Hacksaw Gaming slots have turned a scratchcard startup into one of the most influential slot studios in the industry — publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, operating in 35+ regulated markets, and releasing some of the most streamed and bonus-hunted games in iGaming. Founded in Malta in 2018, Hacksaw went from zero slots to a catalogue of 140+ titles, 300+ operator partners, and a proprietary technology platform (OpenRGS) that now hosts third-party studios. Their games are defined by extreme volatility, distinctive visual identity, and bonus buy mechanics that make them a staple of the bonus hunting community. This profile covers who Hacksaw Gaming are, how they got here, what makes their slots different, their best games, licensing, the OpenRGS platform, and how Hacksaw Gaming slots compare to competitors like Nolimit City and Pragmatic Play.
Hacksaw Gaming: Company Overview and History
Hacksaw Gaming — Studio Profile
Hacksaw’s trajectory is one of the fastest scale-ups in iGaming supplier history. The company launched with scratchcards and instant-win games, securing an Instant Win of the Year award at the 2019 Malta Gaming Awards. That same year, Hacksaw received its UKGC licence and pivoted to video slots — releasing its first slot, Stick ‘Em, through an exclusive LeoVegas rollout. The pivot paid off rapidly: Wanted Dead or a Wild became a viral hit in the bonus hunting and streaming community, and the studio’s reputation for high-volatility, visually distinctive games grew from there. By 2025, Hacksaw had listed on Nasdaq Stockholm at a valuation reported around €2 billion, with quarterly revenue growing 53% year-on-year. The company also launched Hacksaw Ventures, an investment arm targeting early-stage gaming startups, and acquired a minority stake in Kitsune Studios.
What Makes Hacksaw Gaming Slots Different
Instantly Recognisable Visual Identity
Hacksaw Gaming slots have a visual DNA that is immediately identifiable. Their design ranges from rubber-hose animation styles (Stick ‘Em, Benny the Beer, Keep ‘Em) to sharp urban aesthetics (Chaos Crew, Slayers Inc) to anime-influenced art (Fist of Destruction). Unlike studios that produce visually interchangeable games, a Hacksaw slot looks like a Hacksaw slot — and that brand consistency is part of why streamers and players return to their games.
Extreme Volatility as a Design Philosophy
Hacksaw Gaming slots are overwhelmingly high-volatility. This is a deliberate design choice, not a side effect — the studio builds games around bonus rounds that produce extreme result ranges, from dead bonuses (sub-5× returns) to massive wins (500×–50,000×+). The base game is secondary; the feature is the product. This is why Hacksaw games dominate bonus buy culture — the feature is what players are paying to access.
Escalating Bonus Mechanics
Hacksaw’s signature mechanic across many titles is the escalating bonus — multipliers that build across free spins, sticky wilds that accumulate, or symbol transformations that compound value over the feature round. This creates a tension curve where each spin within the bonus increases the stakes of the next. Games like Wanted Dead or a Wild, Chaos Crew 2, and LE Bandit all use variations of this escalation logic, and it is what makes Hacksaw bonuses particularly compelling for bonus hunting — one good escalation chain can transform a modest bonus into a hunt-saving result.
Mobile-First Development
Hacksaw was built as a mobile-first studio from day one. Their games are optimised for vertical play on mobile screens, and the UI is designed so that touch interactions feel as responsive as desktop click. This is not just a technical feature — it influences their game design philosophy. Grid layouts, touch-friendly controls, and vertical-optimised bonus presentations are native to the architecture, not retrofitted.
Best Hacksaw Gaming Slots — Top Games Ranked
| Game | Max Win | RTP | Volatility | Buy Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | 50,000× | 96.38% | High | ~100× | The game that put Hacksaw on the map. Three distinct bonus rounds (Great Train Robbery, Duel at Dawn, Dead Man’s Hand), multiplier wilds up to 100×, and a cascading symbol engine. One of the most streamed slots of all time. |
| Chaos Crew 2 | 50,000× | 96.35% | High | ~100× | Sequel to the original community hit. Cranky the Cat and Sketchy the Skull return with enhanced multiplier stacking. The dual-mechanic bonus round compounds value faster than the original. |
| LE Bandit | 55,000× | 96.30% | High | ~80× | One of the best buy-cost-to-ceiling ratios in Hacksaw’s catalogue. At ~80× buy for a 55,000× max, the upside asymmetry is excellent. Heist-themed bonus with escalating multipliers. |
| Hand of Anubis | 20,000× | 96.27% | High | ~75× | Egyptian-themed with a more affordable buy cost than most Hacksaw titles. The bonus produces more consistent mid-range returns — a backbone pick rather than a moonshot. |
| R.I.P. City | 66,000× | 96.30% | High | ~100× | One of Hacksaw’s highest ceilings. Stacking multipliers in the bonus can compound to enormous results. Extremely high variance — more polarised than Wanted or Chaos Crew. |
| Dork Unit | 50,000× | 96.30% | High | ~100× | Quirky humour meets serious mechanics. The bonus round escalation can produce explosive results. Popular with streamers for the visual comedy during feature play. |
| Cubes 2 | 10,000× | 96.35% | High | ~60× | Minimalist grid-based design. Lower max win but affordable buy cost and higher feature frequency than most Hacksaw titles. Good as a floor/backbone pick in a bonus hunt. |
| Duel at Dawn | 50,000× | 96.37% | High | ~100× | Spiritual successor to the Wanted Dead or a Wild “Duel at Dawn” bonus. Standalone game built around the most popular mechanic from Hacksaw’s biggest hit. |
Hacksaw Gaming slots best pick for bonus hunting: LE Bandit — the ~80× buy cost for a 55,000× ceiling is one of the strongest cost-to-upside ratios in the catalogue. For pure moonshot potential, Wanted Dead or a Wild remains the defining Hacksaw bonus hunt slot. For backbone stability, Hand of Anubis at ~75× is affordable and consistent. Best Slots for Bonus Hunting covers the full multi-provider list.
Hacksaw Gaming Slots: RTP, Volatility, and Math Profile
Hacksaw Gaming Slots — Math Summary
RTP configuration warning for Hacksaw Gaming slots: The ~96.3% figures above are published maximums. Many casinos run reduced RTP configurations — 94% or lower. At reduced RTP, the house edge increases, bonus buy returns decrease, and the volatility profile shifts. Always check the RTP in the game info panel at your specific casino before playing. How Slot Features Affect RTP explains why the same Hacksaw game runs at different RTPs on different operators. RTP for Bonus Hunters covers why this matters for hunt economics.
OpenRGS: Hacksaw’s Platform Play
OpenRGS is Hacksaw’s proprietary Remote Gaming Server — the backend infrastructure that powers game delivery, RNG execution, regulatory compliance, and distribution to operator platforms. In 2023, Hacksaw opened this infrastructure to third-party studios under the “OpenRGS” brand, transforming from a pure game developer into a platform company. As of late 2025, nine partner studios — including Jinx Gaming, Pineapple Play, Foxhound Games, and Kitsune Studios — distribute their games through OpenRGS.
What OpenRGS Means for Players
For players, OpenRGS means new games from smaller studios appearing under the Hacksaw distribution umbrella. These games use Hacksaw’s infrastructure for RNG, certification, and operator distribution — but they are designed by independent teams with their own mechanics and art styles. Think of it as a record label model: Hacksaw provides the studio, distribution, and infrastructure; the partner studio provides the creative product. Games from OpenRGS partners are available at the same casinos that carry Hacksaw’s own titles. For the broader operator vs provider landscape, this makes Hacksaw both a supplier and a distributor — a dual role that few studios occupy.
Hacksaw Gaming Licensing and Regulation
| Licence / Market | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | Active | Primary B2B licence. Covers most EU and international markets. |
| UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) | Active (since 2019) | Bonus buy feature disabled in UK. Games otherwise identical. |
| Sweden (Spelinspektionen) | Active | Operates under Swedish regulatory framework with speed-of-play restrictions. |
| Denmark, Greece, Romania, Isle of Man | Active | Individually licensed in each jurisdiction. |
| Italy, Spain, Switzerland | Certified | Games certified for distribution. Spain prohibits bonus buy. |
| Ontario (Canada) | Active | Operating via partnerships with licensed operators (Caesars Digital, bet365). |
| US — NJ, PA, WV, MI, CT | Active / Licensed | Multiple US state licences secured. Expanding via bet365, Delaware North, and other partners. |
| Curaçao | Active | Covers offshore and crypto-friendly operators. |
iGaming Licences Explained covers what each authority permits and how licensing affects game availability and feature access for players.
Hacksaw Gaming Slots vs Nolimit City vs Pragmatic Play
| Factor | Hacksaw Gaming | Nolimit City | Pragmatic Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2014 | 2015 |
| Volatility profile | High to extreme | Extreme | Medium to high (varies) |
| Max win range | 10,000×–66,000× | 15,000×–200,000× | 2,100×–250,000× |
| Typical buy cost | 75×–100× | 60×–500× (multi-tier) | 100× (standardised) |
| Catalogue size | 140+ titles | 50+ titles | 300+ titles |
| Signature mechanic | Escalating multiplier bonuses, cascading wilds | xMechanics (xWays, xBomb, xNudge) | Tumble multipliers, Hold & Spin |
| Dead bonus frequency | Moderate-high | Very high | Moderate |
| Best for bonus hunting | Balanced — good ceiling with better hit rate than NLC | Moonshots — highest ceilings, most dead bonuses | Backbone — most consistent average returns |
| Visual identity | Highly distinctive — immediately recognisable | Dark, cinematic, provocative themes | Polished but less differentiated across titles |
| Streamer popularity | Very high | Very high | Very high |
How Hacksaw Gaming slots fit the competitive landscape: If Nolimit City is the extreme end (highest ceilings, most dead bonuses, most polarised results) and Pragmatic Play is the reliable middle (consistent returns, lower ceilings), Hacksaw Gaming slots occupy the space between them — high ceilings with better feature hit rates than NLC, more distinctive visual identity than Pragmatic, and a growing catalogue that includes both moonshot and backbone options. For a balanced bonus hunt list, Hacksaw provides 3–5 games that fill the gap between Pragmatic’s floor and Nolimit’s ceiling.
Hacksaw Gaming Slots for Bonus Hunting
Hacksaw is one of the three core providers for structured bonus hunting — alongside Nolimit City (moonshots) and Pragmatic Play (backbone). Their games combine accessible bonus buy costs (75×–100×) with meaningful max win ceilings (20,000×–66,000×) and escalating bonus mechanics that produce the kind of tension and upside that makes hunting compelling.
| Game | Buy Cost | Max Win | Hunt Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | ~100× | 50,000× | Moonshot — the defining Hacksaw hunt slot |
| LE Bandit | ~80× | 55,000× | Backbone — best cost-to-ceiling ratio |
| Hand of Anubis | ~75× | 20,000× | Backbone — affordable, consistent mid-range returns |
| Chaos Crew 2 | ~100× | 50,000× | Moonshot — dual-mechanic escalation |
| R.I.P. City | ~100× | 66,000× | Wildcard — highest ceiling, most polarised results |
| Cubes 2 | ~60× | 10,000× | Floor — cheapest buy, steady returns |
How to Plan a Bonus Hunt covers the full workflow. The Bonus Hunt Tracker logs every buy and result. Bonus Hunt Bankroll Guide covers how much you need for different hunt sizes.
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Open the Bonus Hunt Tracker →Hacksaw Gaming Slots — Further Reading on SlotDecoded
Best Slots for Bonus Hunting — Hacksaw games ranked alongside 4 other providers. Bonus Buy Slots — how the feature works and how buy cost is priced. Nolimit City Review — the main competitor comparison. Pragmatic Play Review — the other core bonus hunting provider. What Is a Bonus Hunt — the strategy Hacksaw games enable. Slot Volatility — why Hacksaw’s high-volatility design matters. RTP in Slots — the number that determines long-run returns. How Slot Features Affect RTP — how Hacksaw’s bonus mechanics shape the RTP. Slot Game Math Models — how the underlying engine works. Casino Operators vs Slot Providers — where studios like Hacksaw fit the supply chain. iGaming Licences Explained — what each licence permits.
Frequently Asked Questions — Hacksaw Gaming Slots
Who is Hacksaw Gaming?
Hacksaw Gaming is a Malta-based slot and instant-win game developer, publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: HACK) since June 2025. Founded in 2018, they have 140+ titles, 300+ operator partners, and operate in 35+ regulated markets. Their slots are known for extreme volatility, distinctive visual identity, and bonus buy features.
What are the best Hacksaw Gaming slots?
Wanted Dead or a Wild (50,000× max, the game that defined the studio), LE Bandit (55,000× max, best buy-cost ratio), Chaos Crew 2 (50,000× max, dual-mechanic bonus), Hand of Anubis (20,000× max, consistent backbone pick), and R.I.P. City (66,000× max, highest ceiling). Best Slots for Bonus Hunting ranks them alongside other providers.
Is Hacksaw Gaming licensed and regulated?
Yes — Hacksaw holds licences from the MGA, UKGC, and regulators in Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Greece, Isle of Man, Ontario, and multiple US states (NJ, PA, WV, MI, CT). Their games are ISO 27001 certified with independent third-party RNG testing.
What RTP do Hacksaw Gaming slots have?
The average published RTP across Hacksaw’s slot catalogue is ~96.3%. However, many casinos run reduced RTP configurations (94% or lower). Always check the game info panel at your specific casino — the published maximum may not be the version running. How Slot Features Affect RTP explains why.
Are Hacksaw Gaming slots good for bonus hunting?
Yes — Hacksaw is one of the three core providers for bonus hunting. Their games combine accessible bonus buy costs (75×–100×) with meaningful max win ceilings and escalating bonus mechanics. They sit between Nolimit City (extreme moonshots) and Pragmatic Play (consistent backbone) in the hunt portfolio.
What is OpenRGS?
OpenRGS is Hacksaw’s proprietary technology platform that powers game delivery, RNG, certification, and distribution. Since 2023, Hacksaw has opened this platform to third-party studios — nine partner studios now distribute games through OpenRGS, making Hacksaw both a game developer and a platform/distribution company.
How does Hacksaw compare to Nolimit City?
Nolimit City has higher max win ceilings (up to 200,000×) and more extreme volatility with a higher dead-bonus rate. Hacksaw’s max wins are slightly lower (up to 66,000×) but bonus features hit more consistently with better mid-range returns. Hacksaw has a larger catalogue (140+ vs 50+) and a stronger visual brand identity. Both are excellent for bonus hunting in different roles.
Can I play Hacksaw Gaming slots in the UK?
Yes — Hacksaw holds a UKGC licence. However, the bonus buy feature is disabled on all games in UKGC-licensed casinos. UK players must trigger features organically or use the ante bet feature where available. The games themselves — math models, max wins, RTP — are identical to other markets.
Responsible Gambling: Hacksaw Gaming slots are predominantly high-volatility games. High volatility means larger swings — both wins and losses can be extreme relative to your bet size. Set session limits before playing and do not chase losses. Use the Responsible Gambling Planner. Help is available at BeGambleAware.org and GamCare.org.uk.