Our review of Hot Dragon cuts through the marketing and looks at what matters: how it plays and how it pays. Developed by Merkur, Hot Dragon arrives with a medium-variance maths model and a return-to-player rate of 95.98%. It's themed around dragon and plays out on a 5-reel grid running 20 paylines. The maximum win sits at 5,000x, so there's serious upside on the table. It first went live in 2020 and still earns its place today. Here's how it stacks up.
Written by Emma Roberts · Last updated: January 2026
At its core, Hot Dragon is a release produced by Merkur, dressed up with a dragon theme and powered by 5 reels and 20 paylines. The result is medium volatility paired with 95.98% RTP.
Where Hot Dragon earns its keep is the feature set. Look out for scatter symbols that unlock free spins and extra bonus rounds. Its medium variance balances steady wins with the odd larger payout. All told, it's a solid entry in the Merkur catalogue.
At 95.98%, the RTP is slightly below the industry average of ~96%. While this is typical for many popular slots, players should be aware of the slightly lower theoretical return.
A balanced volatility profile with a mix of smaller frequent wins and occasional larger bonus payouts. Suitable for players who want steady action without extreme swings.
About 1 in 3 spins results in a win. This is a moderate hit frequency that balances win frequency with payout size.
Hot Dragon features scatter symbols that can trigger free spins rounds. Landing the required number of scatter symbols anywhere on the reels activates the free spins feature, giving you extra chances to win without additional bets. During free spins, special modifiers may apply to boost your winning potential.
3.0 / 5 — Good
Hot Dragon by Merkur is a solid offering that delivers good entertainment value. The 95.98% RTP combined with medium volatility creates a well-balanced gaming experience.