Wild West Gold Megaways (Pragmatic Play): 96.44% RTP, 2026 review.

Wild West Gold Megaways is a 6-reel slot from Pragmatic Play released on May 30, 2022, offering up to 117,649 ways to win with its Megaways mechanic. The optimal RTP (Return to Player) is 96.44%, volatility is high (5/5), and the maximum win is 5,000x your stake.

Right from its release, we spent nearly 4 consecutive weeks testing it out. From bonus buys and the base game to the Ante Bet feature, we tested everything. In total, we wagered nearly 5,000€ over more than 17,700 spins. We are sharing this exceptional and unique experience with you, and we updated this article in 2026 to ensure all information remains valid on CrazyBet.

Wild West Gold Megaways technical sheet

To truly understand a slot machine, we believe it is essential to know all its characteristics. Therefore, we have put together a summary table for you. Please note that the RTP listed is the one found on CrazyBet; on other sites, it is very often lower.

How to play Wild West Gold Megaways?

Getting started is very simple.

• Access the game: Go to CrazyBet and type "Wild West Gold Megaways" into the search bar
• Set your stake: Choose your bet amount; on our site, this ranges from 0.20€ to 240€ (up to 300€ with the Ante Bet active)
• The Ante Bet question: Should you activate the Ante Bet? This feature costs 25% more than your base bet but increases your chances of triggering free spins. We personally choose to keep it active at all times
• Start spinning: Once your bet and Ante Bet status are decided, you are ready to play. You can spin manually (one by one) or activate the "Autoplay" option. We usually select this option, set it to 100 spins, and see how the session unfolds.

As you can see, it's very simple!

The Megaways connections

On this Pragmatic Play creation, connections work exclusively from left to right. A symbol must appear at least once on the first three columns to form a connection.

With Megaways technology, both the number of symbols per column and the number of ways change with every spin. Naturally, the higher the number of ways, the more rewarding the connection becomes. The maximum number of Megaways reaches up to 117,649.

Important Point :

Wild West Gold Megaways does not feature cascading reels (unlike Gates of Olympus or Big Bass Bonanza Megaways). Winning symbols do not disappear to make room for new ones. Each spin is independent.

What are the features of Wild West Gold Megaways?

There are two major features in Wild West Gold Megaways. We tested them... but are they approved? The suspense continues.

Multiplier wilds (x2, x3, x5)

Wilds (the Sheriff's Star) appear on reels 2, 3, 4, and 5 during both the bonus and the base game. Each Wild carries a random multiplier: x2, x3, or x5.

• In the Base Game: They replace all symbols except the bonus symbol.
• In Free Spins: They are sticky and stay in the same column until the end of the bonus... that is exactly what we love about it.

How does it actually work when multiple Wilds are present? It’s simple: they multiply each other. If a winning combination passes through several Wilds, their multipliers are multiplied together first, and then applied to the line win.

Multiplication Examples:

• Wild x2 + Wild x3 = x6 total multiplier
• Wild x3 + Wild x5 = x15 total multiplier
• Wild x5 + Wild x5 = x25 total multiplier
• Wild x5 + Wild x5 + Wild x5 = x125 total multiplier… can you see the potential? We certainly do.

Premium and non-premium symbols

We have categorized the symbols on this Pragmatic Play creation into two groups. Here are their values based on a 1€ starting bet.

Premium symbols

These connect less frequently but offer higher payouts.

Low symbols (letters)

These appear more frequently, but the connections yield lower payouts.

Wild West Gold Megaways bonus

How does the bonus work?

It's simple: the Wilds are sticky. As soon as a multiplier appears in a column, it will remain there until the end of the free spins. Its size will simply change based on the number of Megaways.

We have already managed to land a Wild in every column (2, 3, 4, and 5) with x2 / x3 / x5 multipliers, it was exceptional. When persistent Wilds stack up from the very first spins, you know you're going to hit big. Our best memory? Four sticky Wilds placed right from the 2nd spin, followed by a retrigger that allowed us to reach 780x on a 0.40€ bet.

How to get free spins?

There are two ways to trigger the bonus on this slot:

• In the base game: By landing at least 3 Scatters

• Bonus Buy for 100x your starting bet

What we love is that depending on the number of Scatters, you receive a payout before the bonus begins:

The Wild West Gold Megaways retrigger

Regardless of the number of Scatters, you start with 7 free spins, which can be retriggered.

If at least 2 Sheriff stars (badges) appear during the free spins:

What we like:

• No retrigger limits: There is no cap on the number of times you can retrigger additional spins.

What we like less:

• Max win limited to 5,000x: Compared to the original Wild West Gold (10,000x), the potential here is more restricted.
• No cascades: If you enjoy chain reactions, this slot might disappoint you.
• Low-impact base game Wilds: Multipliers of x2, x3, or x5 rarely change the outcome significantly outside of the bonus round.
• Expensive Bonus Buy (100x): For a game with a 96.44% RTP, cheaper options are available elsewhere.

Ante Bet & Bonus Buy: understanding the RTP

It is important to note that three different RTP (Return to Player) levels exist for this slot depending on how you choose to play on CrazyBet:

Ante Bet (double chance)

The Ante Bet is a staple feature in Pragmatic Play titles, and Wild West Gold Megaways is no exception. By activating this option, your stake increases by 25%, but you effectively double your chances of triggering the free spins.

While the RTP difference of 0.01% between normal play (96.44%) and the Bonus Buy (96.45%) is virtually imperceptible, the Ante Bet offers a significant strategic shift. It moves the bonus trigger frequency from approximately 1/230 spins down to 1/115 spins, providing a tangible advantage for players chasing the feature.

Bonus buy on Wild West Gold Megaways

The Bonus Buy option allows you to access the bonus rounds directly. We use it quite frequently because we absolutely love the bonus on this slot. For 100x your bet, you immediately trigger the free spins with 3 to 6 random Scatters. Please note that this option is not available in certain jurisdictions (be sure to check based on where you live).

What strategy should you adopt for Wild West Gold Megaways?

With its 5/5 volatility rating, Wild West Gold Megaways is categorized among the most volatile slot machines. After thousands of spins, we have to admit that you need very rigorous bankroll management if you don't want your balance to melt away.

Because of this, here is our strategy:

Wild West Gold Megaways vs. Wild West Gold Classic: which one to choose?

Wild West Gold Megaways brings back the familiar atmosphere of the original Wild West Gold (2020) while integrating the Megaways mechanic. However, there is a notable trade-off regarding the payout potential: the maximum win is lower at 5,000x your stake, compared to the 10,000x offered by the classic version.

We cannot recommend one slot over another, as each offers a unique experience:

• Wild West Gold: Easy to understand and the most volatile option.
• Wild West Gold Megaways: The perfect choice for beginners.
• Wild West Gold Blazing Bounty: Features a "super bonus" that we personally love

Tested from June 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025

Volume: 17,700 real spins, total budget 5,000 €, bets 0.20-2 € mainly

Platform: CrazyBet