When you sign up at a new online casino site, you are almost guaranteed to be offered a welcome bonus. These promotions are designed to attract new players, and the most usual bonus structure is an amount of bonus credit linked to the amount that you deposit. This can be for the first deposit only, or spread over a few initial deposits, and they often include some free spins as well.

Bonus credit can be used to play any game at the casino. You could choose to go for classics like roulette, craps, baccarat, or blackjack, but if you want to get the best value from a casino sign up bonus, experts suggest you stick to the slots. That’s because it is easier to clear the wagering requirements on slot games than anything else at the casino.

So, if you want to use your bonus playing classic games, then classic slots are the way to go. How to define a classic slot is a topic of some debate. Some believe that only three-reel games can qualify, but we don’t like to be too prescriptive. Here is our selection of the best classic slots to play with your casino bonus.

Grand 777 (Microgaming)

Microgaming has been around since the dawn of online gambling, so they have a huge collection of classic slots. Grand 777 is a great example of their early games, released in 2000. It has the classic slot function, emulating the pre-internet mechanical slot machines. That means three reels and a single payline. The symbols are also very old-school - bars, cherries, and sevens. Fans of truly classic slot games should definitely check out Microgaming’s back catalog.

Starburst (NetEnt)

Starburst may not qualify under some definitions of a classic slot, as it has some features of modern video slots such as expanding wilds. However, nobody can deny its status as an online casino classic. The gameplay and imagery is relatively simple, with five reels and ten fixed paylines. It is also one of the most popular slot games ever created, and at one time it was by far the most common slot for free spins welcome offers.

Bell of Fortune (Play’n GO)

If you want an updated version of the simple three-reel slot game, then try this one from Play’n GO. released in 2018, the game has the high specs of a modern production with the charm of a classic game. The game has a retro aesthetic with fruits and of course a bell, and one payline. The twist here is that if you play with three coins, the game becomes a progressive jackpot slot with a massive potential payout.

Mega Joker (NetEnt)

When NetEnt released Mega Joker in 2011, it was an instant hit. The game retains the integrity of a classic slot while adding some contemporary touches to elevate the experience. The look and feel is all classic - fruit symbols and the titular joker - but there are some surprises too. The RTP varies a lot depending on how much you play for, and there’s a progressive jackpot to be won as well.

Lucky Clover (iSoftBet)

Here is another more recent release that combines the best of a classic game with the advantages of a modern design. If you’re after an Irish theme, then this slot is a great choice. There are no flashy bonuses or free spins, but there are wilds that fill the reels and the chance to win a $15,000 jackpot. The RTP is also pretty decent, coming in at just shy of 96%.

Reel Classic 5 (Playtech)

If you want the best of both worlds, then you have to try Reel Classic 5. The slot combines the straightforward gameplay of retro slots with a more dynamic action. There are five reels and also five paylines, which makes for a happy medium between single payline slots and some of today’s five reel slots with hundreds of ways to win. The imagery is also extremely retro - it was released in 2009 but looks older. However, updated versions play very well on mobile, which is a huge advantage for players today.

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