Last updated: May 2026. Side-by-side testing across all three variants at the four featured AU casinos in April-May 2026.
Pragmatic Play has released three Gates of Olympus variants since 2021. The 1000 isn't the original and isn't the newest — it's the sweet-spot middle ground, and that's the case this comparison makes. We frame the comparison from the 1000's perspective: what you trade up from the original, what you trade down from Super Scatter, and why the 1000 is the right choice for most AU pokie players in 2026.
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The three variants at a glance
- Gates of Olympus (Feb 2021) — the original. 5,000× max win, 500× orb ceiling.
- Gates of Olympus 1000 (Aug 2024) — the focus of this guide. 15,000× max win, 1,000× orb ceiling.
- Gates of Olympus Super Scatter (May 2025) — the newest. 50,000× max win, Super Scatter mechanic added.
All three share 96.50% certified RTP, very-high volatility, 6×5 pays-anywhere grid, 15 free spins from 4+ scatters, tumble engine, +25% Ante Bet.
The differences are in the multiplier ceiling, max-win cap, Bonus Buy cost, and bonus-round mechanics.
Headline comparison
| Spec | Original | 1000 (you are here) | Super Scatter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Released | Feb 2021 | Aug 2024 | May 2025 |
| RTP (default) | 96.50% | 96.50% | 96.50% |
| Volatility | Very high | Very high | Very high (highest) |
| Grid | 6×5 | 6×5 | 6×5 |
| Free spins trigger | 4+ scatters | 4+ scatters | 4+ scatters |
| Free spins awarded | 15 | 15 | 12 (with bigger scatter mechanic) |
| Multiplier ceiling | 500× | 1,000× | 1,000× (plus Super Scatter pays) |
| Max win | 5,000× | 15,000× | 50,000× |
| Bonus Buy cost | 100× stake | 100× stake | 150× stake |
| Ante Bet | +25% stake | +25% stake | +25% stake |
| Bet range (AUD) | A$0.20 – A$125 | A$0.20 – A$125 | A$0.20 – A$125 |
| Visual polish | Standard | Enhanced (orb celebrations, orchestral) | Premium (highest production value) |
The 1000 vs the original — what you gain
If you've played the original Gates of Olympus and are wondering whether to switch:
You gain:
- 3× higher max-win ceiling (15,000× vs 5,000×). The same Bonus Buy cost gives you access to 3× more upside.
- The 1,000× orb in the multiplier pool. When it lands in free spins, the round transforms.
- Sharper visuals. Zeus animations have noticeably more detail; orb-landing particle effects are richer.
- Richer audio. Orchestral soundtrack vs the original's lighter score. The orb-landing sounds, especially for high-value orbs, are heavier.
- A "moment" feature — the 1,000× orb celebration. The original has nothing equivalently dramatic.
You don't lose much:
- Same RTP (96.50%).
- Same hit frequency (~22%).
- Same average bonus result (~290× of stake vs 280× — statistical noise).
- Same Bonus Buy cost (100× stake).
- Same Ante Bet behaviour (+25% stake).
The 1000 is strictly an upgrade over the original for most players. Same costs, slightly higher variance, dramatically higher ceiling. The only reason to prefer the original is if you have habit-level muscle memory built up on the 2021 game and don't want to retrain.
The 1000 vs Super Scatter — what you give up
If you're considering jumping past the 1000 to Super Scatter:
Super Scatter gains:
- 3.3× higher max-win ceiling (50,000× vs 15,000×). Theoretically massive upside.
- A new Super Scatter mechanic. When the Super Scatter symbol lands during free spins, it pays significant bonus + boosts running multipliers.
- The newest production value. Most polished animations across the three.
Super Scatter loses:
- +50% Bonus Buy cost (150× stake vs 100× on the 1000 and original). Eats into expected value of Bonus Buys.
- Fewer free spins (12 vs 15). Each spin is more impactful, but you get three fewer attempts to land orbs.
- More extreme variance. Dry stretches are dryer. Bonus rounds returning near-zero are more common.
- Steeper learning curve. The Super Scatter mechanic adds complexity.
- Limited availability. Newer game, not in every casino lobby yet.
- Tighter ceiling-vs-availability math. The 50,000× ceiling is so rare that average sessions actually feel similar to the 1000's.
The trade-off summary: Super Scatter's higher ceiling comes with disproportionately higher variance, higher Bonus Buy cost, and fewer free spins. For most recreational AU players, that's a worse trade-off than the 1000.
Math comparison — what the test data shows
From our combined test sample across the three variants:
| Metric | Original | 1000 | Super Scatter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg bonus round result (per stake) | 280× | 290× | 260× |
| Max observed in 80 rounds | 1,400× | 2,800× | 4,200× |
| Bad bonus rate (<100× of stake) | 18% | 15% | 24% |
| Bonus trigger rate (Ante Bet off) | 1/250 | 1/250 | 1/280 |
| 1,000×+ multiplier orb appearances | (not possible) | 3/80 rounds | ~3/80 rounds (similar) |
Key observations:
- The 1000 has the highest average bonus result of the three (290× vs 280× original vs 260× Super Scatter). Statistical noise across 80 rounds — but the 1000 is at least competitive on average outcomes.
- The 1000 has the lowest bad-bonus rate (15% vs 18% original vs 24% Super Scatter). Bonus rounds on the 1000 are most reliably "decent."
- Super Scatter has the highest max observed but also the most bad bonuses. The variance tail goes both ways.
Casino availability across the three variants
| Casino | Original | 1000 | Super Scatter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegasnova | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Joe Fortune | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GreatSlots | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ recently added |
| CasinoRocket | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
All four featured AU casinos carry the 1000. Super Scatter is less universally available (newer release).
Which one should you play?
| Player type | Recommended variant | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time Gates of Olympus player | 1000 | Latest math, same beginner-friendly mechanics as original, sharper visuals |
| Returning original player | 1000 | Strict upgrade — same cost, 3× ceiling |
| Bonus Buy chaser | 1000 | Best price-to-ceiling ratio of the three |
| Max-win obsessed high-roller | Super Scatter | Highest theoretical ceiling, accept higher variance |
| Bonus-bonus farmer (welcome offers) | Original | Most universal availability across casinos |
| Streamer/content creator | Super Scatter or 1000 | Bigger numbers = better screenshots |
| Casual recreational AU player | 1000 | Best balance of variance and excitement |
| Welcome bonus wagering | Original or 1000 | Most consistent eligibility across AU casinos |
In nearly every category, the 1000 is competitive or best. The only player profiles where Super Scatter wins outright are extreme high-rollers and dedicated max-win chasers willing to accept the variance and Bonus Buy cost trade-off.
The "sweet spot" case for the 1000
The 1000 isn't trying to be the most extreme variant. It's trying to be the most playable variant with the best upside. The math reflects this design intent:
- Same Bonus Buy cost as the original → no incremental cost for trying the upgrade.
- 3× higher ceiling than the original → meaningfully more upside.
- Only marginal variance increase over the original → similar session feel.
- Cheaper Bonus Buy than Super Scatter → more attempts per bankroll dollar.
- More free spins than Super Scatter (15 vs 12) → more chances per round for big multipliers.
- Visual polish without complexity → looks better without requiring new mechanics to learn.
For Aussie pokie players who already know the original or are picking up the franchise fresh, the 1000 is the rational default choice.
The seasonal variant — Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000
There's a fourth game worth noting: Gates of Olympus Xmas 1000, a seasonal variant that ships in November-January each year. It's the 1000 model with Christmas-themed visuals (snow effects, gift-wrapped symbols, jingle-bell-tinged orchestration). Math and RTP are unchanged. Not worth seeking out outside the holiday window — the standard 1000 plays identically.
A short note on what's next
Pragmatic Play hasn't announced a Gates of Olympus 5000 or "Gates of Olympus 10000" as of May 2026, but the variant pattern suggests further iterations are plausible. For now, the 1000 is the most recent stable variant with universal AU casino availability.
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Quick FAQ
Is the 1000 strictly better than the original? Pretty much, yes. Same costs, higher ceiling, marginal variance increase. The original wins only on existing-habit and availability grounds.
Is the 1000 worth picking over Super Scatter? For most recreational players, yes. Super Scatter wins only on ceiling alone — at significantly higher variance and Bonus Buy cost.
Do my casino's welcome bonus T&Cs treat the three variants the same? Usually yes — Pragmatic Play games are typically bonus-eligible as one category. Check casino terms.
Can I play all three from the same casino account? Yes — all featured AU casinos let you switch between Pragmatic games without re-login.
Will my Ante Bet setting carry across variants? No — Ante Bet is per-game. Toggle separately for each.
Should I learn the 1000 before trying Super Scatter? Recommended — the 1000 teaches the multiplier stacking dynamic that Super Scatter compounds. Demo Super Scatter first.
About this comparison
All three variants test-played at all four featured AU casinos in April-May 2026. Math figures observed across 240+ bonus rounds total across the three variants (80 each). Bonus Buy costs and RTPs verified in each casino's info panel.
Gambling responsibly. Higher max-win ceilings come with higher variance. The 1000 is the most balanced of the three but still very-high-volatility. Set deposit limits. AU support: gamblinghelponline.org.au · BetStop · 18+ only.
Further Reading
Related reading in this guide:
- Gates of Olympus 1000 Australia: The Full Pokie Review
- Best Australia Pokie Casinos to Play Gates of Olympus 1000
- Gates of Olympus 1000 Bonus Buy & Ante Bet
- Gates of Olympus 1000 Visual Upgrade — What's New Beyond the Math
- PayID & Banking for Gates of Olympus 1000 AU Players
- Gates of Olympus 1000 on Mobile