Hacksaw
Hacksaw — provider review
Most slot studios do one of two things: either release their own games or sell technology to other developers. Hacksaw Gaming does both at once — a genuinely interesting trajectory for a relatively young company.
The studio burst onto the scene in 2018 in Malta — and started not with slots, but with scratch cards: instant games where you "scratch off" a protective layer to see if you've won. The first slot, Stick 'Em, only launched in 2020, but it's where the studio's signature style took hold: bold cartoon graphics, a 5×5 grid, and two types of bonus rounds. The company is led by Marcus Cordes, CEO. Today Hacksaw is licensed in Malta, the UK, Greece, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, and Ontario — enough to operate across most strictly regulated markets worldwide.
How Hacksaw turned from a slot studio into an infrastructure player
The company's portfolio counts over 100 in-house games, and the formula behind a successful slot — recognisable visuals, thoughtful bonus rounds, consistent volatility — has been refined to the point where the studio decided to sell that very formula. That's how OpenRGS™ came about: a remote gaming server platform where third-party developers build their own game clients on Hacksaw's proven frontend, while the studio itself handles the entire backend — math configuration, server logic, and compliance across more than 20 regulated markets.
In effect, a partner gets access to the same technical foundation that Le Bandit, Chaos Crew, and other studio hits are built on, with full freedom over their own game design. The flexible engine model supports working with either the client's own math or Hacksaw's ready-made solution.
💡 Hacksaw Ventures — from selling technology to investing in competitors
A natural extension of OpenRGS™ was the launch of Hacksaw Ventures — an investment and acceleration arm that backs early-stage game studios and technology platforms. Residents get more than capital: they gain direct access to Hacksaw's distribution network, regulatory-compliance testing expertise, and mentorship in product and marketing. In effect, a studio that started with scratch cards is now growing the next generation of competitors — and profiting from their success.
Just two genres, but both refined into a signature style
Despite its technology ambitions, Hacksaw itself develops only two types of games — video slots and scratch cards — with no plans to branch into other genres. All products are built on HTML5 with a mobile-first priority, but work equally well on desktop. The range of instant-win options gives players a choice: cash out early or ride it out for the final result.
Hacksaw Gaming's top slots
| Slot | Volatility | Win type | RTP (versions) | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Bandit | 3/5 | Cluster Pays | 96.34% / 94.23% / 92.17% / 88.36% | x10,000 |
| Chaos Crew | 5/5 | 19 paylines | 96.30% / 92.40% / 88.40% | x10,000 |
| R.I.P. City | 3/5 | 19 paylines | 96.22% / 94.27% / 92.32% / 88.02% | x12,500 |
Le Bandit is built on cluster wins with a Super Cascades mechanic and Golden Squares, while three separate bonus modes — Luck of the Bandit, All That Glitters Is Gold, and Treasure at the End of the Rainbow — each play out differently. A buy-bonus option and the signature BonusHunt FeatureSpins™, which boosts the odds of triggering a bonus round for a higher stake, are both available.
Chaos Crew brings a punk-flavoured urban theme to a 5×5 grid with the highest volatility in this lineup (5/5). The Cranky Cat symbol multiplies wins along its line, and multiple Cranky Cats on the same line multiply each other. Multipliers collected during the bonus are stored above the reels until three "strikes" end the round — at which point everything gathered is multiplied by the stake and paid out in one go.
R.I.P. City is a cartoon cat-and-mouse chase on a 5×5 grid with the highest cap in this lineup — x12,500. Two separate bonus modes, Ro$$ and Maxx, each offer a different way of accumulating wild symbols, while the signature FeatureSpins™ option either boosts the odds of a bonus (BonusHunt) or guarantees two or three Wild Cats on every spin (Wild Cat FeatureSpins™), depending on the price chosen.
⚠️ Every Hacksaw slot ships with three to four RTP versions
All three studio hits officially publish several payout versions — ranging from 88% to 96.3%. The casino operator chooses the specific version, so it's worth checking the exact RTP figure in the game's info window on your own platform before playing, rather than assuming the top of the range.
Who should look into Hacksaw Gaming's slots?
What players like
- A recognisable signature style — cartoon graphics and a 5×5 grid in nearly every hit
- The signature FeatureSpins™ option for flexible control over bonus odds
- OpenRGS™ technology mature enough that third-party developers use it themselves
- A broad licensing base across strictly regulated markets in Europe and North America
What to keep in mind
- RTP ships in several versions at once — from 88% to over 96% — worth checking the exact figure in-game
- Volatility on most hits runs high to maximum — not for a short, relaxed session
- The studio only develops slots and scratch cards — no table games or live casino
⚡ Is Hacksaw Gaming worth choosing?
Hacksaw Gaming is a rare case of a studio that refined its own success formula so thoroughly it now sells it to other developers through OpenRGS™ and invests in competitors through Hacksaw Ventures. Meanwhile, its own hits — Le Bandit, Chaos Crew, R.I.P. City — remain instantly recognisable through their signature cartoon graphics and well-designed bonus mechanics. The main thing to keep in mind before playing: high volatility across most releases and an RTP spread from 88% to over 96%, so it's always best to check the exact payout figure directly in-game on your own platform.
Where can you play Hacksaw Gaming slots?
Hacksaw Gaming's games are available at casinos featured in the GamblingShot ranking, and the full slot catalogue with filters by RTP, volatility, and theme is in the grid below this review.
FAQ
1
How long has Hacksaw Gaming been operating?
The studio was founded in 2018 in Malta, starting with scratch cards. Its first slot, Stick 'Em, launched in 2020.
2
Who leads Hacksaw Gaming?
The company's CEO is Marcus Cordes.
3
Does Hacksaw Gaming hold a licence?
Yes, several. The studio is licensed in Malta (MGA), the UK (UKGC), Greece (HGC), Romania (ONJN), Ontario (AGCO), Sweden (Spelinspektionen), Denmark (Spillemyndigheden), and the Isle of Man.
4
What is OpenRGS™?
It's Hacksaw Gaming's own remote gaming server platform, letting third-party developers build game clients while Hacksaw handles the backend, math configuration, and regulatory compliance.
5
What is Hacksaw Ventures?
It's the studio's investment and acceleration arm, supporting early-stage game companies with capital, access to Hacksaw's distribution network, and expertise in product and marketing.
6
What kind of games does Hacksaw Gaming make?
Only video slots and scratch cards — the studio deliberately doesn't develop other genres.
7
Which Hacksaw Gaming slots are the most popular?
Notable releases include Le Bandit, Chaos Crew, and R.I.P. City.
Where to play Hacksaw slots
Casinos from our catalogue that carry this provider’s games. Always check terms and bonuses on the casino page.
