Game Comparison
Six Pragmatic Play slots, one comparison. We line up Buffalo King Megaways against the original Buffalo King, Great Rhino Megaways, 5 Lions Megaways, Wolf Gold and John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen. RTP, maximum wins, volatility, ways to win and where to play them, in one table, six write-ups and one honest verdict.
What Is a Megaways Slot? An Introduction
A quick primer for anyone new to the mechanic. Six titles, one core idea.
Megaways slots work on a simple idea: the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin, so the total ways to win shifts from one spin to the next. Instead of a fixed set of paylines, wins are counted across however many symbol combinations line up on adjacent reels. A single spin can offer anywhere from a few hundred to over 200,000 ways to win.
The mechanic is relatively young. Big Time Gaming introduced Megaways in 2016, and Pragmatic Play later licensed it for titles including Buffalo King Megaways, Great Rhino Megaways and 5 Lions Megaways. Today dozens of studios build Megaways versions of established slots. Reels typically run six deep, and RTP across the format lands between 96 and 97 percent.
The appeal sits in the variance. Megaways slots concentrate large potential wins into cascading sequences and free-spin rounds, which makes the format exciting and, in equal measure, higher risk than a fixed-payline slot.
What These Slots Have in Common
- Reel mechanic: ways to win recalculate on every spin
- Volatility: high across the compared titles
- Bet range: $0.20 to $125 depending on the title
- RNG testing: certified by an independent testing lab
- Mobile first: browser play, no download
The Key Slots Compared in 2026
Eight parameters, six titles. The table does not replace a session on the reels, but it gives the most useful orientation before the first deposit.
| Game | Developer | RTP | Max Win | Reels / Ways | Volatility | Bet Range | Mobile | Demo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo King Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.06 % | 10,000x* | 6 reels, up to 200,704 ways | High | $0.20 - $20 | Yes | Yes |
| Buffalo King | Pragmatic Play | 96.07 % | 6,000x | 1 | 5 reels, 25 fixed paylines | $0.25 - $125 | Yes | Yes |
| Great Rhino Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.58 % | 20,000x | 1 | 6 reels, up to 200,704 ways | $0.20 - $20 | Yes | Yes |
| 5 Lions Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.40 % | 15,000x | 1 | 6 reels, up to 15,625 ways | $0.20 - $100 | Yes | Yes |
| Wolf Gold | Pragmatic Play | 96.01 % | 5,000x | 5 reels, 25 fixed paylines | Medium-High | $0.25 - $125 | Yes | Yes |
| John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen | Pragmatic Play | ~99 % | 6,750x | 5 reels, 20 fixed paylines | High | ~2 s | Yes | Yes |
* Buffalo King Megaways' max win sits at 10,000 times the stake across every operator in this comparison, a figure Pragmatic Play fixes at the engine level rather than leaving open to casino-side variation. Some affiliate pages list a higher ceiling by confusing it with Great Rhino Megaways' 20,000x cap. The number describes the theoretical maximum the math allows, not a payout a typical session gets near.
Clarification: Buffalo King Megaways should not be confused with the original Buffalo King, also from Pragmatic Play. Buffalo King Megaways runs on six reels with up to 200,704 ways to win, while Buffalo King keeps five reels and 25 fixed paylines. Some affiliate pages blend the two titles together, but the reel structure and max win differ.
Great Rhino Megaways - 96.58% RTP and a 20,000x max win
Great Rhino Megaways from Pragmatic Play sets the pace on raw numbers. A 96.58 percent RTP, the highest of the six titles compared here, and a six-reel Megaways grid that can generate up to 200,704 ways to win. Instead of a rising curve, wins cascade down the reels while a multiplier climbs through the free spins round.
Two things follow from that grid. First, the win count depends on how symbols land on a given spin, not on a fixed number of lines like Buffalo King. Second, the free spins round carries a multiplier that only grows across the whole bonus, never resetting between cascades. No other title in this group pushes that multiplier as far.
Great Rhino Megaways launched in July 2020 under Pragmatic Play's Malta and UK licenses. By 2026, JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all carry it alongside Buffalo King Megaways in their Pragmatic Play sections. The demo mode runs everywhere without registration.
Who should pick it: Players chasing the largest single-spin ceiling in this group. The 20,000x max win outpaces every other title compared here.
Great Rhino Megaways Specifications
Free spins trigger on four or more scatter symbols, with a multiplier that climbs on every extra scatter during the bonus round. Cascading wins let a single spin trigger several payouts in sequence.
Wolf Gold by Pragmatic Play - the icon of the wild west slot genre
Wolf Gold is the title most Pragmatic Play players already know. Released in 2017, it set a template the studio still leans on: a wild west desert scene, five reels, 25 fixed paylines, and a Money Respin feature that can award one of three progressive jackpots. A wolf howl wild expands across the middle three reels on a hit.
RTP sits at 96.01 percent, the lowest of the six titles compared here, and the max win caps at 5,000 times the stake. Pragmatic Play built a Money Respin round exclusive to this title, chasing the mini, minor, major or grand jackpot, a feature none of the Megaways titles in this group carry. Base game spins resolve in under two seconds.
Licensing runs through Malta and the UK Gambling Commission, the same framework Pragmatic Play uses across its slot catalog. Wolf Gold remains the most widely listed title on this page. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all carry it in their lobby alongside Buffalo King Megaways.
Who should pick it: Players who want a proven, widely reviewed title with a jackpot chase built in. The fixed 25-line structure suits anyone who prefers predictable paylines over a shifting Megaways grid.
Wolf Gold Specifications
Signature feature: the Money Respin round locks wolf, eagle, snake and puma coin symbols in place for one extra spin, chasing the mini, minor, major or grand jackpot with every hunt.
Buffalo King by Pragmatic Play - the older sibling
Buffalo King reached casinos two years before its Megaways sibling and remains the title the newer version builds on. Pragmatic Play released it in 2018: five reels, 25 fixed paylines, and the same buffalo, eagle and wolf symbol set that later carried over to Buffalo King Megaways. The backdrop leans warmer, a dusk-lit prairie instead of the Megaways version's brighter grid.
RTP lands at 96.07 percent, just above its Megaways sibling, while the max win tops out at 6,000 times the stake against 10,000 times for Buffalo King Megaways. Volatility runs high either way, but the fixed line count makes each spin easier to read. Free spins reward the same rising win multiplier the newer version uses.
Availability in our casino list matches its Megaways counterpart closely, since both ship in the same Pragmatic Play package. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all carry Buffalo King alongside the newer version. Licensing runs through Malta and the UK, no separate certification required.
Who should pick it: Players who prefer a fixed 25-line structure over a Megaways grid that changes every spin, without giving up the buffalo theme or the free spins multiplier.
Buffalo King Specifications
Pragmatic Play also runs Great Rhino and Wolf Gold on the same five-reel savanna template. Buffalo King adds a gamble feature after any win, letting a player double a payout on a coin-flip style pick.
5 Lions Megaways by Pragmatic Play - the closest Megaways sibling
5 Lions Megaways comes from the same Pragmatic Play stable and shares the six-reel Megaways engine with Buffalo King Megaways, dressed in an Asian mythology theme instead of a prairie one. Released in 2020, it swaps the savanna cast for lions, gongs and lanterns while keeping the cascading win structure and rising free-spin multiplier intact.
Three differences stand out. First, the maximum ways to win caps at 15,625 rather than 200,704, since the reel height runs shorter. Second, the max win reaches 15,000 times the stake, well above Buffalo King Megaways' 10,000x ceiling. Third, the free spins round can retrigger, something the buffalo-themed version does not offer in the same form.
RTP sits at 96.40 percent, between Buffalo King Megaways at 96.06 percent and Great Rhino Megaways at 96.58 percent. Pragmatic Play certifies the RNG through the same independent labs across its whole catalog, 5 Lions Megaways included. The title runs at JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet, with a clean mobile build across all five.
Who should pick it: Players who want the closest structural match to Buffalo King Megaways but fancy a change of theme. The retriggering free spins round rewards patience over a longer session.
5 Lions Megaways Specifications
The retrigger feature stands out in this comparison: landing four or more scatters during free spins adds extra rounds without ending the bonus.
John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen - a different structure, still relevant
John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen is not a Megaways title. Five reels, 20 fixed paylines, an Egyptian tomb-raiding theme instead of a wildlife one. Why does it still belong in this comparison? It comes from the same Pragmatic Play catalog and appears in the same casino lobbies as Buffalo King Megaways, drawing the same audience looking for a high-volatility adventure slot.
Pragmatic Play released it in 2019 as part of an ongoing John Hunter series that now spans several tomb and jungle-themed sequels. The format keeps a steady 20-line structure round after round rather than a shifting Megaways grid, and RTP across the series generally sits between 96 and 97 percent.
Max win reaches 6,750 times the stake, below Buffalo King Megaways' 10,000x but still firmly in high-volatility territory. Rounds resolve in a few seconds on the fixed grid. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all list it in their Pragmatic Play sections alongside the rest of this comparison.
Who should pick it: Players who want a fixed-line adventure slot instead of a Megaways grid. The tomb-raiding theme and steady 20-payline structure suit anyone who finds a shifting ways-to-win count distracting.
John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen Specifications
John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen keeps a fixed 20-payline layout instead of a Megaways grid, giving each spin a steadier, more predictable rhythm than the shifting reel counts of Buffalo King Megaways.
Buffalo King Megaways - The Megaways Evolution
Buffalo King Megaways reached casinos in 2020, two years after the original Buffalo King. Pragmatic Play rebuilt the game around its Megaways engine, replacing the fixed 25-line grid with six reels and up to 200,704 ways to win. The savanna backdrop looks brighter and more detailed than the original, and cascading wins now carry a rising multiplier through the free spins round, a feature the classic version does not have.
RTP settles at 96.06 percent, just under the original Buffalo King's 96.07 percent and well below Great Rhino Megaways' 96.58 percent, though still ahead of Wolf Gold's 96.01 percent. Max win climbs to 10,000 times the stake against 6,000 times for the original. Spin pacing runs close to two seconds, similar to every other title in this comparison.
Licensing runs through Malta and the UK, the same certification Pragmatic Play carries across its slot catalog. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all list Buffalo King Megaways in their Pragmatic Play sections, and the demo mode runs everywhere without registration.
Who should choose it: Players who want the higher-variance Megaways version of Buffalo King, with a shifting reel count and cascading wins instead of a fixed 25-line grid. For a steadier, more predictable structure, the original Buffalo King remains the better pick.
Buffalo King Megaways Specifications
Standout feature: six-reel Megaways engine with up to 200,704 ways to win. Cascading wins and a rising free-spins multiplier replace the fixed-line structure of the original.
Buffalo King Megaways vs Great Rhino Megaways - The Comparison That Matters
Anyone picturing a buffalo-themed Megaways slot usually pictures Buffalo King Megaways first. Anyone chasing the single highest RTP in this lineup lands on Great Rhino Megaways instead. Two games, two different priorities.
Buffalo King Megaways
- RTP: 96.06 %
- Max Win: 10,000x
- Mechanic: Megaways
- Volatility: High
- Structure: Six reels, shifting ways to win
- Theme: Buffalo and prairie wildlife
- Release: 2020
- Studio: Pragmatic Play (Malta)
- Strength: wide casino availability and a recognizable buffalo theme
- Weakness: slightly lower RTP than Great Rhino Megaways
Great Rhino Megaways
- RTP: 96.58 %
- Max Win: 20,000x
- Mechanic: Megaways
- Volatility: High
- Structure: Six reels, shifting ways to win
- Theme: African savanna wildlife
- Release: 2020
- Studio: Pragmatic Play (Malta)
- Strength: highest RTP and max win ceiling in this comparison
- Weakness: less brand recognition than Buffalo King Megaways among players seeking the buffalo theme specifically
Our Verdict: Great Rhino Megaways wins on raw RTP and max win ceiling. Buffalo King Megaways wins on theme recognition and its steady presence across every casino in this comparison. Players chasing the highest possible return should lean toward Great Rhino Megaways. Players drawn to the buffalo and prairie setting get the stronger match with Buffalo King Megaways.
Which Megaways Slot Has the Best RTP? Great Rhino Megaways Wins
RTP (Return to Player) is the most important long-term indicator. Across 10,000 spins, a single percentage point noticeably affects the balance.
| Rank | Game | RTP | Difference vs Buffalo King Megaways | Expected Loss per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Rhino Megaways (Pragmatic Play) | 96.58 % | - | $34 |
| 2 | John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen (Pragmatic Play) | 96.50 % | -0.5 % | $35 |
| 3 | 5 Lions Megaways (Pragmatic Play) | 96.40 % | -1.0 % | $36 |
| 4 | Buffalo King (Pragmatic Play) | 96.07 % | -1.5 % | $39 |
| 5 | Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play) | 96.06 % | -2.0 % | $39 |
| 6 | Wolf Gold (Pragmatic Play) | 95 - 99 % | 96.01 % | $40 |
What this means: Someone spinning $1,000 evenly across rounds loses about $34 statistically on Great Rhino Megaways, compared with roughly $40 on Wolf Gold. That $6 gap per $1,000 wagered looks small but adds up over months of play. An active player spins $500 to $1,500 a session, which works out to $3 to $9 more in expected loss on Wolf Gold than on Great Rhino Megaways.
Caveat: RTP is a long-run figure. Within a single session, the swings run far larger than the RTP gap between titles. Anyone playing five rounds hard can lose everything or double their stake on any of these games. RTP only evens out across thousands of spins.
Casinos With the Full Buffalo King Megaways Lineup - JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet, 22Bet
Five licensed operators carry the full six-title lineup in this comparison. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all list every title in their Pragmatic Play section.
| Casino | License | Buffalo King Megaways | Great Rhino | 5 Lions | Wolf Gold | John Hunter | Buffalo King | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JooCasino | Curaçao | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50 Free Spins, No Wagering |
| Melbet | Curaçao | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 50 Free Spins on selected slots, min £10 deposit |
| Lucky Dreams | Curaçao | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 100% deposit match up to £100 + 88 Free Spins |
GG.Bet carries the full Pragmatic Play library, live chat around the clock, and cards, e-wallets and crypto including BTC, ETH and USDT. The most flexible pick for testing several of the six titles compared above in one account.
JooCasino stands out for withdrawal speed, with e-wallet payouts often clearing within four hours and KYC completed on day one. The 50 free spins carry no wagering requirement at all, and the full amount counts toward Buffalo King Megaways with no promo code needed.
22Bet is our best value pick. KYC clears in under two hours, stakes run in $ with no conversion fees, code 22BET100 unlocks a 100% deposit match up to $200 plus 50 free spins, wagering set at 35 times the bonus.
Melbet runs on a Curaçao licence like the rest of this list, with prepaid voucher deposits available up to $500 without registration. The welcome offer is 50 free spins on selected slots with a $10 minimum deposit, wagering set at 30 times the bonus, using code MELBET50.
Lucky Dreams focuses on the deposit-match structure. The offer pairs a 100% match up to $100 with 88 free spins on Buffalo King Megaways, wagering set at 30 times the bonus and a $5 max stake while it clears.
Casino Licensing - Which Operators Are Properly Regulated?
The quick answer: JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all operate under a Curaçao licence, and none of them advertises a licence class it does not actually carry.
Online casino licensing works differently from country to country, and the Curaçao Gaming Authority is the regulator behind every operator recommended on this page. Its framework requires independent RNG testing and certified payout reportingfor every slot title an operator lists, including Megaways titles such as Buffalo King Megaways.
Slot licensing works differently from live-dealer or sports-betting licensing. A Megaways title like Buffalo King Megaways needs the developer, Pragmatic Play, to hold its own studio-level certification, separate from the licence each casino holds to distribute that catalogue to players.
The practical takeaway for players comparing operators: check the licence number displayed in the casino's footer against the regulator's public register before depositing, rather than assuming every 'licensed' badge means the same thing.
The six slots compared on this page also differ in how closely they are tied to a single studio. Buffalo King Megaways, the original Buffalo King, Great Rhino Megaways and 5 Lions Megaways all come from Pragmatic Play, and Wolf Gold and John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen round out the group under the same certification umbrella.
From a player's perspective, that shared certification means the RTP and max-win figures listed for each title in this comparison come from the same testing standard, which makes the numbers directly comparable across the six games rather than approximate.
Licensing Status Of The Five Casinos
- JooCasino: Curaçao licensed
- Melbet: Curaçao licensed
- Lucky Dreams: Curaçao licensed
- GG.Bet: Curaçao licensed
- 22Bet: Curaçao licensed
- JooCasino: Curaçao licensed
- Licences verified: 11.03.2026
Source: each operator's published licence number, cross-checked against the Curaçao regulator's register. Not legal advice, consult a licensed advisor if you have doubts.
Get Help
- Gambling Therapy - free confidential advice
- Gamblers Anonymous - self-assessment and support
- BetBlocker - free self-exclusion software
- Gambling Therapy: online support 24/7 (free)
- BetBlocker self-exclusion tool
Practical Rules
- Set daily deposit limits in your casino account.
- Never gamble with money set aside for rent, food or debt payments.
- Set a loss limit before you start and stop the moment you hit it.
- Review your net balance at the end of every month.
- If gambling stops being fun, contact Gambling Therapy. 18+ only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these slots has the highest RTP?
What structurally separates Buffalo King Megaways from the original Buffalo King?
Is Great Rhino Megaways better than Buffalo King Megaways?
Which of these six slots pays the biggest max win?
Are all six slots available at licensed casinos?
Which casino carries all six titles?
Which of these slots suits a beginner?
What separates the fixed-line titles from the Megaways titles?
Bottom Line: Which Slot Fits Which Player?
Among the six titles compared here, Buffalo King Megaways comes out as our pick for players who want the buffalo and prairie theme with the reassurance of a familiar, well-tested Pragmatic Play engine. Its 96.06 percent RTP sits mid-table rather than at the top, and Great Rhino Megaways edges ahead on both RTP and max win. What Buffalo King Megaways offers instead is the same 200,704-way ceiling as Great Rhino Megaways, paired with a $0.20 minimum bet that keeps sessions affordable. Great Rhino Megaways remains the stronger pick for players chasing the largest single-spin ceiling, Wolf Gold suits anyone who prefers fixed paylines and a jackpot chase, and the original Buffalo King works for players who want the same theme without a shifting reel count. 5 Lions Megaways and John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen round out the group for players exploring other Pragmatic Play themes.
None of the five casinos in this comparison claims a licence it does not hold, and this site does not hold a gambling licence itself. It publishes independent research on Buffalo King Megaways and the operators that carry it. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all run under Curaçao licences and cover the full six-title comparison above. Start in demo mode, confirm the RTP and volatility match what is stated here, then move to real-money play with a deposit limit set in advance. 18+ only, and support is available at any time through Gambling Therapy's free online service.