Return to Player
96.5%
Minimum bet
0.25
Slot category
Video Slots
Variance level
Medium
Number of reels
5
Progressive jackpot
No
Popularity indicator
Maximum bet
125
Game Provider
Pragmatic Play
Bonus features
Yes
Number of paylines
25
Theme
Brazil
Heart of Rio online slot game
Evan Carrington’s review presents Heart of Rio as a lively video slot from Pragmatic Play, named 2021 SBC Slot Provider of the Year. The game’s Brazilian atmosphere features funky music, the Money Collect feature and a free spins round.
Theme and story line
Rio sets the scene, with samba dancing providing the mood. Pragmatic Play gives this colourful slot a Brazil-inspired theme featuring exotic dancers from the country’s capital city.
Graphics, sound and animations
Heart of Rio is designed for mobile and desktop play, combining vivid colours, crisp graphics and a soundtrack intended to bring the reels to life. The high-definition scene features exotic birds, musical instruments and pink feathers, while the reels show dancing women, masks and cocktails.
Top casinos to play Heart of Rio:
Gameplay
Heart of Rio has 25 paylines and ten paying symbols. To win, at least 3 matching symbols must land from left to right on an active payline, starting on the leftmost reel. The symbols include exotic dancers, masks, Pina Coladas and playing-card icons.
The Red Lady Dancer is the Wild symbol and substitutes for every symbol except the Bonus Money Symbol and Collect. It appears only on reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Landing 3 Bonus symbols anywhere in view pays 1x the stake and starts the main bonus game.
5-symbol payouts are as follows:
- Purple Lady Dancer: pays 32x
- Green Lady Dancer: pays 7x
- Festival Mask: pays 6x
- Pina Colada: pays 5x
- A, K, Q, J: pays 4x
Bonuses and free spins
Heart of Rio features two main bonus features: the Money Collect Feature and a Free Spins round.
The Money Collect Feature
In Heart of Rio’s base game and free spins round, purple Money symbols can land on reels 1, 2, 3 or 4, each with a random cash value. If these symbols appear while one of five different Collect symbols lands on reel 5, the following happens:
- Yellow Collect: The full value of all Money symbols on the reels is paid.
- Extra Collect: Its own value is added to the value of each Money symbol on the reels, and the resulting amounts are paid.
- Multiplier Collect: A random multiplier applies to all Money symbol values before they are awarded.
- Expanding Collect: Every Money symbol becomes an Expanding symbol, filling its reel with Money symbols. Their values are combined before payment.
- Respin Collect: This symbol holds all Money symbols in place and respins the other reel positions. The resulting values are then totalled and paid.
Free Spins
Landing 3 Bonus Symbols on reels 2, 3 or 4 awards 8 free spins. Money Collect remains active throughout the feature, gathering the value of each Money symbol that lands during the free spins. At the end, reel 5 spins; if a Collect symbol lands, the full combined value of those Money symbols is paid.
Bet sizes, RTP and variance
The review describes Heart of Rio as an exotic, medium-volatility video slot with an above-average RTP of 96.50%. Bets range from 0.25 to 125.00 per spin.
Conclusion
Evan Carrington’s review presents Heart of Rio as a bright, party-themed slot for players who enjoy Brazilian styling, Collect symbols and free spins. These features contribute to the game’s stated win potential, but outcomes vary: attractive visuals and bonus mechanics do not guarantee a large payout, a profit or a life-changing win.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
