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| Number of Reels | 5 Reels |
| Paylines | 10 Paylines |
| Graphics and Animation | 3D Graphics |
| Sound | Ethereal, epic soundtrack |
Published: 24 Jan 2025
Last updated: 24 Oct 2025Most slots claim to revolutionize expanding symbol mechanics, but Rise of Merlin slot actually delivers on that promise. Play'n GO took everything players loved about Book of Dead and asked a simple question: What if you could accumulate multiple expanding symbols instead of being stuck with just one?
The result changes everything. This isn't your typical Arthurian adventure where Merlin waves his staff and hopes for the best. Rise of Merlin transforms the entire expanding symbol concept by letting you stack up to 9 different expanding symbols through retriggering – something that seemed mathematically impossible until this game proved otherwise. Each retrigger doesn't just add more spins; it adds another expanding symbol to your arsenal, creating win potential that grows exponentially rather than linearly.
| Provider | Play'n GO |
| Launch Date | June 17, 2019 |
| Slot Type | Video Slot |
| Genre / Thematics | Fantasy, Magic |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 96.58% |
| Volatility | High |
| Minimum Bet | $0.10 |
| Maximum Bet | $100 |
| Maximum Bet | 5000x |
| Number of Reels | 5 Reels |
| Paylines | 10 Paylines |
| Graphics and Animation | 3D Graphics |
| Sound | Ethereal, epic soundtrack |
| Jackpot | No |
| Progressive Jackpot | No |
| Betting per Line | Yes |
| Betting Limits | $0.10 - $100 |
| Multicurrency Support | Yes |
| Fun Play Mode | Yes |
| Game Speed | Adjustable |
| Additional Features | Free Spins, Expanding Wilds, Gamble Feature |
| Game Mechanics | 10 lines; combined Wild/Scatter triggers 8 FS; chosen symbol expands on wins; repeat retriggers |
| Types of Symbols (Wild, Scatter, etc.) | Crystal Ball is both Wild and Scatter; highs: Merlin/dragons/owl; lows: A-K-Q-J-10 |
| Number of Symbols | High/low set + Wild/Scatter (no fixed official count) |
| Autospin | Yes |
| Maximum Multiplier | Overall potential up to 5,000× (no dedicated multiplier) |
| Bonus Frequency | Medium; needs 3+ Scatters |
| Symbols Frequency | Medium (in line with high volatility) |
| Betting Function | Yes: red/black (×2) or suit (×4) |
| Bonus Game Variations | Multiple retriggers add extra expanding symbols |
| Compatibility | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS |
| Platforms | HTML5, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android |
| Demo Version | Yes |
| Market Availability | Available in regulated markets |
| Regional Adaptations | Supports multiple languages and currencies |
Let's dive into the numbers that really matter. The Rise of Merlin RTP sits at an impressive 96.58% for the standard version – that's the same premium rate you'll find in Legacy of Dead and significantly better than Book of Dead's 96.21%. However, keep your eyes open because some operators offer alternative versions with 94.51% RTP, which makes a noticeable difference over extended play sessions.
Here's what you're working with: high volatility paired with an 18.34% hit frequency means roughly one in five spins produces a winning combination. That's typical for high-volatility slots where you'll experience longer dry spells followed by potentially massive payouts. The betting range spans from €0.10 to €100 (approximately ₹9 to ₹9,000), making it accessible to players with varying bankrolls.
When we talk about that 5,000x maximum win, let's put it in perspective with real numbers. A ₹50 bet could theoretically deliver ₹250,000, while a ₹100 bet reaches the half-million rupee mark. The probability of hitting maximum exposure sits around 1 in 8.7 million spins – rare enough to be exciting but not so impossible that it feels like a pipe dream.
The symbol hierarchy in Rise of Merlin follows classic "Book of" structure with some interesting twists. The Crystal Ball serves double duty as both Wild and Scatter – your ticket to both substituting for other symbols and triggering the crucial free spins feature.
| Symbol | 2 Symbols | 3 Symbols | 4 Symbols | 5 Symbols | INR Example (₹100 bet) |
| Crystal Ball (Wild/Scatter) | 10x | 100x | 1000x | 5000x | ₹500,000 |
| Merlin | 10x | 100x | 1000x | 5000x | ₹500,000 |
| Red Dragon | - | 10x | 40x | 160x | ₹16,000 |
| Blue Dragon | - | 5x | 20x | 60x | ₹6,000 |
| Owl | - | 5x | 20x | 60x | ₹6,000 |
| Ace | - | 3x | 8x | 12x | ₹1,200 |
| King | - | 3x | 8x | 12x | ₹1,200 |
| Queen | - | 2x | 5x | 8x | ₹800 |
| Jack | - | 2x | 5x | 8x | ₹800 |
| 10 | - | 2x | 5x | 8x | ₹800 |
Notice how both the Crystal Ball and Merlin share the top payout tier – this becomes crucial during free spins when either symbol can expand. The mid-tier symbols (dragons and owl) offer solid returns, while the card symbols provide frequent smaller wins that help sustain your bankroll during base game play.
The magic really happens when three or more Crystal Ball scatters appear anywhere on your reels. This triggers 8 initial free spins plus immediate scatter payouts – already a nice boost to your balance before the real action begins.
But here's where Rise of Merlin separates itself from the pack: before your free spins start, the game randomly selects one symbol to expand. This chosen symbol will stretch across entire reels whenever it appears in sufficient quantities during the bonus round.
Here's the game-changer – every time you retrigger the free spins (which happens with 3+ scatters during the bonus), you not only get 8 additional spins but also introduce another expanding symbol to the mix. This process continues indefinitely, potentially reaching 9 different expanding symbols working simultaneously.
Think about the math here: while Book of Dead caps you at one expanding symbol throughout your entire bonus round, Rise of Merlin lets you accumulate expanding symbols with each retrigger. The win potential doesn't just increase – it multiplies exponentially as more symbols gain expansion properties.
High-paying symbols (Crystal Ball, Merlin, dragons, owl) need only 2 appearances to trigger expansion, while low-paying card symbols require 3 or more. This creates strategic depth, as you hope to secure a premium symbol during your initial free spins trigger.
After any base game win, you can activate the gamble feature with two risk levels. The double-or-nothing option lets you guess the card color (red or black) to double your win, while the quadruple option requires correctly predicting the suit.
You can gamble up to 5 consecutive times, but here's the catch – one wrong guess forfeits your entire win. Let's say you land a ₹2,000 base game win and successfully gamble twice on color predictions. You win balloons to ₹8,000, but that third gamble could send you home empty-handed if you guess incorrectly.
This feature appeals to high-volatility seekers who want maximum risk-reward scenarios, but it requires discipline and careful consideration of when to walk away with your profits.
When expanding symbols activate, the transformation is unmistakable. Selected symbols stretch across entire reels, creating dramatic visual moments that can completely transform your screen. With multiple expanding symbols active simultaneously, you might see several different symbols expanding across various reels in the same spin.
The potential becomes clear when you consider scenarios like five expanded Merlin symbols covering all reels with a ₹100 bet – that's your ₹500,000 maximum win right there. Multiple expanding symbols create overlapping opportunities where different symbol types can expand simultaneously, generating combinations that single expanding symbol games simply cannot match.
Before diving into real-money play, the Rise of Merlin demo offers the perfect testing ground. International casino operators offer demo versions that replicate the whole experience – all animations, sounds, bonus features, and expanding symbol mechanics work exactly as they do in paid play.
Demo mode is particularly valuable for understanding the high volatility of Rise of Merlin. You can experience firsthand how the multiple expanding symbol system operates, observe retrigger frequencies, and develop a feel for the game's rhythm without financial pressure.
Use demo sessions to experiment with different bet levels and payline configurations. Since Rise of Merlin offers 10 adjustable paylines, you can test whether playing all lines maximizes your scatter symbol landing chances or if selective payline play suits your style better.
Understanding the mechanics of Rise of Merlin requires understanding its traditional payline structure. Unlike cluster pays or ways-to-win systems, this slot uses the classic left-to-right payline format across its 5×3 grid. You can adjust paylines from 1 to 10, though most experienced players recommend activating all lines to maximize scatter symbol opportunities.
The interface provides standard controls: bet level adjustment, coin value selection, autoplay options, and turbo mode for faster spins. The game runs smoothly across devices thanks to Play'n GO's HTML5 technology, maintaining consistent performance whether you're playing on desktop or mobile.
High-volatility slots demand disciplined bankroll management, and Rise of Merlin is no exception. With an 18.34% hit frequency, you'll face extended periods without wins followed by potentially explosive bonus rounds.
Consider a theoretical bankroll of ₹10,000. Conservative betting suggests ₹20-₹50 per spin to weather the volatility storms while maximizing your chances of hitting those crucial free spins triggers. This approach provides 200-500 spins at minimum bet levels, giving you reasonable exposure to bonus rounds without risking quick elimination.
Set clear stop-loss limits at 50% of your session bankroll and profit-taking targets at 200-300% returns. High-volatility slots can swing dramatically in both directions, so protecting gains becomes as important as managing losses.
Visual and audio cues help identify important moments during play. Crystal Ball scatters highlight prominently when they appear, and the game provides clear countdown indicators as you approach bonus triggers. During free spins, expanding symbol animations are unmistakable – symbols stretch dramatically across reels with accompanying sound effects.
Pay attention to symbol selection during free spins initiation. High-paying expanding symbols (Crystal Ball, Merlin) create superior win potential compared to low-paying card symbol expansion. While you can't control the selection, understanding which symbols offer better expansion value helps set appropriate expectations for each bonus round.
Rise of Merlin showcases Play'n GO's mobile-first design philosophy. The 23 MB file size ensures efficient loading (typically 3-5 seconds on mobile networks) while preserving complete feature parity with desktop versions. No downloads required – simply access through your mobile browser for instant play.
Touch controls feel intuitive and responsive, with button sizing optimized for finger navigation. All features transfer seamlessly to mobile: free spins, expanding symbols, gamble functionality, and payline adjustments work identically across platforms.
The game scales elegantly across different screen sizes, from compact smartphones to large tablets. Interface elements remain clearly visible and easily accessible regardless of device orientation, making Rise of Merlin suitable for quick mobile sessions or extended tablet play.
Understanding Rise of Merlin's position within Play'n GO's expanding symbol portfolio reveals why this game stands out. Book of Dead established the foundation with single expanding symbol mechanics and 96.21% RTP. Rise of Merlin evolved this formula by introducing multiple expanding symbols, boosting the RTP to 96.58%.
Legacy of Dead runs parallel to Rise of Merlin with identical technical specifications – same RTP, same multiple expanding symbol capability, and same 5,000x maximum win. The choice between these two often comes down to theme preference (Egyptian vs. Arthurian) rather than mathematical differences.
| Game | RTP | Max Win | Expanding Symbols | Free Spins | Unique Feature |
| Rise of Merlin | 96.58% | 5,000x | Up to 9 | 8 (retriggerable) | Multiple expanding symbols |
| Book of Dead | 96.21% | 5,000x | 1 | 10 (retriggerable) | Original "Book of" game |
| Legacy of Dead | 96.58% | 5,000x | Up to 9 | 8 (retriggerable) | Enhanced Book of Dead |
| Lord Merlin and the Lady of the Lake | 96.58% | 10,000x | Multiple | 5-20 (levels) | Level progression system |
Book of Dead appeals to players who want classic simplicity—just one expanding symbol, straightforward mechanics, and a proven track record. Rise of Merlin targets those ready for enhanced complexity and superior mathematical returns. Legacy of Dead serves as the premium Egyptian alternative with matching specifications.
Lord Merlin and the Lady of the Lake represent the franchise's evolution, featuring doubled maximum wins and progressive level systems. However, this comes at the cost of increased complexity that might overwhelm casual players.
Rise of Merlin online casinos span the globe, with several established operators offering comprehensive Play'n GO portfolios. LeoVegas leads with Malta Gaming Authority licensing and over 100 Play'n GO titles, including full demo access and mobile optimization. Their INR payment support makes transactions straightforward for Indian players.
Casumo provides native mobile apps alongside their extensive 80+ Play'n GO game library, while Betsson Group casinos offer the largest selection with 120+ titles and an established reputation spanning decades. BitStarz offers cryptocurrency support for players who prefer digital payment methods, though transactions are limited to crypto-only.
| Casino | License | Demo Available | Mobile Support | INR Payments | Play'n GO Games |
| LeoVegas | Malta Gaming Authority | Yes | Optimized | Yes | 100+ titles |
| Betsson | Malta Gaming Authority | Yes | Mobile web | Yes | 120+ titles |
| BitStarz | Curacao eGaming | Yes | Optimized | Crypto only | 90+ titles |
These operators provide demo access without registration requirements, letting you test Rise of Merlin's mechanics before committing funds. All maintain proper international licensing and established industry reputations, crucial factors when selecting casino partners.
Rise of Merlin represents Play'n GO's masterful evolution of expanding symbol mechanics through genuine innovation rather than cosmetic changes. The multiple expanding symbol system creates exponentially increasing win potential while maintaining the mathematical foundation that made Book of Dead legendary.
This slot succeeds as both an advancement over classic "Book of" mechanics and a satisfying long-term gaming companion for experienced players. The 96.58% RTP provides superior value compared to Book of Dead, while the unlimited retriggering with expanding symbol accumulation offers excitement that single expanding symbol games cannot match.
Rise of Merlin free play options make this slot accessible for testing before real-money consideration. The high-volatility nature demands respect and proper bankroll management, but rewards patient players with potentially massive bonus rounds that justify the risk.
For players ready to graduate beyond single expanding symbol limitations, Rise of Merlin offers the definitive premium expanding symbol experience with superior mathematics and innovative mechanics that genuinely enhance gameplay.
Rise of Merlin features 5×3 reels and 10 adjustable paylines, with a standard RTP of 96.58% or an alternative RTP of 94.51%. The high-volatility slot offers an 18.34% hit frequency and a 5,000x maximum win potential, requiring strategic bankroll management for optimal results.
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