Game Comparison
Six PG Soft slots, one comparison. We line up Mahjong Ways against Mahjong Ways 2, Wild Bandito, Ways of Qilin, Dreams of Macau and Fortune Ox. RTP, maximum win multipliers, volatility, licensing and casinos, laid out in one table, six prose breakdowns and an honest verdict.
What Are Ways-to-Win Slots? An Introduction
A quick primer for anyone new to the format. Six titles, one core idea.
Ways-to-win slots like these follow a simple loop. Symbols land across the reels, and matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right form a win according to the paytable. Winning symbols are removed and new ones tumble into their place, which can chain several wins from a single spin. The round ends once no further matches appear and the payout locks in.
The genre stands on tumbling mechanics and ways-to-win structures rather than fixed paylines. PG Soft built its reputation on this format, with Mahjong Ways establishing the mahjong tile theme that the studio later expanded into Mahjong Ways 2, Wild Bandito, Ways of Qilin, Dreams of Macau and Fortune Ox. Rounds rarely last more than a few seconds once the tumble sequence resolves, and RTP across the six sits between 96.6 and 97 percent.
The appeal sits in the volatility. High-volatility ways-to-win slots concentrate the outcome into a short burst of tumbling wins, which keeps the format compelling and risky at the same time.
What All Six Slots Share
- Tumble mechanic: matching wins clear and new symbols drop into their place
- Ways to win: adjacent matching symbols pay left to right
- Grid size: typically 5 reels, 4 rows
- RNG certification: independent testing labs audit and certify the RNG and RTP
- Mobile first: browser play, no download needed
The Leading PG Soft Ways-to-Win Slots in 2026
Eight parameters, six titles. The table does not replace an actual session with the game, but it gives the clearest orientation before the first deposit.
| Game | Developer | RTP | Max Win | Ways / Paylines | Volatility | Grid | Mobile | Demo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahjong Ways | PG Soft | 96.95 % | 5,000x* | Up to 3,125 ways | High | 5x4 | Yes | Yes |
| Mahjong Ways 2 | PG Soft | 96.95 % | 20,000x | 1 | High | 5x4 | Yes | Yes |
| Wild Bandito | PG Soft | 96.63 % | 5,000x | 1 | High | 5x3 | Yes | Yes |
| Ways of Qilin | PG Soft | 96.98 % | 5,000x | 1 | Medium-High | 5x4 | Yes | Yes |
| Dreams of Macau | PG Soft | 96.97 % | 10,000x | Up to 15,625 ways | High | 6x4 | Yes | Yes |
| Fortune Ox | PG Soft | ~99 % | 1,500x | 10 fixed paylines | Low-Medium | ~2 s | Yes | Yes |
* The 5,000x maximum win listed for Mahjong Ways is the theoretical ceiling built into the PG Soft math model, not a guaranteed payout. Actual results in a single session depend on the tumble sequence and the volatility setting the casino runs, and most spins land far below that ceiling.
Disambiguation: Mahjong Ways (PG Soft) has nothing to do with classic mahjong solitaire tile-matching apps. Some directories list the two together because of the shared name. Traditional mahjong is a skill puzzle with no wagering, while Mahjong Ways is a real-money tumbling video slot that only borrows the tile artwork.
Mahjong Ways - 96.95% RTP and up to 3,125 ways to win
Mahjong Ways from PG Soft is the title that started this six-game lineup. A 5x4 grid delivers up to 3,125 ways to win, and matching mahjong tile symbols on adjacent reels clear and tumble to make room for new symbols. There is no fixed payline count and no step-based decision to make, the outcome resolves automatically once the tumble sequence stops producing new matches.
Two things follow from that design. First, the round plays out on its own once the spin lands, there is no manual cash-out timing the way a crash game demands. Second, the 5x4 grid keeps the ways-to-win count high without pushing volatility as far as some of its PG Soft siblings, which keeps the format approachable for a first session.
Mahjong Ways carries certification from independent testing labs rather than an operator license, the standard route for a slot title rather than a standalone gambling product. By mid-2026, JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all carry the game. The demo mode runs everywhere without registration.
Who should choose it: Players who want the steadier original before trying the higher-volatility sequel. Best RTP-to-volatility balance in the lineup.
Mahjong Ways Specifications
Ways to win: up to 3,125 combinations on the 5x4 grid, tumble mechanic clears winning symbols and drops new ones into place, no fixed paylines.
Mahjong Ways 2 by PG Soft - the higher-ceiling sequel
Mahjong Ways 2 keeps the same core loop as the original. PG Soft released the sequel to raise the ceiling rather than reinvent the format. The 5x4 grid and tumbling mahjong tiles return unchanged, matching symbols on adjacent reels clear and new ones drop into place, and the round ends once no further matches appear.
RTP holds at 96.95 percent, identical to the original, while the theoretical maximum win climbs to 20,000 times the stake. PG Soft pushed volatility noticeably higher for the sequel, so balances swing harder between quiet spins and big tumble chains. Round length stays close to two seconds once a chain resolves.
The sequel carries the same independent lab certification as the rest of the lineup rather than a standalone gambling license. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all list Mahjong Ways 2 in their PG Soft sections.
Who should choose it: Players who already know the original and want a bigger ceiling. The higher volatility suits a larger bankroll better than a first session.
Mahjong Ways 2 Specifications
Mahjong Ways 2 keeps the same tumble mechanic and mahjong tile symbols as the original, it simply raises the ways-to-win ceiling and runs at higher volatility.
Wild Bandito by PG Soft - the bandit-themed variant
Wild Bandito moved PG Soft's tumble format away from the mahjong tile set and onto a bandit and treasure-hunt theme. The grid shrinks to 5x3, a tighter layout than the mahjong titles, and the same clear-and-drop tumble sequence carries every win.
RTP settles at 96.63 percent, the lowest of the six titles compared here, with a matching 5,000 times maximum win. The smaller 5x3 grid trades some of the ways-to-win count for sharper, higher-volatility swings, closer in feel to Mahjong Ways 2 than to the calmer original.
Wild Bandito reaches fewer casinos than the two mahjong titles in this comparison. JooCasino, Melbet and 22Bet carry it, while Lucky Dreams and GG.Bet have not added it to their PG Soft sections yet.
Who should choose it: Players drawn to the bandit theme who still want the tumble mechanic. Not the steadiest pick for a first session given the tighter grid.
Wild Bandito Specifications
Wild Bandito shares its tumble mechanic and clear-and-drop sequence with the rest of the PG Soft ways-to-win lineup, the bandit theme and 5x3 grid are what set it apart visually.
Ways of Qilin by PG Soft - the best RTP in the lineup
Ways of Qilin leads this comparison on RTP. PG Soft built the title around a mythical Chinese qilin creature theme, keeping the same 5x4 grid and tumble format as Mahjong Ways while nudging the return figure higher.
Two differences stand out against the mahjong titles. First, RTP reaches 96.98 percent, the highest of the six games here. Second, the maximum win caps at 5,000 times the stake, the same ceiling as the original Mahjong Ways rather than the sequel's 20,000 times.
At 96.98 percent, Ways of Qilin sits just above Dreams of Macau at 96.97 percent and the mahjong pair at 96.95 percent. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all carry the title alongside their other PG Soft games. The mobile build runs the same tumble animations as the desktop version.
Who should choose it: Players who prioritize RTP above ceiling size. The 5,000 times cap keeps outcomes closer to the original Mahjong Ways than to the sequel.
Ways of Qilin Specifications
Ways of Qilin runs the same clear-and-drop tumble sequence as the rest of the lineup, on a 5x4 grid with up to 3,125 ways to win.
Dreams of Macau by PG Soft - the widest grid in the lineup
Dreams of Macau is not a different format from the rest of this lineup, it is the same tumble mechanic stretched onto a bigger board. The grid grows to 6x4, one row wider than Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2, which lifts the ways-to-win count well past the other five titles here.
PG Soft built Dreams of Macau around a casino-city theme rather than the mahjong tile set, though the clear-and-drop tumble sequence carries over unchanged. RTP lands at 96.97 percent, and the wider 6x4 grid pushes the ways-to-win total up to 15,625, more than five times what a 5x4 title in this comparison offers.
The maximum win reaches 10,000 times the stake, second only to Mahjong Ways 2 among the six titles compared here. Rounds still resolve in roughly two seconds once the tumble chain stops producing matches. JooCasino, Melbet, GG.Bet and 22Bet list Dreams of Macau in their PG Soft sections.
Who should choose it: Players who want more ways to win per spin without leaving the PG Soft lineup. The wider grid suits the same bankroll approach as Mahjong Ways 2.
Dreams of Macau Specifications
Dreams of Macau runs the same tumble mechanic as the rest of the lineup, with a 6x4 grid delivering up to 15,625 ways to win, the highest ways-to-win count in this comparison.
Fortune Ox - PG Soft's Fixed-Payline Pick
Fortune Ox rounds out this PG Soft lineup with a different structure. Instead of the ways-to-win format the other five titles share, it pays across 10 fixed paylines, a classic slot layout. A Chinese Ox-zodiac theme replaces the mahjong tile set, and a lower volatility setting keeps the tumble sequence calmer than Mahjong Ways 2 or Dreams of Macau.
RTP settles at 96.63 percent, tied with Wild Bandito for the lowest of the six titles compared here. The maximum win caps at 1,500 times the stake, the smallest ceiling in the lineup, though the fixed-payline structure and gentler volatility mean wins land more often. Round length holds close to two seconds, matching the rest of the comparison.
Fortune Ox carries the same independent lab certification as the rest of the lineup rather than a standalone gambling license. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all list Fortune Ox in their PG Soft sections. Demo mode runs everywhere without registration.
Who should pick it: Players who want the calmest sessions in this PG Soft lineup should start here, since Fortune Ox runs the lowest volatility of the six. Anyone chasing a bigger multiplier ceiling should look at Mahjong Ways 2 or Dreams of Macau instead.
Fortune Ox Specifications
Fortune Ox trades the ways-to-win format for 10 fixed paylines and PG Soft's lowest volatility in this lineup, built around a Chinese Ox-zodiac theme.
Mahjong Ways vs Mahjong Ways 2 - the Sequel Showdown
Anyone comparing PG Soft's ways-to-win slots ends up weighing Mahjong Ways against its own sequel. One keeps the calmer original ceiling, the other pushes for a bigger multiplier. Two versions, two philosophies.
Mahjong Ways
- RTP: 96.95 %
- Max Win: 5,000x
- Mechanic: Tumble, Ways-to-Win
- Grid: 5x4
- Ways to Win: Up to 3,125
- Theme: Mahjong tile symbols
- Release: 2021
- Studio: PG Soft
- Strength: steadier volatility, approachable first session
- Weakness: lower max win ceiling than the sequel
Mahjong Ways 2
- RTP: 96.95 %
- Max Win: 20,000x
- Mechanic: Tumble, Ways-to-Win
- Grid: 5x4
- Ways to Win: Up to 3,125
- Theme: Mahjong tile symbols
- Release: 2022
- Studio: PG Soft
- Strength: higher 20,000x win ceiling
- Weakness: higher volatility, longer dry spells between big wins
Our Verdict: Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2 share the same 96.95 percent RTP, so neither wins on raw return. Mahjong Ways 2 wins on ceiling, with a 20,000x maximum against the original's 5,000x. Mahjong Ways wins on steadiness, since its lower volatility keeps sessions calmer for newer players. Beginners who want a gentler introduction should start with Mahjong Ways. Players chasing a bigger multiplier ceiling should move to Mahjong Ways 2.
Which PG Soft Slot Has the Best RTP? Ways of Qilin Wins
RTP (Return to Player) is the most important long-term indicator. Across 10,000 rounds, a single percentage point noticeably affects your balance.
| Rank | Game | RTP | Difference to Ways of Qilin | Expected Loss per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ways of Qilin (PG Soft) | 96.98 % | - | $30 |
| 2 | Dreams of Macau (PG Soft) | 96.97 % | -0.5 % | $30 |
| 3 | Mahjong Ways (PG Soft) | 96.95 % | -1.0 % | $31 |
| 4 | Mahjong Ways 2 (PG Soft) | 96.95 % | -1.5 % | $31 |
| 5 | Wild Bandito (PG Soft) | 96.63 % | -2.0 % | $34 |
| 6 | Fortune Ox (PG Soft) | 95 - 99 % | 96.63 % | $34 |
What this means: A player who spins $1,000 evenly across rounds loses roughly $30 on Ways of Qilin and around $34 on Wild Bandito or Fortune Ox, statistically. The $4 difference per $1,000 wagered looks small but adds up over months of play. An active player spins between $500 and $1,500 a session, which works out to $2 to $6 more expected loss per session on the lower-RTP titles.
Caveat: RTP is a long-term figure. In a single session, variance runs far wider than the RTP gap between titles. Five hardcore rounds on any of these six slots can wipe a balance or double it. RTP only evens out across thousands of rounds.
Casinos With the Full Lineup - JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet, 22Bet
Five operators cover this six-slot PG Soft lineup between them. JooCasino and 22Bet carry all six titles side by side.
| Casino | License | Mahjong Ways | Mahjong Ways 2 | Wild Bandito | Ways of Qilin | Dreams of Macau | Fortune Ox | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JooCasino | Curaçao | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50 Free Spins, No Wagering |
| Melbet | Curacao | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 50 Free Spins on selected slots, min £10 deposit |
| Lucky Dreams | Curacao | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 100% deposit match up to £100 + 88 Free Spins |
| GG.Bet | Curacao | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 100% deposit match up to £100 + 50 Free Spins |
GG.Bet runs a broad PG Soft slot selection alongside a strong live chat team available around the clock. Deposits clear quickly by card or e-wallet, crypto support covers BTC, ETH and USDT, and it processes withdrawals fastest among the five casinos in this comparison.
22Bet pairs its full PG Soft lineup with fast payouts. E-wallet withdrawals typically land within four hours, and verification usually clears on the first day. Its slot section carries the complete six-game lineup from Mahjong Ways to Fortune Ox, with deposit options including e-wallets, Jeton and Dogecoin.
JooCasino is our best value pick. Verification typically clears in under two hours, and its welcome offer comes with no code needed , just 50 free spins on Mahjong Ways with a 0x wagering requirement, a £5 max stake per spin, and all six PG Soft titles in this comparison unlocked for 30 days.
Melbet holds a Curacao license, the same jurisdiction as the rest of this lineup. Deposits accept paysafecard up to $500 anonymously. Dreams of Macau is the one title missing from its PG Soft section, but the other five games in this comparison are all live. The welcome offer runs 50 free spins on selected slots with a min £10 deposit, a 30x wagering requirement, and code MELBET50.
Lucky Dreams focuses on free spins. Its welcome offer pairs a 100% deposit match up to £100 with 88 free spins on Mahjong Ways, no code needed, though a 50% game contribution and 30x wagering apply. Ways of Qilin and Dreams of Macau are missing from its lineup. Licensed in Curacao, active since 2021.
Casino Licensing - are these six PG Soft slots independently certified?
The short answer: yes. All six games in this comparison, Mahjong Ways, Mahjong Ways 2, Wild Bandito, Ways of Qilin, Dreams of Macau and Fortune Ox, are audited and certified by independent testing laboratories rather than licensed the way a casino operator is.
PG Soft submits its full slot catalogue to independent testing laboratories such as iTechLabs or GLI, which audit the random number generator and verify the published RTP figures before a title reaches any casino. The model that applies here is standard RNG-lab certification, not a blockchain-style provably fair system. There is no server seed, no client seed and no hash a player checks themselves. That kind of seed verification belongs to crash and instant-win crypto games, not to ways-to-win video slots like this six-game lineup.
Slot certification and casino licensing are two separate layers. The RNG audit covers fairness of the math model itself, while the casino offering the game separately holds its own gambling license, most often issued in Curacao for the five operators compared here.
For players, the practical takeaway is straightforward: check that the RNG certificate exists for the slot, then check that the casino itself carries a valid, current gambling license before depositing. JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet all currently hold Curacao licenses, though availability and terms can shift by region.
The six games line up closely on certification approach even where their math models differ. Mahjong Ways and Mahjong Ways 2 share the same 5x4 grid and RNG audit trail. Wild Bandito's tighter 5x3 grid runs the same lab-tested process. Ways of Qilin and Dreams of Macau, PG Soft's higher-RTP entries, follow an identical certification path, and Fortune Ox's fixed-payline structure is audited the same way despite its different mechanic.
From the studio's side, this is a relationship with testing labs and individual casino operators rather than a single national gambling regulator. PG Soft renews its RNG certification periodically as new titles join the lineup, and each casino renews its own operating license independently on its own schedule.
Certification Status of the Six Games
- Mahjong Ways: independently lab-certified RNG
- Mahjong Ways 2: independently lab-certified RNG
- Wild Bandito: independently lab-certified RNG
- Ways of Qilin: independently lab-certified RNG
- Dreams of Macau: independently lab-certified RNG
- Fortune Ox: independently lab-certified RNG
- Casino license status as of: 11.03.2026
Source: publicly listed casino license registries. Not legal advice, consult a professional if in doubt.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these six PG Soft slots has the best RTP?
What separates Mahjong Ways from Mahjong Ways 2?
Is Mahjong Ways 2 better than Mahjong Ways?
Which of these six slots has the highest maximum win?
Are these PG Soft slots licensed, and which casinos offer them?
Which casino carries the full six-game lineup?
Which of these slots suits beginners best?
What's the difference between a ways-to-win slot and a fixed-payline slot?
Bottom Line - Which Game Suits Which Player?
Of the six PG Soft titles compared here, Mahjong Ways leaves this comparison as the steadiest all-rounder. Its 96.95 percent RTP sits mid-pack rather than top, but the 5x4 grid and moderate volatility keep sessions predictable, and it's one of the titles carried by every casino compared, alongside 22Bet's full slate. Ways of Qilin takes the RTP crown at 96.98 percent for players chasing marginal edge. Mahjong Ways 2 is the better pick for anyone wanting a bigger ceiling at 20,000 times the stake. Dreams of Macau suits players who want a wider 6x4 grid and more ways to win. Wild Bandito fits players who prefer a tighter 5x3 grid and a bandit theme. Fortune Ox stays the gentlest entry point for a first session.
None of the six games in this comparison run on a single national license. PG Soft's slots are RNG-certified by independent labs, and the casinos that carry them, JooCasino, Melbet, Lucky Dreams, GG.Bet and 22Bet, hold their own Curacao licenses. JooCasino and 22Bet cover the full lineup. Start in demo mode, then move to real-money play at a stake you're comfortable with. You must be 18 or older, and Gambling Therapy offers free online support 24/7 if things stop feeling fun.