Sweet Bonanza Pokie

Pragmatic Play’s candy-themed Sweet Bonanza pokie has become one of the developer’s most recognisable releases since it launched in mid-2019. It uses a 6 × 5 grid and a “pay anywhere” system rather than fixed paylines, so matching eight or more symbols anywhere on the reels produces a payout. Colourful fruits and candy symbols cascade down the reels, with winning symbols removed and new ones tumbling into place, allowing multiple wins from a single spin. Because the game is available in Australian dollars and automatically adapts to the player’s currency, the figures in this guide are quoted in AUD (A$).

Quick Facts about Sweet Bonanza

Feature	Value (AUD unless stated)
Developer	Pragmatic Play
Release date	25 June 2019
RTP (Return to Player)	Approx. 96.50 % (range 96.48 – 96.51 %)
Volatility	Medium to high
Max win	21,175 × stake
Bet range	A$0.20 – A$125 per spin
Max win probability	1 in 71,428,571 spins (approx.)

Theme and presentation

Sweet Bonanza transports players to a whimsical candyland filled with lollipops, jelly beans and fruits. The high-definition graphics feature bouncing fruits and animated candies, while the background depicts pastel-coloured hills. An upbeat soundtrack plays throughout, and fireworks erupt when a significant win occurs.

How Sweet Bonanza Works

Cluster pays & tumble wins

Sweet Bonanza uses a cluster‑pay mechanic: any time eight or more identical symbols land anywhere on the 6×5 grid, the symbols pay according to the paytable and trigger the Tumble feature. During a tumble, all winning symbols disappear and the remaining symbols drop down while new symbols fall from above, creating opportunities for additional wins. There is no limit to the number of tumbles per spin.

Symbol values and paytable

The paytable is based on the number of matching symbols (8–12+). The heart‑shaped candy is the highest‑paying symbol, followed by square, pentagon and other candies, and fruits pay the least. The values below show how many times your total bet is returned when eight or more of the corresponding symbol land on the reels:

Symbol (8–9 matches)	8–9 matches	10 matches	11 matches	12+ matches
Red heart candy	10× your bet	25×	25×	50×
Pink square candy	2.5×	2.5×	10×	25×
Green pentagon candy	2×	2×	5×	15×
Blue oval candy	1.5×	1.5×	2×	12×
Red apple	1×	1×	1.5×	10×
Pink peach	0.8×	0.8×	1.2×	8×
Watermelon	0.5×	0.5×	1×	5×
Grape	0.4×	0.4×	0.9×	4×
Banana	0.25×	0.25×	0.75×	2×
Scatter (lollipop)	3× (four scatters)	5× (five scatters)	100× (six scatters)	—

Bonus features

Sweet Bonanza’s gameplay revolves around four main features:

1. Free Spins: Landing four or more lollipop scatters triggers ten free spins. During free spins, landing three more scatters awards an additional five spins.
2. Multiplier “Candy Bombs”: During free spins, colourful bomb symbols carry multipliers ranging from 2× to 100×. They stay on screen for the entire tumble sequence, and when no more wins occur, their values are combined and applied to the total win. There are no multipliers in the base game.
3. Ante Bet (Double‑Chance to Win): Switching on the Ante Bet option increases the stake by 25 % and doubles the chances of triggering the free‑spin feature. When active, the game’s RTP remains around 96.50 %, but the hit frequency of bonus rounds increases.

Buy Feature: Players can purchase the free‑spin round for 100 × their current bet. The Buy Feature cannot be used at the same time as the Ante Bet.

Betting Options, RTP & Volatility

Sweet Bonanza caters to both low‑stakes and high‑stakes players. You can set your bet between A$0.20 and A$125 per spin using the +/− buttons. An Autoplay option lets you queue 10–1,000 spins.

The game’s RTP sits around 96.5 %, slightly above the industry average. In real terms this means that, over a very long gaming session, the pokie returns about A$96.50 for every A$100 wagered. The volatility is classed as medium to high, so wins may not occur frequently but can be sizable when they do. With a theoretical maximum win of 21,175× your stake, the game has significant jackpot potential although the probability of hitting the maximum is extremely low.

Variations of Sweet Bonanza

Pragmatic Play has released several variations of Sweet Bonanza. The table below compares their key parameters.

Game	Release year	RTP	Volatility	Max win	Bet range (AUD)
Sweet Bonanza (original)	2019	96.48 – 96.51 %	Medium-to-high	21,175×	A$0.20–A$125
Sweet Bonanza Xmas	Nov 2019	96.48 – 96.51 %	Medium	21,100×	A$0.20–A$125 per spin
Sweet Bonanza Dice	2024	96.60 %	Medium-to-high	21,100×	A$0.20–A$75
Sweet Bonanza 1000	June 2024	Up to 96.53 %	High	25,000×	A$0.20–A$240 per spin

 

Tips for Playing Sweet Bonanza Responsibly

Even though Sweet Bonanza is packed with bonuses and multipliers, it remains a luck‑based pokie. Follow these guidelines to enjoy the game responsibly:

1. Try the demo first. Many casinos offer a free version of Sweet Bonanza. Practising helps you understand the tumble mechanic and volatility without risking money.
2. Set a bankroll. Because the pokie’s variance is moderate‑to‑high, you should have a budget that covers at least 30–50 spins. Adjust your stake to stretch your bankroll across longer sessions.
3. Use Autoplay cautiously. The Autoplay feature allows 10 to 1,000 spins. Set a loss limit or stop Autoplay manually if you reach your budget.
4. Don’t chase losses. The max win is extremely rare and there’s no skill element, so avoid increasing stakes to recover losses.
5. Take advantage of Ante Bet wisely. The Ante Bet doubles your chance of triggering free spins but increases your wager by 25 %. Use it only if your bankroll can absorb longer losing streaks.
6. Gamble with licensed Australian operators. Choose casinos licensed by trusted jurisdictions (e.g., Malta, Anjouan, UK) to ensure fair game outcomes. Pragmatic Play slots are certified by labs such as GLI and iTech Labs.

Final Thoughts

Sweet Bonanza has earned its popularity by combining an engaging tumble mechanic with the potential for eye‑watering payouts. The scatter‑pays system and cluster wins keep the action fluid, while the free‑spin round with multiplier bombs can lead to major windfalls. The game’s 96.5 % RTP and medium‑to‑high volatility make it suitable for players who enjoy moderate risk. Australian players will appreciate the flexible betting options (A$0.20–A$125 per spin) and local currency support.For those who love the candyland theme but crave extra punch, Pragmatic Play’s later variants—Sweet Bonanza Xmas, Sweet Bonanza Dice and Sweet Bonanza 1000—offer similar gameplay with different aesthetics or bigger multipliers. Whichever version you choose, remember to treat Sweet Bonanza as entertainment and always gamble responsibly.