Eilers & Krejcik highlights outstanding performance of L&W’s Lion Link across EMEA
Since its launch in Q4 2023, Lion Link has emerged as a dominant force in Light & Wonder’s portfolio, securing its place among the top five best-selling game families. With its strategic design and engaging gameplay, Lion Link continues to drive strong performance across the EMEA region, resonating with both players and operators alike.
The January 2025 Eilers & Krejcik EMEA Game Performance Report highlights Lion Link’s exceptional results, recording an impressive 1.86x vs. house average (HA) across 25 casinos and 118 slot machines.
According to the report’s Author’s Key Insights, “Lion Link is a game that performs strongly across all tracked countries.” This aligns with Light & Wonder’s internal data, where several markets report performance above 2x vs. zone average (ZA), with Western Europe averaging 1.95x vs. HA. Lion Link’s performance stands alongside some of Light & Wonder’s most successful game families, such as Jewel of the Dragon and the legendary Jin Ji Bao Xi.
- Jin Ji Bao Xi: 2.01x performance across nearly 800 machines.
- Jewel of the Dragon: 1.95x performance across approximately 250 machines.
- Lion Link: Showing a similar penetration trajectory, with forecasts projecting continued strong market growth.
Currently, Lion Link is installed in 19 countries across the EMEA region, with plans to expand into eight new markets in 2025.
Building on the foundation of the successful Money Link family, Lion Link continues to evolve. In the second half of 2025, Light & Wonder will launch Lion Link Fortune, expanding the brand into the for-lease space.
This new installment will feature:
- Four Base Games for greater variety and engagement.
- A Secondary Hold & Spin Round with enhanced win potential.
- Retained Core Mechanics while introducing new features to sustain and grow player engagement.
Lion Link’s standout mechanics include:
- Enhanced Free Games Mystery Lock Reveal Feature.
- Hold & Spin Bonus with a three-spin reload for every symbol landed.
Gameplay highlights include:
Wealth of the Dragon
Base Game: Mystery stacks reveal symbols, including Hold & Spin.
Free Games: Mystery stacks lock in place after landing.
Prosperous Rooster
Base Game: Mystery stacks reveal symbols, including Hold & Spin.
Free Games: Mystery stacks shift from right to left after each spin.
Available in two dynamic versions—Wealth of the Dragon and Prosperous Rooster—Lion Link is offered on Light & Wonder’s Cosmic, Kascada Portrait and Kascada Dual Screen cabinets.
With its proven math model, innovative gameplay mechanics, and immersive cabinet options, Lion Link continues to deliver exceptional player experiences and strong operator returns. As market penetration deepens and expansion into new territories accelerates, Lion Link is poised to become an enduring success within the EMEA region.
