The sound of a pickaxe striking rock, the glimmer of gold in the dark, and the rush of uncovering hidden riches—these are the elements that define the age-old dream of striking it big. In the world of online slots, Drill That Gold captures this dream and turns it into an exciting and rewarding slot experience. Developed by Pragmatic Play, this mining-themed slot takes players deep underground, where every spin is a journey toward potential fortune.
This article explores everything you need to know about Drill That Gold, from its core mechanics and bonus features to visual appeal and strategies. Whether you’re a casual spinner or a seasoned prospector, this game offers something to dig into—literally.
1. Introduction – Digging for Digital Gold
Drill That Gold is a video slot launched in April 2022 by Pragmatic Play, one of the industry’s most respected developers. It builds on the popular mining theme that has resonated well with slot fans, offering classic elements like pickaxes, helmets, carts, and most importantly—gold!
What sets this game apart is the Drill Feature, which transforms standard symbols into wilds, as well as random modifiers and free spins that boost your winning potential.
Game Overview:
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Developer: Pragmatic Play
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Release Date: April 2022
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Reels: 5
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Rows: 3
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Paylines: 20
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RTP: 96.49%
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Volatility: High
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Max Win: 5,000x your stake
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Theme: Mining, Gold Rush
With a strong mathematical model and high-quality visuals, Drill That Gold delivers an engaging experience that rewards patience and lucky timing.
2. Visual and Audio Design – Into the Depths
The game takes place deep inside a dark and mysterious mine, where flickering lanterns and wooden supports line the walls. The reels are framed by sturdy mining beams, and symbols drop onto the grid like tools falling from a worker’s belt. It’s atmospheric, immersive, and well-designed.
Visual Highlights:
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Rich, detailed 3D graphics
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Smooth animations for symbol drops and effects
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Visual transformation when Drill Feature activates
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Subtle background animations like dust and swinging lanterns
The audio side complements the visuals perfectly. You’ll hear the sounds of drills, clinking gold, and a suspenseful soundtrack that builds during bonuses and winning combos. It’s not overly flashy, but it sets the perfect tone for a subterranean adventure.
3. Symbols and Payouts – Tools of the Trade
Drill That Gold features a mix of classic slot symbols and theme-specific icons that enhance the mining atmosphere.
Low-paying Symbols:
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10, J, Q, K, A – Styled in steel, representing metal tools.
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Payouts: 0.25x to 2x for 5-of-a-kind.
High-paying Symbols:
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Pickaxe
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Helmet
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Lantern
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Mine Cart
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Miner (Gold Digger) – Top symbol, paying 25x your stake for 5 in a row.
Special Symbols:
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Wild – Replaces any symbol except bonus.
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Bonus (Gold Drill) – Triggers free spins.
All wins are paid left to right across 20 paylines, starting from reel 1.
4. Main Game Features – Where the Fun Begins
The base game of Drill That Gold is entertaining on its own, but it truly shines when its features kick in. Let’s dig into them.
A. Drill Feature (Wild Drill)
Whenever a full stack of Miner symbols lands on a reel, it transforms into a wild drill. This wild drill then:
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Turns the entire reel into wilds, increasing your chance of winning combinations.
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Replaces regular symbols, boosting payout potential.
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Can occur randomly or during Free Spins.
It’s one of the game’s core mechanics and a key source of excitement. The animations and sound effects when a drill activates add an adrenaline rush to your gameplay.
5. Free Spins Bonus – Strike the Vein!
Trigger:
Land 3 or more Bonus Symbols (Gold Drills) to trigger the Free Spins Feature.
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3 Bonus Symbols = 6 Free Spins
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4 Bonus Symbols = 8 Free Spins
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5 Bonus Symbols = 10 Free Spins
Inside the Bonus:
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Each time a miner lands fully stacked, it guarantees a cash prize or a wild.
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Cash Prizes range from 2x to 100x your stake.
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Drill reels are more frequent during this round.
You can also retrigger the free spins by landing 3 or more bonus symbols during the feature.
This bonus round is not only fun but also highly lucrative, especially with stacked wilds and cash awards active throughout.
6. Spin Modifier – Random Boosts on Any Spin
In the base game, the spin modifier can trigger at any time, transforming a losing spin into a winner by:
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Adding random wilds
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Transforming symbols
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Triggering the drill feature unexpectedly
This “second chance” system keeps gameplay unpredictable and engaging even when the reels seem cold.
7. Betting Options, RTP & Volatility
Betting Range:
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Minimum Bet: $0.20
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Maximum Bet: $100
This wide range caters to both casual players and high rollers.
RTP (Return to Player):
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Default is 96.49%, which is above average.
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Bonus Buy RTP (if available) is slightly higher at 96.60%.
Volatility:
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High volatility means you can expect larger but less frequent wins. It’s a slot built for thrill-seekers and experienced players.
8. Max Win – Hit the Motherlode
The maximum win in Drill That Gold is capped at 5,000x your total bet. While not the highest in the market, it’s still a significant payout, especially if you’re betting at higher stakes.
The best chance to hit this win comes during the Free Spins round with multiple stacked wild drills and bonus payouts combining for explosive results.
9. Mobile Compatibility – Mining on the Move
Drill That Gold is built using HTML5, which ensures perfect performance on mobile and tablet devices. Whether you’re playing on Android, iOS, or even Chromebook, the game runs smoothly.
Mobile Features:
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One-handed gameplay support
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Optimized controls and visuals
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Touch-sensitive UI
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Fast loading times
You can take the mine with you wherever you go—digging for gold has never been easier.
10. Bonus Buy Option (If Available)
Some versions of the game offer a Buy Bonus Feature, allowing you to purchase direct entry to the Free Spins round for 80x your bet.
This shortcut skips the base game grind, but use it wisely—high volatility means big risks as well as big rewards.
11. Tips & Strategies – Be a Smart Prospector
Although slots are random by nature, here are some smart strategies to improve your experience:
1. Start in Demo Mode
Practice the game using fake credits to learn features and volatility.
2. Watch for Stacked Miners
Pay attention to reels where Miner symbols appear often—they can turn into wild drills at any time.
3. Don’t Chase Losses
It’s easy to get pulled into a “just one more spin” mindset. Set limits and stick to them.
4. Use Bonus Buy Carefully
If your budget allows, the Buy Bonus feature can provide faster access to big wins—but it’s risky.
5. Play at High RTP Casinos
Always select a casino offering the 96.49% version, as some platforms may reduce the payout percentage.
12. Why Players Love It – Community Feedback
Players are buzzing about Drill That Gold for several reasons:
✅ Unique Wild Drill mechanic
✅ Generous Free Spins with multipliers and payouts
✅ Great RTP for a high volatility game
✅ Mobile-optimized experience
✅ Fresh twist on the mining slot genre
Many players appreciate how Pragmatic Play keeps the game simple yet rewarding, with enough variation to stay exciting after hundreds of spins.
13. Comparison with Similar Games
If you enjoy Drill That Gold, you may also like:
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Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming) – The original mining-themed Megaways hit
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Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) – More laid-back, but similar in bonus excitement
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Dwarven Gold (Pragmatic Play) – A fantasy mining twist with friendly characters
Among these, Drill That Gold stands out for its stacked wilds mechanic and guaranteed cash prizes in the bonus round.
14. Final Thoughts – Is Drill That Gold Worth Playing?
Drill That Gold is a solid addition to the Pragmatic Play portfolio. With its rich theme, engaging bonus features, and generous payout structure, it ticks most of the boxes for what makes a great online slot.
It’s best suited for players who enjoy:
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High volatility gameplay
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Feature-rich base game and bonuses
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Unique mechanics like the Drill Wilds
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Visually appealing, fast-paced slot sessions
The RTP is favorable, the features are exciting, and the potential for big wins is real. While the 5,000x cap is modest compared to other titles, the journey to get there is packed with action.
So grab your helmet, fuel up the drill, and head deep into the mines—your fortune might be just one spin away.