Pragmatic Play Unveils 5 Lions Megaways 2

Key Takeaways

• Sequel introduces up to 262,144 ways to win with enhanced Megaways mechanics, including level-based bonuses and wild multipliers up to 8,000x stake.
• Builds on original's popularity, targeting high-volatility players seeking deeper engagement through progressive bonus unlocks.
• Aligns with industry shift toward remastered hits, boosting operator retention amid regulatory pressures on new content.

Pragmatic Play has launched 5 Lions Megaways 2, a six-reel sequel to its acclaimed 5 Lions series that amplifies the Megaways engine with up to 262,144 ways to win. The game retains the Asian lion theme but introduces innovative level-based bonus rounds, where players advance through escalating free spins modes—triggered by four or more scatters—unlocking higher multipliers and additional wilds. Wild multipliers, appearing on lion symbols, can stack dynamically during the feature, culminating in potential payouts of 8,000x the stake. With an RTP of 96.50% and high volatility, it caters to risk-tolerant segments while incorporating ante bet and bonus buy options for immediate access, priced at 100x the bet.

This release matters as it exemplifies Pragmatic Play's strategy to revitalize evergreen IPs amid a crowded market where operators demand proven performers. The original 5 Lions Megaways, released in 2020, amassed millions in gross gaming revenue across Europe and Latin America, per aggregator data, underscoring the value of sequels in sustaining player lifetime value. By layering progression mechanics onto the core Megaways framework—licensed from Big Time Gaming—Pragmatic addresses criticisms of static high-volatility slots, fostering longer sessions without inflating house edges. This innovation resonates in regulated markets like the UK and Sweden, where stake limits (£5 for over-25s, £2 for under-25s under the 2025 Gambling Act) compel providers to prioritize engagement over volume spins.

Broader industry context reveals a maturing slots landscape, with Megaways adoption surging 25% year-over-year in Europe, according to recent Slot Matrix analytics. Providers like Play'n GO and Nolimit City are mirroring this by remixing cluster pays and x Ways in titles like Legion Gold Victory and Dead, Dead or Deader, but Pragmatic's output—over 100 titles annually—positions it as a volume leader. Regulatory headwinds, including Estonia's proposed lower taxation to attract crypto-integrated slots and Germany's bonus curbs, underscore the need for mechanics that drive organic play. Yet, challenges persist: heightened scrutiny on bonus buys could cap accessibility, potentially shifting focus to organic triggers. For operators, integrating such titles via aggregators like Every Matrix enhances portfolio diversity, countering cannibalization from crash hybrids like those in Hacksaw's lineup.

Competitively, this bolsters Pragmatic's foothold against Evolution's Nolimit City, whose high-volatility outliers dominate affiliate traffic. Market-wise, with European online slots revenue projected at €25 billion for 2025 (EGR estimates), sequels like 5 Lions Megaways 2 mitigate churn by leveraging nostalgia, while innovations like level progression hint at gamification trends. As providers eye roadmaps toward AI-curated lobbies and hybrid VR elements, Pragmatic's move signals a pivot from sheer quantity to quality refinements, ensuring resilience in an era of fiscal prudence and player-centric design.

Sources:

• Gaming Intelligence: GI Games Round-up featuring Play’n GO, Nolimit City and more
• iGaming Business: Global iGaming in 2025