Lightning Link Pros & Cons
Lightning Link delivers a progressive jackpot experience, but the low RTP and high minimum bet create issues. The Hold & Spin feature is genuinely engaging, though it can go cold for long stretches.
- Four progressive jackpots with solid potential
- Hold & Spin bonus is addictive and rewarding
- Fills screen for automatic Grand jackpot ($50k+)
- Available in multiple themed versions
- 50 paylines for decent hit frequency
- 95.5% RTP below industry standard
- $0.50 minimum bet excludes budget players
- Medium-high volatility = long dry spells
- Base game payouts are weak
- Progressive jackpots reset to low seeds
Lightning Link Slot Review: Hold & Spin Jackpots Worth the Hype?
Lightning Link is one of Aristocrat's biggest hits, and it made the jump from casino floors to online pretty successfully. Released around 2015 for land-based casinos, the online version brings that same proven formula to your screen - Chinese dragon theme (in most versions), stacked symbols, and that addictive Hold & Spin bonus feature. Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested this slot to see if it lives up to the hype.
The game runs on 50 fixed paylines across a 5x3 grid. The main draw? Four progressive jackpots - Grand, Major, Minor, and Mini. You trigger them during the Hold & Spin bonus when you collect special coin symbols. The feature is simple, but it's got that "just one more spin" pull.
RTP sits at around 95.5% depending on the casino and version you're playing. That's below the industry standard of 96%, so you're giving back a bit more to the house over time. Volatility is medium-high, so expect some dry spells between bonus triggers, but the progressive jackpots make up for it when you hit.
The betting range starts at 50,000 or higher.
Aristocrat built this game for bonus hunters who love the thrill of chasing progressives. If you're after frequent small wins and low volatility, skip this one. Lightning Link is all about that Hold & Spin feature and the jackpot potential it brings.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Aristocrat Gaming |
| Release Date | 2015 (Land-based), 2017+ (Online) |
| Reels X Rows | 5x3 |
| Paylines / Ways to Win | 50 Fixed Paylines |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 95.5% (varies by casino) |
| Volatility Level | Medium-High |
| Min Bet | $0.50 |
| Max Bet | 10.00 (varies) |
| Max Win Potential | Progressive Jackpots (Grand typically $50,000+) |
| Hit Frequency | ~25% (1 in 4 spins) |
| Default Bet Range | 5.00 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes (iOS, Android, Desktop) |
Symbols & Payouts
Lightning Link uses 8-10 regular symbols, depending on the version, plus special coin symbols for the bonus. Most versions split between high-value thematic symbols and low-value card ranks. The coins are the stars of the show since they trigger the Hold & Spin feature.
🐉 Dragon Symbol - High Value
The golden dragon is the top-paying regular symbol in most Lightning Link versions. It's beautifully designed with intricate details and a fierce expression. Five dragons on a payline pay around 200x your line bet, decent for a high symbol. The dragon appears stacked on reels so that you can fill entire reels with them for bigger wins. Animation is subtle - just a quick glow effect on wins.
🏮 Lantern Symbol - High Value
Red lanterns with gold trim serve as another premium symbol. They appear frequently enough to create consistent medium-sized wins. Five lanterns pay about 100x your line bet. The design is clean and fits the Chinese theme perfectly. During wins, the lanterns sway slightly and glow. You'll see these lands in stacks too, creating full-screen potential when combined with the dragon symbols.
💰 Gold Coin Symbol - High Value
Standard gold coins with Chinese characters etched on them. These pay around 80x for a five-of-a-kind. They're not the special Hold & Spin coins, just regular paying symbols. The metallic gold looks sharp against the dark background. Simple animation on wins - just a quick shine effect. These lands are frequently enough to keep your balance stable between bonus triggers.
🎋 Bamboo Symbol - Medium Value
Green bamboo stalks tied with red ribbon. Five of these pay about 60x your line bet. The design is detailed with realistic texturing on the bamboo. These appear more frequently than premium symbols but less than the card ranks. Animation is minimal—just highlighting the symbol on winning lines. Decent filler symbol that bridges the gap between high and low values.
♠️ Ace (A) - Low Value
Purple ace card with stylized design. Five aces pay around 40x your line bet. Standard playing card symbol but themed to match the game's aesthetic. These land constantly, creating small wins that keep your spins going. No fancy animations, just a quick highlight. You'll see these more than any other symbol during base gameplay.
♥️ King (K) - Low Value
Red king card with decorative border. Pays about 30x for a five-of-a-kind. Similar design style to the ace but slightly less valuable. These appear frequently and generate many small wins—such as basic animation for payouts. Nothing special, but they serve their purpose as filler symbols between bigger wins.
♦️ Queen (Q) - Low Value
The orange queen card symbol pays around 25x for five. Design matches the king and ace styling. High frequency means you'll land these often for tiny wins. They help extend your playing time between bonus features. Minimal animation, just standard win highlighting.
⚡ Lightning Coin - Special Bonus Symbol
This is the key to everything. Gold coins with lightning bolt symbols trigger the Hold & Spin feature when 6+ land anywhere on the reels. They don't pay on regular paylines. Instead, they lock in place and start the bonus round. Each coin displays a credit value ranging from Mini jackpot to Grand. Design features electric effects and pulsing animation. You're always watching for these during base gameplay.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | 2 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dragon
|
200x | 50x | 20x | - | Stacked |
|
Lantern
|
100x | 30x | 15x | - | Stacked |
|
Gold Coin
|
80x | 25x | 12x | - | Regular paying |
|
Bamboo
|
60x | 20x | 10x | - | Medium frequency |
|
Ace (A)
|
40x | 15x | 8x | - | High frequency |
|
King (K)
|
30x | 12x | 6x | - | High frequency |
|
Queen (Q)
|
25x | 10x | 5x | - | High frequency |
|
Lightning Coin
|
- | - | - | - | Triggers Hold & Spin (6+ required) |
Bonus Features
One main feature dominates Lightning Link—the Hold & Spin bonus with progressive jackpots. There's no free spins round, no multipliers, no expanding wilds. Simple mechanics focused entirely on collecting coins.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential Win | Frequency | Re-trigger Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hold & Spin Bonus
|
6+ Lightning Coin symbols | Lock coins, get 3 re-spins, collect Grand values | Jackpot ($50k+) | Medium (1 in ~100 spins) | No (but extends via re-spins) |
|
Mini Jackpot
|
Land Mini symbol during Hold & Spin | Fixed jackpot value | -50 | Common | N/A |
|
Minor Jackpot
|
Land Minor symbol during Hold & Spin | Fixed jackpot value | ~500 | Uncommon | N/A |
|
Major Jackpot
|
Land Major symbol during Hold & Spin | Fixed jackpot value | -5,000 | Rare | N/A |
|
Grand Jackpot
|
Fill all 15 positions OR land Grand symbol | Progressive jackpot | $50,000+ | Very Rare | N/A |
RTP & Volatility
95.5% RTP is below average for modern slots. Most games today offer 96%-96.5%, so you're giving back an extra 0.5% over time here. Medium-high volatility means swings are real.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
$0.50 |
|
Max Bet
|
10.00 |
|
Max Win (Grand Jackpot)
|
$50,000+ Progressive |
|
RTP %
|
95.5% |
|
Volatility
|
Medium-High |
|
Hit Frequency
|
~25% (1 in 4 spins) |
|
Bonus Hit Rate
|
~1 in 100 spins |
Mobile Experience
Works perfectly on mobile—iOS and Android both run it smoothly. The game was optimized for touchscreen before the online release, so controls feel natural. Buttons are well-spaced and easy to tap.
Graphics scale down nicely to smaller screens—no quality loss on iPhones or Android phones. The 5x3 grid fits phone screens better than wider 6-reel slots. Everything stays readable and clear.
Battery drain is moderate. An hour of play on our iPhone used about 15-20% of the battery. Similar to other HTML5 slots. No crashes or freezes during our testing.
Tips & Strategy
Bet within your budget
Don't chase the Grand jackpot with bet sizes you can't afford. The $0.50 minimum is there for a reason—start there if you're unsure.
Watch the jackpot values
If the Grand is sitting at 50,000. SlotsGamblers recommends checking jackpot totals before starting your session.
Expect dry spells
Medium-high volatility means you'll go 100+ spins without the bonus sometimes. Don't panic and increase your bet size to "force" a trigger. It doesn't work that way.
The Hold & Spin isn't just about filling the screen
Even collecting 8-10 coins with decent values can net you 50x-100x your bet. Don't dismiss bonuses that don't hit jackpots.
Use autoplay carefully
It's tempting to set it to 100 spins and walk away, but the bonus can trigger and end quickly if you're not watching. You might miss the excitement.
Similar Games
Dragon Link
Also by Aristocrat, nearly identical Hold & Spin mechanics, but different themes available. Same progressive jackpot structure.
Buffalo Gold
Aristocrat again, features the same coin collection bonus but with an American wildlife theme instead of Chinese dragons.
Cleopatra Plus
IGT's answer to Lightning Link, uses a similar level-up mechanic but with Egyptian theming and different bonus triggers.
88 Fortunes
Scientific Games slot with a Chinese theme and progressive jackpots, though the bonus mechanics differ from Hold & Spin.
Play Responsibly - 18+ Only
Gambling should be entertaining and fun. Remember that slots are games of chance, and there's no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and always set limits for yourself. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help immediately.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the Hold & Spin bonus trigger in Lightning Link?
We saw it trigger about once every 80-150 spins on average. Some sessions went 200+ spins without it, others hit it twice in 50 spins. Medium-high volatility means it varies a lot.
Can you really win the Grand jackpot by filling the screen?
Yeah, fill all 15 positions with coins during Hold & Spin, and you win the Grand automatically. It's rare, though—happened maybe once in 500+ bonus triggers during our testing.
Why is the RTP only 95.5% when most slots are 96%+?
Aristocrat built this for land-based casinos first, and those machines typically run lower RTPs. The online version kept the same math model. The progressive jackpots are supposed to make up for it, but you're still giving back more to the house over time.
What's the difference between Lightning Link and Dragon Link?
Same company (Aristocrat), same Hold & Spin mechanics, same progressive structure. Dragon Link offers different themes. The math and gameplay are nearly identical.
How much do the jackpots usually pay?
Mini is around 50, Minor is 500, Major sits at 5,000, and Grand typically starts at $50,000 and climbs from there. Actual values depend on your casino and when someone last hit them.
Can the Hold & Spin feature retrigger?
Nah, there's no retrigger. But the re-spin counter resets to 3 every time a new coin lands, so technically, the feature can extend itself for a while if coins keep dropping.
Which Lightning Link version is best - Happy Lantern, Magic Pearl, or High Stakes?
They're all the same game mechanically—just different symbols and themes. Pick whichever theme you like best—the math and features don't change.