Why It’s Useful to Have Multipliers in Online Slots

Do you remember the first time you encountered a multiplier in an online slot game? The thrill of watching your winnings grow beyond what you expected? Anyone who has played online slots has likely come across multipliers, as they feature prominently in the most popular games at Canadian online casinos. Multipliers can significantly enhance your slots experience, but what exactly are they, and how do they work?

Multipliers - What Are They?

Multiplier symbols explained

Multipliers, as the name suggests, are conditions, in which a spin, or series of spins, are multiplied. This can be either at random or after achieving prescribed win lines or symbols.

Slots games with multipliers generally introduce them once a certain level has been reached or a trigger has been activated. These multipliers could increase the winning potential of affected spins by double, triple, or up to 50x the bet. Let’s take a look at when and where you are likely to find multipliers in slot games.

Base Play

Random multiplierIt is highly unlikely that you will come across multipliers in normal slots play unless these are randomly introduced. Usually, no sequence of symbols or a specific number of symbols will have to be displayed on a spin in order to trigger a random multiplier.

Free Spins

free spins multiplierMultipliers are more likely to appear in slots with free spins than in slots without. Once free spins are triggered, the multiplier kicks in, and all free spins will be multiplied by the relevant number. Quite often, a winning first free spin may lead to a greater multiplier on the second. Some games carry this on to the third free spin and beyond. Many games allow you to generate a new set of free spins while still playing the current set. Multipliers can also be used as the trigger for free spins, depending on how the developers designed the game.

Scattered Multipliers

scattered multiplier symbolThere are some games that feature scattered multipliers. Scattered multipliers will appear as random symbols and don’t necessarily have to appear on a payline. Scattered multipliers will usually multiply the payline by a prescribed amount, and having more than 1 multiplier appear together will boost the win even more.

Scattered multipliers often act as triggers for bigger features, such as free spins, bonus rounds, or qualification into progressive jackpot wins. Usually, that trigger would be the appearance of 3 or more scattered symbols on a five-reel game.

Wild Symbol Multipliers

wild symbol multiplierMany slot games feature a wild symbol, which will generally substitute for a number of other winning symbols to create a winning combination. In slots that feature multipliers, the wild symbol could also act as a multiplier for that entire spin. The most common wild multiplier is usually 2x the value of the bet. In some games, the multiplier may be increased if more than one wild symbol is displayed during a spin. In the majority of slot games, only one wild symbol will appear on each reel.

Top 10 slots with multiplier symbols

Top 10 slots with multiiplier symbols
Slot Release date Software provider Min. bet in C$ Max. bet in C$ Max. win RTP% Multiplier symbols
Jammin' Jars 14.09.2018 Push Gaming 0.1 100 20,000x 95.25
Jammin' Jars 2 02.06.2021 Push Gaming 0.1 100 50,000x 95.35
Piggy Riches Megaways 23.01.2020 Red Tiger 0.1 10 10,400x 94.72
Gonzo's Quest 11.11.2013 NetEnt 0.2 50 3,750x 95.97
Fruit Shop Megaways 21.01.2021 NetEnt 0.2 100 10,000x 96.06
Twin Spins Megaways 12.11.2020 NetEnt 0.1 100 38,000x 96.04
Chilli Heat 12.01.2018 Pragmatic Play 0.25 125 125,000x 96.05
Aztec Gold Extra Gold Megaways 12.02.2021 iSoftBet 0.2 20 20,000x 96
Serengeti Kings 23.01.2020 NetEnt 0.1 100 1,300x 96.2
Dazzle Me Megaways 11.05.2021 NetEnt 0.1 50 20,000x 95.08

How Do Multipliers Work?

Guide to multiplier symbolsSlots multipliers work in two fundamental ways. They either multiply the bet, or they multiply the payline. Sounds like the same thing, doesn’t it? There is a difference though, sometimes your win can be lower than your bet.

For example, you bet 3 credits on a spin. Three of the lowest value symbols will pay you three credits, but two of those symbols will only pay one credit. Both are still classed as a winning payline. If you were playing a 2x multiplier on a payline and 2 of the lower symbols fell, you would win 2 credits, but if your multiplier was based on your bet, you would receive 6 credits. That can make a huge difference in your game and your winnings.

Some games will allow you to choose the size of the multiplier once you have activated it. This could be related to the number of spins. Selecting a higher-powered multiplier would generally mean fewer spins. On the other hand, if there are a set number of spins, choosing a higher multiplier may result in fewer winning spins in that round.

It is always a good idea to have a look at the game’s paytable and rules before starting to play. Generally, there will be an icon on the game screen that will open up a new screen. This screen will feature a table showing all the winning symbols and permutations per bet, together with multipliers, what they pay, and what is required to activate them.

Do you think you’ve missed a multiplier in your slot game? You will certainly know once you have triggered a multiplier. Game developers will make the appearance of multipliers well known by flashing symbols, loud noises, and other means. Multipliers are designed to attract your interest and keep you coming back for more.

Conclusion

Slots have become the pillar of online gaming and remain one of the most popular games in online casinos. Developers are designing better and more entertaining games all the time. The more attractive the game is to a potential gambler, the more successful it will be for the casino. Multiplier features in a slot game are designed to add to its attraction, drawing curious new players while retaining those who have played the game.

One thing about multipliers is that once you have activated them, you cannot lose. You have already won the bet. The multipliers will just determine how much you’ve won. There is no downside to multipliers. Multipliers are also not dependent on the size of the bet being played. Betting a minimum amount gives you just as much chance of triggering multipliers as the maximum bet does.

Slots games that feature multipliers are generally more likely to pay you bigger winnings than those that do not. They are also more exciting to play, and you don’t have to play maximum bets to reap the rewards. Landing up in a multi free spin situation can result in some huge winnings if multipliers are involved.

When searching for your next online slot to play, be sure to look for those that feature multipliers. Check out our best online casino reviews and give one a try—you might find that you never want to play slots without multipliers again!

Conrad Brennan
Former Author
University of Toronto
BA of Business and Marketing
Expert in:
  • Games reviews
  • Slot reviews
Fact checked by Chief Editor:
Gerda Grinova

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