What makes Wanted Dead or a Wild different
Wanted Dead or a Wild is a 5-reel, 10-payline pokie by Hacksaw Gaming, released in 2022. It became one of the fastest-growing titles in the Wild West theme category and found a strong following among NZ players alongside Dead or Alive 2.
The game’s maximum win of 12,345x stake — deliberately chosen as a sequential number sequence — is achievable through stacked multiplier Wilds during the free spins round.
The Wanted Wild
The core Wild symbol expands to fill its entire reel when it lands. During free spins, each Wanted Wild also carries a random multiplier between 2x and 5x. Multiple Wilds on different reels multiply their values together — two 5x Wilds produce a 25x total multiplier applied to the payline win.
Free Spins
Three or more scatter symbols (the wanted poster) trigger free spins. The number of spins depends on how many scatters land:
- 3 scatters: 10 free spins
- 4 scatters: 15 free spins
- 5 scatters: 20 free spins
During free spins, Wilds are sticky — they remain locked on their reel for the duration of the round. Landing additional scatters during free spins adds spins to the counter.
Bounty feature
In the base game, some non-winning spins trigger a Bounty feature where a random cash prize is awarded without a reel win. This slightly reduces dead spin count during the base game, though it does not substantially affect session variance given the game’s overall high volatility.
RTP and volatility
Hacksaw Gaming publishes 96.38% RTP. Wanted Dead or a Wild is high-volatility — extended base game sessions with few significant wins are expected. The majority of the game’s value is concentrated in the free spins round.
What it costs per hour
At NZ$0.50 per spin and 400 spins per hour: NZ$200 wagered × 3.62% house edge = approximately NZ$7.20 expected loss per hour.
### Q: How does the multiplier work with multiple Wilds?
A: Each expanding Wild reel carries its own multiplier (2x–5x, randomly assigned). When multiple Wild reels contribute to the same winning line, their multipliers multiply together — not add. Two 3x Wilds produce 9x total; three 2x Wilds produce 8x total. The maximum combination of 5x × 5x × 5x applied to the highest-paying symbol across all paylines produces wins approaching the 12,345x ceiling.
### Q: Is Wanted Dead or a Wild available at NZ online casinos?
A: Hacksaw Gaming is licensed in multiple jurisdictions and their titles appear at the casinos listed on this page. Confirm availability in the casino’s game lobby before depositing.
### Q: How does Wanted Dead or a Wild compare to Dead or Alive 2?
A: Both are high-volatility Wild West pokies with sticky Wilds during free spins. Dead or Alive 2 has a higher maximum win (111,111x vs 12,345x) and three selectable bonus modes. Wanted Dead or a Wild has the Bounty feature in the base game and slightly higher minimum bet. The volatility level is comparable; Dead or Alive 2 has a higher ceiling for single sessions.
Playing Wanted Dead or a Wild at NZ casinos
Wanted Dead or a Wild returns 96.38% over the long run — well above the 78% minimum return required at NZ land-based pokies venues. At the NZ$0.20 minimum bet, the 3.62% house edge produces an expected hourly loss of approximately NZ$2.90 at 400 spins. At the NZ$100 maximum bet the expected hourly cost rises to approximately NZ$1,448. The 10-payline structure is narrow by modern standards, which concentrates wins onto fewer combinations and contributes to the high-volatility experience.
High volatility means this game is defined by infrequent large wins rather than regular small ones. The Bounty feature in the base game provides occasional cash prizes on non-winning spins, which helps sustain engagement during dry stretches, but the core value is concentrated in the free spins round where expanding sticky Wilds with multipliers accumulate. Base game sessions without a significant win over hundreds of spins are expected. Players should ensure their session budget accounts for extended base game play before a free spins trigger.
The 12,345x maximum win requires multiple expanding sticky Wilds each carrying 5x multipliers to combine on the same paylines simultaneously during free spins — a statistical edge case across millions of spins. At NZ$0.20 per spin it represents NZ$2,469; at NZ$100 it represents NZ$1,234,500. Expected hourly cost at NZ$0.20 minimum is approximately NZ$2.90; at a NZ$0.50 mid-range stake approximately NZ$7.24.
If gambling stops being fun, that is a signal to stop. Visit our responsible gambling page for NZ-specific support services including free counselling and self-exclusion options.
Q: What is the RTP of Wanted Dead or a Wild?
A: Wanted Dead or a Wild has an RTP of 96.38%. This means for every NZ$100 wagered over many sessions, the game returns an average of NZ$96.38 to players and keeps NZ$3.62 as the house edge. At NZ$0.20 per spin and approximately 400 spins per hour, the expected hourly loss is approximately NZ$2.90. Check the in-game information panel at your specific casino to confirm the RTP setting in use — some casinos apply lower settings.
Q: Is Wanted Dead or a Wild available at NZ casinos?
A: Yes. Wanted Dead or a Wild by Hacksaw Gaming is available at reviewed NZ casinos on this site. Check individual casino reviews for the current game library — availability can change as operators update their game catalogues.
Q: What is the maximum win on Wanted Dead or a Wild?
A: The stated maximum win is 12,345x your stake. At NZ$0.20 per spin this would be NZ$2,469.00. Maximum win figures represent the theoretical ceiling under optimal conditions — they are statistical outliers that occur rarely across millions of spins, not typical session outcomes.