Kingmaker slot review

Kingmaker slot in one minute

Kingmaker is a royal-themed Megaways slot from Big Time Gaming. Most Megaways games use six reels; Kingmaker uses five, which caps the ways at 16,807 rather than the 117,649 seen on six-reel titles such as Millionaire Megaways.

What sets it apart is the gem system. Four gem symbols each hold their own multiplier, and those multipliers grow during normal play. When free spins arrive, the four values are added together, so the bonus can start with a meaningful multiplier already in place.

With a 96.65% RTP and medium–high volatility, it sits in the middle of the pack on price and on the higher side for swings. It is a good fit for players who already like Megaways and want something a little more compact on a phone screen.

Kingmaker specifications: RTP, ways and max win

Big Time Gaming does not list multiple RTP versions for Kingmaker in the specifications we rely on, but operators can choose game settings, so it is still worth checking the help screen. Our guide to finding a game's RTP in an app shows where that information sits.

Why the Kingmaker slot has 16,807 ways, not 117,649

Megaways is the mechanic Big Time Gaming invented, in which every reel shows a random number of symbols on each spin. The number of ways is the product of the symbols showing on every reel. With five reels and a maximum of seven symbols each, the top figure is 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 16,807.

The table shows how quickly the count changes. It assumes every reel shows the same number of symbols, which is a simplification: in the game each reel varies independently.

More ways does not mean better value. The RTP already accounts for every possible reel height, so a spin with 16,807 ways is not a better bet than one with 243. The Megaways glossary entry covers the mechanic in more depth.

How the features work in Kingmaker

Four gems, four multipliers

There are four gem symbols in the game, and each one carries a multiplier. During the base game those multipliers grow, so the gems become worth more over the course of play. The in-game rules explain exactly what makes each gem's multiplier rise and how wins involving that gem are paid.

Crown scatters and free spins

Free spins are triggered by crown scatter symbols. During the round the reels play on maximum Megaways, which means every spin uses the full 16,807 ways.

Gem multipliers combined

When free spins begin, the four gem multipliers are combined. In practice that means the round starts with the total of what the gems have built up, which is why the base-game gem values matter to players watching for the bonus.

Kingmaker RTP and volatility with a £20 budget

The house edge on Kingmaker is 100% minus 96.65%, or 3.35%. Multiply that by everything you stake to get the expected cost. Here is what that looks like at three common stakes, with an hour's play assumed to be 600 spins.

The expected loss on £20 staked is the same at every stake, because the edge is a percentage. What changes is how long £20 lasts. At 10p you get 200 spins, enough to see the gems move and possibly a bonus. At £1 you get 20, and with medium–high volatility the balance can easily run out before the crowns land.

The fastest legal pace is one spin every 2.5 seconds, or 1,440 spins an hour. At £1 a spin that would be £1,440 staked and roughly £48.24 in expected cost, which is why slowing down saves money. Wizard of Odds' house edge explainer (opens in a new tab) sets out the same calculation for other casino games.

Kingmaker slot on iPhone, iPad and Android

Kingmaker runs inside a casino's app or mobile site, built in HTML5, so it works on iPhone, iPad and Android without a separate download. The five-reel grid is slightly less crowded than six-reel Megaways games, which helps on smaller phones.

The developer specifications do not say whether it supports portrait play, so try both orientations. If the gems and their multiplier values are hard to read, a tablet such as an Android tablet gives you more room.

1. Open a UK-licensed casino app and log in; age and identity checks must be complete before you can play, even in demo.
2. Search the lobby for Kingmaker.
3. Open the paytable to check the RTP, the gem rules and what triggers free spins.
4. Pick a stake that suits your budget, keeping within the £5 limit (£2 if you are 18–24).
5. Tap to spin each round, and step away when your planned budget or time is used up.

UK slot rules you will see when playing Kingmaker

The Gambling Commission announced a package of changes to make online games safer (opens in a new tab) that took effect on 31 October 2021. They removed autoplay, set a minimum of 2.5 seconds per spin, banned turbo and slam-stop, and stopped games celebrating returns equal to or below the stake.

Later changes from 17 January 2025 require your net spend and time played to be shown in real time and stop you playing several games at once. Stake limits of £5 per spin for over-25s (from 9 April 2025) and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds (from 21 May 2025) are detailed in the Commission's stake limit guidance (opens in a new tab) and on our slot stake limits page.

Since a Gambling Commission warning in January 2020, feature buy-ins are not offered to British players, so the free spins can only be won through the crowns. Our page on why there is no autoplay on UK apps explains the thinking behind the speed rules.

About Big Time Gaming

Big Time Gaming is based in Sydney, Australia, and was founded in 2011. It is best known for creating Megaways and for games such as Bonanza Megaways and White Rabbit. Evolution announced its acquisition of the studio in April 2021.

Kingmaker came out in 2019, the same year as the studio's Lil Devil and Monopoly Megaways, and it shows the studio experimenting with smaller grids and persistent multipliers.

Slots similar to Kingmaker

White Rabbit Megaways offers a higher published RTP from the same studio, while Temple Tumble Megaways is a licensed Megaways game from Relax Gaming. Our list of the best Megaways slot apps shows which UK apps carry a wide range.

Where to play the Kingmaker slot in a UK app

Our partner apps are UK-licensed, but we cannot confirm which of them lists Kingmaker, so look it up in each game lobby. Their welcome offers are spins on games they choose, not on Kingmaker. You must be 18+ and terms apply.

PlayOJO: make a first deposit of £10 or more as a new UK customer (Northern Ireland excluded) and get 80 spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p a spin. Winnings are paid in cash with no wagering; the offer is only available through the designated link and cannot be combined with other offers.

Coral: between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027, new players who deposit and bet at least £10 on slots get 100 free spins on selected games at 10p each. Accept them within 48 hours, use them within 7 days, and keep winnings with no wagering. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify.

Ladbrokes: new customers who deposit and play £10 or more on slots get 50 free spins a day for 10 days, up to 500, at 10p each on selected games. Claim each day's spins before 23:59 and use them within 7 days; no wagering applies. Deposits by prepaid card, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill or Moneybookers are excluded. Coral and Ladbrokes are both LC International Limited brands, so holding new accounts at both may not be possible.

18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.