The Global Gaming Awards are some of the most prestigious awarded to the casino industry. One award is of particular interest to casino gaming fans: the ‘Online Slot of the Year’ award, given to the best slot games which have stood out among the hundreds released every year by various software providers. Every year the ten best slots are added to a shortlist, which is voted for by a panel of 50 C-level industry executives, while KPMG monitor the voting process to ensure fairness. All of this makes this particular award one of the biggest and most highly-prized around.
This award has been handed out every year since 2016, and on this page we will go through all of the past winners and tell you a little bit about each of the games. Net Entertainment have won the most awards with three out of nine, which will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with this software provider.
Here’s a table summarizing the most important information about each of the GGA’s “Online Slot of the Year” winning slots:
| Year | Slot Game | Developer | Features | RTP | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Money Train 4 | Relax Gaming | Cluster Pays, respins, bonus rounds, multipliers | 96.10% | Sci-Fi |
| 2023 | Jackpot Carnival | Aristocrat Gaming | Progressive jackpot, multiple bonus rounds, high volatility | 96.04% | Carnival |
| 2022 | Wild Wild Buffalo | Aristocrat Gaming | Wild symbols, multipliers, free spins, bonus rounds | 96.00% | Wild West |
| 2021 | Divine Fortune Megaways | NetEnt | Megaways mechanics, expanding wilds, free spins, jackpot | 96.09% | Mythology |
| 2020 | Gonzo’s Quest Megaways | Red Tiger | Megaways mechanics, cascading reels, free spins, multipliers | 96.00% | Adventure |
| 2019 | Bonanza | Big Time Gaming | Megaways mechanics, cascading reels, unlimited multipliers, free spins | 96.00% | Mining |
| 2018 | Vikings Go Berzerk | Yggdrasil | Free spins, sticky wilds, bonus games, high volatility | 96.10% | Vikings |
| 2017 | Guns N’ Roses | NetEnt | Expanding wilds, bonus features, free spins, multipliers | 96.98% | Music |
| 2016 | Mega Fortune | NetEnt | Progressive jackpot, wild substitutions, free spins, bonus game | 96.60% | Luxury |
Let’s take a closer look at the best online slot for every year, as voted for by industry insiders at the GGA:
Money Train 4 (2024 Winner)
Relax Gaming finally claims the coveted Best Slot Award from GGA with the fourth incarnation of its hugely popular Money Train series of futuristic slots. This Cluster Pays slot is packed full of exciting features and is a worthy winner of the 2024 award. We love the respin feature here, which can be triggered at the end of any winning spin. The winning symbols are sticky and the reels keep spinning as long as more of the same symbols appear, building up the multipliers as they do so. Three Bonus symbols unlocks the bonus free spin round, where characters like the Sniper and Arms Dealer show up to turbo-charge your wins. With a massive 150,000x max win there is little doubt that Money Train 4 is going to be a fan-favorite for years to come.
Jackpot Carnival (2023 Winner)
Jackpot Carnival, developed by Aristocrat Gaming, offers players a thrilling carnival-themed experience with vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay. This slot is known for its high volatility and multiple bonus rounds, which keep players on the edge of their seats. The standout feature is its progressive jackpot, which provides the potential formassive wins. With a solid RTP of over 96%, this has quickly become a favorite among slot enthusiasts looking for both entertainment and big wins.
Wild Wild Buffalo (2022 Winner)
Wild Wild Buffalo by Aristocrat Gaming transports players to the rugged landscapes of the Wild West, offering a slot experience filled with adventure and potential riches. This game features wild symbols, multipliers, and free spins, along with exciting bonus rounds that enhance the gameplay. The absence of specified RTP does not deter players, as the game’s theme and engaging features ensure a captivating gaming session. The combination of these elements makes Wild Wild Buffalo a standout slot in the genre.
Divine Fortune Megaways (2021 Winner)
NetEnt’s Divine Fortune Megaways reimagines the popular Divine Fortune slot with the innovative Megaways mechanics, providing up to 117,649 ways to win. Set against a backdrop of mythical creatures and ancient Greek themes, the game features expanding wilds, free spins, and a lucrative jackpot, making it a hit among players. With an RTP of 96.09%, Divine Fortune Megaways combines high-quality graphics and atmospheric music to ensure an exciting experience for mythology enthusiasts and slot players alike.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (2020 Winner)
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, developed by Red Tiger, enhances the beloved Gonzo’s Quest slot with the addition of Megaways mechanics, offering an exciting adventure with up to 117,649 ways to win. The game features cascading reels, where winning symbols are replaced by new ones, creating opportunities for consecutive wins. Free spins and multipliers add to the excitement, while the adventurous theme featuring the iconic explorer Gonzo keeps players engaged. Everybody loved the original Gonzo slot, so adding the Megaways feature is the cherry on top of the cake.
Bonanza (2019 Winner)
Bonanza by Big Time Gaming is a pioneering slot that introduced the highly popular Megaways mechanics, offering up to 117,649 ways to win. Megaways games have appeared in this list a number of times, and for good reason, since this is one of the features that a lot of casino slot players look out for when they are checking out games. Set in a mining theme, the game features cascading reels, where winning symbols are replaced by new ones, and the potential for unlimited multipliers during free spins. With an RTP of 96.00%, Bonanza provides a dynamic and engaging gaming experience that has set a standard for future slots. Its clever mechanics and rewarding features have made it a favorite among players.
Vikings Go Berzerk (2018 Winner)
Yggdrasil’s Vikings Go Berzerk takes players on a thrilling journey with a group of fierce Viking warriors. The game is characterized by its high volatility and features such as free spins, sticky wilds, and engaging bonus games that add layers of excitement. With an RTP of 96.10%, players can enjoy a well-balanced slot experience that combines captivating graphics, a fun storyline, and rewarding gameplay mechanics. The game’s unique theme and innovative features make it a standout in the slot market.
Guns N’ Roses (2017 Winner)
Guns N’ Roses by NetEnt is a tribute to the legendary rock band, offering a music-themed slot experience that combines exciting gameplay with iconic tracks. Not every musical tie-in works too well, but this slot shows others exactly how it should be done. The game features expanding wilds, bonus features, free spins, and multipliers, making it a dynamic and engaging slot. With an RTP of 96.98%, players can enjoy high payouts while rocking out to their favorite Guns N’ Roses hits. The combination of stellar graphics, awesome music from the band, and rewarding features ensures that this slot remains a fan favorite to this day.
Mega Fortune (2016 Winner)
NetEnt’s Mega Fortune is renowned for its luxurious theme and the potential for enormous wins through its progressive jackpot. The game features wild substitutions, free spins, and a very nice bonus game where players can win one of the three progressive jackpots. With an RTP of 96.60%, Mega Fortune combines high-quality graphics with the allure of opulence, offering players a chance to indulge in a lavish gaming experience. Its reputation for massive payouts has made it one of the most popular slots in the online gaming industry, fully deserving of its 2016 award.
There are thousands of online slots to choose from out there, many available to play for free on social and sweepstakes casinos like Hello Millions. The GGA awards certainly provide a guide to some of the best of the best, and let us know just how the online slot gaming world is evolving year on year.
