Most slot providers say they innovate. Yggdrasil actually did — and for the most part, still does.
Founded in 2013 by Fredrik Elmqvist, the former CEO of NetEnt, Yggdrasil launched with a simple thesis: the online slot market was too focused on pumping out volume and not enough on building things that hadn’t existed before. Over the next decade they proved the point. GigaBlox, DoubleMax, Splitz — these are mechanics that Yggdrasil invented, which other studios then scrambled to replicate under different names. They’ve won the IGA Innovator of the Year award four consecutive times. The progressive jackpot network has paid out a single win of €7.8 million.
That doesn’t mean every Yggdrasil game is good. With 300+ titles and a growing partner studio programme, there’s variance in quality. This guide is about helping you identify which Yggdrasil games are worth your time and money — and explaining the mechanics that make the good ones genuinely different.
Yggdrasil Gaming — Provider Snapshot
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 (Valletta, Malta) |
| Founder | Fredrik Elmqvist (ex-NetEnt CEO) |
| UKGC Licence | Yes — #45735 |
| MGA Licence | Yes |
| Catalogue size | 300+ slots, table games, bingo; 40+ new titles per year |
| Typical RTP range | 95.5%–97% |
| Typical volatility | Medium to Very High |
| Proprietary mechanics | GigaBlox, DoubleMax, Splitz, GigaRise, Golden Bet, BOOST |
| Partner studios | ReelPlay, Peter & Sons, 4ThePlayer, Jelly, Bulletproof Games |
| Progressive jackpot network | Yes — including Joker Millions, Gold Frontier Jackpots |
| UK casino availability | Wide — Casumo, Ladbrokes, Coral, 10Bet, MrQ and most major operators |
Yggdrasil’s Proprietary Mechanics Explained
This is the section most provider guides skip entirely, which is why they’re useless. If you don’t understand what DoubleMax or GigaBlox actually do, you can’t evaluate whether a game using them is worth playing. Here’s the plain-English version.
GigaBlox
GigaBlox slots feature oversized symbol blocks — 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, up to 6×6 — that land on the reels alongside regular symbols. Because the block occupies multiple positions on multiple reels simultaneously, a single GigaBlox symbol creates far more winning combinations than a standard symbol on one position.
The practical impact: a 4×4 GigaBlox landing across four reels creates 16 positions of that symbol — exponentially more chances for matching combinations vs a single standard symbol. When high-value symbols land as GigaBlox, the win multiplier effect is dramatic.
Games to try: Hades Gigablox (96.1% RTP, very high volatility), Penguin City (96.0% RTP, high volatility), 10000 BC 2 DoubleMax (combines GigaBlox with DoubleMax).
DoubleMax
DoubleMax is a multiplier mechanic where every Wild symbol that contributes to a win doubles the current multiplier. Wilds stack multiplicatively, not additively. The first Wild doubles to 2x. A second Wild doubles again to 4x. Third Wild: 8x. Fourth: 16x. The multiplier carries over between cascades during the feature, meaning a sustained cascade chain with multiple Wilds can reach extraordinary multiplier values.
Unlike capped multipliers (which most providers use), DoubleMax has no ceiling in the free spins mode. That theoretical uncapped potential is what drives the extreme max wins these games advertise.
The tradeoff: DoubleMax games are almost always very high volatility. The mechanic requires sustained Wild cascades to reach high multiplier territory, which happens rarely but dramatically when it does. These are not games for small bankrolls or short sessions.
Games to try: Raptor DoubleMax (96.1% RTP), Raptor 2 DoubleMax (sequel with evolved mechanics), 10000 BC 2 DoubleMax.
Splitz
Splitz is Yggdrasil’s equivalent of the Megaways variable-ways concept, but mechanically distinct. Mystery stacks of “Splitz” symbols appear on the reels and then randomly split — each Splitz symbol divides into multiple identical regular symbols. A stack of 6 Splitz symbols on one reel might split into 6 instances of the King symbol, dramatically increasing ways to win on that reel for that spin.
At maximum Splitz on a 5-reel game, you can reach 248,832 ways to win — identical to White Rabbit Megaways’ maximum — but the mechanic that gets you there feels different. Rather than variable reel heights, you get sudden symbol multiplication within fixed reel positions. The result is still variable ways-to-win, just delivered differently.
Games to try: Temple Stacks Splitz (96.1% RTP), Valley of the Gods 2.
Golden Bet
Golden Bet is an optional stake enhancement feature available in many Yggdrasil games. Typically activating at 1.5× or 2× your base stake, it unlocks enhanced game features — higher frequency of special symbols, improved free spins conditions, or additional mechanic layers. It’s optional and can be toggled off.
This is distinct from bonus buy (which is banned in the UK). Golden Bet enhances ongoing gameplay rather than purchasing a specific feature outright. The 25–100% stake premium needs to justify itself through improved RTP in enhanced mode — Yggdrasil generally documents this, and it typically does improve expected return, but the bankroll requirement increases proportionally.
BOOST
BOOST is Yggdrasil’s operator-facing promotional toolkit built into games — things like in-game tournaments, prize drops, free round giveaways, and leaderboard features that casinos can activate. As a player you’ll encounter BOOST features as occasional bonus mechanics or promotional events at casinos running Yggdrasil content. Casumo in particular activates Yggdrasil BOOST promotions regularly.
Best Yggdrasil Slots for UK Players — Ranked
#1 — Vikings Go Berzerk
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.1% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | ~2,500x stake (per session) |
| Ways to Win | 3,125 |
| Key Feature | Sticky Wilds with multipliers; Viking vs Sea Monster battles |
Vikings Go Berzerk is the game that established Yggdrasil as a serious player in 2016 and it still ranks as one of their best-designed slots a decade later. The Viking characters each have their own health bar and “Rage Metre” that fills during play. When a Viking goes Berzerk, they become a sticky Wild with a personal multiplier for the duration of the free spins round. Multiple Berserk Vikings on the reels simultaneously create compounding multiplier combinations.
During free spins, the Vikings battle Sea Monsters — each destroyed monster adds free spins, multipliers, or further Berserks. It’s a genuine secondary narrative mechanic that makes the bonus round feel like a sequence of events rather than just a spin counter. That’s rare in slots and it’s why this game has staying power.
We have a full dedicated review at Vikings Go Berzerk Slot Review — worth reading for the detailed mechanic breakdown before playing.
Available at: Most major UK casinos.
#2 — Joker Millions
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.42% |
| Volatility | Medium-High |
| Max Win | Progressive jackpot (has exceeded €7 million) |
| Ways to Win | 243 |
| Key Feature | Must-Win jackpot; escalating free spins multipliers |
Joker Millions is Yggdrasil’s flagship progressive jackpot slot and one of the strongest progressive games available at UK casinos. The jackpot is a Must-Win type — once it passes a set threshold, it must pay out, which eliminates the indefinite accumulation problem of some network progressives and creates periodic near-certainty of a major win.
The 96.42% RTP is high for a progressive jackpot slot (most progressives sit at 95% or lower because jackpot contributions reduce base RTP). This makes Joker Millions better value mathematically than most progressive competitors — you’re not sacrificing as much expected return per spin to chase the jackpot.
The base game and free spins are solid standalone, not just jackpot padding. Free spins escalating multipliers keep sessions engaging even when the jackpot isn’t imminent.
Available at: Casumo, Ladbrokes, and most Yggdrasil-partner UK casinos.
#3 — Wolf Hunters
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.17% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | ~4,400x stake |
| Ways to Win | 3,125 |
| Key Feature | Hunter vs Wolf battle mechanic; Blood Moon free spins |
Wolf Hunters applies the same character-progression concept as Vikings Go Berzerk but with a werewolf hunting narrative. Two hunter characters accumulate silver bullets during base game play — when a Hunter fires, they transform into a Wild with a multiplier. During Blood Moon free spins, the mechanic intensifies: full-reel Wilds with multipliers up to 5x combine with standard cascading wins.
The 96.17% RTP and high volatility makes this a proper high-variance slot where sessions are defined by whether you hit the Blood Moon feature with hunters charged up. When it lands right, the combination of Wilds and multipliers produces memorable wins. When it doesn’t, you’re watching hunters accumulate bullets for a long time. Bankroll accordingly — 80× your stake as a minimum session budget.
Available at: Most major Yggdrasil-partner casinos.
#4 — Golden Fish Tank 2
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.1% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max Win | ~5,000x stake |
| Ways to Win | 3,125 |
| Key Feature | Fish collection mechanic; cash prizes attached to symbols |
Golden Fish Tank 2 is the most accessible game on this list — medium volatility makes it genuinely playable on a normal UK session budget without the brutal dry spells that define Yggdrasil’s high-variance catalogue. The fish collection mechanic attaches cash values directly to fish symbols on the reels, which are collected when a Fishing Rod Wild appears.
The simplicity of the mechanic is part of the appeal. You’re watching cash values accumulate on the reels and waiting for the collection trigger — clear, tangible, immediate feedback rather than the abstract cascade chains of Megaways-style games. The sequel improves on the original with enhanced multiplier potential and cleaner visual presentation.
Good choice for players who enjoy Yggdrasil’s visual quality but find the extreme volatility of their other titles too demanding.
Available at: Most major UK casinos.
#5 — Hades Gigablox
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.1% |
| Volatility | Very High |
| Max Win | ~25,000x stake |
| Ways to Win | Up to 46,656 |
| Key Feature | GigaBlox symbols up to 6×6; Wild multipliers in free spins |
Hades Gigablox is the best showcase of what the GigaBlox mechanic can do at maximum intensity. The Greek underworld theme is executed with genuine visual quality — this is one of the better-looking games in Yggdrasil’s catalogue, which is saying something given their reputation for presentation.
The GigaBlox can land at up to 6×6 size during the base game and expand further during free spins. A 6×6 GigaBlox of the Hades symbol covering the entire reel grid (with 6 reels) creates 6 instances of the highest-value symbol on every reel — theoretically producing maximum-win conditions. It doesn’t happen often. When it does, the screen covers with identical premium symbols in a way that feels genuinely spectacular.
Very high volatility: budget 100× your stake minimum. Not a game for a casual £20 session.
Available at: Casumo, 10Bet, and major Yggdrasil-partner casinos.
#6 — Holmes and the Stolen Stones
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.0% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | ~5,000x stake |
| Ways to Win | 243 |
| Key Feature | 5 separate mini-jackpots (Stolen Stones); multi-level bonus |
Holmes and the Stolen Stones is one of Yggdrasil’s oldest major hits (2014) and demonstrates how good early Yggdrasil game design was. The mechanic centres on five Stolen Stone symbols, each linked to a separate jackpot level. Landing the same Stone symbol five times (accumulated across spins) triggers the corresponding jackpot — essentially a 5-tier mini-jackpot system with distinct rewards at each level.
This structure means progress feels tangible: you can see your Stone collection building. It’s a design trick that creates session investment beyond just watching the reels — you’re pursuing a specific goal, not just triggering free spins. That’s psychologically clever and still works a decade later. Notable win of 20,000x was recorded on this game (confirmed via Yggdrasil’s social channels).
Available at: Widespread across Yggdrasil-partner UK casinos.
#7 — Raptor DoubleMax
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.1% |
| Volatility | Very High |
| Max Win | ~25,000x stake |
| Ways to Win | Up to 46,656 |
| Key Feature | DoubleMax multiplier — doubles with every Wild (uncapped) |
Raptor DoubleMax is the cleanest demonstration of the DoubleMax mechanic on this list. A jungle dinosaur hunt theme with solid visual execution, but the game’s real identity is the multiplier system: every Wild doubles the current multiplier, stacking multiplicatively through cascades with no ceiling during free spins.
The math is worth appreciating. Four Wilds in a single cascade chain: 2x → 4x → 8x → 16x. Five Wilds: 32x. Six: 64x. That’s with each Wild doubling — it escalates faster than additive multiplier systems and has no cap. The 25,000x headline max win is theoretically plausible in a way that some extreme max win claims aren’t.
Raptor 2 DoubleMax (the sequel) is worth trying as an alternative — evolved mechanics, similar RTP, slightly more refined free spins structure. Both are available at the same UK casinos.
Available at: Casumo, MrQ, and most Yggdrasil-stocking UK casinos.
#8 — Atlantis Megaways
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| RTP | 96.0% |
| Volatility | High |
| Max Win | ~10,000x stake |
| Ways to Win | Up to 117,649 |
| Key Feature | Megaways mechanic with Yggdrasil visual polish; cascades + multiplier |
Atlantis Megaways is Yggdrasil’s entry into the Megaways format (licensed from Big Time Gaming, as with all Megaways games outside BTG’s own catalogue). It’s notable because Yggdrasil’s production quality makes this one of the better-looking Megaways implementations in the market — most licensed Megaways games sacrifice visual quality for mechanical copy-paste. Atlantis doesn’t.
The mechanics are standard Megaways: cascading reels, building free spins multiplier. The Yggdrasil additions are Golden Bet (enhances Wild frequency for 1.5× base stake) and premium audio-visual presentation. If you like the Megaways format and want it delivered with Yggdrasil’s production standard, this is the entry point.
For the broader Megaways context — where Atlantis sits relative to Bonanza, White Rabbit and Blood Suckers — see our Top 10 Megaways Slots Ranked guide.
Available at: Most major UK casinos.
Yggdrasil vs Competitors — Where They Sit
| Provider | Strength | Typical RTP | Volatility Profile | Innovation Track Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yggdrasil | Proprietary mechanics, visual quality, progressive jackpots | 96–97% | Medium–Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Big Time Gaming | Megaways originator, unlimited multipliers | 96–97% | High–Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Pragmatic Play | Volume, wide availability, reliable execution | 96–96.5% | Medium–High | ★★★ |
| NetEnt | Classic slots, polished medium-volatility games | 96–97% | Low–Medium | ★★★ |
| Nolimit City | Extreme mechanics, very high max wins | 96–96.5% | Very High | ★★★★ |
| ELK Studios | Visual storytelling, innovative betting strategies | 95.5–96.5% | Medium–High | ★★★★ |
Yggdrasil occupies a specific niche: premium boutique provider with genuine mechanical innovation, strong progressive jackpot infrastructure, and consistently high production values. They’re not Pragmatic Play (who win on volume and availability) or Nolimit City (who win on extreme mechanics for extreme-variance seekers). Yggdrasil’s sweet spot is the player who wants games that do something mechanically interesting and look genuinely impressive while doing it.
The partner studio programme (ReelPlay, Peter & Sons, 4ThePlayer) has expanded their output without obviously diluting quality — though partner releases vary more than Yggdrasil’s in-house titles. If you’re filtering Yggdrasil titles at a casino, checking whether the game is in-house vs partner-developed is worth a moment’s attention.
Where to Play Yggdrasil Slots in the UK
Yggdrasil is available at most major UKGC-licensed casinos, though less universally than Pragmatic Play or NetEnt. The casinos in our sidebar (Ladbrokes, Coral, 10Bet, Casumo, Gala) all carry Yggdrasil titles. Casumo and 10Bet specifically have strong Yggdrasil catalogues and regularly run BOOST promotions tied to Yggdrasil games.
Yggdrasil titles are also available at MrQ — worth noting given MrQ’s no-wagering bonus structure. If you want to play Yggdrasil games with bonus funds that have genuine real-money value, MrQ is the clearest option.
For new players: Yggdrasil frequently releases games exclusively at Casumo and a small number of partner casinos for a limited period before wider distribution. If a new Yggdrasil title isn’t showing at your usual casino, Casumo is usually the first place to check.
Honest Assessment — Is Yggdrasil Worth Your Time?
Yes — with a clear-eyed understanding of what you’re getting.
Yggdrasil’s proprietary mechanics (GigaBlox, DoubleMax, Splitz) are not marketing terms attached to standard slot features. They describe genuinely different mathematical structures that change how sessions feel and how wins are constructed. If you’ve only played Megaways and standard cascading slots, experiencing a DoubleMax multiplier escalate through a Wild cascade chain is genuinely new.
The honest caveats: much of Yggdrasil’s best catalogue is very high volatility. DoubleMax games require large bankrolls relative to stake to sustain properly. Golden Fish Tank 2 is the exception — accessible, engaging, genuinely good for normal session budgets. Vikings Go Berzerk sits in the middle: high volatility but structured enough that sessions feel purposeful rather than just variance-absorbing.
The partner studio titles are worth approaching more selectively than Yggdrasil’s own releases. Some are excellent (ReelPlay consistently produces quality work). Others are standard games with Yggdrasil distribution behind them. Check the specific game’s stats rather than assuming the Yggdrasil umbrella means guaranteed quality.
For the mechanics that underpin what Yggdrasil’s cascading games do in detail, our Cascading Reels Explained guide covers the mathematics clearly — relevant to both GigaBlox and DoubleMax games.
Frequently Asked Questions — Yggdrasil Gaming
Who made Yggdrasil Gaming?
Yggdrasil Gaming was founded in 2013 by Fredrik Elmqvist, who was previously CEO of NetEnt — one of the most established names in online slot development. The company is headquartered in Malta with offices in Gibraltar, Sweden, and Poland. They hold UKGC licence #45735 and an MGA licence, making them one of the most comprehensively regulated providers in the market.
What is GigaBlox?
GigaBlox is a Yggdrasil proprietary mechanic where oversized symbol blocks — ranging from 2×2 up to 6×6 in size — land on the reels. Because a GigaBlox symbol occupies multiple positions across multiple reels simultaneously, it creates dramatically more winning combinations than a standard single-position symbol. A 6×6 GigaBlox covering the entire reel grid creates 6 instances of that symbol on every reel at once. Best demonstrated in Hades Gigablox and Penguin City.
What is DoubleMax?
DoubleMax is a Yggdrasil multiplier mechanic where each Wild symbol that contributes to a win doubles the current multiplier. The doubling is multiplicative, not additive: one Wild = 2x, two Wilds = 4x, three = 8x, four = 16x. In free spins mode the multiplier carries between cascades and has no cap. This creates the potential for extreme multiplier values during sustained cascade chains with multiple Wilds. DoubleMax games are almost universally very high volatility as a result. Best demonstrated in Raptor DoubleMax and Raptor 2 DoubleMax.
What is Splitz?
Splitz is Yggdrasil’s variable-ways mechanic, distinct from but conceptually comparable to Megaways. Mystery “Splitz” symbol stacks appear on the reels and randomly divide into multiple identical regular symbols, multiplying the ways to win from that reel. At maximum Splitz on a 5-reel configuration, you can reach 248,832 ways to win. Unlike Megaways (where reel height varies on every spin), Splitz triggers specific multiplication events within fixed reel positions. Best demonstrated in Temple Stacks Splitz.
What is Golden Bet in Yggdrasil slots?
Golden Bet is an optional stake enhancement found in many Yggdrasil games. Typically costing 1.5× to 2× the base stake, activating Golden Bet unlocks improved game conditions — higher frequency of special symbols, enhanced free spins mechanics, or additional feature layers. It is not a bonus buy (which is banned in the UK) — it enhances ongoing gameplay rather than purchasing a specific feature outright. Whether the stake premium is worthwhile depends on the game; Yggdrasil generally documents the RTP improvement in Golden Bet mode.
What are the best Yggdrasil slots for UK players?
For high volatility play: Vikings Go Berzerk (96.1% RTP), Wolf Hunters (96.17% RTP), Hades Gigablox (96.1% RTP), Raptor DoubleMax (96.1% RTP). For accessible medium volatility: Golden Fish Tank 2 (96.1% RTP). For progressive jackpot potential: Joker Millions (96.42% RTP — unusually high for a progressive). For Megaways format: Atlantis Megaways (96.0% RTP).
Are Yggdrasil slots available at UK casinos?
Yes, widely. Casumo, Ladbrokes, Coral, 10Bet, Gala, MrQ, and most major UKGC-licensed casinos carry Yggdrasil titles. They’re not quite as universally distributed as Pragmatic Play or NetEnt, but you’ll find Yggdrasil content at any quality UK casino. Casumo tends to receive exclusive early access to new Yggdrasil releases.
What is Yggdrasil’s BOOST feature?
BOOST is Yggdrasil’s operator-side promotional toolkit embedded in games. Casinos can use BOOST to run in-game tournaments, prize drops, leaderboard competitions, and special bonus mechanics within Yggdrasil titles. As a player, you encounter BOOST as periodic promotional events at casinos that activate them — Casumo runs Yggdrasil BOOST promotions regularly. It’s not a standard game mechanic on every spin; it’s a campaign layer operators can activate.
How does Yggdrasil compare to Pragmatic Play?
Very different positioning. Pragmatic Play wins on volume, mainstream availability, and reliable execution — they have 300+ slots at effectively every UK casino, with consistent medium-to-high volatility and solid RTPs. Yggdrasil wins on mechanical innovation, visual quality, and distinct proprietary mechanics (GigaBlox, DoubleMax, Splitz) that Pragmatic Play doesn’t have equivalents of. Pragmatic is the safe, ubiquitous choice. Yggdrasil is for players who specifically want something different and are willing to find it at specific casinos.
