5 Lions5 LionsPragmatic Play8.1/10Play 5 Lions
VS

5 Lions vs 5 Lions Megaways: Which Slot Is Better?

Side-by-side comparison · By · Updated

5 Lions 0 better on points compared 5 5 Lions Megaways

Pick 5 Lions if…

  • you prefer low-volatility pacing for steady balance preservation
  • you want classic 5x3 spinning action with 243 fixed ways to win
  • you enjoy reel expansion mechanics that shift to 576 ways during free spins

Pick 5 Lions Megaways if…

  • you want a higher maximum win ceiling of 5,000x your stake
  • you prefer dynamic reels with tumbling mechanics and up to 117,649 ways to win
  • you like having access to a 100x bonus buy option and an optional ante bet
Pragmatic Play brought traditional Asian aesthetics, ornate golden statues, and multiplier wild features to both 5 Lions and 5 Lions Megaways. Each game centers around lion wild symbols that carry random multipliers reaching up to 40x on winning spins.The central divergence between the two machines lies in reel architecture and math modeling. 5 Lions runs on a fixed 5x3 grid with 243 ways to win and low volatility, whereas 5 Lions Megaways utilizes a shifting 6-reel format with up to 117,649 ways to win, cascading reels, and high volatility.

At a glance

5 Lions 5 Lions Megaways

RTP
96.50%
96.50%
Max win
3,520x
5,000x
Top multiplier
40x
40x
Volatility
Low
High
Gameplay: 5 Lions 8.0, 5 Lions Megaways 8.5; Payouts: 5 Lions 8.2, 5 Lions Megaways 8.0; Features: 5 Lions 8.3, 5 Lions Megaways 8.7; Mobile: 5 Lions 8.0, 5 Lions Megaways 8.5GameplayPayoutsFeaturesMobile
Our review scores (0–10)

Side by side

5 Lions5 Lions Megaways
Our rating8.1/108.4/10
ProviderPragmatic PlayPragmatic Play
RTP96.50%96.50%
House edge3.50%3.50%
VolatilityLowHigh
Max win3,520x5,000x
Max win at Wolfbet at the max bet$34,988.80*$35,000*
Min bet$0.50 at Wolfbet (as of 21 Oct 2026)$0.20 at Wolfbet (as of 15 Oct 2026)
Max bet$9.94 at Wolfbet (as of 21 Oct 2026)$7 at Wolfbet (as of 15 Oct 2026)
ReleasedMay 2018–
Reels56
Rows37
Ways to win243117,649
Free spinsYesYes
Bonus buyNoYes
Bonus buy cost–100x
Jackpot–No
RTP versions96.50%96.50%
Top multiplier40x40x
Bonus buy options–Bonus buy – 100x

✓ marks the better value where one is clearly better. Volatility has no winner: it depends on how you like to play.

Mechanics

Both games

Free SpinsMultipliers

Only 5 Lions Megaways

Ante BetBonus BuyDrops And WinsMegawaysTumble

Grid Layout and Ways to Win

5 Lions operates with 5 reels, 3 rows, and a standard layout delivering 243 ways to win. Winning combinations form by landing matching symbols across adjacent reels starting from the leftmost side.

5 Lions Megaways implements an expanded dynamic grid consisting of 6 reels with up to 7 rows on each spin. This variable structure allows the game to produce up to 117,649 ways to win on any given spin, offering significantly more reel pathways than the original release.

Tumble Mechanics and Wild Reel Positions

In 5 Lions, the wild symbol appears exclusively on reels 2, 3, and 4. Winning lines are evaluated once per spin without cascades.

5 Lions Megaways expands the wild symbol footprint to land across reels 2, 3, 4, and 5. 5 Lions Megaways also includes a Tumble mechanic where symbols involved in a win explode and leave empty spaces, allowing new symbols to cascade down into the grid and potentially create additional payouts during the same paid turn.

Free Spins and Bonus Structure

Both titles feature free spins rounds that let players choose their volatility profile. Players can pick higher spin counts paired with lower multiplier ranges, lower spin counts with multipliers reaching up to 40x, or a mystery selection.

During the free spins feature in 5 Lions, the physical reel frame expands into a 3-4-4-4-3 layout that provides 576 ways to win. 5 Lions does not include a bonus buy feature.

5 Lions Megaways maintains its tumbling mechanics throughout the bonus and adds extra betting controls. 5 Lions Megaways provides an optional Ante Bet that increases the base stake by 25% to double the chance of triggering the bonus round. 5 Lions Megaways also includes a Bonus Buy option priced at 100x the bet, allowing immediate entry into the free spins selection screen.

RTP, Volatility, and Max Win Potential

Both 5 Lions and 5 Lions Megaways share an identical RTP of 96.50% and a house edge of 3.50%. The long-run theoretical return is unchanged between the two versions.

The games differ completely in risk profile and reward limits. 5 Lions is built on a low volatility math model with a maximum win capped at 3,520x the bet. 5 Lions Megaways features high volatility and offers a higher maximum win cap of 5,000x the stake.

Bet Limits and Wagering Ranges

Bet limits depend on the casino where each title is hosted.

At Wolfbet, 5 Lions accepts a minimum bet of $0.50 at Wolfbet (as of 21 Oct 2026) and a maximum bet of $9.94 at Wolfbet (as of 21 Oct 2026). 5 Lions Megaways features a minimum bet of $0.20 at Wolfbet (as of 15 Oct 2026) and a maximum bet of $7 at Wolfbet (as of 15 Oct 2026).

Visual Presentation and Themes

Both games share matching visual DNA from Pragmatic Play. Deep blue backgrounds, golden filigree borders, and matching golden animal statues represent the high-paying symbols on each paytable, including dragons, phoenixes, frogs, fish, and turtles.

While 5 Lions keeps these visuals confined to a classic 5x3 window, 5 Lions Megaways spreads the same art across dynamic shifting reels, adjusting symbol sizes dynamically on every spin.

Which one to play

Pick 5 Lions if you want low-volatility gameplay that prioritizes steady balance preservation on a traditional 5x3 grid with 243 ways to win. It delivers regular reel action without large balance swings.Pick 5 Lions Megaways if you prefer high volatility, cascading tumbles, dynamic reel heights reaching 117,649 ways to win, and a higher maximum win cap of 5,000x the stake. 5 Lions Megaways holds an overall review rating of 8.4/10 compared to 8.1/10 for 5 Lions.

Try both

5 Lions
5 Lions Pragmatic Play · 8.1/10
5 Lions Megaways
5 Lions Megaways Pragmatic Play · 8.4/10

FAQ

Which game offers a higher maximum payout?

5 Lions Megaways has the higher maximum win potential at 5,000x the stake, compared to the 3,520x maximum win cap available in 5 Lions.

Do 5 Lions and 5 Lions Megaways have different RTPs?

No. Both 5 Lions and 5 Lions Megaways share the exact same theoretical RTP of 96.50% and a house edge of 3.50%.

Can you buy the free spins feature in both slots?

No. 5 Lions Megaways includes a Bonus Buy option priced at 100x the bet, whereas the original 5 Lions does not have a bonus buy feature.

How do the volatility profiles compare?

5 Lions is a low volatility slot designed for steady balance preservation, while 5 Lions Megaways has high volatility.

About the author

Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Marcus reviews slots the way he wishes someone had explained them to him when he started - plainly, without the marketing spin. Each game gets logged spin by spin, so the write-up reflects how it actually plays, not how the trailer makes it look.He's less interested in telling you a game is a must-play and more interested in showing you the math: how volatile it is, how often it pays, whether the bonus earns its hype, and who it actually suits. Sometimes that means calling a popular release mediocre. Sometimes it means quietly recommending something nobody's talking about.No favourites, no sponsored verdicts. Just an honest read, so you can decide for yourself before you spend anything.

90 articles

Slots to try on Wolfbet Casino

18+ · Play responsibly. Casino games carry a house edge and can result in losses. Figures such as RTP describe long-run averages, not what any single session will return. Game providers can update a game's settings (RTP, max win, bet limits or features) at any time, so the figures here may differ from the live version; the game's own info screen always shows the current values.

* Max win at Wolfbet is the game's max win multiplier × Wolfbet's max bet for that game, as of the date given at Max bet. It is a theoretical maximum: actual payouts are subject to Wolfbet's terms and conditions, including any maximum payout limits, which apply first. Please check the current terms and the game's own info screen before you play.