’s worth knowing before you start spinning so you can gauge when you’ve landed a win.
Every slot has a paytable which explains the paylines, as well as the symbol values. It’s always advisable to have a quick scan of the paytable first, to get a firm idea of the different combination values and how much the game pays for matching symbols. This will also note the values and functions of the special symbols, of which there are usually at least two or three in most modern slot games.
The most common is the wild symbol, a symbol that substitutes for any other in the game to help form winning combinations. Scatter symbols are the next most common, which usually need to land three or more times to trigger a free spins feature or other bonus round. You’ll also commonly find separate bonus or jackpot symbols, which will launch the features and the bonus rounds – you’ll want to find these in order to kick yourself into the higher paying quarters of most slots games, where the big money jackpots are to be found.
Special Structures and Features
Aside from the core structures you’ll find across most slot games, developers are now increasingly innovative in their game designs, to deliver an enhanced playing experience and help their games stand out from the crowd.
Expanding symbols are increasingly common, where a single symbol can expand to cover the entire height of a real. Similarly, stacked symbols are in play in some games, which bring a vertical stack of symbols on top of each other onto the reels, giving you more chances to match these symbols in combination with positions on other reels.
Features like tumbling reels or cascading reels are another more commonly seen sight. When these are in play, winning combinations vacate their reel positions, allowing symbols to tumble from above into new positions on the reels. This can have the effect of creating successive wins from a single combination, effectively multiplying the amount you can win from any single spin.
Other features such as multipliers and mystery boxes are also commonplace. In the case of multipliers, it’s a feature that allows you to multiply anything you win, usually incrementally as the game progresses, to deliver the possibility of larger wins. Mystery boxes tend to be symbols that explode to reveal some other symbol or prize, effectively an added bonus feature to further enhance your game.
Practice Makes Perfect
If this all sounds a bit confusing, don’t be alarmed. While fun and straightforward in essence, slots have come on leaps and bounds since basic fruit machines, and it can take some time to get the hang of everything. If you want to learn the ropes without risking your money up front, demo games are the perfect way to get a feel for how it all works.
There’s very little skill in slots, and it tends to be a case of crossing your fingers with every spin. But at least with some experience of demo games under your belt, you’ll have a better understanding of the kind of features that are common across slot games, and on your way to mastering the symbols, features and paylines in online slots.
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Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming
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Casino Guru proudly unveils four new award categories for the upcoming Casino Guru Awards 2026, further expanding its mission to recognize individuals and organizations shaping a fairer, safer, and more forward-thinking iGaming industry.
Following three years of continued growth and rising influence, the Casino Guru Awards remain the only industry awards focused primarily on fairness, transparency, integrity, and responsible innovation. The 2026 ceremony, scheduled for May 25, 2026, at The Xara Lodge in Malta, in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta, will spotlight outstanding achievements from across the global iGaming landscape.
This year’s newly introduced categories reflect Casino Guru’s commitment to acknowledging emerging talent, ethical leadership, and positive workplace culture.
New Award Categories for 2026
Woman Leader of the Year
This category celebrates an exceptional female leader whose vision, resilience, and strategic influence have helped transform her company and the industry as a whole.
Judges will look for measurable achievements in 2024–2025, including business growth, crisis management, innovation in user experience, safety, transparency, and responsible gambling.
The award is open to women driving meaningful impact while championing diversity, mentorship, and collaborative progress within iGaming.
Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
Designed to recognize organizations making remarkable early strides in safer gambling initiatives, this category highlights innovation and genuine commitment from companies of all sizes.
Whether through impactful tools, awareness campaigns, or fresh approaches to player protection, nominees must demonstrate provable results that contribute to higher standards of responsibility and safety across the industry.
Young Changemaker Award
Honoring an individual under 30, the Young Changemaker Award shines a spotlight on rising professionals whose ethical innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking actions have made a visible impact in 2025.
Judges will consider originality, leadership ability, and tangible contributions that set a new benchmark for integrity and progress in iGaming.
Industry Culture Shaper
Recognizing that true industry progress starts within organizations, this award honors companies that cultivate positive, transparent, and supportive workplace cultures.
Nominees will be assessed based on measurable outcomes such as employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity, alongside initiatives that support wellbeing, mental health, professional development, and ethical HR practices.
Additional weight will be given to organizations whose efforts inspire better standards beyond their walls through partnerships, advocacy, or shared knowledge.
A broader vision for industry progress
“The addition of these categories marks an important evolution for the Casino Guru Awards,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project.
“By spotlighting leadership, emerging talent, responsible innovation, and culture, we are amplifying the people and values that will define the future of iGaming. These awards aim to inspire positive change at every level, from individual contributors to global operators.”
The new categories will stand alongside Casino Guru’s established awards, including The Fairest Bonus Policy, The Most Transparent Casino, The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools, and others that reflect Casino Guru’s core values.
The post Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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CT Interactive is further expanding its presence in the regulated Romanian market through the launch of new gaming content on Maxbet.ro. This collaboration introduces a selection of top-performing titles designed to boost player engagement and enhance the overall gaming experience across the region.
As part of the collaboration, Maxbet.ro will feature two exclusive titles available only to its players — Kyoto Magic and Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus.
Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, said: “Our collaboration with Maxbet.ro reflects our commitment to developing high-quality content that meets the demands of the modern Romanian player. Titles like Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus and Kyoto Magic showcase the best of our portfolio – dynamic gameplay, strategic depth, attractive bonus features and excellent math models.”
“We are confident that our exclusive titles will enhance the gaming experience for Maxbet’s players, offering them a richer, more immersive, and engaging journey,” added Bogdan Smeu, Regional Manager for Romania at CT Interactive.
In addition to the exclusive titles, Maxbet.ro will now feature a selection of CT Interactive’s most popular games, including 20 Mega Star, Lucky Clover 10, The Shining Globe, Zet Fruits and Doctor Winstein Buy Bonus.
The launch of this new content underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to the Romanian market, delivering premium gaming experiences that enhance player engagement and contribute to the long-term success of its partners.
The post CT Interactive Expands in Romania with New Game Launch on Maxbet.ro appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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CT Gaming has announced that the company has been shortlisted in three major categories at the BEGE Awards 2025, reaffirming its strong market presence and commitment to delivering innovative gaming solutions.
This year, CT Gaming is a finalist in the following categories:
• Slot Product of the Year – Next 32
• Jackpot System of the Year – Diamond Tree Deluxe
• Casino Management System of the Year – Rhino CMS
These nominations recognise the company’s continuous ability to combine modern technological advances with proven performance, creating products that deliver exceptional value to both operators and players.
NEXT 32 is the most innovative slot cabinet in CT Gaming’s portfolio, impressive with its advanced technical features, ergonomic design and enhanced player interaction.
The upgraded Diamond Tree Deluxe jackpot system stands out with improved visuals, smoother gameplay and the exciting ability for players to win any jackpot tier directly from the base game. Its flexibility allows operators to configure parameters according to their venue needs, offering a customized jackpot experience.
Rhino, CT Gaming’s powerful casino management system, continues to evolve with new modules and features that streamline operations, support informed decision-making and enhance player interaction. Its comprehensive and scalable platform is designed to suit gaming venues of any size.
“We are honored to receive recognition in three categories this year. It reflects our team’s dedication to innovation and delivering products that support the success of our partners,” said Biser Bozhanov, CEO at CT Gaming.
The post CT Gaming Shortlisted in Three Categories at BEGE Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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