Whether for real money or not, playing slot games online is one of the country’s most popular pastimes, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, online slot machines offer the perfect combination of accessibility, risk, and reward.
What’s more, every game is unique, with all kinds of fun themes, features, and mechanics. However, even though developers constantly strive to build increasingly engaging games, a couple of online slot symbols pop up repeatedly: the wild and the scatter.
You probably don’t need much of a guide to wild symbols in online slots — they’re a fairly straightforward feature in most slot games. Scatters, on the other hand, require some explanation.
What Is a Scatter Symbol?
All slot games contain symbols, the majority of which are used to create wins by matching them on a payline. They’re often based on fruit, playing cards, or other elements based on the slot theme. Collect a certain number of the same type, and you’ll win a prize.
However, modern video slots also contain special symbols — most commonly wilds and scatters. The wild turns into ordinary symbols to help form wins, but the scatter is a totally different beast.
Scatters aren’t usually worth anything on their own (though some games do also pay returns for collecting a specified number). But if you collect enough on a single spin, they unlock special bonus features that can bring much greater rewards than the base game. These rewards often take the form of free spins, but they could be anything depending on the specific scatter symbol slot machine in question.
Why Are They Called Scatters?
These symbols can appear anywhere on the reels to activate the bonus feature, hence the name “scatter.” Unlike regular symbols, which must appear in predetermined positions known as paylines, the scatter performs its function regardless of where it lands. In short, they may be “scattered” anywhere across the grid.
How Do Scatter Symbols Work?
All slots with scatter symbols have different rules. As such, how the various features and bonus symbols work varies from game to game. The only consistent element is that they don’t need to land on a fixed payline and can appear in any space on the grid of reels.
Free Spins
Even though each developer designs its slots differently, with an incredible variety of special features, there are some common themes. Choose a random slot from the Borgata Online library, for instance, and the chances are it’ll contain a Free Spins feature. More often than not, you’ll need to collect three scatters to unlock this bonus.
The number of free spins you win could be anything from 1–50. What’s more, the features within the bonus can vary wildly, with game modifiers including sticky wilds, multipliers, and expanding reels. Many slots even allow you to retrigger free spins if additional scatters appear during a bonus game.
Other Bonus Features
Although Free Spins features are the most common, scatter symbols in a slot game can trigger all kinds of features. Take Pot O’Gold, for instance, by Wizard Games.
This Irish-themed release features no fewer than three different scatters, each triggering a distinct bonus, none of which involve free spins. You’ll learn more about this game and its features later in this guide to casino slots with scatters.
How To Tell if a Slot Has Scatters
Unless you read a review, the only real way to know if a slot features a scatter is to load it up. Before playing, you can read the rules of the game and check the paytable. These are usually hidden behind icons shaped like a lowercase letter “i” or a question mark.
It’s also a good idea to test slots in demo mode before staking any real money. This allows you to spin for free and learn exactly how features like the scatter symbol work. Look out for the slot machine bonuses, too, as these often contain free spins.
Best Slots at Borgata Online With Scatter Symbols
Now that you understand what scatters are and how they work, it’s time to learn more about the Borgata Online slots library. Here’s a selection of the best games featuring scatter symbols.
Pot O’Gold
| Software Provider | Wizard Games |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.99% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Jackpot Type | N/A |
| Paylines | 20 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Max Wager | $200 |
| Max Win | 1,000x |
As mentioned earlier, Pot O’Gold features three different scatters, all of which trigger a separate feature. Land three or more wishing well symbols to activate the Well of Wealth bonus. All you need to do is pick a well, and you’ll win a random prize of between 2x and 500x.
The pipe-smoking leprechaun triggers Path Of Gold, which is the most valuable of the three. Here, you’ll spin a wheel to progress along the path, collecting multipliers as you go. You may collect at any time, but a pot of gold worth 1,000x awaits the bravest players.
Finally, Under the Rainbow is triggered by three Pot of Gold scatters. Choose from the pots spinning around the screen to receive rewards from 50–500x.
Blood Suckers Megaways
| Software Provider | Red Tiger |
| RTP | 97.66% |
| Volatility | High |
| Jackpot Type | Progressive |
| Paylines | Up to 117,649 |
| Reels | 6 |
| Max Wager | $40 |
| Max Win | 20,500x |
Not only is this Red Tiger release one of Borgata’s exclusive jackpot games, but Blood Suckers Megaways boasts one of the best return to player (RTP) rates around. In addition, it makes use of the Megaways engine, resulting in a different number of paylines each spin.
Like most Megaways slots with scatter symbols, this highly volatile game offers a free spins feature. Collect at least three scatters to unlock five bonus spins.
Starburst
| Software Provider | NetEnt |
| RTP | 96.09% |
| Volatility | Low |
| Jackpot Type | N/A |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Reels | 5 |
| Max Wager | $100 |
| Max Win | 500x |
Starburst, one of the most famous online slots of all time, is a NetEnt product released in 2013. Its low volatility is ideal for beginners and those with smaller bankrolls, which undoubtedly plays a major role in its enduring popularity.
In this 96.09% RTP slot, the scatter is also wild. It can only appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, but if it does, it expands to cover the entire reel. This also triggers up to three respins.
Borgata Cash Spinner
| RTP | 93.19% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Jackpot Type | Progressive |
| Paylines | 10 |
| Reels | 5 |
Borgata Cash Spinner is one of Borgata’s exclusive jackpot slots with scatter symbols and a 5×3 grid. Aside from the chance of landing a seven-figure reward, this simple and retro slot offers four other smaller progressive prize pools.
Collect three Wheel of Fortune scatters to trigger the main bonus feature. Here, you can spin and win multipliers worth up to 200x your bet.
Play Exciting Online Slots With Scatters at Borgata
To try out some of the most exciting slots with scatter symbols, register with Borgata Online today. Remember that Borgata Online’s offerings are exclusively available to players based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.