Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus is one of the most played Pragmatic Play slots in Australian lobbies, and it is easy to see why after a few spins. Zeus stands beside a 6×5 grid, symbols pay anywhere on the screen, winning symbols tumble away, and random multiplier orbs can turn an ordinary cascade into a big result. Pragmatic Play officially rates the game as medium volatility, but because the biggest results depend on multiplier orbs and the free spins round, sessions can still swing a lot.
This review explains how the slot actually works, what the multipliers do in the base game and in free spins, which RTP version you may be playing, and how to approach Gates of Olympus demo play before you consider real money. All figures below were checked against the game’s own rules screen.
Where to Play Gates of Olympus
Gates of Olympus is available at most casinos that carry Pragmatic Play games. The casinos below offer the slot, accept players from Australia and are reviewed on BetsAuthority. Before you deposit, open the game rules at the casino to confirm which RTP version it runs.
Quick Facts About Gates of Olympus
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Slot | Gates of Olympus |
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release | 2021 |
| Layout | 6 reels / 5 rows |
| Pay system | Pay anywhere (8+ matching symbols) with tumbles |
| RTP | 96.50% default (lower versions exist) |
| Volatility | Medium (official rating) |
| Bet range | 0.20 to 300 per spin (casino limits may differ) |
| Maximum win | 5,000x the bet |
| Multipliers | 2x up to 500x |
| Free spins | 15 spins for 4+ scatters, +5 for 3+ scatters during the feature |
| Extras | Ante Bet, Buy Free Spins (where allowed) |
How Gates of Olympus Works
There are no paylines. After each spin the game counts identical symbols anywhere on the 6×5 grid, and you win when at least 8 matching symbols land. Payouts come in three tiers: 8 to 9 symbols, 10 to 11 symbols, and 12 or more. Low-value symbols are coloured gems, while the premium set is made up of the crown, hourglass, ring and chalice. Twelve or more crowns pay 50x the bet, the top regular symbol win in the game.
Every win triggers a tumble: winning symbols disappear, the remaining ones drop down and new symbols fall in from above. Tumbles continue as long as new wins appear, with no limit on their number, so a single paid spin can produce several wins in a row. There is no wild symbol in this game, which is one reason the base game can feel quiet between hits.
The Zeus scatter can land on any reel and pays in any position: 4 scatters pay 3x the bet, 5 pay 5x and 6 pay 100x, on top of triggering free spins.
Multiplier Orbs Explained
Multiplier orbs can land on any spin or tumble, in the base game as well as in free spins. Each orb takes a random value of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, 100x, 250x or 500x. Orbs stay on the grid until the tumble sequence ends. If that sequence produced a win, all orb values on screen are added together and the total is applied to the win of the whole sequence.
Two points are worth remembering. First, orbs only matter when the sequence actually wins; an orb on a dead spin pays nothing. Second, orbs are added, not multiplied with each other, so a 5x and a 10x give 15x, not 50x.
Free Spins Feature
Landing 4 or more Zeus scatters anywhere awards 15 free spins. During the round, 3 or more scatters add another 5 free spins, and the game uses special reels for the feature.
The key difference from the base game is the total multiplier. Whenever an orb lands and its spin results in a win, the orb value is added to a running total that stays for the rest of the feature. From then on, every winning spin that contains a new orb is multiplied by that growing total. This is where the large wins in Gates of Olympus come from, and also why free spins rounds vary so much: a round with early orbs can snowball, while a round without them can pay less than the cost of buying it.
Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins
The Ante Bet raises the cost of each spin by 25% (for example, A$2.50 instead of A$2) and in return doubles the chance of triggering free spins naturally by adding more scatters to the reels. According to the game rules, the RTP stays at 96.50%, so Ante Bet only shifts more of the return into the bonus round.
Buy Free Spins starts the feature immediately for 100x the current bet, so A$200 at a A$2 stake. It is switched off while Ante Bet is active and is not available at every casino or in every jurisdiction. Buying the feature does not improve the odds of a big win, it only skips the base game, so the cost should be judged against your total bankroll, not a single session.
RTP Versions: Check Before You Play
In the default configuration the theoretical RTP is 96.50% for regular spins, Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins alike. However, operators can choose lower configurations of the same game, and versions around 95.5% and 94.5% are common. The visuals and features are identical, so the only way to know which one you are playing is to open the game rules inside the casino and read the RTP line there, as shown below. Over a long session, a difference of two percentage points is significant.
Worked Example: How a Win Is Calculated
Say you spin at A$1 and land 12 crowns for 50x, which is A$50, then the tumble brings 8 blue gems for a small extra win. During the same sequence a 5x and a 10x orb appear. When tumbling stops, the two wins are added together and multiplied by 15x (5 + 10). If the sequence had produced no win at all, the orbs would simply disappear.
Now the same situation in free spins: if your running total was already 20x, the new orbs raise it to 35x, and that 35x is applied to the spin win. Every later winning spin with a new orb will use an even higher total.
Bankroll Tips for Gates of Olympus
- Size your stake so that your budget covers at least 200 to 300 spins; long stretches without free spins are normal.
- Decide in advance whether you will use Ante Bet. It makes the bankroll swing harder in both directions.
- Treat bonus buys as the most expensive way to play. One buy at A$1 costs A$100.
- Set a loss limit and a time limit before you start, and use the casino’s deposit limit tools.
- Ignore “hot” or “cold” streak systems. Every spin is independent and decided by a certified random number generator.
Pros and Cons of Gates of Olympus
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple pay-anywhere rules | Big results depend heavily on multipliers and free spins |
| Multipliers up to 500x in base game and bonus | No wild symbol |
| Growing total multiplier in free spins | Lower RTP versions are widespread |
| Same 96.50% RTP with Ante Bet and bonus buy | Bonus buy is expensive and not available everywhere |
| Free demo available | Max win of 5,000x is lower than newer sequels |
Gates of Olympus Sequels
The success of the original led to several follow-ups. Gates of Olympus 1000 raises the orb ceiling to 1,000x and the max win to 15,000x, while later versions such as Gates of Olympus 2500 push both numbers higher. The core rules stay the same, but the results become more extreme with each step. If you are new to the series, the original is the most predictable place to start.
Demo Play vs Real Money
The free demo on this page uses the same maths as the real game, so it is the best way to see how often free spins land and how much the multipliers swing results. Play a few hundred demo spins before depositing. If the swings feel uncomfortable in demo mode, they will feel worse with real money.
For real money play, choose a casino with a clear RTP disclosure in the game info, fast verified withdrawals and responsible gambling tools. You can compare options in our casino reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
The default RTP is 96.50%, including Ante Bet and Buy Free Spins. Some casinos run lower versions, so check the game rules before playing.
Pragmatic Play rates it as medium volatility. In practice the biggest wins come from multipliers in free spins, so results can still vary widely between sessions.
Land 4 or more Zeus scatters anywhere on the grid for 15 free spins. Three or more scatters during the feature add 5 more spins.
The maximum win is 5,000x the bet.
No. It increases the cost per spin by 25% and doubles the chance of free spins, but the RTP stays at 96.50%.
Yes. The demo on this page runs the same game with virtual credits, so you can test the features without a deposit.
Responsible Gaming Note
Gates of Olympus 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
Gates of Olympus earns its popularity with clear rules, a strong multiplier system and a free spins round that can escalate quickly. Officially it is a medium volatility slot, but most of its value sits in multipliers and the bonus, and lower RTP versions are common. Try the demo first, confirm the RTP at your casino and keep the stake small relative to your budget.