Rise of Athena slot review

Rise of Athena slot is a 2020 Play’n GO Greek mythology game on five reels and 10 fixed paylines, built around wilds that carry x1, x2 or x3 multipliers and multiply together up to x27 on one line. The top RTP is 96.2%, volatility is medium and the max win is 5,000x your stake, with 12 free spins where wilds stick and count down.

  • Default RTP96.2% (lower versions exist)
  • VolatilityMedium
  • Max win5,000x stake
  • DeveloperPlay’n GO

Key takeaways

  • Wilds land only on reels 2, 3 and 4, each with a x1, x2 or x3 multiplier.
  • Several wilds on one payline multiply together, up to x27.
  • Three owl scatters give 12 free spins with sticky wilds whose multiplier drops by one each spin.
  • No retriggers in free spins; medium volatility, 96.2% top RTP and a 5,000x max win.
Developer
Play’n GO
RTP
96.2% (lower versions exist)
Volatility
Medium
Layout
5 reels x 3 rows
Ways to win
10 fixed paylines
Max win
5,000x stake
Released
2020

Rise of Athena slot in numbers

FigureValue
Released12 November 2020
Grid and lines5 reels × 3 rows, 10 fixed paylines
Top RTP96.2%
VolatilityMedium
Max win5,000x stake
Highest line multiplierx27
Free spins12, no retriggers

The game belongs to Play’n GO’s Rise family, alongside games such as Rise of Merlin and Rise of Olympus. Each uses its own mechanic; here, everything revolves around how multiplier wilds combine on a payline and how they behave once free spins start.

How Rise of Athena wild multipliers reach x27

The wild symbol lands only on reels 2, 3 and 4 and substitutes for everything except the scatter. Each wild carries a multiplier of x1, x2 or x3. If more than one wild sits on the same winning payline, their multipliers are multiplied together, not added.

Wilds on the lineExample multipliersTotal multiplier50p line win becomes
Onex2x2£1
Onex3x3£1.50
Twox2 and x3x6£3
Twox3 and x3x9£4.50
Threex3, x3 and x3x27£13.50

Because wilds can only appear on the middle three reels, three is the most that can sit on one line, which is why x27 is the ceiling. A x1 wild still substitutes but adds nothing to the multiplier. Our guide to how multipliers work in slots compares multiplying and adding systems.

How to play Rise of Athena

  1. Open the paytable to check your casino’s RTP version and the symbol prizes at your stake.
  2. Choose a stake; all 10 paylines are fixed and always active.
  3. Spin and look for multiplier wilds on reels 2, 3 and 4.
  4. Land three or more owl scatters to trigger 12 free spins.
  5. In free spins, watch each sticky wild’s multiplier count down until it leaves the reels.
  6. After the round, check the net position display against the budget you set.

The owl scatter and the free spins trigger

Athena’s owl is the scatter symbol. Three or more anywhere on the reels award 12 free spins. The number of free spins is the same whether you land three scatters or more, and once the round starts the scatter is removed from the reels, so free spins can’t be retriggered.

That fixed length makes the round easy to judge: every bonus gives exactly 12 spins, and the variation comes from how many wilds land and what multipliers they carry.

Free spins: sticky wilds that count down

During free spins, any wild that lands becomes a sticky wild and stays in place. After each spin its multiplier drops by one, and when it reaches zero it leaves the reels. So a wild’s starting multiplier also decides how long it sticks around.

Wild lands asSpin it landsNext spinSpin afterSpins on reels
x1x1Removed–1
x2x2x1Removed2
x3x3x2x13

The best moments come when several wilds overlap. If a x3 wild lands on reel 2 and a x3 lands on reel 4 one spin later, the reel 2 wild is now at x2, so a line through both pays x6 on that spin, then x2 × x1 on the next if both are still there. Wins in the round build from these overlapping countdowns rather than a single big multiplier.

Rise of Athena max win: 5,000x in pounds

The max win is 5,000 times your stake. That is £500 at 10p, £5,000 at £1, £10,000 at £2 (the cap for players aged 18 to 24) and £25,000 at £5 (the cap from age 25). Getting there needs top symbols on several lines through stacked x3 wilds, ideally in free spins where those wilds persist. It is rare, and most free spins rounds return far less.

Rise of Athena RTP and medium volatility

A top RTP of 96.2% means a theoretical cost of £3.80 for every £100 staked over the long run. Here is what that means per session at the top version:

  • 200 spins at 10p: £20 staked, theoretical cost 76p.
  • 200 spins at 50p: £100 staked, theoretical cost £3.80.
  • 100 spins at £2: £200 staked, theoretical cost £7.60.

Lower versions exist, so check the paytable. Medium volatility puts Rise of Athena between steady low-variance games and the swingier book-style slots. Base-game wild multipliers provide regular mid-sized hits, and the fixed 12-spin bonus limits extreme outcomes in both directions.

Rise of Athena under UK slot rules

UK play runs at a minimum of 2.5 seconds per spin with no autoplay, turbo or quick-stop. The free spins can’t be bought, and the stake limit is £5 per spin from age 25 or £2 from 18 to 24. Demo play is available only after age verification. Our UK slot rules guide has the full list.

Rise of Athena vs other Greek and Rise slots

SlotDeveloperRTPVolatilityLines or waysMax win
Rise of AthenaPlay’n GO96.2%Medium10 paylines5,000x
Rise of MerlinPlay’n GO96.58% (top)High10 paylines5,000x
Rise of OlympusPlay’n GO96.50%High5 × 5 grid5,000x
Gates of OlympusPragmatic Play96.50%HighScatter pays5,000x

All four share a 5,000x ceiling, but Rise of Athena is the only medium-volatility option, which makes it the gentlest of the group. Rise of Merlin has the same line count with higher volatility. More Greek-themed games are on our Greek mythology slots page.

Rise of Athena pros, cons and who it suits

Advantages

  • Multiplying wilds up to x27 in the base game
  • Countdown sticky wilds make free spins easy to follow
  • Medium volatility suits moderate budgets
  • Clear 5,000x ceiling

Drawbacks

  • No retriggers in free spins
  • x1 wilds add no multiplier
  • Lower RTP versions exist
  • Only 10 paylines limits small hits

It suits players who want multiplier action without the extreme swings of most 5,000x games. If you prefer long, retriggering bonus rounds, a book-style or high-volatility game will fit better.

Where to play Rise of Athena in the UK

Look for Rise of Athena in the lobby of any UKGC-licensed casino and check the RTP in the paytable before staking, as versions vary. The offers below are 18+ and terms apply; none of them names this game, so check where the spins or bonus can be used.

Ad 18+ only. We may earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure

Rise of Athena isn’t named in any partner offer. Casumo’s 50% bonus up to £100 (min £20 deposit) has 10x wagering in 7 days, Ladbrokes gives up to 500 spins on selected slots after £10 on slots, and PlayOJO’s 80 spins are on Big Bass Bonanza. 18+, T&Cs apply.

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Minimum
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Time limit
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Worked value
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Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk

Read the Casumo review Licence: Recro Limited, UKGC account 61549. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

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Minimum
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Time limit
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Worked value
Up to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)

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Read the Ladbrokes review Licence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

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Worked value
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Read the PlayOJO review Licence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.

Frequently asked questions

What is the RTP of Rise of Athena?

The top RTP on this game is 96.2%, which works out at a theoretical return of £96.20 for every £100 staked over a long run. Play’n GO also offers lower versions, and casinos choose which to run, so check the paytable at your casino for the live figure. Medium volatility means your session results usually stay a little closer to that average than on high-volatility games, though losses are still likely. Our guide to how slot RTP is calculated explains the maths.

How do the wild multipliers work in Rise of Athena?

Each wild in Rise of Athena carries a x1, x2 or x3 multiplier and can land only on reels 2, 3 and 4. When two or three wilds are on the same winning line, their multipliers are multiplied together, so x2 and x3 give x6, and three x3 wilds give x27, the game’s highest line multiplier. A x1 wild substitutes but doesn’t boost the win. Our multiplier glossary entry explains the difference between multiplying and additive systems.

How many free spins do you get on Rise of Athena?

You get 12 free spins on Rise of Athena when three or more owl scatters land anywhere on the reels. The total is the same however many scatters trigger it, and there are no retriggers because the scatter doesn’t appear during the round. In free spins, wilds become sticky and their multipliers drop by one after each spin until they leave the reels. Our explainer on what a slot bonus round is covers how rounds like this are designed.

What is the max win on Rise of Athena?

The max win on Rise of Athena is 5,000 times your stake, or £5,000 at £1 a spin. At the UK’s £5 maximum stake for players aged 25 and over, that would be £25,000; at the £2 cap for 18 to 24-year-olds, £10,000. Reaching it needs several high-multiplier wilds lining up with top symbols, most likely in free spins. It is a rare outcome. Our page on what happens when a slot hits max win explains the process.

Can you retrigger free spins on Rise of Athena?

No, Rise of Athena’s free spins can’t be retriggered. The owl scatter is removed from the reels during the round, so every bonus lasts exactly 12 spins. That keeps the feature predictable in length, with the variation coming from how many wilds land and how their countdown multipliers overlap. If you prefer rounds that can extend, look at games with retrigger rules described on our retrigger glossary page, many of which are higher volatility.

Is Rise of Athena medium volatility?

Yes, Rise of Athena is a medium-volatility slot. Base-game wild multipliers produce regular mid-sized wins, and the fixed 12-spin bonus limits both very short and very long features. That makes it less swingy than most Greek mythology slots with a 5,000x ceiling, which tend to be high volatility. It still loses money over time on average, so set a budget first. Our guide to comparing slot volatility shows how to judge it before playing.

What other Rise slots has Play’n GO made?

Play’n GO’s Rise family includes Rise of Merlin and Rise of Olympus as well as Rise of Athena, and each uses a different mechanic. Rise of Merlin is a 10-line high-volatility game with a 96.58% top RTP, while Rise of Olympus uses a 5 × 5 grid with high volatility and a 96.50% RTP. All three cap wins at 5,000x. See our Rise of Merlin review for how its features compare.

Can I play Rise of Athena for free?

You can play Rise of Athena in demo mode at many UK casinos, but only after age verification, a rule since May 2019. The demo uses the same wilds and free spins, so you can watch the countdown wilds in action and see how often the owl scatters appear. Demo credits have no cash value and can’t be withdrawn. Our free slots page explains how demo access works at UK sites.

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