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Top 5 High Variance Slots For 2020 So Far

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The high variance slots market is home to some of the most exciting gameplay in the casino industry right now. The popularity of these high risk slots has been driven by talented studios like Big Time Gaming who revolutionised this niche with their Megaways
game format, and by the exposure that gambling streamers have given the games through their live feeds on sites like Twitch.tv. High variance games are all about drama – fast, high paying action played out in big win sequences that are very irregular, but massively rewarding when they strike. In 2019 more studios jumped on the bandwagon to produce games with super-high variance ratings and big top payouts. And this year, the golden age of high variance has continued with more features and higher payout potential across the board.
So, to keep you up to date with the action so far we’ve chosen our top 5 high variance games for 2020.
Royal Mint Megaways
– Big Time Gaming
Popular slot game and casino site review magazine, The Casino Heat, recently referred to Royal Mint Megaways
as ‘the quintessential Big Time Gaming slot’, and loading it up and checking out the gameplay for the first time it’s not hard to see why. Royal Mint, which takes its inspiration from the famous London coin factory, brings together all the best features created by this Australian game developer – expanding reels creating 117,649 paylines, Cascading Wins, Free Spins, Multipliers and the Heartstopper
Enhanced Free Spins format first aired in their Lil Devil slot. The game has a 40,000x top advertised payout, making it potentially one of the biggest paying slots of the year.
Pink Elephants 2 – Thunderkick
Back in 2017 Pink Elephants was Scandanavian developer Thunderkick’s take on the 4,096 win ways format used in slots like Raging Rhino. But it had a twist – aside from the psychedelic theme, there were added thrills in the free spins round where collecting glowing ‘orbs’ led to symbol upgrades, enhanced reels, and much higher payouts. It’s a game that is particularly memorable to play and continues to be popular three years on. So of course slots fans are thrilled at the prospect of a follow-up, due for release in the first week of May. The action has moved to a mountain setting and meerkat symbols are replaced with goats, but apart from that the game works in pretty much the same way, only with an improved jackpot of 10,000x.
Punk Rocker – Nolimit City
The NoLimit City game studio is a relative newcomer to the scene in comparison to other names, but they are really starting to make their mark in 2020. Punk Rocker is one of their best releases to date, taking its theme from the London music scene that spawned bands like the Sex Pistols. It’s full of Banksy-type illustrations of English icons too, including Churchill, drawn against the backdrop of the London Underground. But graphics aside, it’s the stacks of features that have made Punk Rocker so popular. There are Mystery Symbols, Re-Spins, two Free Spins rounds, and Multipliers and Jumping Wilds to enhance the basic gameplay and push the win potential up to 8,000x.
Hellcatraz – Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming, who produce their own games as well as running the Silver Bullet platform, are starting to create some really top high variance titles too. They have three Megaways
slots under license from BTG under their belts, and Hellcatraz is their newest high volatility product. It has been designed like an 80s Atari game with 8-bit graphics and a backdrop that evokes San Fransisco Bay and the notorious Alcatraz prison island, home to murderers and mobsters. What’s interesting about Hellcatraz is the gamification format – players must collect 2,000 key symbols to unlock the bonus round where free spins come with mystery symbols and an enhanced paytable with a top prize of 50,000x.
Heroes Hunt Megaways
– Fantasma Games
Fantasma Games partnered up with Relax Gaming to utilise their Megaways
license and deliver this slot on the Silver Bullet platform in April 2020. Heroes Hunt has a Dungeons and Dragons type theme, with Wizard and Warrior heroes who all have superpowers. Players pick which hero they want to activate at the start of the game, and others can be activated throughout. It’s an exciting enhancement to standard gameplay and with Expanding Wilds, Re-Spins and Multipliers to drive the wins, this slot is a thrilling ride for high risk fanatics. With 46,656 paylines and a top payout of 26,000x Heroes Hunt is getting a lot of attention and will surely be one of the top games of the year.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Top 5 High Variance Slots For 2020 So Far
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Salford customer triumphs at Genting Casino £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge final
The multi-stage competition, launched by premium Live Casino Genting Casino in October, invited online players across the UK to compete for leaderboard points by playing selected games, earn free spins and secure a place in a VIP live finale at Resorts World Birmingham.
The top five online qualifiers headed for a VIP weekend, including travel costs and a stay, culminating in a high-stakes live roulette tournament where one final spin decided the champion. The overall winner walked away with the £20,000 Grand Prize Spin, a life-changing moment for the tournament victor.
Genting Casino has Live Roulette streamed from Genting UK casinos, Palm Beach, Resorts World Birmingham and Genting Manchester and this competition brought together its digital and on-floor experiences, with customers transitioning from a digital competition to being invited and competing in a live casino format.
Speaking after the event, the winner, Karthik, who had never competed in a live casino tournament before, said: “No way! I never expected this at all. It came completely out of the blue. Suddenly, I got a call saying I was selected for the tournament.”
Despite the tension of the final spin, the winner revealed their approach: “I went purely with instinct. I don’t have a favourite colour. It was just a feeling in that moment. Looking at the board, there had been a lot of red, and it gave me the feeling to go with red.”
The winner described the experience as both exhilarating and rewarding: “Yes, absolutely. It wasn’t just about fun. It was also about how engaging everything was, the people, the organisation and the entire experience.”
The £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge ran until 17 November 2025, granting players free spins and leaderboard points for qualifying deposits and gameplay. The top five qualifiers were invited to Resorts World Birmingham to compete in an exciting filmed live roulette bracket-style tournament, with the final spin determining who would take home the grand prize.
Mike Vella, Brand Marketing Project Manager at Genting Casino, said: “We couldn’t be happier with how the £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge played out.
“The energy and enthusiasm from all our players, both online and at Resorts World Birmingham, exceeded our expectations.
“Seeing the leaderboard finalists come together for the live roulette showdown was fantastic, and we’re genuinely delighted for the winner. It’s a brilliant moment for them and a great example of how rewarding these experiences can be.
“For the winner, this isn’t just a prize, it’s a moment they’ll remember forever. Seeing their reaction, the joy and disbelief at landing the Grand Prize Spin really highlights the human side of these competitions. It’s these moments of genuine surprise and triumph that remind us why we create these events.
“The team at Genting Casino and Resorts World Birmingham are immensely proud to have delivered such a seamless, exciting experience and we hope it inspires even more players to take part in future challenges.”
The success of this year’s leaderboard challenge highlights Genting Casino’s ongoing commitment to providing engaging experiences that bridge online excitement with unforgettable live moments on the casino floor.
Genting Casino, who offer a premier gaming experience with top-tier slots, is set to transport players straight to the heart of the Strip with its Las Vegas Casino Experience, launching in early 2026. This unique promotion will bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the digital platform, featuring themed games, exclusive jackpots and interactive experiences designed to capture the thrill of the iconic city’s casinos.
The post Salford customer triumphs at Genting Casino £20k Spin Leaderboard Challenge final appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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3 Oaks Gaming fortifies position in Italy’s regulated gambling market with Stanleybet.it tie-up
3 Oaks Gaming, a leading distributor of iGaming content, has expanded its presence within the Italian Regulated market through a new partnership with Stanleybet.it, one of the country’s leading online gaming platforms.
Under the agreement, Stanleybet.it will integrate 19 of 3 Oaks Gaming’s premium slot titles, providing a diverse range of games that combine strong maths models, polished design and proven retention mechanics.
The collaboration reflects 3 Oaks Gaming’s ongoing commitment to working with established iGaming platforms within key regulated markets.
By partnering with Stanleybet.it, the distributor strengthens its global reach and continues to deliver premium, feature-rich slots to operators seeking engaging and reliable content.
Luca Richter, Sales Manager at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Italy remains a key region for our continued European growth, and partnering with Stanleybet.it reinforces our dedication to working with established, trusted platforms,”
“By integrating 19 of our top-performing titles, we’re ensuring their players enjoy a wider range of immersive, premium slot experiences that deliver both excitement and long-term engagement.”
Dalia Pecingina, Head of Online at Stanleybet.it said: “We are thrilled to bring 3 Oaks slots to our users, a provider we admire for its ability to combine innovation, quality, and fun. The games represent a unique offering
in the Italian gaming landscape, designed for those seeking diverse and engaging gaming experiences. This launch further strengthens our commitment to providing excellent content
and cutting-edge entertainment.”
The post 3 Oaks Gaming fortifies position in Italy’s regulated gambling market with Stanleybet.it tie-up appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Finland’s Gambling Reform Is Official – What Happens Next?
The wait is over: The Finnish Parliament has officially approved the new gambling legislation. In a decisive plenary session, MPs voted 158 in favor to 9 opposed, with 32 abstaining. The text remained unchanged from the version presented in previous weeks, solidifying the framework for Finland’s transition from a monopoly to a licensed market.
With the political uncertainty resolved, the focus now shifts to implementation. For operators, this means the race to compliance—and market entry—has effectively begun.
The Confirmed Timeline
With the legislation passed, the roadmap to the market opening is now set. Operators must use the coming months to prepare for a rigorous licensing process.
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Early 2026: The application window is expected to open. The regulator will begin accepting and reviewing license applications.
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2026 (Throughout): The “preparatory year.” This period is dedicated to vetting applicants, ensuring technical compliance, and establishing the new supervisory authority.
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January 1, 2027: The regulated Finnish market officially opens. Licensed operators can go live with betting and online casino services.
Entering the Finnish Market with Nordic Legal
Navigating a new jurisdiction is complex, but it doesn’t have to be inefficient. With extensive experience advising on gaming licences across the Nordic markets, Nordic Legal brings a proven, practical approach to the Finnish process.
Efficiency Through Synergy If you already work with us in Denmark or Sweden, we ensure your Finnish licence application isn’t a “start from scratch” project. We build directly on our existing knowledge of your organisation and systems.
Your usual Nordic Legal contact will coordinate directly with our Helsinki team at no extra cost. This integrated approach saves you time and avoids the frustration of duplicating work you’ve already done for other Nordic licenses.
Our Approach We focus on smart compliance:
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Reusing documentation where regulations overlap.
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Anticipating regulatory questions before they are asked.
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Aligning requirements for technical standards and responsible gambling.
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Engaging constructively with the Finnish authority to ensure a smooth process.
The Finnish Licence Application Package
To support your entry, we offer a comprehensive package designed to handle the heavy lifting:
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Translation of all required documents.
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Guidance and completion of complex application forms.
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Full project management from start to submission.
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Direct communication with the Finnish regulator on your behalf.
Next Steps
The window for preparation is narrowing. Contact your usual Nordic Legal advisor today to discuss the new legislation or our Licence Application Package. Alternatively, reach out to us directly to secure your place in Finland’s upcoming regulated market.
The post Finland’s Gambling Reform Is Official – What Happens Next? appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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