Pragmatic Play has introduced a festive version of its popular slot — Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000. This New Year’s slot machine combines the familiar mechanics of the original game with a festive atmosphere and increased multipliers up to x1000.
Zeus has donned a Santa Claus costume, and sacred Olympus is covered in snow, creating a unique atmosphere for gambling entertainment.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: These reviews have been prepared independently of the commercial interests of Vavada Casino. We use an objective evaluation methodology based on RTP, volatility, and game mechanics.
Technical Characteristics of Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000
| Parameter | Value |
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Theme | New Year, Mythology |
| RTP | 96.50% |
| Volatility | High |
| Maximum win | x15,000 |
| Reels | 6 |
| Rows | 5 |
| Betting range | 0.20€ – 100€ |
| Release Date | December 2024 |
DEMO game
Gameplay Features and Mechanics
Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 uses an innovative Pay Anywhere system, which means there are no traditional paylines. To form a winning combination, you need to collect at least 8 identical symbols in any position on the game field.
Key Mechanics:
Tumble Feature After each win, the cascade mechanic is activated. Winning symbols disappear, and new ones fall into their place, providing additional chances to win within a single spin.
Multiplier Symbols Multi-colored spheres can appear on any reel position with values from x2 to x1000. All multipliers within one spin are summed up and applied to the total win.
Progressive Mechanic in Bonus During free spins, all received multipliers accumulate in a common counter and are not reset between spins, which significantly increases the payout potential.
Symbol Payout Table
| Symbol | 8-9 pcs. | 10-11 pcs. | 12+ pcs. |
| Blue crystal | 60 | 180 | 480 |
| Green crystal | 96 | 216 | 960 |
| Yellow crystal | 120 | 240 | 1200 |
| Purple crystal | 192 | 288 | 1920 |
| Red crystal | 240 | 360 | 2400 |
| Cup | 360 | 480 | 2880 |
| Ring | 480 | 1200 | 3600 |
| Hourglass | 600 | 2400 | 6000 |
| Crown | 2400 | 6000 | 12000 |
Scatter-symbol (Zeus-Santa) activates the bonus round when 4, 5, or 6 appear, bringing payouts of 720, 1200, or 24000 respectively.
Bonus Features and Free Spins
Free Spins
The free spins round is triggered by landing at least 4 scatter symbols and grants 15 free spins. The main feature of the bonus is the global multiplier, which accumulates all multiplier symbol values and is retained throughout the round.
Additional spins: Landing 3+ scatter symbols during the bonus adds 5 extra spins.
Bonus Buy
Players can instantly activate the free spins round by paying 100x the current bet. This feature guarantees a bonus launch with 4+ scatter symbols.
Ante Bet
Activating Ante Bet mode increases the bet by 25%, but doubles the chances of entering the bonus round (from 1 in 448 to 1 in 224 spins).
Game Strategies and Recommendations
Bankroll Management
Given the high volatility of Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000, it is recommended to:
- Conservative approach: Bet no more than 1-2% of your total bankroll
- Long-term play: Plan sessions for 200-500 spins to allow the game’s math to play out
- Using Ante Bet: With sufficient bankroll, this feature can increase bonus frequency
Optimal Betting Strategy
- Starting bet: 0.20€ – 1€ to learn the slot’s behavior
- Progressive increase: After a series of unsuccessful spins (50-100), you can gradually increase your bet
- Profit taking: When a win of x50+ of the bet is reached, it is recommended to lock in part of the profit
Comparison with original Gates of Olympus 1000
Similarities:
- Identical gameplay mechanics
- Same symbols and payouts
- RTP 96.50%
- Maximum win x15,000
Differences:
- Visual design: Christmas theme instead of classic
- Max win probability: Xmas version — 1 in 2,749,771, original — 1 in 697,350
- Betting range: The festive version has a more limited range (up to 100€ vs 125€)
- Atmosphere: Festive mood with corresponding sound effects
Pros and Cons of Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000
Advantages
- Proven mechanics of a popular slot
- High RTP 96.50%
- Multipliers up to x1000 with cumulative effect in bonus
- Christmas atmosphere for a festive mood
- Bonus buy feature for impatient players
- Demo mode for learning features
Disadvantages
- High volatility can deplete bankroll
- Low probability of max win compared to the original
- Limited innovations — essentially a reskin of the original game
- Frequent small wins can be demotivating
- Requires a large bankroll for comfortable play
Expert Opinion and Review
Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 is a high-quality festive adaptation of a popular slot. Pragmatic Play managed to preserve all the appeal of the original mechanics, adding a Christmas mood.
Impressions of the game: Visually, the slot looks fresh — Zeus in a Santa Claus costume looks amusing, and snowy Olympus creates a festive atmosphere. The gameplay remains just as exciting thanks to the cascading payouts system and cumulative multipliers in the bonus.
Who it’s suitable for:
- Fans of the original Gates of Olympus
- Lovers of Christmas themes
- Players with a large bankroll
- Those who appreciate high RTP
Is it worth playing: If you are a fan of the original series and want a festive mood — definitely yes. However, for a serious “hunt” for maximum wins, it is better to stick to the classic Gates of Olympus 1000 with a higher probability of max payout.
Final Rating
Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 is a high-quality festive interpretation of a popular slot that will appeal to fans of the original series and lovers of Christmas themes. Despite the lack of significant mechanical innovations, the game retains all the appeal of the original with the addition of a festive atmosphere.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Recommendations:
- ✅ Try it in demo mode before playing for real money
- ✅ Use conservative bankroll management
- ✅ Consider Ante Bet with sufficient funds
- ⚠️ Remember about high volatility
- ⚠️ For maximum wins, consider the original version
Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000 will be an excellent choice for festive gaming sessions, especially during the New Year period, when you want to add a little magic and festive mood to the game.
About the author
Independent slot analyst with 15 years of experience in the online gambling industry. Specializes in analyzing RTP, volatility, and game mechanics. Has tested over 2,000 slots from leading providers.
