The Best Upcoming Slot Picks for 2026
It’s 2026, and once again, online casinos are expected to have a prolific year.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point. Ever since the inception of online casinos more than twenty years ago, online casinos have been growing year-on-year, with new games and features added constantly to keep things interesting.
Indeed, that does keep things interesting, especially for players looking for variety and innovation over anything else.
So what kind of variety can we expect this year? As ever, the biggest changes will be seen in slots, with providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play already having laid down their showstoppers for 2026.
As for what those showstoppers are, we’ve listed out seven of the most interesting below, giving you a taste of what to expect and why, if variety really is your thing, you might want to check them out.
White Rabbit 2
Let’s start with White Rabbit 2. Following on from the success of the first game in the series, it was always likely that Big Time Gaming would release a sequel sooner rather than later. Or, at least, that’s what players were expecting.
In reality, they had to wait eight years for the sequel, which has helped to build anticipation and make those players leap into this game as quickly as they’d leap down a rabbit hole. Already, it’s become a hot favorite for people playing with real money at online slots, with an RTP of 96.36%, and a striking total of 248,832 paylines.
Gonzo’s Quest II
Another sequel, but this time by the big-time game provider, NetEnt. With the original Gonzo’s Quest being over fifteen years old, once again, anticipation has been rife across the online casino scene. And it seems it’s worth the hype.
With a fixed RTP of 96% and a high volatility score, Gonzo’s Quest II can produce a maximum win potential of 15,825x your bet, but not only this, the game looks stunning and quite apart from many of the other treasure-based games on offer.
New Year Rising
Another interesting slot – although not quite as ‘of the moment’ as the above two – is New Year Rising. It’s only just coming to a handful of US online casinos, which makes it a great option to play if you haven’t already.
The game has a 96.41% RTP and 41.13% hit frequency, with a load of special features, bonuses, and payouts that keep it engaging and interesting. Being based around the new year, it features a celebratory theme with vibrant colors and some smooth transitions through Chinese symbols and treasures, but don’t expect anything too visually stunning. Its real strength lies in its gameplay and bonus mechanics, both of which have kept players coming back for the last four years.
Medusa
Everyone knows the story of Medusa, but you might not have known that you can experience that story through one of the most popular slots in the online casino scene. With players tasked to get to Medusa’s fortunes – without being turned to stone in the process – this is a unique, atmospheric take on the Ancient Greek myth, with some excellent statistics thrown in for good measure.
Its RTP sits at 97%, with medium volatility, which makes it well-suited for casual play. There are no bonus buys or progressive jackpots, but even so, this is a good choice to try out if you’re looking for steady gameplay with some solid returns.
Book of Cats
Another good choice would be Book of Cats, which is the latest addition to the BGaming portfolio. Featuring six reels and up to 117,649 paylines, this is a thematically rich game inspired by the culture of Ancient Egypt and its worship of cats.
Even if you’re not an Ancient Egyptian fan, it’s hard to dismiss just how visually striking this game is. Each spin is followed by a feature, which is then followed by a bonus round, taking you through the different stages of play and making it feel fresh with every spin. The RTP is 97%, too, which makes it very competitive, and there are a total of 6 reels to trigger wins from.
Jumanji
With the third and last installment of Jumanji coming out in 2026, it makes sense that the slot has picked up steam. And why not? This is an immersive, impressive game with some excellent graphics and an engaging soundtrack.
Not only this, the game’s RTP of 96.33% is quite solid, and the medium variance ensures a balanced mix of smaller wins and the potential for bigger payouts. If you’re a Jumanji fan, it’s definitely worth taking a look.
Mega Joker
Last but not least, we have Mega Joker – and we really mean it when we say ‘not least’. With an exceptional RTP of 99%, this is a thoroughly engaging game that players have been flocking to over the last few months. Developed by NetEnt, it has a retro-style and really leans into the mood of nostalgia, making it a top choice for players longing for those simpler days of classic fruit machines. It’s not necessarily groundbreaking in its mechanics – there are no wild symbols and no free spins – and if you want to take advantage of the RTP, you’ll have to bet all ten coins. But it’s still a popular choice that might just be your next favorite game in 2026.