Lucky New Year is a medium-volatility Pragmatic Play video slot with 25 fixed paylines, stacked dog Wilds, lantern Money Respins, giant-symbol Free Spins and three jackpot tiers.
The review examines how six locked lanterns open one jackpot route while Scatters start a separate giant-reel bonus.
RTP and game details
| Provider | Pragmatic Play |
| Release date | January 19, 2018 |
| RTP | 96% |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Max win | x312,500 |
| Reels | 5 x 3 |
| Paylines/Ways | 25 |
| Min/Max bet | $0.25-$125 |
| Theme | Holidays & Seasonal, Asian Culture |
| Bonus buy | No |
How lantern bonuses divide
Stacked dog Wilds support twenty-five fixed paylines on the 5 x 3 layout. Lantern Money symbols and Scatters use separate feature triggers, so neither symbol type contributes through ordinary payline combinations.
Six or more lanterns start a three-respin round and lock their displayed prizes. New lanterns occupy empty positions and reset the counter, while filling the grid can add the top jackpot alongside the collected lantern values.
Three Scatters open Blazing Reels Free Spins, where the middle reels can synchronize into giant symbols. Additional Scatters may extend the round, and all temporary giant-symbol or respin progress clears when the relevant feature ends.
At least six lanterns are needed to start the Money Respin.
Fewer lanterns do not lock into the feature grid.
Effects of lantern and reel modes
- Stacked Wild: Full reel coverage can support several paylines.
- Lanterns: Displayed prizes create a separate locked-value route.
- Locked spots: Money symbols remain through the respin sequence.
- Jackpots: Three tiers can supplement collected lantern values.
- Giant reels: Middle reels can evaluate one enlarged symbol.
- Retriggers: Additional Scatters can extend the Free Spins round.
Where New Year value lands
Stacked Wild lines and lantern prizes resolve under separate rules. Displayed lantern amounts become relevant only after the six-symbol threshold opens the locked respin sequence, rather than increasing standard line wins.
The Money Respin concentrates value in occupied positions and jackpot conditions, while Blazing Reels concentrates it in giant middle symbols during Free Spins. Progress in one route does not transfer into the other feature when it ends.
The x312,500 ceiling accompanies 96% RTP and medium volatility. A displayed lantern prize or giant symbol does not guarantee the maximum, because payout still depends on collected values, grid completion and qualifying payline combinations.
Player fit and limitations
- Fixed lines: Suits players tracking stacked Wild payline coverage.
- Dual bonuses: Suits players comparing respins with giant reels.
- Six-symbol gate: Money Respins require at least six lanterns.
- Separate rounds: Progress does not move between the two bonuses.
Near-threshold lantern screens can encourage repeated spins.
Set limits through Responsible Gambling tools before continuing.
Other locked jackpot features
Both alternatives retain value symbols through limited respin sequences.
| Slot | RTP | Volatility | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Vault | 95.1% | High | Adds cascades and collection outside the locked-value round. |
| Glorious Guardians | 96.49% | Medium-High | Uses mystery and sticky symbols beside jackpot respins. |
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FAQ
At least six lantern Money symbols are required to start the feature.
Every new lantern landing restores the counter to three attempts.
The middle reels can synchronize and display giant symbols.
No. Lantern and giant-reel progress belongs to separate feature rounds.







