Slot Machine Symbols Explained

If you've played any of the free slots on our slots for free or real money page, you probably noticed the many different symbols on the game screen. As exciting as it may be to watch them coming down, If you don't know what wild or scatters do, you might miss out on triggering a bonus round, not realize you are close to a big win or simply just know how to pick the best slot game for your playstyle e.g. high volatility games with lots of features versus the classic, more simple games.

There are many symbols in slots but the most important are the Wild symbol, which acts like a joker card, Scatter symbols that triggers bonus features, Bonus symbols that trigger interactive bonus rounds and Multiplier symbols that will boost your winnings by a factor e.g. 2x, 5x, 10x etc.

Each of these types of symbols include a few variations as you will see below, but a wild symbol is typically a substitute for regular symbols to form winning combinations while scatters trigger something like free spins or bonus features. These are the general 'rules of behaviour' when it comes to wild and scatters but their behaviour can vary greatly between game developers, sometimes even between games from the same provider. More about this further down but now let's look at some of the different wild symbols you should be aware of.

Wild Symbols: The Versatile Game-Changers

Wild symbols are special icons that can substitute for other symbols (except for Scatters and Bonus symbols) to help form winning combinations. They come in various forms, each adding a unique twist to the gameplay. Wilds truly are the most exciting and rewarding features in online slots and the game developers are constantly finding new, innovative twists on using Wilds to make their games even more entertaining and rewarding. Here are some of the different types of Wilds you will find in online slots;

# Standard Wilds

These are the most basic form of Wilds, substituting for other symbols to complete winning lines. They often carry the word "WILD" or are represented by a symbol related to the game's theme.

# Expanding Wilds

When an Expanding Wild lands on the reels, it expands vertically or horizontally to cover an entire reel or row, increasing the potential for winning combinations. This feature is commonly found in popular games and adds an extra layer of excitement.

# Sticky Wilds

Sticky Wilds remain fixed in their position for a set number of spins, often during free spin rounds. This increases the chances of forming winning combinations over multiple spins.

# Shifting Wilds

Also known as Walking or Moving Wilds, these symbols move across the reels in a predetermined direction with each spin, creating dynamic gameplay and additional winning opportunities.

# Stacked Wilds

Stacked Wilds appear in stacks, covering multiple positions on a reel. They can lead to significant payouts, especially when they cover entire reels.

# Multiplying Wilds

These Wilds not only substitute for other symbols but also multiply the payout of any winning combination they are part of. Multipliers can vary, commonly ranging from 2x to 5x.

# Random Wilds

Random Wilds can appear anywhere on the reels at any time, often triggered during bonus features, adding an element of surprise and increasing winning potential.

# Overlay Wilds

Overlay Wilds are special symbols that overlay on top of existing symbols, transforming them into Wilds. They often appear during specific bonus rounds or features.

Slot Game Developers Known For Their Innovative Wild symbols

Developer	Wild Feature Strengths	Notable Games
NetEnt	Expanding, sticky, and re-spin wilds	Starburst, Dead or Alive 2
Play’n GO	Multifunctional wilds tied to bonuses	Book of Dead, Golden Ticket 2
Elk Studios	Walking, chasing, and animated wilds	Wild Toro, Respin Circus
Yggdrasil	Wilds with multipliers and grid expansions	Cazino Zeppelin, Multifly!
Pragmatic Play	Sticky and multiplier wilds in high-volatility games	The Dog House Megaways, Wild West Gold
Quickspin	Elegant wild animations, mega wilds	Sakura Fortune, Sticky Bandits

Popular NetEnt Casino

Scatter Symbols: Unlocking Bonus Features

Scatter symbols are unique in that they do not need to appear on a specific payline to trigger a win or bonus feature. They often unlock free spins, bonus games, or other special features when a certain number of Scatters appear anywhere on the reels.

Functionality of Scatter Symbols

• Triggering Bonus Rounds: Landing a specific number of Scatters (usually three or more) can activate free spins or bonus games.
• Payouts: Some games offer payouts for Scatters, independent of paylines.
• Multipliers: In certain slots, Scatters can also act as multipliers, increasing the total win amount.

Bonus Symbols

In many games the scatter and bonus symbols are the same so when we talk about 'Bonus symbols' we mean those that are seperate from the Scatter and whos purpose is to trigger different types of interactive bonus rounds like a prize wheel or mini-game. Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO, Big Time Gaming (BTG), Elk Studios and Yggdrasil are some of the most popular developers of games with bonus rounds. Titles to look for are Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play, Monopoly Megaways by BTG, Golden Fish Tank by Yggdrasil.

Here is a quick overview of slot game developers and the type of Bonus symbols they use;

Developer	Known For	Sample Game Title	Bonus Type
Play’n GO	Narrative, adventure-style slots	Hugo’s Adventure	Pick-and-click, free spins
BTG	Gamble wheels, board-game-style play	Monopoly Megaways	Board progress + multipliers
Elk Studios	Story-driven, animated games	Taco Brothers	Escape bonus game
Yggdrasil	Multi-level cinematic bonuses	Vikings Go Berzerk	Fight-based bonus rounds
Red Tiger	Visually rich pick & prize mechanics	Pirates’ Plenty	Map-based bonus
Pragmatic Play	High-energy multipliers & respins	Big Bass Bonanza	Collect/cash-value bonus

Multiplier Symbol

The multiplier will boost your winnings by a factor of 2x, 5x. or 10x. The multiplier is sometimes combined with wilds or free spins and can generate some huge payouts.

Most Important Tips for Beginners

Understanding the roles of Wild and Scatter symbols can significantly enhance your slot gameplay. Here are some expert tips to make the most of these features:

1. Always check the paytable, usually found via a "?" or "i" icon on the slot), it explains exactly what each symbol does.
2. Know what triggers the bonus features, they’re often where the biggest wins come from.
3. Play in demo mode first to get a feel for how the symbols work before betting real money.
4. Don’t chase symbols blindly, outcomes are random, but understanding features helps manage your expectations and strategy.

How Slot Symbols Can Differ Between Games of Different Developers

While the general rules of wilds and scatters remain the same, there are some things that can change between games and slot game developers. Here is a quick overview of what to keep an eye on;

Feature	How it Can Vary
Wilds	Can be standard, or they may expand, stick to the reels, multiply wins, move around (walking wilds), or only appear during bonus rounds.
Scatters	Might unlock free spins, bonus games, or instant cash prizes. Some games also use different names/icons for them.
Bonus symbols	Some developers separate scatters and bonuses. Others merge them into one symbol.
Multipliers	In some slots, wilds also carry multipliers (e.g. a 3x wild increases your win 3x when it's part of a combo).

Popular Game Developers of Slots and How Wilds & Scatters May Differ

• NetEnt (e.g., Starburst): Wilds expand and re-spin the reels.
• Pragmatic Play (e.g., Gates of Olympus): No traditional paylines, but scatter-style multipliers drop randomly.
• Elk Studios (e.g., Nitropolis series): Has multiple wild variants and unique bonus symbol behaviors.
• Play’n GO (e.g., Book of Dead): The scatter and bonus symbol are the same and also act as a wild in free spins.

Always Start With Demo Play When Playing a New Slot Game

We've highlighted some differences between slot symbols which means that you shouldn’t assume that a wild will behave the same way across all games.

• Always pay attention to developer style , some studios are known for innovative twists on classic features.
• Always check the paytable and game rules before you start.
• Always play the game first for free in demo mode and swift to realy money, or free spin bonuses, only when you know how the symbols, paylines and what bet size to set.

Learn More

Expand your knowledge and sharpen your strategy with more detailed articles from CasinosHub:

• Understanding Slot Volatility and RTP
• Top 10 Slot Games of 2025
• Beginner's Guide to Online Slots

By mastering the functions and variations of Wild and Scatter symbols, you can significantly improve your slot gaming experience. Stay informed and play responsibly to make the most of every spin

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