Slot games are hugely popular in both online casinos and in physical casinos, as well as in places like betting shops. For many people, slots are simple to understand and easy to play, they don’t require lots of knowledge or even any real strategy to play (other than managing your bankroll and keeping it fun), and wherever you play you can find familiar games.

With so many slot games available, and more being released regularly, where should you start in 2024?

Starburst

This might be one of the more familiar games on this list, but that doesn’t mean that Starburst slot might be a bad choice to start your 2024 gaming with.

Produced by NetEnt, it is a simple and straightforward slot game that has a basic five row and three reels set up that offers 10 paylines. You can play for free on some platforms or choose to stake from 10p to £100 per spin.

You win when you match 3, 4, or 5 symbols across the paylines, and Starburst has Win Both Ways technology which means that wins can come left to right, and right to left.

One of the main reasons that this is an excellent choice of game, particularly for inexperienced players, is that it is considered to have low volatility. This means that you are less likely to get huge payouts, but are more likely to have more regular wins, which is an enjoyable way to play when you are getting started. While the 96.09% RTP rate might not be as high as some of the other slots on this list, it is still (just) above average.

This retro space theme slot game is always fun to play, with wilds that can help you win that elusive 500x stake jackpot.

Gold Rush Express

Created by Area Vegas, Gold rush Express offers five reels, four rows, and 20 paylines – so there are lots of opportunities to win.

As you might expect, this is a slot game that has a gold panning, Wild West theme, with a locomotive that can win big for you. There are four fixed jackpots, but you’ll want to aim for the Grand Jackpot, which is worth 5,000x your stake.

Gold Rush Express has several different special symbols, which makes it a bit more exciting – you can land wild symbols – get five of them and you can instantly win 10x your stake. There are scatter symbols, which unlock a bonus round of 10 free spins if you get three or more.

Get a train or a bell and you can win a cash prize – so there are lots of opportunities to boost your chances.

This game has a slightly higher RTP rate than Starburst (96.45%) and having more features it might appeal to the more experienced slots player.

7’s Deluxe

There is something appealing about the more retro games, and it might be said that there aren’t many more retro than 7’s Deluxe. Made by Blueprint Gaming, this game couldn’t be simpler – three reels, three rows, and just five fixed paylines, it is an entry-level game that offers some extensive opportunities to win.

The classic fruit symbols on this slot game hints at easier times gone by, but this doesn’t mean that it is a boring game to play. Between the imagery and the sound effects, you might not believe you are in 2024 when you are playing.

There are so many combinations that can help you win. From the simple fruits that can offer 8x your stake to others that offer 20x your stake, with the top prize at 250x your stake. The only special symbol in the game is the Flaming Wilds – and that can boost your win to 2,500x your stake if you manage to get the right amount of them.

Secrets of the Phoenix

And now for something completely different. Secrets of the Phoenix combines classic slot mechanics with some excellent graphic storytelling in a game that you can enjoy repeatedly.

Created by Gamesys, this slot game is just as immersive as their other titles. Featuring a five reel, three row structure that will be immediately familiar, there are a total of 25 paylines.

The theme of this game is ancient civilisation, with ruined temples and icons of the gods of old as part of the game. It has a medium volatility and a RTP rate of 94.97% which is smaller than some of the other games on this list – but that won’t put you off if you are after something a bit different in your quest for Aztec gold.

There are cascading reels, stacked wilds, and multiple ways to earn free spins – so you will have all the opportunities you need to reach the 500x stake jackpot that is available.