Hundreds of new slots hit the market in 2025, but which are the most popular?
As Gambling Zone is an affiliate site in the UK and Canadian markets, we decided to compare slot preferences in both countries to identify shared tastes and trends.
For this study, we used proprietary partner data gathered from across eight brands: Genting Casino, Mega Casino, ICE36, Prime Casino, Spin Genie, Slingo Casino, Prime Slots, and Lord Ping.
The following guide offers a fascinating insight into the biggest slots of the year overall, gender-specific gaming choices, and the top-paying titles. It also discusses trends likely to emerge in the rest of 2025.
UK’s Top 10 Slot Games by Number of Players
2025 UK Top 10 Slot Games Overall
The UK’s most popular slot game of 2025 was Big Bass Bonanza: Pragmatic Play’s fishing slot reeled in an impressive 23% of players throughout the year. The game’s widespread popularity demonstrates the power of promotions and branding in the iGaming industry. But the game also boasts a strong RTP and bonuses.
Hot on Big Bass Bonanza’s heels, Book of Books came in second: 18% of UK bettors played Yggdrasil Gaming’s slot in 2025. Bass Splash attracted 14% of players, while Play’n GO’s Book of Dead was played by 12% of bettors. That’s impressive for a slot released almost a decade ago.
Ghost Father, Thor, and Big Bass Double Down Deluxe were played by 8%, 7%, and 6% of UK bettors, respectively. At the bottom of the top 10, we find Sahara Riches: Cash Collect Max, Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect, and Golden Winner.
What can we learn from this list? While newer releases such as Book of Books offer fresh experiences and features, older slots still ruled 2025 overall. Familiarity, branding, promotions, and positive word of mouth can all help these games attract new and returning players alike.
UK’s Top 10 Slot Games for Male Players
2025 UK Top 10 Slot Games for Male Players
Big Bass Bonanza is a clear favourite among male players: almost a quarter (24%) wagered on it during 2025. Book of Books came in second (17%), and Big Bass Splash was the third most-played slot (14%) for males.
Book of Dead, Ghost Father, and Thor attracted fewer male players. Big Bass Double Down Deluxe and Bigger Bass Splash both featured in the list’s bottom four positions, along with Golden Winner and Sahara Riches: Cash Collect Max.
The fishing theme is clearly popular among males, with two Big Bass slots in the top three positions. This also indicates a preference for medium and medium/high volatility games, which combine average win frequency with solid payout potential.
Queen of the Pyramids was absent from the males’ top 10 slot games list, possibly due to the low max win (500x) and below-average RTP.
UK’s Top 10 Slot Games for Female Players
2025 UK Top 10 Slot Games for Female Players
The list of top 10 slot games for UK female players primarily mirrors the males’ list. Big Bass Bonanza remains at the top, attracting 23% of players, followed by Book of Books (18%) and Big Bass Splash (13%). High-quality design, good return potential, and strong branding allow slots to appeal to all genders.
Book of Dead, Ghost Father, Thor, and Big Bass Double Down Deluxe hold onto the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh positions, respectively.
The list only deviates from the males’ in the final three positions. Sahara Riches: Cash Collect Max and Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect both appealed to 5% of female players. Mega Fire Blaze Big Circus rounded out the list, having attracted 4% of females.
What encouraged females to play the latter three games more than Golden Winner and Bigger Bass Splash? It may be due to the more exotic and exciting settings, along with the female star (Cleopatra) in Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect.
However, two of the three bottom slots include a cash collection feature. This can help players grab instant prizes from across the reels, bolstering the standard payline wins.
This type of feature is becoming increasingly common in slots, so we may see more Cash Collect titles in 2026’s top 10 lists. By playing more of these slots than males, females may be ahead of the curve.
Canada’s Top 10 Slot Games by Number of Players
2025 Canada Top 10 Slot Games Overall
In Canada, Big Bass Bonanza is almost as popular as it is in the UK. This attracted 19% of Canadian players, as did Book of Books. But Big Bass Splash was less popular: just 11% of bettors played it in 2025.
Ghost Father and Thor appealed to 9% and 8% of Canadian users, respectively. But the Asian-themed Floating Dragon was also played by 8%, which was absent from the UK’s lists.
The final four positions belong to Sahara Riches Cash Collect, Mega Fire Blaze Big Circus, Energy Coins Hold and Win, and Wolf Gold.
While there are clear similarities between the UK and Canada’s taste in slots, Canadian players appear to prefer more varied themes. Only two fishing slots made the overall top 10, while games inspired by Asian culture, animals, and circuses attracted thousands of players combined.
What causes these contrasts? A combination of localised advertising, brand partnerships, and promotions will direct Canadian bettors towards different slots. Accessibility also plays a major part: some titles may be less common, or promoted less, at major Canadian sites.
Canada’s Top 10 Slot Games for Male Players
2025 Canada Top 10 Slot Games for Male Players
Big Bass Bonanza, Book of Books, and Big Bass Splash are the most-played slots of 2025 among Canadian males. The same is true of UK males.
However, the numbers are slightly lower on the Canadian list: 21% of males played Big Bass Bonanza, compared to 24% of UK males.
Ghost Father and Thor take the fourth and fifth positions, showing further similarities to UK lists.
However, the five remaining spots on the list feature completely different games: Gates of Olympus 1000, Sahara Riches Cash Collect, Sweet Bonanza 1000, and Gates of Olympus. While Sahara Riches Cash Collect is similar in some ways to the Max version, it has less depth and a different visual style.
What can we learn from this list? Canadian male players appear more open to variation and attracted to slots with expansive features. Both Gates of Olympus 1000 and Sweet Bonanza 1000 include more generous bonuses and max wins than their original versions.
Surprisingly, the first iteration of Gates of Olympus is still popular enough to make the top 10. This may stem from a sense of loyalty and familiarity, though some players could simply be unaware of the enhanced revamp.
Canada’s Top 10 Slot Games for Female Players
2025 Canada Top 10 Slot Games for Female Players
In 2025, Big Bass Bonanza proved less popular with Canadian females, it was pipped to the top spot by Book of Books. However, there wasn’t much of a difference: 18% of females played Book of Books, while 17% played Big Bass Bonanza.
Ghost Father and Thor remained popular, while Floating Dragon and Sahara Riches Cash Collect performed fairly well. Queen of the Pyramids Mega Cash Collect also appears on the list, as it did on the list of top 10 slot games played by UK females.
While fewer people played it in Canada overall, its presence indicates that females have a preference for the Cash Collect feature in both countries. But regardless of gender, Canadian players appear to favour greater diversity in their slots than UK-based bettors.
UK’s Top 10 Slot Games by Wins
2025 UK Top 10 Slot Games Overall Based On Total Wins
Big Bass Splash has paid out the highest total wins in the UK throughout 2025. At the time of writing, it has awarded 25% of the country’s overall payouts.
This is a medium-volatility slot with a theoretical RTP of 96.71% and a max win of 5,000x the bet. Its top position demonstrates the game’s remarkable popularity, accounting for a quarter of all wins.
Pragmatic Play takes the second and third positions with Big Bass Bonanza and Big Bass Double Down Deluxe, respectively. The former awarded 17% of the total wins, and the latter paid out 11%.
Fishing slots dominate the list, with Fishin’ Frenzy Big Catch in fourth position. Gold Cash Free Spins and Slingo Rainbow Riches introduce more variety, accounting for 7% of the UK’s total wins. This is the first Slingo game we’ve seen so far, and it combines the popular Slingo gameplay with the well-established Rainbow Riches branding.
Despite its age, Book of Dead continues to award frequent payouts: it accounts for 6% of the country’s total wins. We see further diversity in the final three positions, as Slingo Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania, Charming Lady’s Boom, and Temple Tumble Megaways round out the list.
While Slingo and Megaways games were absent from the UK’s lists, this data clearly shows that they attract players in high numbers. The maximum payouts can vary significantly from game to game, too.
Temple Tumble Megaways, for example, can pay out up to 7,767x bet, while Charming Lady’s Boom offers up to 9,000x bet. These are both more generous than the top prizes in Book of Dead and Big Bass Splash, which award up to 5,000x bet.
As a result, it’s safe to say that it’s not just the payout potential that attracts UK players to wager on slots. Other elements, such as RTP, features, and theme, all contribute to a game’s popularity.
Canada’s Top 10 Slot Games by Wins
2025 Canada Top 10 Slot Games Based On Total Wins
Canada’s list of top 10 slot games by wins is significantly different from the UK’s. Mega Fire Blaze Jackpots: Legacy of the Tiger has paid out the most in 2025, contributing 15% of the total wins. This offers a top payout of 10,000x the bet and an RTP of 96.59%.
This was followed by Buffalo King Megaways (13%), Gates of Olympus Super Scatter (11%), and Sweet Bonanza 1000 (11%). Based on these four slots alone, the preference for variety and diversity among Canadian players is clear.
Only two fishing slots appear in this list: Big Bass Double Down Deluxe and Big Bass Bonanza, echoing the UK list. Change the Clovers: Hit The Bonus stands out from the other slots, as it features a classic 3x3 grid and a small max win of just 500x bet.
Gates of Olympus 1000 contributed 9% of the total wins, while Cash Eruption and Go Craps both accounted for 8%.
While the UK list shows that players gravitate towards slots with strong brands and familiarity, Canadian bettors appear more open to experimentation. Crucially, a player’s choice hinges on numerous factors, such as whether games tie into a welcome bonus or they appear at the top of a casino lobby.
What the Data Reveals About Player Preferences
Analysing the data gathered during our extensive research reveals fascinating facts about player preferences in the UK and Canada.
Player Preferences
Familiarity is Key
Big Bass Bonanza and Book of Books achieved massive success across both countries in 2025. Other slots in Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass series, such as Big Bass Splash, were also prevalent. This demonstrates the enduring power of a strong series IP.
However, players still branched out into more varied territory, albeit in smaller numbers. This indicates that brands can still achieve popularity even without a recognisable IP to rely on (particularly in Canada).
High Volatility May Not Be for Everyone
While males appear attracted to slots with higher volatility (such as Big Bass Splash and Ghost Father), females choose slots with a more casual, narrative-based style instead. Females also opted to play Cash Collect slots more than males, highlighting a preference for this increasingly popular feature.
Market Maturity Drives Player Focus
Pragmatic Play and Slingo attract UK players in high numbers, indicating a bias towards established brands. Players generally know what to expect when they play one of the Big Bass slots or a Slingo game. Taking a chance on a more experimental release from a less familiar company may feel more difficult.
However, the diversity in Canada’s lists suggests room for other software providers to win market share and grow their user base.
Session Depth vs Reach
One slot may have a wider reach than others, but that doesn’t equate to higher engagement. Players might choose games based on a recognisable title, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll spend long on them.
For example, Big Bass Splash attracted fewer players in 2025, but it has substantially more spins per player. This shows that a deeper game can outperform one with more reach. Finding a way to maximise engagement is critical to cultivate a longer average session length.
Catalogue Design and Placement Affects Performance
The popularity of Canadian outliers, such as Cash Eruption and Mega Fire Blaze Jackpots: Legacy of the Tiger, reveals that careful catalogue curation is vital.
Editorial and promo placement can push less-prominent slots to the forefront, establishing brand-specific heroes. Over time, smaller slots may generate more attention and substantial revenue.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2025
Here are five predictions for the rest of 2025:
- Instant entry success: Any new Big Bass or Book releases are likely to chart on release, based on the brand familiarity and success.
- Seasonal slot surges: Games with a Christmas theme will likely spike in popularity as the holidays approach. Online casinos may build on this with series-specific landing pages and tournaments that boost interest.
- Learn from the Canada playbook: Sites may double down on brand-level heroes, such as Buffalo King Megaways at Spin Genie and Agent Jane Blonde Returns at Mega Casino. This can appeal to a niche audience and establish a more distinct offering than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Cultivating a clear and effective strategy: Casino operators can appeal to players who prefer short, high-volatility gaming sessions with Megaways games, daily drop bonuses, and bonus-buy slots.
- Fostering responsible engagement: Sites must consistently encourage responsible play, particularly in volatile slots associated with deeper sessions. Promoting reality checks and time-outs can aid player safety without dampening discovery.
Methodology
Source: Gambling Zone’s proprietary analytics covering gameplay across partner brands.
Markets: UK and Canada (including Ontario)
Timeframe: 1 January 2025 - 31 October 2025
Metrics:
- Unique Players (distinct accounts)
- Total Bets (wagered rounds)
- Total Winnings (aggregate payouts)
- Biggest Single Win (highest individual payout)
The rankings used in this article reflect raw metrics and are not weighted for promotions or bonus play.
Responsible Play Disclaimer
Only individuals aged 18+ may legally gamble in the UK. Always play responsibly and take advantage of safety tools at gaming sites (e.g., setting deposit limits) to stay in control.
For help with problem gambling, visit GambleAware.org (UK) or ConnexOntario.ca (ON).
