Secret of the Stones Review

Secret of the Stones is a NetEnt fantasy slot centred on ancient stone circles, druids and mystical wildlife. Released on 23/10/2013, the original game uses five reels, three rows and 25 paylines, with medium-high volatility and an RTP commonly listed at 96.72%. Its defining feature is a Free Spins round where players uncover modifiers hidden beneath stones. UK players should check the RTP displayed by their chosen UKGC-licensed casino before staking real money. 

Casinos Where You Can Play Secret of the Stones in the UK

• NetBet
• 10Bet
• Slots Temple
• Casumo
• Videoslots

Key Secret of the Stones Facts

UK Compliance Deep Dive: Is Secret of the Stones Fair & Legal?

RTP Variation Warning: The original Secret of the Stones is listed at 96.72% RTP by current slot databases. A newer Secret of the Stones MAX version is published by NetEnt at 96.81%, demonstrating why players should distinguish between versions rather than assuming every casino supplies identical mathematics. Always check the in-game paytable before playing Secret of the Stones for real money. 

UKGC Banned Features Check: Secret of the Stones predates modern British online-slot design rules, so legacy documentation mentioning autoplay does not describe compliant UK real-money play today. UKGC-licensed operators must supply the game without prohibited autoplay and speed-up functionality and in accordance with current game-cycle requirements.

Stake Limit Compliance: Historical game specifications support stakes far above today’s British regulatory ceiling, but those provider limits do not override UK law. Real-money online slots are capped at £5 per game cycle for players aged 25+ and £2 for players aged 18–24.

Responsible Gambling Integration: Secret of the Stones sits below the most extreme high volatility slots, but its medium-high variance still means losing sequences can occur between meaningful feature rounds. Treat each spin as independent, use deposit and session controls, and never increase stakes simply because the Free Spins feature has not appeared recently.

Fairness & RNG Certification: Secret of the Stones uses RNG-based outcomes. When offered by a UKGC-licensed operator, the gambling software and RNG must comply with the Commission’s applicable technical and testing requirements; a game-specific named laboratory certification is not publicly stated in the sources checked.

First Impressions: Theme, Graphics & Soundtrack

Secret of the Stones builds a misty fantasy landscape from standing stones, carved animals and a bearded druid, giving the reels a Celtic-inspired atmosphere. Symbols such as the deer, owl, snake and bull reinforce the woodland setting, while card ranks occupy the lower-value tier. The presentation is understated compared with many modern online slots, but the carved-stone artwork gives the game a recognisable identity. Its audio follows the mystical theme rather than overwhelming each spin, and the uncomplicated interface keeps the paylines and controls readable.

Base Game Mechanics & Payouts

Mechanics:
Secret of the Stones uses a conventional 5×3 grid with 25 fixed paylines, with matching combinations paying from the leftmost reel. The Druid Wild can appear across the reels and substitutes for regular paying symbols but not the Scatter. 

Symbols & Payouts:
Animal carvings form the premium symbol group, including the bull, deer, owl and snake, while A, K, Q, J and 10 symbols occupy the lower end of the paytable. The precise monetary return depends on the selected stake and winning combination, so players should use the live game’s paytable for current payout values. 

A Closer Look at the Bonus Features for Secret of the Stones

Mechanics:
Three or more Tree Scatters activate 10 Free Spins and an interactive selection from 20 stones. The number of picks equals the triggering Scatter count, and revealed modifiers can provide extra spins, win multipliers, Wild Reels or turn premium animal symbols into additional Wilds for the bonus. 

Bonus Weighting:
This is a feature-driven slot because the Free Spins round can combine several modifiers rather than applying one fixed bonus rule. A strong selection can therefore produce a very different round from a weak one, with Wild Reels and additional Wild symbols substantially changing the number of potential winning combinations.

How Does Secret of the Stones Compare to Other Slots?

Verdict: The original suits players who want the established Secret of the Stones feature structure, while MAX expands the mathematical and bonus configuration for players seeking a more volatile interpretation. The MAX version can add Wild Reel 3, turn the Bull into another Wild and provide stronger multiplier possibilities. 

From the Player’s Mouth: Real Experiences & Expert Advice

Player Sentiment: Reviews of Secret of the Stones repeatedly focus on the pick-based Free Spins as the standout feature, particularly because different stone combinations can create substantially different bonus rounds. The comparatively simple base game receives less attention, making the feature round the main source of variety.

Expert Tips for Volatility:

• Tip 1: Size your stake so your bankroll can absorb extended stretches without a feature.
• Tip 2: Do not raise your bet because the Scatter has not appeared – each round remains independent.
• Tip 3: Check whether you are playing the original or MAX version before comparing RTP or payout statistics.

Secret of the Stones Mobile Performance

Secret of the Stones uses HTML5 technology, making it suitable for modern mobile casinos and smartphone browsers. The 5×3 grid is well suited to smaller screens because it contains only 15 visible symbol positions and 25 paylines. The stone-pick bonus also translates naturally to touchscreen controls, where individual stones can be selected directly.

Pros & Cons of Secret of the Stones

Pros

• Interactive stone selection makes Free Spins less predictable.
• Bonus modifiers include extra spins, multipliers and Wild enhancements.
• 25-payline layout is straightforward to understand.
• Distinctive druid and ancient-stone theme gives the game character.

Cons

• Base-game mechanics are basic by modern standards.
• Free Spins cannot be retriggered during the feature.
• Important statistics for the original version are no longer consistently published.
• The game has less UK casino distribution than newer NetEnt releases.

Is Secret of the Stones Worth Your Time & Money?

Secret of the Stones earns 7.6/10, with the stone-selection bonus remaining its strongest feature more than a decade after release. It suits players who enjoy medium-high variance, conventional paylines and bonuses where modifiers are determined before the Free Spins begin.

The base game is deliberately simple, so players accustomed to the more complex mechanics found across new casinos may find newer releases more feature-rich. For traditional NetEnt gameplay with an interactive bonus round, Secret of the Stones remains worth considering at a UKGC-licensed casino.

Secret of the Stones Frequently Asked Questions