Play'n GO doesn't confirm many of the figures for Rise of Merlin, though some are confirmed. This guide to Rise of Merlin slot RTP versions and Australian online gambling law explained distinguishes between them. It also clarifies why a demo is the only way a player in Australia can encounter this game.
The basics are settled. A young Merlin, before he became famous, is the focus of Rise of Merlin, an Arthurian legend fantasy slot. Reliable sources describe five reels and ten lines. Free Spins are triggered by a Magical Orb, which serves as a Scatter and Wild, allowing one symbol to expand during that feature.
What Play'n GO actually confirms
The most dependable information comes from the official game page of Play'n GO. It verifies:
- Themes: fantasy and Arthurian legends
- Game type: video slot
- Release date: 17 June 2019
An RTP, a reel-and-row layout, a maximum win, a stake range, and a volatility rating aren't listed on that page. Those figures were obtained from sources other than the provider's public page by any site that lists them.
The Magical Orb
The Scatter and the Wild are both represented by the Orb. Eight Free Spins are granted when three or more Orbs appear. Payouts are also given according to the number of Orbs that landed, though several reviews omit this payout and only mention the trigger.
It is possible to trigger this feature again. Every instance of this does so by granting another eight Free Spins.
The expanding symbol in Free Spins
A random symbol is picked for expansion when Free Spins begin. Its value determines if expansion happens:
- At least three more must appear for a low-paying symbol.
- Two additional copies are required for a high-paying symbol.
The payment order is unchangeable. Wins from the expanded symbol are added after the standard winnings of the spin are paid. Because a high-paying selection requires fewer duplicates to expand, it generally results in a more powerful round.
The figures other pages get wrong
A few figures found on different sites frequently clash or cannot be confirmed with the provider.
| Figure | Often claimed | What the provider says |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | February 2019 | 17 June 2019 |
| RTP | 96.58% | Not published |
| Stakes | 0.10 to 100, or a 5 maximum | Not published |
| Maximum win | 5,000× | Not published |
| Layout | 5×3, ten paylines or "win ways" | Not published |
Release date
17 June 2019 is the date Play'n GO gives for the game, which is the date that should be used. February 2019 is mentioned as the release in one review. The cause isn't confirmed by any of the sources, but the listing for that review may have been created in the earlier month instead of it being the launch date.
RTP: 96.58% or 94.51%
A value of 94.51% is mentioned in the official game regulations of an Italian operator. Meanwhile, 96.58% is provided by two review pages.
Both these figures can be accurate depending on the context. The listed payout for that specific operator is 94.51%, but this doesn't mean the only RTP for the game is 94.51%. Similarly, Play'n GO's public page doesn't confirm the 96.58% mentioned in reviews. You shouldn't treat either figure as a universal RTP for the game.
The RTP for a specific version is what is displayed on a particular site. The actual setting would be stated in the help file or rules provided by the operator.
Stakes
A span from $0.10 to $100 is mentioned by one review. While another review's text suggests €0.10 to €100, a €5 maximum is what its table shows. The provider doesn't publish a stake range.
The sources aren't clear on whether a copying error occurred or if the €5 entry refers to a version featuring a lower betting limit. It's clear, however, that no maximum or minimum is established as a single value.
Maximum win and layout
A 5,000× maximum win is mentioned by all reviews that provide a top win. Play'n GO's public page says there isn't a maximum win, so that figure can't be confirmed against the provider.
Similarities exist in the layout. Ten lines across five reels are described in reviews, with one referring to them as "win ways". According to the Italian operator's regulation, there are five reels with up to ten active lines. Just one review mentions a 5×3 grid.
A description of another Play'n GO game is found in one search listing labelled as Rise of Merlin. A cascading mechanic and six vertical reels are described there. Nothing reliable about this slot is mentioned in that snippet.
Rise of Merlin and Australian law
People physically in Australia may not be provided with online slots or other online casino games, according to section 15 of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth). This restriction applies to offshore and Australian providers, and advertising these games here is also prohibited. You cannot lawfully be offered a real-money version of Rise of Merlin while in Australia.
A few consequences follow:
- The businesses offering the service are targeted by the Act, not the players. The ACMA blocks websites belonging to illegal offshore providers.
- There is no RTP minimum or stake cap in Australia for online slots. Since no online casino can be licensed here, no local version with an Australian setting exists. An unlicensed operator, or a site targeting another market, would have set any figure found on an offshore site.
- Casino games are not covered by the national self-exclusion register. BetStop covers phone and online licensed wagering, including racing and sports betting, but it doesn't cover this game.
Offshore sites that offer slots to Australians operate outside Australian regulation. They also fall outside the local consumer protections linked to a licence.
Playing the demo
Play'n GO provides a free demo of Rise of Merlin on its own game page. According to the provider, this site is for entertainment only. It offers no prizes, and real-money play isn't available.
The demo is a lawful way for someone in Australia to see the expanding symbol and the Orb trigger in action. It won't reveal the RTP of any specific real-money version.
Stick to a limit if you do gamble on anything, and set that limit before you start.