Slot Volatility Explained: UK Guide to High vs Low Variance

Understanding slot volatility is key if you want more control over how you play. Our KingCasinoBonus team tried more than 100 different slots on UKGC-licensed sites, spending over £2,000 to see how volatility really changes the way games pay out.

Some slots give you regular small outcomes, while others hold out for the big jackpots, and knowing which type you’re playing makes all the difference. In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down high, medium, and low volatility slots, show you how to match them to your budget and risk level, and share expert tips for getting the most from UK casinos.

Slot Volatility Explained: What You Need to Know

Slot volatility is an important influence in slot games. Volatility refers to how often a slot triggers a win and the size of the win. Volatility refers to the risk factor in slot machines, as it indicates how often you get a win from a slot game.

There are three levels of volatility in slot games, and each offers different sizes of wins ranging from high, medium, and low. These levels provide different winning sizes and frequencies. To find the best volatility level, you’d need to consider factors such as your bankroll, winning preference, and risk tolerance.

High vs Medium vs Low Volatility: Complete Breakdown

There are three slot volatility types or levels, and each of them offers different outcomes. So, when reading a slot game review or playing a slot game and you come across terms such as low, medium, or high volatility, here’s what it means:

Low Volatility Slots

Simply put, these slot games offer a frequent payout at a small value. Low volatility slots come with lower risks compared to the other volatility levels. With these titles, you don’t get to lose an enormous bet amount, and you don’t get to win much either.

You’d get 250 – 500x of your bet amount, though at a frequent interval. This volatility index is best for players who don’t want to spend much on a game. With lower volatility slots, you get small losses, more extended playtime, and easy bankroll management.

Medium Volatility Slots

Medium volatility games create a balance between risk and potential rewards. With these variants, you get fairly regular streams of medium-sized payouts; however, nothing huge. Unlike low, medium-volatile slot variance, which often includes in-game bonus features, making gameplay exciting. These slots’ volatility level is perfect for players seeking a fun gaming experience with decent wins.

High Volatility Slots

What does high volatility mean in slots? High slot volatility means large payouts up to 10,000x of your bet, however, at an infrequent interval. This volatility level also means higher risks as you hit several empty spins.

You‘d also need a larger bankroll for high volatility slots, meaning you bet hefty amounts to come close to a winning trigger. Although infrequently, when a win is triggered, you get bigger payouts than in games in the low and medium categories.

How Volatility Affects Your UK Casino Experience

• High or low volatility impacts the frequency of your wins: Low volatility slots pay out more. So, playing such variants, you’d get frequent wins, hitting the winning trigger at least every five spins. High-volatility slots, on the other hand, result in longer periods between winning streaks, so you encounter several empty spins. Your win frequency comes less often, but when you get a win, it is more substantial
• Volatility may influence the size of your payouts: Although you experience frequent spin hits with low-volatility titles, they typically offer smaller payouts. So you don’t get any substantial wins with low volatility slot titles. High volatility, on the other hand, offers a hot streak of larger payouts and more substantial wins than the low category.

The ideal volatility level depends on your budget, game preference, and risk tolerance. Understanding the volatility level helps you select slot variances suited to your preferences and manage your bankroll risk accordingly.

Always ensure you’re playing at UKGC-licensed casino sites where game information is transparent and regulated for fair play.

How to Check Slot Volatility Before You Play

1. Game Information – You can use the “information button” to see the volatility ratings of the game. This detail is often featured with the game RTP percentage. Details about a slot machine’s volatility are usually displayed on the paytable.
2. Playing the Game – You can also play the game and observe the winning frequency and size of payouts to gauge the volatility level of a slot game. Thankfully, you can play most real money slots for free in demo mode, so you get a glimpse of how the game’s volatility works.
3. Checking Online Resources – Reading game reviews and feedback from users who play slots is another way to determine the volatility of a title. At KingCasinoBonus.uk, we often provide expert reviews of the best slot titles, giving you all the necessary information.

Volatility vs RTP: Key Differences UK Players Must Know

Like volatility, RTP influences the payout of each slot game, making this feature an equally important aspect to consider in slot games.

Return to Player percentage refers to the average amount of the place bet a player gets back while playing a slot game. Slots’ RTPs are usually displayed as a percentage, so a slot title with an RTP of 96% indicates that, on average, players get back £96 of every £100 staked.

Although RTP indicates the likely percentage you get from a placed bet, it doesn’t say how these winnings will be distributed. So, while slots’ RTP and variance indicate the player’s average return rate, volatility determines the frequency at which this winning is distributed.

Top UK Slots by Volatility Level (2025 Tested)

Low Volatility Slot Examples

• Starburst – Starburst is an exciting slot machine from NetEnt and is considered one of the most popular machines of all time. It features a 5×3 reel and has an RTP of 96.1%. You can play Starburst using Virgin Games Casino’s welcome bonus, or check out our list of Starburst free spins offers.
• Blood Suckers – This vampire-inspired theme by NetEnt is popular for referencing the undead character Dracula. The game comes on a 5×3 reel, with a higher-than-average RTP of 98% and other bonuses attached. Lottoland Casino’s welcome promotion is a great option if you want to try out this online slot game.

Medium Volatility Slots Examples

• Gonzo’s Quest – This immersive gameplay by NetEnt is one of the most popular medium volatility slots on the market. Gonzo’s Quest is a 5×3 reel slot with 20 paylines and an RTP of 96%.
• Immortal Romance – With a theme based on romance and vampires, Microgaming sure put a lot into this game. Immortal Romance has a high volatility rate of 96.86% and boasts 243 paylines on its 5×3 reels. This medium-volatility slot game, among others, can be played at all the Casino Rewards sites.

High Volatility Slot Examples

• Dead or Alive II – NetEnt’s 5-reeled Dead or Alive 2 is the perfect example of high volatility slots. The game features an RTP of 96.8% and offers a massive 111,111x maximum win cap to players. Visit Lottomart Casino to get your hands on this higher volatility game.
• Book of Dead – Book of Dead is a mystery and adventure-filled slot by Play’n Go. The 5-reeled game has an RTP of 96.21% and offers a maximum payout win of 5,000x the players’ bet. Because the game is so popular among British players our experts created a list with all the best Book of Dead promos.

Expert Bankroll Strategies for Each Volatility Type

Choosing the right slot volatility for each game depends on your preferences. However, here are some slot machine tips to help you make the right decision. However, before playing at any volatility level, set strict spending limits and utilise the responsible gambling tools available at all licensed UK operators.

Managing Your Bankroll

For players who enjoy steady wins and more extended playtime, low volatility slots are the perfect choice, as they require much smaller budgets. In contrast, players with more significant capital may go for higher slot volatility, as they offer far more substantial rewards.

For those with significant capital for gambling, medium volatilities are the best. Overall, choosing a slot’s variance should depend on the players’ budget, and the best way to do so is by setting up a budget for each session and sticking to it.

Choosing the Right Slot for Your Bankroll

The measure of risks you can take should determine the level of volatility you should play. For example, players who enjoy the high risk of chasing a jackpot can settle for games with high slot volatility.

And then, players who prefer playing it safe at all times can choose the lower slot variance. Players who are more neutral about it can try out slots with medium volatility. So, you will need to consider your playing style and your emotional responses to losses and wins.

Using Bonuses Based on Slot Machine Volatility

Bonuses are one of the rewards players look forward to while visiting casino platforms. Usually, games with lower slot volatility have more accessible bonus rounds than those with higher slot volatility. However, for players to extend their gameplay while pursuing low-risk and high-risk games, it is essential to take advantage of bonuses.

With these online casino bonuses, you’ll spend less than you initially budgeted, and in some cases, cash out. So, new players can often test different volatility levels using welcome bonuses and free spins without risking their own money initially.