Lock It Link Review — Video Slot by Light and Wonder

Lock It Link is a medium-volatility video slot by Light and Wonder (formerly WMS), played on a 5-reel, 3-row grid with 50 fixed paylines, an RTP of 96.03%, and a maximum win of 5,000x your stake. The game's headline feature is the Lock It bonus round, where heart symbols lock in place across free spins, building up multipliers for bigger payouts. With two distinct bonus choices — Free Spins or the Lock It Feature — players get meaningful control over their session style. This game suits pokies lovers who want a bit of strategy mixed with the usual spinning.

Lock It Link

Quick Stats

ProviderLight and Wonder (WMS)
Game TypeVideo Slot
RTP96.03%
VolatilityMedium
Reels / Rows5 × 3
Paylines50 Fixed
Min Bet$0.50
Max Bet$45.00
Max Win5,000x stake
FeaturesFree Spins, Lock It Feature, Wild Multiplier, Bonus Selection
ThemeNightlife / City
PlatformDesktop & Mobile

What Is Lock It Link?

Lock It Link is a feature-rich pokie where the core mechanic centres on locking symbols into place during bonus rounds. It’s not your standard “spin and match” game — instead, it gives you a genuine choice between two different bonus paths right from the start of the feature. That choice alone sets it apart from most other pokies you’ll find online.

The game targets players who like medium volatility (steady wins mixed with occasional bigger payouts) and aren’t scared of bonus complexity. If you prefer pure simplicity, you might find the feature rules a bit to unpack. If you’re comfortable learning bonus mechanics and enjoy the idea of locking symbols for multiplier builds, this is your game.

RTP and Volatility

At 96.03% RTP, Lock It Link returns roughly $96 for every $100 wagered across millions of spins — a figure well above the 94–95% average you’ll see on many online pokies. That extra percentage point matters over time, especially on longer sessions. Real-world example: if you play $500 across a session, you’d theoretically expect around $480 back over a very long period.

Medium volatility means you won’t see wild swings between sessions. You’ll land wins regularly enough to keep your balance stable, but those wins won’t always be massive. The bonus features are what elevate potential payouts; without them, the base game pays fairly conservatively. That balance makes Lock It Link accessible to both cautious players and those willing to chase bigger wins.

Betting Range

You control exactly what goes on each spin. The minimum bet sits at $0.50 per spin, and the maximum reaches $45.00. That’s a broad range covering casual players (who might stick to the lower end) and high-rollers aiming for the jackpots. The bet you choose directly impacts your win values — a 5x multiplier means something very different on a $0.50 spin versus a $45 spin.

Most NZ players find the sweet spot somewhere between $1 and $5 per spin for entertaining sessions without burning through a bankroll too quickly. Adjust downward if you’re testing the bonus features for the first time.

How to Play Lock It Link — Step by Step

1. Set your bet. Click the bet amount button and choose your stake per spin. All 50 paylines are always active, so the bet applies across all lines.

2. Check the paytable. Tap the info icon to see symbol payouts, feature triggers, and the bonus selection screen. Familiarize yourself with which symbols are high-value (Gentleman, Sports Car, Yacht) and which are low (playing cards J–A).

3. Spin the reels. Click the spin button (or select Autoplay for continuous rounds) and watch the 5 reels turn.

4. Match symbols left to right. Winning combinations form when three or more identical symbols line up on consecutive reels from left to right. All wins are multiplied by your bet per line.

5. Land three Bonus symbols to trigger features. When three Bonus symbols (Skyline icons) appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, you enter the Feature Selection screen. You’ll instantly win 5x your total bet, then choose between Free Spins or the Lock It Feature.

6. Play your chosen bonus. If you pick Free Spins, you’ll spin 6 free times with wild multipliers. If you pick Lock It, you’ll get a separate spin on a locked-symbol board. After the bonus ends, your winnings are paid out automatically.

Try this: Spend your first few spins at $1.00 bet on desktop so you can see the full paytable and feature animations without rushing. The Lock It Feature takes 30–60 seconds to play out, so budget time accordingly.

Symbols and Paytable

Lock It Link uses two symbol tiers: regular icons and special features.

High-value symbols (paying 2x to 1.8x your stake for five of a kind) include the Gentleman, Sports Car, and Yacht. These appear regularly enough to keep base game wins flowing.

Mid-value symbols (Champagne, Bag, worth around 1x) fill the gap between highs and lows.

Low-value symbols are playing cards (J, Q, K, A) paying 0.3x–0.5x for five matches. You’ll see these constantly.

Special symbols:

  • Skyline (Bonus): Appears on reels 2, 3, and 4 only. Three of these trigger the feature selection.
  • Wild: Substitutes for all regular symbols (not Bonus or Heart) and doubles any win it completes. During Free Spins, Wild multipliers scale from 3x to 8x depending on how many land.
  • Heart symbols: Only appear during the Lock It Feature bonus. These are the entire point of that mode — locking in place and building multipliers.

Bonus Features

Free Spins Bonus

You’ll receive 6 free spins the moment you choose this option. During the round, landing three more Bonus symbols re-triggers the feature, awarding another 6 spins plus an instant 5x total bet credit.

The real draw here is the Wild multiplier system. Every Wild that lands applies a multiplier to that spin’s wins — between 3x and 8x depending on how many Wilds show. Land four Wilds and you’re looking at big payouts from even modest symbol combinations. This is a straightforward, excitement-heavy bonus that rewards lucky Wild placements.

One catch: Heart and Gold Heart symbols don’t appear during Free Spins, so you can’t build the kinds of locked-symbol stacks the Lock It Feature is famous for. If you chase the absolute biggest potential payouts, you’ll want to pick the Lock It Feature instead.

Lock It Feature

This is where Lock It Link earns its name. After you choose this option, you’re taken to a separate bonus reel set. One spin happens automatically, and that spin is rigged to deliver either 3, 4, or 5 Heart symbols on the same horizontal row — guaranteeing the feature triggers.

Here’s what makes it unique: those Heart symbols lock in place. Then you’re awarded additional free spins, and every new Heart that lands on an adjacent square to an existing one locks down too. The feature continues until either all 15 grid spaces fill or you run out of spins. At the end, all locked Hearts pay their displayed credit values.

The math scales dramatically. Each newly locked Heart gets a 1x multiplier start, which increases as more Hearts add up. If you somehow fill all 15 spaces, each Heart’s value doubles. Gold Heart symbols can appear at random and award one of four jackpots (Mini, Minor, Major, Grand) — you’ll see these symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4 most often.

The Lock It Feature is medium-to-high volatility within itself. You might land three Hearts with modest multipliers and walk away with a $50 win on a $1 bet, or you might land four Hearts that all connect, fill half the grid, and see multipliers climbing toward 5x, 10x, or higher per symbol. It’s more tactical than Free Spins, rewarding patience.

Is Lock It Link Worth Playing?

Pros:

  • Two distinct bonus modes let you play to your mood. Want quick Free Spins? Choose that. Want strategic, multiplier-heavy action? Lock It Feature is waiting.
  • Medium volatility and 96.03% RTP make this a fair, session-friendly game. You won’t get thrashed by variance.
  • The Lock It Feature is genuinely original. Locking symbols and watching multipliers stack feels different from the free spins arms race you see everywhere else.
  • 50 fixed paylines mean no guesswork about coverage — you’re always playing the full board.
  • Broad bet range ($0.50–$45) suits any bankroll.

Cons:

  • The Lock It Feature can be confusing on your first run. The locking mechanics and multiplier rules take a moment to grasp.
  • If you’re chasing the absolute biggest wins, the max payout of 5,000x is respectable but not exceptional compared to high-volatility pokies hitting 10,000x or more.
  • Free Spins mode doesn’t include Heart symbols, which feels slightly limiting if you’re hoping to chase both bonus types.
  • No progressive jackpot. The game’s ceiling is capped at 5,000x stake, which some high-roller players might find underwhelming.

Bottom line: Lock It Link rewards players who enjoy feature variety and are willing to understand bonus mechanics. The 96% RTP and medium volatility make it a solid long-session game, and the Lock It Feature’s locking symbol concept is genuinely fun. If you want straightforward button-mashing or chase maximum volatility, look elsewhere. For NZ players who appreciate strategy mixed with chance, this is a strong choice.

Responsible Gambling

Lock It Link uses a random number generator (RNG) to determine all outcomes. Each spin is independent — previous results don’t influence future spins. Outcomes cannot be predicted or controlled. Set a play budget before you start, stick to it, and never chase losses. If gambling feels problematic, contact your local responsible gambling services for support.