Few online slots have been as popular as Gates of Olympus. Released by Pragmatic Play in 2021, it replaced traditional paylines with a “pay anywhere” grid, added cascading wins and random multipliers from Zeus himself, and created a formula that dozens of other slots have since copied. In this review we break down how Gates of Olympus works, its RTP and volatility, the free spins feature, and whether it suits your playing style.
Gates of Olympus at a Glance
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release | 2021 |
| Grid | 6 reels × 5 rows |
| Win mechanic | Pay anywhere (8+ matching symbols) |
| RTP | 96.50% (default version) |
| Volatility | High |
| Max win | 5,000x your bet |
| Bonus | 15 free spins with accumulating multipliers |
How Gates of Olympus Works
Pay anywhere wins
There are no paylines. You win whenever 8 or more of the same symbol land anywhere on the 6×5 grid. The more matching symbols, the bigger the payout – 12 or more of a symbol pays the top value for that symbol. The lowest-paying symbols are coloured gems, while the chalice, ring, hourglass and crown pay the most.
Tumble feature
After every win, the winning symbols disappear and new ones drop from above. If the new symbols form another win, the tumble continues. A single paid spin can therefore produce a chain of wins until no new combinations appear.
Zeus multiplier symbols
This is what makes the game famous. On any spin, Zeus can drop multiplier symbols worth anything from 2x to 500x. They stay on the grid until the tumble sequence ends, and if the sequence produced a win, all multipliers on screen are added together and applied to the total win. Two multipliers of 10x and 25x, for example, multiply the tumble win by 35x.
Symbols and Paytable
The grid mixes nine regular symbols. Five coloured gems – blue, green, purple, red and yellow – are the low payers and appear most often. The four high payers are the crown, hourglass, ring and chalice, with the crown paying the most. Each symbol has three pay tiers: 8–9 matches, 10–11 matches and 12 or more. Because a single tumble chain can combine several symbol wins before any multiplier is applied, even the gems can add up to a respectable result when Zeus drops a big multiplier at the end.
The Free Spins Bonus
Land 4 or more scatter symbols (Zeus) anywhere to trigger 15 free spins. Scatters also pay on their own when they trigger the round.
During free spins, multipliers become far more powerful. Every multiplier that lands during a winning tumble is added to a total multiplier that stays for the rest of the feature. Early multipliers therefore boost every later win in the round. Landing 3 or more scatters during the feature awards 5 extra free spins.
This is where the big wins come from – and why the base game can feel quiet for long stretches.
Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins
- Ante Bet: increases your stake by 25% and doubles your chance of triggering free spins naturally.
- Buy Free Spins: in markets where it is available, you can pay 100x your bet to enter the bonus instantly. It cannot be used with the Ante Bet active.
Both features raise the cost per spin, so they suit players with a larger budget who specifically want to chase the bonus.
RTP and Volatility Explained
The standard RTP of 96.50% is in line with most modern slots, but note that Pragmatic Play offers casinos lower-RTP versions too (such as 95.51% or 94.50%). You can check the exact figure in the game’s paytable or information screen before playing.
High volatility means wins are less frequent but can be much larger. Expect runs of small or no wins, followed by occasional big tumble chains or a strong bonus round. If you prefer steady, frequent returns, a lower-volatility slot may suit you better.
Gates of Olympus vs Gates of Olympus 1000
Pragmatic Play later released Gates of Olympus 1000, which keeps the same grid, tumbles and free spins but raises the stakes:
| Gates of Olympus | Gates of Olympus 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max multiplier symbol | 500x | 1,000x |
| Max win | 5,000x | 15,000x |
| Volatility | High | Very high |
If you enjoy the original and want an even bigger top prize, the 1000 version is the natural next step. If you are new to the game, start with the original.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: simple to understand, exciting multiplier mechanic, strong free spins potential, runs smoothly on mobile.
- Cons: high volatility means long dry spells; the best wins depend heavily on the bonus round.
Tips Before You Spin
- Check the RTP in the game info screen.
- Size your bets for volatility – a smaller stake gives you more spins to reach the bonus.
- Decide on Ante Bet in advance, not in the middle of a losing run.
- Set a budget and stop-loss, and walk away when you reach them.
Play Gates of Olympus at Yes2win
Both Gates of Olympus and Gates of Olympus 1000 are available in the Pragmatic Play section of the Yes2win slot lobby, alongside Sugar Rush 1000, Buffalo King Megaways and more. Play on mobile or desktop and deposit in Ringgit with FPX or e-wallets. Explore everything on the Yes2win homepage.