Hacksaw Gaming makes the pokies you play when you want your heart rate up. Wanted Dead or a Wild, Le Bandit, Chaos Crew, Hand of Anubis, Stack ‘Em: these are high-volatility games with max wins in the tens of thousands times your bet, and they’ll happily eat a session budget in ten minutes. I’ve tested a stack of them with my own money, and they’re equal parts thrilling and humbling.
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18+ only. Offshore sites are not licensed in Australia. Gamble responsibly: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858. We may earn a commission; the order reflects our own testing.
Who is Hacksaw Gaming?
Hacksaw is a younger studio, founded around 2018, with roots in Sweden and its licensing base in Malta. It actually started out making instant-win scratch cards before switching to pokies, and that shows in its style: bold cartoonish art, simple screens, and maths built around big moments. It grew fast on crypto-friendly offshore sites and streaming, and it’s now one of the most recognised names among Aussie punters who play online.
Like every studio, it holds no Australian licence for online casino games, because none exists. Its games reach Aussies through offshore casinos under Curaçao, Anjouan and similar licences.
The Hacksaw pokies Aussies love
- Wanted Dead or a Wild Western theme, three bonus modes, and a reputation for either nothing or everything.
- Le Bandit A cheeky raccoon, golden squares and gold coins. Popular and very streaky.
- Chaos Crew Punk cartoon style with multiplier wilds. The one that put Hacksaw on the map.
- Hand of Anubis Egyptian cluster-style game with multiplier upgrades; gorgeous and savage.
- Stack ‘Em Simple look, stacking wilds, surprisingly punchy.
Hacksaw volatility: what you’re signing up for
Most Hacksaw games are rated high or very high volatility. In plain terms, you’ll see a lot of dead spins, small wins that don’t cover your bet, and a bonus that might pay 5x or 5,000x. On a $0.40 spin, a $40 session can last 100 spins, or 30. In our tests the swings were bigger than anything I’ve seen from older studios.
That’s not a flaw, it’s the design. But it means bankroll discipline matters more. I use a hard stop and a session timer. Our five bankroll rules are written with games like these in mind, and volatility explained covers the theory.
Hacksaw RTP versions
This is the big gotcha. Hacksaw offers many games at a range of RTP settings, and some offshore sites run versions well below the headline figure. A game that can run around 96% might sit a few points lower at a particular casino. The in-game info screen shows the version, so I check it every time before playing for real.
Heads up: The bonus buy often has its own RTP, listed separately in the rules. On some Hacksaw titles, buying the feature is priced at 100x to 400x your bet. That’s a lot of money in one click.
Bonus buys on Hacksaw games
Hacksaw is known for tiered bonus buys: a cheaper entry feature and pricier top modes that start with better multipliers. They’re fun to watch on streams. At home, with your own cash, they drain fast. I bought Le Bandit’s feature five times at $0.20 stake as a test, and got back less than half of what I spent. One tiny sample proves nothing about long-run RTP, but it does show what it feels like. See are bonus buys worth it for the full sums.
Is Hacksaw good for bonus play?
Usually not. Many offshore casinos cap bet sizes and ban bonus buys while you’re clearing a bonus, and high-volatility games make clearing wagering a lottery. If you’re working through a welcome offer, check our wagering requirements explainer and the max bet rule trap first.
What we like
- Genuinely original game ideas and art
- Huge max win potential
- Clear rules screens with RTP listed
What bugs us
- Brutal volatility for small bankrolls
- Lower RTP versions common on offshore sites
- Bonus buys priced high
I only play Hacksaw with money I’ve already written off as entertainment. If you’d be upset losing it in ten spins, pick a gentler game.
For more studios and how they compare, head back to our software providers hub.
Is Hacksaw Gaming legit?
Yes, Hacksaw is an established studio licensed in regulated markets, with games tested by independent labs. Offshore casinos carrying its games are still not licensed in Australia.
What is Hacksaw Gaming’s most popular pokie?
Wanted Dead or a Wild, Le Bandit and Chaos Crew are among the most played Hacksaw games.
What is the RTP of Hacksaw games?
Many sit around 96% at their top setting, but lower versions exist and are used by some sites. Check the in-game info screen.
Are Hacksaw pokies high volatility?
Most are high or very high volatility, meaning long dry spells and rare big wins.
Can I play Hacksaw games for free?
Yes, demo versions are widely available on the studio’s site and at many casinos.