All Barcrest Slot Demos
Rainbow Riches Megaways
Dr Jekyll Goes Wild
Rainbow Riches Power Mix
Rainbow Riches Rainbow Frenzy
Rainbow Riches Cash Cluster
Monopoly Hot Property
Dragon Spin Pick N Mix
Rainbow Riches Race Day
About Barcrest
Barcrest began in Manchester in 1968 as a two-person workshop, and over the following five decades grew into one of the most influential names in British gambling history, dominating the UK’s physical gaming machine market for three decades before online slots existed.
Two Barcrest inventions shaped the entire industry: the five-reel slot format, at a time when three reels were standard, and the board game-style breakout bonus round. Both became templates every other studio eventually followed. IGT acquired Barcrest in 1998, before selling it to Scientific Games (later Light and Wonder) in 2011, where it remains today alongside SG Digital.
The catalogue’s crown jewel is Rainbow Riches, originally released in 2008 with three bonus rounds (Road to Riches, Pots of Gold, and Wishing Well) that became one of the most played slots in British history. It’s since spawned an entire franchise, including Rainbow Riches Megaways, Pick n Mix, and Slingo variants.
Barcrest’s other major contribution is the Big Bet mechanic, found in titles like Ooh Aah Dracula and Monopoly Big Event, letting players stake higher across five linked spins for boosted RTPs, in Ooh Aah Dracula’s case, climbing from 96% to 99%. Many credit it as the conceptual forerunner of modern bonus buy features. The wider catalogue spans Thai Flower, Viking’s Ransom, and Legend of Bigfoot, covering everything from mythology to classic pub slot nostalgia.
RTPs typically sit between 94-96%, which is the industry average, rising significantly during Big Bet play, with medium volatility across most releases. All games are licensed by the UKGC and MGA, with independent testing by GLI.
“Grew up seeing Barcrest machines everywhere and Rainbow Riches has been part of my life since before I was old enough to play it properly. The Road to Riches bonus is still one of the most exciting features in any slot. A legendary studio and the games still hold up brilliantly.” Jamie R, Founder & Slot Streamer
“I’d play Barcrest for the Big Bet mechanic alone. You stake more across five linked spins, but on Ooh Aah Dracula the RTP climbs from 96% to 99%, which is worth the extra outlay. Most of their games run medium volatility too, so sessions tend to be steady rather than spiky.” Alex R, Slots Reviewer
FAQs about Barcrest
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How long has Barcrest actually been making slots?
Since 1968, making Barcrest one of the oldest slot developers in the world. Founded in Manchester with just two employees, the studio spent its first three decades producing physical gaming machines that dominated pubs, arcades, and bookmakers across Britain before expanding into online development. Today the brand operates under the Light and Wonder umbrella following acquisitions by IGT in 1998 and Scientific Games in 2011. -
What is the Big Bet mechanic and why is it significant?
Big Bet allows players to wager a fixed higher stake, typically around £20, across five linked spins in exchange for enhanced RTPs and improved bonus mechanics. During Big Bet play, Ooh Aah Dracula’s RTP rises from 96% to 99%, and similar enhancements apply across other eligible titles. Industry observers widely credit the Big Bet system as the conceptual predecessor to the bonus buy features that now appear across the majority of modern online slots. -
Why is Rainbow Riches so significant in British gambling history?
Released originally in 2008 as a physical machine, Rainbow Riches became one of the most played slots in UK history through its three-bonus structure covering Road to Riches, Pots of Gold, and Wishing Well. The game spawned an entire franchise including Megaways, Slingo, Pick n Mix, and multiple variant releases. Its cultural footprint across British pubs, bookmakers, and online casinos is almost unmatched by any single slot from any studio. -
Who distributes Barcrest games online?
Barcrest operates as a brand within Light and Wonder, formerly Scientific Games, distributed through the SG Digital platform. Games are available across a wide range of major operators and are licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, with all titles independently audited by GLI.
Every demo we host from this studio (34)
All Barcrest demos 34
- 7s On Fire 95.1%
- Action Bank 95.16%
- Barkin Mad 96%
- Beetlejuice Megaways 96%
- Boulder Bucks 94.09%
- Cash Stax 94.12%
- Dr Jekyll Goes Wild 96%
- Dragon Spin Pick N Mix 96%
- Golden Chief 96.02%
- Hercules High Mighty 96%
- Jewel In The Crown 98%
- Kings Honour 97.75%
- Lady Of Avalon 96%
- Legend Of The Pharaohs 98.1%
- Monopoly Bring The House Down 96.1%
- Monopoly Hot Property 95%
- MONOPOLY On The Money 94%
- Pearl Of The Caribbean 98%
- Rainbow Riches 95%
- Rainbow Riches Cash Cluster 89.13%
- Rainbow Riches Cluster Magic 96.34%
- Rainbow Riches Fortune Favours 97.7%
- Rainbow Riches Free Spins 95.17%
- Rainbow Riches Megaways 95.9%
- Rainbow Riches Power Mix 96.09%
- Rainbow Riches Race Day 96.25%
- Rainbow Riches Rainbow Frenzy 95%
- Rainbow Riches Reels Of Gold 96%
- Reel Em In Lobster Potty 96%
- Soldier Of Rome 95.8%
- Valkyrie Fire 96%
- Vampire Desire 96%
- Wild Times 98%
- Winfall 96%
Victoria Thompson
Slots Reviewer
Jamie Rosen
Online Casino & iGaming Expert