Do free spins work the same in demo and real play?
Yes. Landing 3, 4 or 5 Yin-Yang scatters on adjacent reels from the left triggers the bonus in both demo and real-money mode. You then choose between 6 free spins with wild multipliers up to 40x, or 25 free spins with multipliers up to 5x. During the bonus, an extra row is added and the ways to win jump from the base game's 243 to 576.
- Choice appears once per trigger, before spins begin
- Extra reel row applies only inside the bonus
- No confirmed bonus buy option for this title
Triggering and playing the bonus round
The trigger is straightforward: watch the reels for the Yin-Yang scatter symbol, and land at least three of them on adjacent reels starting from the left. Three scatters pay 2x your total bet, four pay 5x, and five pay 20x, and this scatter payout is credited before the bonus screen appears.
Once triggered, you're given a choice rather than dropped straight into spins. One option is 6 free spins where the golden lion wild can multiply wins up to 40x - fewer spins, but each one carries more weight if a wild lands. The other option is 25 free spins with a lower ceiling of 5x on wild multipliers, trading peak potential for more chances to connect.
Neither option is objectively better; it depends on what kind of session you want. The 6-spin mode is a short, high-variance burst - it can end quickly with little to show, or produce a standout hit if the multiplier lands on a big win. The 25-spin mode spreads the same underlying volatility across more spins, which tends to smooth results out somewhat, though it doesn't guarantee a bigger total.
During either mode, the reel grid changes: an extra row is added, and the ways to win increase from the base game's 243 to 576. This is the main structural reason bonus rounds tend to feel more connected than base-game spins - more symbol positions mean more paths for a matching combination to form.
Retriggers are possible if additional scatters land during the bonus, based on the game's technical documentation, though the exact retrigger count and any spin cap aren't published in detail. There's also no verified hit-frequency figure for how often the bonus triggers naturally in 5 Lions, so treat any specific number you see elsewhere with some caution.
There is no bonus buy option documented for the original 5 Lions. If you're used to Megaways sequels in the same series that let you pay for direct entry, this base game doesn't offer that - the scatters have to land naturally, in demo or real play alike.
What changes once free spins start
- Extra reel row added, raising ways to win from 243 to 576
- Choice of 6 spins (higher wild multiplier ceiling) or 25 spins (lower ceiling, more spins)
- Golden lion wild continues to apply random multipliers to wins it's part of
- Scatter symbols still pay directly and can retrigger the round
- No purchase option - the round is only reached by landing scatters
What the multipliers could add up to
Top win at this stake — C$
The 40x wild multiplier available in the 6-spin mode is one factor behind the game's stated theoretical maximum win. This ceiling reflects a best-case run across an entire session and isn't representative of what a typical free spins round pays out.
Choosing between the two free spins modes
There's no wrong choice, but your bankroll and patience matter here. If you'd rather see the round resolve quickly and are comfortable with the chance of a modest result, the 6-spin mode with its 40x wild ceiling delivers that. If you prefer more spins to work with and don't mind a lower per-spin ceiling, the 25-spin mode stretches the bonus out longer. Since no confirmed hit-frequency data exists for how often you'll actually see this screen, it's worth treating each trigger as a standalone event rather than planning a session around expecting several.
RTP and how it relates to the bonus round
96.50%
5 Lions carries a stated RTP of 96.5%, with an alternate configuration at 95.51% also documented - this range likely reflects different operator setups rather than the free spins mode you pick. Choosing 6 spins over 25 doesn't change the underlying RTP; it changes how that return is distributed across a session.
Free spins questions
How many scatters do I need to trigger free spins in 5 Lions?
Three Yin-Yang scatters on adjacent reels from the left is the minimum. Four or five scatters still trigger the same bonus but pay a larger scatter win first.
Can I pick between 6 and 25 free spins every time I trigger the bonus?
Yes, the choice is presented after each qualifying trigger - it isn't a one-time setting, so you decide fresh each time scatters land.
Does the extra reel row during free spins stay for the whole bonus?
Yes, the added row and the resulting 576 ways to win apply throughout the free spins round, reverting to the standard grid once it ends.
Is there a bonus buy for 5 Lions like there is for the Megaways version?
No, current documentation for this base game doesn't list a bonus buy option - the round is only reached by landing scatters naturally.
Can free spins retrigger in 5 Lions?
Technical documentation indicates retriggers are possible if additional scatters land during the bonus, though exact retrigger limits aren't published.
Does the demo version offer the same 6-spin or 25-spin choice?
Yes, the demo mirrors real-money behaviour, including the trigger conditions and the choice between free spins modes.
Which free spins mode gives a better chance at the game's top multiplier?
The 6-spin mode carries the higher wild multiplier ceiling of 40x, compared with 5x in the 25-spin mode, though neither guarantees hitting it.
Try the free spins bonus yourself
Play at partner casinoYou can test the scatter trigger and both free spins modes in demo play before deciding whether to spin for real money at a licensed operator. Play responsibly - 19+ in most of Canada, 18+ in AB, MB and QC.