Slots have always come with a theme to the gaming. In the days of the physical machines the reels were usually decorated with different coloured fruits, which led to them becoming known as ‘fruit machines’.

Things have moved on a lot in terms of slot themes in the digital age though. From the start, the creators of slots for online casinos have experimented with a wide range of ideas to make the games more fun to play.

Whether it is slots inspired by the culture of Asia or by the latest blockbuster movies from Hollywood, games developers are looking to supply themes for every part of the world and all tastes. In this article we will be looking at what the most popular themed slots are among fans of these games at the moment.

Rainbow Riches – Irish theme

There are certain notions about Ireland that translate to people all over the world. Green rolling hills, leprechauns and pots of gold are instantly understandable visual shorthand.

It is that fantasy vision of the country that the Rainbow Riches series of games uses as its theme. Each of them depicts a bright landscape of green countryside, blue skies and that multicoloured rainbow overhead.

This makes for a cheerful sight to greet players when they are looking at thumbnails of slots before picking one. That has helped to keep the series hot since it launched in 2006, although the giant jackpot on offer with the Megaways version of the game has contributed too.

All of the various slot games in this perennially popular franchise can be played at the special Rainbow Riches Casino.

Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways – fishing theme

Fishin’ Frenzy was created by Blueprint Gaming and it uses fishing as its central theme. It is a newer slot than the Rainbow Riches series and shot to the top of the most-played rankings over the past few months.

There is no doubt that one reason why so many people are choosing to play this game is that it is a Megaways slot. That means it uses the random reel modifier of that name developed by Big Time Gaming.

This changes the number of icons to pop up on the reels of the game after each spin and means that there are more winning options for the players. Winning is one of the big reasons to play slots after all.

The smart graphics featuring fish, ring buoys, fishing rods and tackle have contributed to its popularity too though, as have the fishy but fun bonus rounds. The game can be found at most big online casino sites.

Ghost Pirates – pirate theme

Pirates mean adventure and excitement, which is also what people expect from an online slot. Therefore the emergence of slots with a pirate theme is an idea that makes a lot of sense.

The most popular of the pirate inspired slots right now is Ghost Pirates. This game was produced by NetEnt, which is one of the premier slots developers in the world.

All of the various slot games in this perennially popular franchise can be played at the special Rainbow Riches Casino.

Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways – fishing theme

Fishin’ Frenzy was created by Blueprint Gaming and it uses fishing as its central theme. It is a newer slot than the Rainbow Riches series and shot to the top of the most-played rankings over the past few months.

There is no doubt that one reason why so many people are choosing to play this game is that it is a Megaways slot. That means it uses the random reel modifier of that name developed by Big Time Gaming.

This changes the number of icons to pop up on the reels of the game after each spin and means that there are more winning options for the players. Winning is one of the big reasons to play slots after all.

The smart graphics featuring fish, ring buoys, fishing rods and tackle have contributed to its popularity too though, as have the fishy but fun bonus rounds. The game can be found at most big online casino sites.

Ghost Pirates – pirate theme

Pirates mean adventure and excitement, which is also what people expect from an online slot. Therefore the emergence of slots with a pirate theme is an idea that makes a lot of sense.

The most popular of the pirate inspired slots right now is Ghost Pirates. This game was produced by NetEnt, which is one of the premier slots developers in the world.

A big part of that is down to the ghoulish ghostly graphics that depict the spirits of the dead pirates. They help to get the unusual idea across when playing the game, making it the top themed slot in the pirate genre.

This theme is also boosted by a soundtrack that is genuinely eerie and a storyline where the ghost pirates invade other ships to steal their loot. It has a maximum jackpot of 1,500 coins and is a high volatility game that produces a lot of small scale wins for players, so it is not just about the theme.

Ghost Pirates is found at most major online casinos.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways – conquistador theme

The popularity of Gonzo’s Quest is further proof that fans of online slots want adventure in 2023. It has the theme of a conquistador called Gonzo Pizarro who has journeyed to the jungles of the Amazon to search for El Dorado.

That is a pretty unique theme in the slots world and has helped to ensure that this game stands out. In turn that has put it high on the hot slots list right now.

It is another game created by NetEnt and is again found at most casino sites including the Rainbow Riches one. It is not hard to see why the theme is popular – who would not want to uncover a lost city of gold?

The Megaways gaming engine that multiplies the ways of winning when playing it is another reason why so many people are choosing it though. The 98% return-to-player is also very high, while the top payout can rise to 21,000 times the bet.

These are the hottest slots of 2023 and you should take each of them for a spin.