Quick verdict: Gates of Olympus 1000 is Pragmatic Play's higher-stakes sequel to its blockbuster original, keeping the same tumbling 6x5 grid and Zeus multiplier symbols but pushing both the multiplier ceiling and max win considerably higher. With a confirmed 96.5% RTP, High volatility, and a 15,000x max win, it's built for players who found the original's 5,000x ceiling too modest.
The Story
Pragmatic Play released Gates of Olympus 1000 in December 2023 as a direct sequel to its hugely popular original. As the studio's own launch announcement put it, "Zeus is back with a bang in this striking sequel to our iconic ancient Greek-themed release" — the same Olympus temple setting and Zeus character return, but with the mechanics pushed considerably further.
Theme, Gameplay & Symbols
The game runs on a 6-reel, 5-row grid using a pay-anywhere cluster system — any 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the grid pays out, rather than fixed paylines. Symbols keep the same gem-and-relic set as the original: coloured gems in ascending value, plus crowns, rings, and goblets as the higher-paying icons.
Presentation & Sound
The presentation matches the original almost exactly — a golden Olympus temple at sunset, with Zeus himself standing beside the reels, arms raised, ready to strike with lightning-bolt multiplier symbols. It's a familiar, epic tone carried straight over from the first game.
How to Play Gates of Olympus 1000
- Set your stake — bet range runs from £0.20 to £100 standard, rising to £125 with Ante Bet active.
- Spin the 6x5 grid; landing 8 or more matching symbols anywhere triggers a win, which then clears via the tumble mechanic to potentially chain further wins on the same spin.
- Watch for multiplier symbols, worth between 2x and 1,000x, which can strike at any time during the base game or free spins.
- Landing 4 or more scatters triggers Free Spins, awarding 15 initial spins; landing 3 or more scatters during the round adds 5 further spins.
- During Free Spins, any multiplier symbol that hits on a winning spin adds to a running total multiplier, which is applied to your overall win for the round.
- The game also includes an Ante Bet mode, which increases the cost of each spin by 25% and roughly doubles the chance of triggering the bonus round naturally. It also includes a Buy Free Spins option that lets players pay directly for guaranteed entry (at least 4 scatters) in some markets — this option is switched off for UK-licensed real-money play, following the UK Gambling Commission's 2020 restriction on bonus-buy features, so it isn't a route to the bonus round on a UK-regulated site. Ante Bet is commonly disabled for UK-licensed real-money play too, so it may not be an active option at a UKGC-licensed casino either.
- Try the free demo on this page first to see the accumulating multiplier in action before wagering real money.
Features & Mechanics
- Tumble mechanic — winning symbols clear and new ones cascade down, potentially chaining further wins on the same spin.
- Multiplier symbols — appear randomly worth 2x to 1,000x, applied to the final win amount.
- Free Spins — 4+ scatters award 15 spins, with 3+ scatters during the round adding 5 more; multiplier symbols accumulate into a running total throughout.
- Buy Feature — in markets where it's offered, players can pay 100x their base bet for guaranteed entry to Free Spins (minimum 4 scatters); this option is switched off for UK-licensed real-money play following the UK Gambling Commission's 2020 restriction on bonus-buy features.
- Ante Bet — an optional mode that increases the cost of each spin by 25% for roughly double the chance of triggering the bonus round naturally; like the Buy Feature above, it is commonly disabled for UK-licensed real-money play.
Volatility & Win Potential
Pragmatic Play's own game page confirms Gates of Olympus 1000 at a 96.5% RTP, with lower configurations of 95.51% and 94.50% also in circulation across operators. Volatility is High, and the maximum win is confirmed at 15,000x bet — a considerable jump from the original Gates of Olympus's 5,000x ceiling. Always check your chosen site's in-game paytable to confirm which RTP configuration is live on your account.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: A 15,000x max win and 1,000x multiplier ceiling significantly outstrip the original game.
- Pro: The accumulating free spins multiplier gives every scatter hit real weight during the bonus.
- Pro: RTP is confirmed directly on Pragmatic Play's own game page (96.5%, with lower configurations also in circulation), giving players a clear reference point rather than guesswork.
- Con: The theme and base presentation are near-identical to the original, offering little visually new.
- Con: High volatility with a much bigger ceiling means longer average gaps between significant wins.
Final Verdict
Gates of Olympus 1000 does exactly what a sequel should — it keeps everything that made the original a hit while meaningfully raising the stakes, pushing the max win from 5,000x to 15,000x and the multiplier ceiling up to 1,000x. It's the clear upgrade pick for existing fans chasing a bigger ceiling, though it won't offer much that's visually new if you've already spent time with the original.
