Why Pragmatic Made the 1000 Version
March 2024. Pragmatic Play releases Gates of Olympus 1000 — and the immediate question was: why, when the original is already perfect? The answer is simple: ceiling. The original caps at x5,000 — solid, but streamers and high rollers wanted more. The 1000 version delivers x15,000.
Zeus multiplier orbs now reach x1,000 instead of x500. This doesn't mean they drop more often — orbs that large are still incredibly rare. But the overall potential of the bonus round has tripled. Mechanics are identical: orbs stack during free spins, accumulate, and hit your final win.
Same 6x5 grid, Pay Anywhere, Tumble, no Wilds. Visually — same Zeus, same Olympus, just different math under the hood. RTP 96.50% — matches the original. To feel the difference yourself — free demo right on this page.
What Actually Changed (and What Didn't)
Pros
- Max win x15,000 — triple the original's ceiling
- Zeus orbs reach x1,000 — bigger individual hits
- RTP stays at 96.50% — not reduced
- Multipliers still stack during free spins
- Familiar mechanics — no learning curve
Cons
- Casinos can quietly switch to 94.00% RTP — even lower than original
- Volatility hits harder — longer dry spells
- Base game is just as stingy as the original
- Large multipliers (x500+) are extremely rare in practice
- Still no Wilds — mechanics unchanged
Same 6x5 Grid, Higher Stakes
Visually and mechanically — everything's familiar. 6x5 grid, 30 positions. Bets from €0.20 to €125 (up to €156 with Ante Bet). Pay Anywhere — land 8+ matching symbols anywhere on screen for a win. No lines, no positions.
Symbol Paytable
Symbols are identical to the original — crown, hourglass, goblet, ring, and gems. Payouts for 8-12+:
- Crown — top symbol: 2x – 50x
- Hourglass: 1.5x – 25x
- Ring: 1x – 20x
- Goblet: 0.5x – 15x
- Gems (4 colors): 0.25x – 10x — without a Zeus multiplier, these barely register
Scatter is the Zeus lightning sphere. 4 of them trigger the bonus. No Wilds — deliberately, so the entire value lives in the multiplier orbs.
Tumble — Cascading Wins
Winning symbols vanish, new ones tumble down. Another combo? Another cascade. Zeus can throw orbs at any point. In demo testing, I've seen 4-5 cascade chains where orbs kept stacking the total multiplier higher.
x1,000 Multipliers — How Realistic Are They?
The Real Difference in Numbers
The multiplier ceiling jumped from x500 to x1,000. But let's be honest: x1,000 is a lottery-tier event. In 200 demo spins, the biggest orb I saw was x50. The real power of the 1000 version isn't in the x1,000 — it's that average orbs are also larger. Where the original drops x10, this version might drop x20. Over a bonus round, that gradually inflates the total multiplier.
Same principle: all multipliers from a cascade chain stack. x20 + x50 + x15 = x85 applied to the final win. In bonus, they carry over until the round ends.
Free Spins: 15 Rounds of Building Pressure
4 Scatters = 15 free spins. 5 or 6 Scatters give the same 15, but with extra starting multipliers. During the bonus: 3+ Scatters award +5 more spins, no retrigger cap.
In my testing, one bonus out of three hit well: by spin 12, the multiplier reached x127, and a single crown cascade delivered x2,300. The other two bonuses? x38 and x91. Typical high-volatility outcomes.
Ante Bet: Is the 25% Premium Worth It?
Same mechanic: stake goes up 25%, Scatter frequency doubles. RTP stays unchanged — you're just paying more for faster bonus triggers. My recommendation: always keep it on. Without the bonus, the 1000 version is even stingier than the original in base game.
Bonus Buy at 100x
100 bets for instant free spins. Saves you 200+ spins of waiting. RTP is identical. But remember: one in three bonuses might not cover the purchase cost. That's normal.
RTP 96.50% — But Casinos Play Games Too
RTP matches the original — 96.50%. But Pragmatic sells casinos multiple versions, and the reduced one here drops even lower than the original — down to 94.00%. Three options:
How to Check RTP Before Playing
- Open the game at your chosen casino
- Click the "i" (info) or "☰" (menu) button
- Find "Game Rules" or "Theoretical Return"
- Make sure RTP is 96.50%
94.00% instead of 96.50%? That's a 2.5% gap — over 1,000 spins at €1, you lose an extra €25. Walk away.
Volatility is maxed out (5/5). Base game feels even "deader" than the original — because more potential has been shifted into the bonus. Expect dry spells of 150-250 spins. But when the bonus connects — it can hit x5,000+.
200 Demo Spins: Original vs 1000
I ran 200 spins on both versions side by side. Here's what I noticed.
Base Game: Equally Stingy
Original — 73% dead spins. 1000 version — 78%. Difference is within margin of error, but the 1000 subjectively feels harsher. Small wins come less often, but when a cascade starts — the orbs hit harder.
Bonuses: This Is Where It Matters
Original: 2 bonuses in 200 spins — x42 and x187. 1000 version: 1 bonus in 200 spins — x2,300. That single 1000 bonus outperformed both original bonuses combined. But it could have been x50 — that's the gamble.
Who Should Play the 1000 Version
High rollers and adrenaline seekers — go 1000. If you prefer stability and the classic feel — stay with original. Mathematically, RTP is identical. The difference is in distribution: 1000 pays less frequently but much larger.
Bankroll Advice
For the 1000 version, bring at least 350 bets per session. With Ante Bet — 300. The bonus drops less often and drawdowns run deeper, but the ceiling is worth it if you have the patience.
Calculator: x15,000 Win Potential
Enter your stake to see how payouts scale:
Honest Comparison: 1000 vs Original vs Competitors
All the numbers in one table — judge for yourself:
| Slot | RTP | Volatility | Max Win | Bonus | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gates of Olympus 1000
|
96.50% | x15,000 | 100x | Zeus multipliers up to x1,000 | |
Gates of Olympus (Original)
|
96.50% | x5,000 | 100x | Multipliers up to x500 | |
Starlight Princess 1000
|
96.53% | x15,000 | 100x | Multipliers up to x1,000 |
My Verdict
The 1000 version is for players who outgrew the original's ceiling. Same RTP, same mechanics, but x15,000 potential instead of x5,000. Sweet Bonanza 1000 pushes even further (x25,000), but bomb mechanics feel different. Starlight Princess 1000 is the same slot in anime clothing. Pick based on aesthetics and volatility tolerance.
More 1000-Series Slots
Like the 1000 format? Here's the original plus other 1000-series slots — all free to try:
Gates of Olympus (Original)
RTP: 96.50%
Starlight Princess 1000
RTP: 96.53%
Sweet Bonanza 1000
RTP: 96.53%
Zeus vs Hades
RTP: 96.07%Gates of Olympus 1000 — FAQ
What's the point of the 1000 version if mechanics are the same?
Win ceiling is x15,000 instead of x5,000, multipliers go up to x1,000 instead of x500. Mechanics are identical, but the math model allows for larger bonus rounds. RTP remains 96.50%.
Do x1,000 multipliers actually drop?
Theoretically yes. Practically — it's a 1-in-tens-of-thousands event. The real value is that average orbs (x10-x50) appear slightly larger than in the original, and the ceiling doesn't cap their growth.
How do I verify the RTP at my casino?
Look for 96.50%. Reduced versions are 95.00% and 94.00%. Check in-game rules via the "i" button. Below 96%? Switch casinos.
Should I switch from the original to the 1000?
If the original's x5,000 cap frustrates you — yes. If you're comfortable with the classic feel and more stable sessions — stay with the original. The mathematical difference is in distribution, not RTP.
Can I play Gates of Olympus 1000 for free?
Yes, demo available right on this page. Button at the top. Demo is mechanically identical to the real game.
What bankroll do I need for the 1000 version?
At least 300-350 bets per session. Volatility is higher, drawdowns are longer. With Ante Bet you can manage with 250-300, but the risk is greater.
Player Reviews
Switched from the original after six months. The 1000 version is objectively better for potential, but the base game feels more punishing — went 320 spins without a bonus even with Ante Bet on. When it finally hit, though: 15 spins, retrigger at spin 12 for +5 more. By the end, total multiplier was x215. A triple-crown cascade on the last spin gave me x3,800 at £0.60. That's £2,280 from one bonus. The three bonuses before that? x28, x55, x41. You need thick skin for this slot. Not for casual players, but if you're chasing big hits, the 1000 is where it's at.