Le Pharaoh had a lot to live up to. Le Bandit gave Hacksaw Gaming a genuine hit and a mascot players actually liked, so the obvious question for the 2024 sequel was whether it could move Smokey the raccoon to a new setting without losing what made the first game work. Our verdict, after putting it through its paces: it is a confident, feature-rich high-volatility slot that earns its 4.7/5 from us — with the usual caveats that come with any game built around rare, bonus-driven wins.
This is our full assessment. For the mechanics in depth, see how it works and features; for the numbers, RTP & volatility; and to try it yourself for nothing, the free demo.
Our verdict
The short version: Le Pharaoh is one of the more generous Hacksaw slots in terms of what there is to do, and that is its biggest strength. Most slots give you one bonus to chase. Le Pharaoh gives you four — two Free-Spins modes and two Hold & Win modes — on top of a base game kept lively by Sticky Re-Drops, Golden Squares and multiplier Clovers. That variety is what keeps a session engaging well past the point where a simpler game would start to feel repetitive.
The Egyptian reskin of the Le-series formula works. Smokey-as-pharaoh is a natural fit, the art is the clean, characterful Hacksaw house style, and the move from Le Bandit's Western clusters to a 6×5, 19-line payline game gives the sequel its own identity rather than feeling like a recolour. The Golden Riches coin collection is the standout mechanic — running a coin track alongside the paylines means even a quiet spin can be building toward something, which does a lot to offset the dry spells.
Those dry spells are real, though, and they are the thing to go in expecting. This is a high-volatility game in the fullest sense: the base game can be stingy, and the bulk of the reward sits behind the bonuses. When the features click — particularly a Hold & Win that fills out — it pays off handsomely, but you can wait a while to get there. The 15,000× ceiling is exciting on paper, but like every high-volatility max win it is rare, and it would be dishonest to present it as anything you should expect to see.
Pros and cons
What we liked, and what we did not
On the positive side, the feature depth is genuinely above average. Four bonus rounds plus three base-game modifiers plus the coin collection is a lot of game, and it means Le Pharaoh rewards players who enjoy variety and feature-hunting. The presentation is polished, it runs beautifully on mobile, and the demo makes it trivial to learn before you spend. We also like that it sits in a coherent family — if Le Pharaoh's high variance is not for you, there is a gentler sibling in Le Bandit and higher-ceiling ones in Le Zeus and Le King.
On the other side, the volatility will not suit everyone, and that is the single biggest reason to demo it first. The other thing we flag repeatedly is the RTP situation: the default is a respectable 96.18%, but Hacksaw also ships 94.33%, 92.26% and 88.24% builds, and the operator picks which one to run. That is not unique to Le Pharaoh, but the spread is wide enough that it is worth checking the figure at your casino rather than assuming the best case. See the RTP & volatility page for why it matters.
Who is it for?
Le Pharaoh is a good fit if you like feature-rich slots, do not mind riding out variance for a bigger payoff, and enjoy the kind of bonus-hunting that four different rounds invite. It is a poor fit if you prefer steady, low-variance play where your balance moves smoothly — in which case the medium-volatility Le Bandit is the better call within the same family. Either way, the free demo will tell you within a few sessions which camp you are in.
Where to play
Le Pharaoh is widely available, but availability is not the same as suitability. What matters is a valid licence in your market, the genuine Hacksaw title (ideally on the 96.18% build), and an operator with a clean payout record and real responsible-gaming tools. We keep the full criteria on the casinos page and a ranked shortlist on best casinos.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Le Pharaoh worth playing? For fans of feature-rich, high-volatility slots, yes — it is one of the more varied games in Hacksaw's catalogue, with four bonus rounds and a strong coin-collection mechanic. We rate it 4.7/5. If you prefer low-variance play, the gentler Le Bandit may suit you better.
What is our rating for Le Pharaoh? We give it 4.7 out of 5. It scores well on feature depth, presentation and variety, with the high volatility and the variable RTP configuration as the main caveats.
Is Le Pharaoh better than Le Bandit? Neither is simply "better" — they suit different tastes. Le Bandit is medium-volatility with steadier wins; Le Pharaoh is high-volatility with a bigger ceiling and more bonus variety. The right pick depends on how much variance you enjoy.
What is the catch with Le Pharaoh? Two things to know going in: it is genuinely high-volatility, so expect dry spells with the rewards concentrated in the bonuses; and the RTP can be as low as 88.24% depending on the operator's chosen build, versus the 96.18% default. Check the figure before you play.
Can I try Le Pharaoh before playing for real? Yes. The free demo runs in your browser on play-money with no registration or deposit, which is the best way to judge whether the volatility suits you.
Where can I play Le Pharaoh safely? At a licensed operator running the genuine Hacksaw title with a clean payout record. Our casinos and best casinos pages set out the criteria and our shortlist.