Hacksaw Gaming: The Studio Behind Wanted Dead or a Wild — Top Slots, RTP & Features

Few studios have risen as fast as Hacksaw Gaming. It started in 2018 making scratch cards, pivoted to video slots, and within a few years had one of the most-played slots on earth in Wanted Dead or a Wild. Today it is a publicly listed games supplier with an instantly recognisable art style and a bonus-buy menu on practically every title. This guide covers who Hacksaw is, its best-known games, the truth about its RTP, and what to keep in mind before playing.

Who Is Hacksaw Gaming?

Hacksaw Gaming is a games developer, not a casino — it supplies slots and instant-win games that licensed casinos host, so deposits, bonuses, and withdrawals are handled by the operator, not by Hacksaw. The studio was founded in Malta in 2018 by Marcus Cordes, initially making mobile-first scratch cards and instant-win games before securing a UK Gambling Commission licence and pivoting to video slots in 2019. Its first slot, Stick ‘Em, launched that year, and the 2021 release Wanted Dead or a Wild turned it into a household name among slot players.

Two things set its background apart. First, Hacksaw is independent and publicly listed — it floated on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker HACK in 2025, rather than being absorbed by a larger group. Second, it has become a platform as well as a studio: its OpenRGS system, launched in 2023, now hosts several third-party developers. Hacksaw is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and a range of other regulated jurisdictions, and builds in mobile-first HTML5. You can see its full catalogue on the official Hacksaw Gaming website.

What Makes Hacksaw Different

Hacksaw’s signature is a cohesive, cartoon-style visual identity — its games are recognisable at a glance, a trait that helped them spread through the streaming and bonus-hunting community. Mechanically, the studio favours cluster pays and its own proprietary features such as DuelReels (the duelling reel sets in Wanted Dead or a Wild), Stack’n’Sync, and EchoSpins. Note that the xWays and xNudge mechanics are sometimes mistakenly attributed to Hacksaw — those belong to Nolimit City, not Hacksaw.

The other defining trait is bonus buy. Almost every Hacksaw slot lets you purchase the feature, often through a multi-tier menu with several price points rather than a single flat cost. That gives players control over risk, but it does not change the underlying odds — and on extreme-volatility games, buying repeatedly can drain a bankroll quickly.

Hacksaw Gaming’s Best-Known Slots

• Wanted Dead or a Wild — the Wild West slot that defined the studio, built on DuelReels and three distinct bonus modes (Great Train Robbery, Duel at Dawn, Dead Man’s Hand), with an advertised ceiling of roughly 12,500x.
• The Le Series — a run of titles starring Smokey the Raccoon, including Le Bandit, Le Cowboy, Le King, Le Zeus, Le Fisherman, and Le Santa, generally offering medium-to-high volatility and strong RTPs.
• Chaos Crew (1, 2, and 3) — a punk-themed franchise whose advertised max wins escalate across the series, reaching up to 30,000x on Chaos Crew 3.
• Hand of Anubis and RIP City — popular, more affordable bonus-hunt staples.

Max-win figures are advertised ceilings reached in extremely rare outcomes, not realistic expectations — treat them as the headline, not the plan.

Hacksaw Gaming RTP: What to Check

At their default (highest) setting, Hacksaw slots are among the more consistent in the market — most titles sit between roughly 96.0% and 96.48%, averaging around 96.27%, with very few falling below 96%. That is a genuine strength.

The caveat is configurability. Hacksaw games ship with multiple RTP versions, and the casino chooses which one to run — some operators set editions at 94% or lower. Unlike a few competitors, Hacksaw does not publicly publish which casino uses which setting, so you cannot verify it from the studio’s side. The only reliable check is the game’s own info panel: open it and read the actual RTP before you bet, because the same Hacksaw title can pay differently from one casino to the next.

Is Hacksaw Gaming Right for You?

Be realistic about the style. Most Hacksaw slots are high or extreme volatility, meaning long stretches of dead spins where the real value sits in the bonus round. They suit experienced players with a larger bankroll who enjoy short, high-intensity sessions — not players looking for steady, low-variance play. Some titles also lean into mature or genuinely dark themes (such as SixSixSix), which won’t be to everyone’s taste.

For more of our slots coverage, see our slot games hub. In this region, Hacksaw titles appear most often at crypto-friendly and global casinos rather than mainstream local platforms — wherever you play, stick to licensed casinos, check the in-game RTP, and set a budget you are comfortable losing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hacksaw Gaming legit and safe? Yes. Hacksaw is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and other regulators, its game math is independently audited, and it is a publicly listed company. The safety of your funds depends on the licensed casino you choose to play at.

Who owns Hacksaw Gaming? Hacksaw is independent and publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker HACK) since 2025. It was founded in Malta in 2018 by Marcus Cordes and is not owned by a larger gaming group.

What is Hacksaw Gaming’s most famous slot? Wanted Dead or a Wild, a Wild West title released in 2021 that became one of the most-played online slots globally and built the studio’s reputation.

What is the RTP of Hacksaw Gaming slots? At their default setting, most sit between roughly 96.0% and 96.48%, averaging around 96.27% — consistently above the industry norm. However, casinos can run lower-RTP versions, so always check the in-game info panel.

Why does the same Hacksaw game show different RTP at different casinos? Because Hacksaw supplies multiple RTP versions and each operator decides which to host. The studio does not publish per-casino settings, so the in-game paytable is the only reliable source.

Do all Hacksaw slots have a bonus buy? Almost all of them do, frequently through a multi-tier menu with several price points. Buying the bonus reaches the feature instantly but does not improve your odds of winning.

Are Hacksaw Gaming slots high risk? Mostly yes. The majority are high or extreme volatility, with payouts concentrated in bonus rounds. They are better suited to experienced players who can handle long losing streaks and larger bankroll swings.

Does Hacksaw make anything other than slots? Yes. The studio’s roots are in scratch cards and instant-win games, and it still produces a mobile-first scratch card range alongside its slots. It does not offer table games or live dealer products.

Are Hacksaw Gaming games mobile-friendly? Very. Hacksaw was a mobile-first studio from the start, building in HTML5 so its games run directly in a mobile browser on Android and iOS with no download.

Where can I play Hacksaw Gaming slots in Malaysia and Singapore? Hacksaw titles tend to appear at crypto-friendly and global casinos serving the region rather than mainstream local platforms. Always confirm licensing, withdrawal terms, and that the specific titles are available before signing up.