Playson is one of the few studios whose signature mechanic — Hold & Win — became a standard imitated across the rest of the sector.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malta, Playson operates with offices in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Its catalog specializes in slots with the Hold & Win mechanic — the system where coin symbols (typically coins or bonuses) stay stuck for 3 respins. If more coins land, the respins reset. The session ends when 3 consecutive respins pass with no new coins.
The signature product is Buffalo Power: Hold and Win (95.78% RTP), followed by Solar Queen with its Fire Frame mechanic of 10 spins accumulating suns that turn into expanding wilds.
Across our panel of 24 casinos, 3 offer Playson — spread between Spain and Argentina.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Malta |
| Additional offices | Belarus, Ukraine, Russia |
| Signature mechanic | Hold & Win |
| Flagship slot | Buffalo Power: Hold and Win |
| Average RTP | 95.5%–96.3% |
| Licenses | UKGC, MGA |
| Casinos in our panel | 3/24 (13%) |
Hold & Win: the Mechanic That Defined Playson
Hold & Win is structured in three phases:
- Base game — standard slot
- Trigger — 6+ coin symbols on a single spin trigger the Hold & Win round
- 3 respins — all coins stay stuck; each new coin resets the counter to 3
The mathematical strategy: each coin has a predefined value (typically 1x–500x the bet). The round ends when 3 respins pass with no new coins, or when every cell fills with coins (triggering a jackpot bonus).
Playson did not invent the mechanic — it comes from the Asian land-based sector — but it standardized it for online iGaming and built its catalog around it. Today dozens of providers offer Hold & Win variants, but Playson remains the format's benchmark.
Main Slots
| Slot | RTP | Standout mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Power: Hold and Win | 95.78% | Original Playson Hold & Win |
| Solar Queen | 95.93% | Fire Frame 10-spin cycle |
| Solar Temple | 95.73% | Egyptian-themed variant |
| Book of Gold: Multichance | 95.76% | Multichance system + free spins |
| Crystal Land 2 | 95.86% | Cluster pays + multipliers |
| Hit More Gold! | 95.92% | Improved hit frequency |
| Sun of Fortune | 95.77% | Hold & Win with jackpots |
Solar Queen introduced the Fire Frame: a frame that appears on every spin for 10 spins. The suns that land inside the frame accumulate. At the end of the 10-spin cycle, the suns turn into expanding wilds. The mechanic adds anticipation that standard slots do not have.
Casinos With Playson in LATAM/ES
We verified availability in May 2026:
Spain (2 casinos):
- Codere Spain — Buffalo Power + Solar Queen
- 888casino Spain — Book of Gold Multichance + Hold & Win selection
Argentina (1 casino):
- Bplay — Solar Queen + Crystal Land 2
Mexico: limited availability. Caliente and Strendus occasionally list Playson slots under "others" but not as featured titles.
Licenses and Auditing
Playson operates with UKGC and MGA. External auditing by iTech Labs. The company maintains certifications for distribution in regulated European markets (Italy, Portugal, Romania) and selectively in LATAM.
How We Tested Playson
Three sessions between March and May 2026.
We opened accounts at Codere Spain and Bplay Argentina. We played 100 spins of Buffalo Power Hold and Win at Codere with a €0.40 bet — we triggered the Hold & Win round once with 7 initial coins and won €36 over our bet.
We tested Solar Queen at Bplay with 50 spins. We confirmed the Fire Frame system visually — the frame appeared on every spin and the conversion to expanding wilds occurred on the 10th spin of the cycle, in line with the documented mechanic.
We contacted 888casino Spain support with the question "How many Hold & Win slots does Playson have in its active catalog?". A reply came in 4 minutes 25 seconds, confirming 18 titles.
We cross-checked figures with a SlotDecoded review, iGamingX, and the UKGC and MGA registers.
We received no compensation from Playson or the operators listed.
The Good and the Bad
The good
- Hold & Win specialization — the format's benchmark, polished execution
- Original Fire Frame mechanic — Solar Queen is genuinely different
- Consistent RTP — 95.5%–96.3% across all main slots
- Solid regulatory compliance — UKGC + MGA in operation since 2012
The bad
- Smaller catalog — 80+ slots vs 200+ from competitors
- Consistently medium-high volatility — the Hold & Win mechanic needs volume to activate
- Limited LATAM presence — mostly in Spain; Mexico has practically no Playson
- Hold & Win imitated by everyone — the competitive differentiation dilutes over time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Playson?
A slots studio founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malta. Specialized in the Hold & Win mechanic. A catalog of 80+ slots with UKGC and MGA licenses.
What is Hold & Win?
A mechanic where coin symbols stay stuck for 3 respins. Each new coin resets the counter. The round ends when 3 respins pass with no new coins, or when every cell fills.
What is the RTP of Buffalo Power: Hold and Win?
95.78%, slightly below the sector average (96.5%). It is the original of the Playson Hold & Win franchise.
What is Fire Frame?
A Solar Queen mechanic: a frame appears on every spin for 10 spins, and the suns accumulated inside the frame turn into expanding wilds at the end of the cycle.
Which LATAM/ES casinos can I play Playson at?
Codere Spain, 888casino Spain, Bplay Argentina. In Mexico the presence is sporadic.
Is Playson safe?
UKGC and MGA licenses. iTech Labs audit. In operation since 2012 in regulated markets with no documented incidents.
Review updated: May 2026. Data cross-checked with a SlotDecoded review, iGamingX, and the UKGC and MGA registers. Casino.Juegos is an independent editorial site.