5 Lions Megaways
5 Lions Megaways is Pragmatic Play’s 2020 Megaways version of 5 Lions, built under licence from Big Time Gaming. Six reels of 2 to 7 symbols give up to 117,649 ways to win, wins tumble, and every winning combination that uses a golden lion wild gets a random multiplier of up to 40x. Free spins open with a menu of seven options that trade spin count against multiplier range. The rules give a 96.50% RTP, high volatility and a 5,000x maximum win.
This review lists the paytable in bet multiples, the wild multiplier values in the base game, the exact spins and multiplier ranges for each free spins option, and how to use 5 Lions Megaways demo play to compare them. All figures come from the game’s rules screens.
Where to Play 5 Lions Megaways
5 Lions Megaways is part of the standard Pragmatic Play catalogue and is listed at most casinos that carry the provider. The casinos below offer Pragmatic Play slots, accept Australian players and are reviewed on BetsAuthority. Check the RTP in the game rules at the casino before you deposit.
Quick Facts About 5 Lions Megaways
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot | 5 Lions Megaways |
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release | 2020 |
| Layout | 6 reels, 2 to 7 symbols per reel |
| Ways to win | Up to 117,649 (Megaways) |
| RTP | 96.50% (also with Ante Bet and bonus buy); lower versions exist |
| Volatility | High (official rating) |
| Bet range | 0.20 to 300 per spin (casino limits may differ) |
| Maximum win | 5,000x the bet |
| Wild | Reels 2 to 5; random multiplier 1x to 40x on wins |
| Free spins | 7 options, from 25 spins at 2x–5x to 6 spins at 15x–40x |
| Extras | Tumbles, Ante Bet, Buy Free Spins 100x (where allowed) |
How 5 Lions Megaways Works
Each reel shows up to 7 symbols, and the number of ways is the product of the reel heights, up to 117,649. Wins pay for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the leftmost reel. Converted to multiples of the total bet, six red dragons pay 25x (4x for five, 2x for four, 1x for three). Six phoenixes or six toads pay 5x, and six koi or six turtles pay 2.5x. Six A or K pay 1.25x, and six Q, J or 10 pay 1x; three of the lowest symbols pay 0.1x.
After each win the tumble feature removes the winning symbols, drops the rest and fills the gaps from above at the same reel heights. Tumbling continues until no new wins form, and the total of the sequence is paid at the end.
Wild Multipliers in the Base Game
The golden lion is the wild. It appears only on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 and substitutes for every symbol except the yin-yang bonus symbol. Whenever a wild is part of a winning combination, a random multiplier of 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 8x, 10x, 15x, 30x or 40x is applied to all winning combinations that use a wild, in base spins and in tumbles. Wins without a wild are paid at face value.
Bonus Symbols and Free Spins Options
The yin-yang bonus symbol appears on all reels and does not explode during tumbles, so it can accumulate across a tumble sequence. It pays on its own: 3 pay 3x the base bet, 4 pay 5x, 5 pay 25x and 6 pay 100x. Three or more trigger free spins.
Before the round starts you choose one of seven options:
| Option | Free spins | Wild multiplier range |
|---|---|---|
| Silver lion | 25 | 2x, 3x, 5x |
| Red lion | 20 | 3x, 5x, 8x |
| Orange lion | 15 | 5x, 8x, 10x |
| Blue lion | 13 | 8x, 10x, 15x |
| Gold lion | 10 | 10x, 15x, 30x |
| Green lion | 6 | 15x, 30x, 40x |
| Mystery | Random, from the other options | Random range, from the other options |
During the round, whenever a wild is part of a win, a random multiplier from the chosen range applies to all winning combinations using wilds. Three or more bonus symbols during free spins award the same number of spins again as the option selected. Special reels are used during the feature.
Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins
The Double Chance to Win Feature is the Ante Bet. It raises the bet multiplier from 20x to 25x (A$2.50 instead of A$2) and doubles the chance of triggering free spins naturally; symbol pays remain calculated on the 20x base. The RTP stays at 96.50%.
Buy Free Spins starts the feature, including the option menu, for 100x the base bet (A$200 at A$2). It is disabled while Ante Bet is active and is not available in every jurisdiction. The RTP for the buy is also 96.50%.
RTP Versions: Check Before You Play
The demo’s rules screen lists 96.50% for standard play, Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins, with bets from 0.20 to 300 and a high volatility label. Operators can install lower RTP configurations without any visible change, so read the RTP lines in the game rules at your casino.
Worked Example: Choosing an Option
In the demo round shown in this review, played at A$2, the 6-spin option with a 15x/30x/40x range was selected. Most of the six spins paid little, but one tumble sequence with a wild drew 15x and returned A$75 on its own, and another added over A$190. The round closed at A$278.80, about 139x the bet.
The 25-spin option works the other way: wilds are worth 2x to 5x, but there are four times as many spins for them to appear. Results from the 6-spin option are more dependent on whether a single wild lands in a win; results from the 25-spin option are spread across more spins.
Bankroll Tips for 5 Lions Megaways
- High volatility means long gaps between bonuses; budget for at least 250 to 300 spins.
- Choose the free spins option deliberately: fewer spins with higher multipliers produce wider swings.
- Ante Bet adds 25% to each spin without changing the RTP.
- A 100x buy can return a fraction of its cost.
- Set loss and time limits before starting and use your casino’s deposit limits.
Pros and Cons of 5 Lions Megaways
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wild multipliers up to 40x in the base game | High volatility |
| Seven free spins options | Wins without wilds are small |
| Retriggers repeat the chosen spin count | Max win capped at 5,000x |
| 96.50% RTP in every mode | Bonus buy not available everywhere |
| Free demo available | Lower RTP versions may be used by casinos |
Demo Play vs Real Money
The demo on this page uses the same maths as the real version. Buying several rounds with virtual credits and trying different options is the most direct way to see the spread of results for the 25-spin and 6-spin choices.
For real money, choose a casino that shows the RTP in the game info, processes verified withdrawals on time and offers deposit and session limits. Our casino reviews compare these points.
Frequently Asked Questions
The game rules list 96.50% for regular spins, with Ante Bet and with Buy Free Spins. Casinos can run lower versions, so check the rules screen before playing.
Yes. The in-game rules rate it as high volatility.
There are seven: 25 spins at 2x/3x/5x, 20 at 3x/5x/8x, 15 at 5x/8x/10x, 13 at 8x/10x/15x, 10 at 10x/15x/30x, 6 at 15x/30x/40x, or a mystery option that picks spins and multiplier range from the others.
When a wild is part of a winning combination, a random multiplier applies to all wins using wilds. In the base game it is 1x to 40x; in free spins it comes from the range of the option you chose.
The maximum win is 5,000x the bet. A free spins round that reaches this cap ends immediately.
Yes. The demo on this page runs the same game with virtual credits.
Responsible Gaming Note
5 Lions Megaways is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only play if you are 18 or older, set limits before you start and stop when you reach them. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential support is available 24/7 from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.
Final Verdict
5 Lions Megaways combines 117,649 ways and tumbles with wild multipliers of up to 40x in the base game and a free spins menu that lets you set the balance between spin count and multiplier range. The RTP is 96.50% in every mode, volatility is high and the cap is 5,000x. Compare the options in the demo, confirm the RTP at your casino and keep stakes within a fixed budget.
