Luck of the Irish
When the original game was released, the Irish-themed slot market wasn’t as saturated as it is now, and Rainbow Riches can be seen as a bit of a trailblazer for this reason. The concept of an Irish-themed slot may not have been brand new, but it hadn’t been done like this.
It’s a match made in heaven. Pots of gold, lucky clovers and other elements of Irish culture are hallmarks of these games, and it all comes together in a very jolly way. The cheeky leprechaun character makes an appearance in all of the games in the series.
Accept no imitations. Rainbow Riches is the quintessential Irish-themed slot series.
Humble beginnings
Long before mobile casinos and Megaways mechanics, Rainbow Riches was already building a loyal fanbase on fixed-odds terminals, a foundation that would prove invaluable in the online era.
For many players, the original Rainbow Riches holds nostalgic value. For those without a pre-existing connection to it, however, it’s probably best to explore the later games. This original feels very simplistic, and the metrics let it down a bit (it has a 95% RTP and 500x max win, which was more acceptable back then).
Don’t get us wrong – Rainbow Riches holds a special place in our hearts. It was a staple of betting shops and pub machines for years, and few slots evoke the early days of online gambling quite like the original Rainbow Riches. But the series has been steadily improving over the years, and the first instalment feels to be of its time.
Onwards and upwards
Several years after 2009’s Rainbow Riches, Barcrest hit a rich vein, releasing two excellent Rainbow Riches games in early 2016.
The first was Rainbow Riches Pick 'n' Mix, which appears similar to the original in some ways but distinguishes itself using a fun system of extra bonus features. Rainbow Riches Pick 'n' Mix marked a clear step towards the modernisation of the series.
Rainbow Riches Reels of Gold came just two months later, with a much-improved max win and a whopping 100 paylines (this was before Megaways went mainstream). Compared to its predecessors, Rainbow Riches Reels of Gold is a sophisticated game, and much less aimed at casual players. Perhaps Barcrest wanted the series to mature alongside its fans.
The history of Rainbow Riches contains both highs and lows, and the lows have generally been the result of efforts to cash in on passing trends, or have felt like they’ve just taken a slight step in the wrong direction.
Not all experiments paid off. Rainbow Riches Fortune Favours would be an example of this, but at least it illustrates a reluctance to let the series stagnate. Even so, the series was never too far from another hit, and the popularity of the games encouraged Barcrest to produce sequel after sequel.
2019’s Rainbow Riches Megaways felt like a significant leap, with the series now incorporating the increasingly popular Megaways mechanic, while also giving everything else a bit of an overhaul.
Rainbow Riches Cluster Magic came out in 2020, using a grid-based cluster pays format while retaining the basic iconography of the originals.
The modern era
In 2022, Barcrest became part of Light & Wonder (previously known as SG Digital), who are now responsible for the Rainbow Riches series.
That same year, Rainbow Riches Power Pitch was released, showcasing their commitment to the series, and producing, arguably, one of the best Rainbow Riches games to date.
In early 2025, a Dream Pot Jackpot version was released, called Rainbow Riches Dream Pots, introducing a progressive network jackpot to the mix. These newer releases demonstrate that the series still has momentum, and that Light & Wonder respect the legacy of these games.
After so many years of Rainbow Riches, credit is due to both Barcrest and Light & Wonder. These developers have managed to keep things moving with the times, breaking new ground and giving players what they want: familiarity, with a fresh twist.
