Many of the most popular slot machines in US casinos come from three makers: Aristocrat, IGT and Light & Wonder. Long-running families such as Buffalo, Wheel of Fortune, Dancing Drums and Lock It Link, and classic reel games like Top Dollar and Double Diamond, are fixtures on casino floors. Some of them, or close versions, are also offered at licensed online casinos in states where online gambling is legal.
Who makes the most popular slots
- Aristocrat: the Australian maker behind Buffalo, Miss Kitty and The Walking Dead slots. Aristocrat tends to build families of games around a proven bonus, then release new versions with bigger jackpots or new mechanics.
- IGT: the company behind Wheel of Fortune, Megabucks, Top Dollar, Double Diamond and Kitty Glitter. Since July 2025 IGT’s gaming and digital business has been owned by funds managed by Apollo and combined with Everi, still under the IGT name.
- Light & Wonder: the company formerly called Scientific Games, which makes Dancing Drums, Lock It Link and Willy Wonka slots.
Smaller studios also have hits. High 5 Games’ The Green Machine, for example, has run for 25 years and still gets new versions.
Popular video slots
Buffalo slots are the best-known example of a slot family. The original game’s free spins bonus became the base for a long line of follow-ups, and you will find several Buffalo titles in most US casinos. Aristocrat games such as Miss Kitty share the same idea: simple base games, free spins triggered by scatter symbols, and a bonus that can pay many times the bet.
Chinese-themed games are another big group. Dancing Drums from Light & Wonder pairs free games with four fixed jackpots won through a pick bonus, and Lock It Link is another long-running Light & Wonder series. Related titles include 88 Fortunes, Fu Dao Le and China Shores.
IGT’s older video games get new versions too: Kitty Glitter got a sequel, Kitty Glitter Grand, in 2025. Our reviews also cover older video slots such as Pharaoh’s Fortune.
Popular reel slots
Mechanical reel slots take up less floor space than they once did, but the classics remain. Top Dollar is a three-reel IGT game whose bonus lets you take a credit offer or try again for a better one, and Triple Double Diamond and its relatives are built on simple multiplier wild symbols. Players who like them tend to value the steady pace and the clear pay table on the glass. Many reel games pay their top award only on a maximum bet, so read the glass before you play. Our guide to how much to bet on slots explains when a max bet matters.
Popular progressive slots
Wide-area progressives link machines across many casinos to one jackpot meter, which is how Megabucks and the Wheel of Fortune family reach very large prizes. Wheel of Fortune, built around its bonus wheel and the TV show tie-in, has been on casino floors since IGT first licensed the brand in 1997. The trade-off is a lower everyday return, since part of every bet funds the jackpot. Our progressive slots guide explains how the meters work and when a max bet is required.
Popular themed slots
Themed slots are built on TV shows, films and brands. Examples include The Walking Dead, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Ghostbusters and Breaking Bad. They usually come in large cabinets with big screens and extra features, and their popularity rises and falls with the show or film behind them. A famous name says nothing about the payback, so check the help screens and play at a stake you are comfortable with. Browse more titles in our slot machine reviews.
Where to play popular slots online
The big makers now release many of their best-known games online through licensed US casinos in states that allow online gambling. Dancing Drums has had an online version since 2017, IGT released an online Double Top Dollar in 2025, and Caesars added IGT’s Kitty Glitter Grand to its online casinos the same year. Online versions often differ from the casino floor game in their bonus details and return, so treat them as cousins rather than copies.
Offshore sites that take US players usually cannot offer these licensed titles and use look-alike games instead. They are not licensed by US state regulators.
Most popular slots FAQ
What is the most popular slot machine?
No public ranking covers every casino, but Buffalo and Wheel of Fortune are two of the best-known slot families, and both have many current versions. When Casinos.com started its Slots Hall of Fame in 2025, Buffalo and Megabucks were among the first games inducted, and Wheel of Fortune was named best jackpot slot.
Who makes Buffalo slots?
Aristocrat.
Can you play Wheel of Fortune slots online?
Yes, in some states. BetMGM runs a Wheel of Fortune-branded online casino in New Jersey with IGT’s Wheel of Fortune slots. Availability elsewhere depends on the state and the operator.
Do popular slots pay better?
Not necessarily. Popularity comes from features, themes and jackpots. Payback depends on the game’s settings, so check the help screen.
Gamble only with money you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.