Magic comes in many different forms, but they all have an air of mystery about them – and that’s what we think makes them such a popular theme with slots players. In a way, the entire slot machine experience is built on surprise and mystery. Players enjoy the high variance these machines provide, as well as the uncertain rewards: will the next spin be a dud, or will it bring you a massive jackpot? Only time will tell, and it certainly feels magical when the big wins appear.

Even the very working of slots seem like a kind of magic to many players. That’s especially true now when it comes to modern machines, which now use random number generators to create results rather than relying on mechanical reels. Nobody can quite see what’s happening on the inside, and the games themselves are a sort of pleasing illusion that entertains us while cold, hard, numbers determine our fates on every spin.

With so much wizardry at play already, adding another layer of magical theming on top seems only natural for a slot machine. This can come in many forms, of course: some games play around with the idea of modern stage magicians, while others are about the more dramatic forms of mystical powers often seen in fantasy stories like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. In either case, the ideas of wonder and awe are always at play in games using this theme, and it’s easy to see why so many players are drawn to them.

Whether you’re at your local brick-and-mortar resort or playing at an online casino, there are numerous magical slots you can try. These games feature a host of different variations in terms of exactly where they go with the theme and their styles of play, which should leave any fan of the arcane with something to enjoy in this genre.

While we can’t go over every machine that features a wizard or someone pulling a rabbit out of their hat, there are a few online titles that we think are particularly worthy of note. Here are a handful of the best magic titles we’ve found at Internet gambling sites:

• True Illusions: Perhaps the best online slot about magicians on the market today is this game from Betsoft. Featuring the 3D graphics, voice acting, and animations that the company has become famous for, True Illusions features locked wild reels, a free spins game, and plenty of animated tricks that will keep you entertained for countless spins.

• Dungeons and Dragons – Crystal Caverns: If you know anything about the popular roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons, you know that the stories of heroes and monsters that players create feature more than a little magic in them. This IGT game sees players matching a band of heroes through a dangerous cave – one that could see them unlock bonus features filled with both dangerous monsters and fabulous riches.

• Merlin’s Millions: Based on the stories of the most famous wizard in the world, Merlin’s Millions was created by NextGen Gaming and features some truly magical features. Merlin himself will cast spells across the reels, and a “super bet” feature allows you to pay extra in order to turn the wild symbols (featuring the game’s namesake) into multipliers that can give you as much as 10x your normal winnings.

• The Wish Master: There’s nothing more powerful than a genie who is willing to grant you a wish. In The Wish Master, created by NetEnt, you’ll match mysterious symbols in the hopes of finding that elusive genie – because when he makes an appearance, he’ll grant you powers including multipliers, wild reels, and much more.

• Spellcast: Another great game from NetEnt, Spellcast features many of the traditional tropes you’d expect to find in any fairy tale: powerful wizards, evil witches, and towering castles. Find three crystal balls scattered across the reels, and you’ll be rewarded with 15 free spins, each of which comes with a 3x multiplier on every win.