Secret Code Slot Machine

We often praise the developers at NetEnt for producing high-quality titles. Even if the profits aren't always the best, and even the big guys have their misses, all their titles are polished, good looking, and feel great to play. All of this was also true for Secret Code, which offers a 5x3 playing field with 20 flexible paylines.

The thing is, it was true back in 2010, when it was first released by the company. Nowadays, despite the expanding reels, a bonus game in which you uncover angels, and a free spins bonus with increasing multipliers, the sentiment is, sadly, a lot less favourable for this now rather dated title.

Even taking a look at the user interface is enough to notice the slight emulation of physical machines, and none of it is helped by the sound of cogwheels spinning each time you press the spin button. Everything is done in these big, boxy letters, and while all the colours look nice and we like the touch of the paytable being a notebook in which all the instructions are drawings and scribblings of its previous owner, it all just feels clunky playing it now, so many years later.

The general gist of the slot's very brief story is that you're infiltrating the Illuminati to uncover their secrets and steal their vast knowledge. As such, you can expect to find a lot of interesting little things scattered about. Ancient pagan symbols imprinted on stones, rings with elaborate patterns on their gemstones, an hourglass, notes full of secrets, a sorceress and a researcher of the Illuminati — they all grace the reels, and will provide you with winnings as you keep spinning.

Secret Code offers several special features to keep things interesting. First are expanding Wilds, which can fill out their entire reel if they land on the second, third or fourth reel when a winning payline is present there.

Collecting three bonus symbols on the third, fourth and fifth reel at the same time will activate a brief game in which you are faced with five masked statues, and have to unlock the chests they hold. They are revealed as demons or angels — and if they're angels, they give you a cash prize, and the feature only ends when all five statues are unlocked. Finally, three or more Scatters rewards the standard free spins bonus, with the added enjoyment that any further Scatters while the feature is active will increase the multiplier, up to a maximum of x20.

In the grand scheme of things, these bonuses aren't particularly unique or different, but the sheer amount of them and the value they bring make them something you really don't want to miss out on. Fortunately, with so many features, you're bound to trigger one relatively quickly.

Secret Code is a high volatility title by NetEnt with an RTP of 96.3%. While it's visually clunky and somewhat awkward to play by modern standards, the gameplay itself still holds up, and you can squeeze out some good wins from this game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Secret Code slots?

Secret Code has an RTP (Return to Player) of 96.3%, which is above average for a NetEnt high-volatility Illuminati-themed slot. The three overlapping bonus mechanisms — expanding Wilds, the angel/demon chest bonus game, and free spins with a multiplier that can reach x20 — all contribute to the game's strong theoretical return, particularly for sessions that manage to trigger the free spins with high multiplier accumulation.

Can I play Secret Code slots for real money online?

Secret Code real money slots are available at online casinos carrying the NetEnt library, primarily in the UK and regulated European markets. As a 2010 release, it is less prominently featured than newer NetEnt titles, but the 96.3% RTP and high-volatility profile make it a worthwhile real money option for patient players seeking a game with distinct bonus mechanics and a genuinely unusual Illuminati theme.

How does the angel/demon bonus game work in Secret Code?

The bonus game is triggered by landing 3 bonus symbols on reels 3, 4 and 5 simultaneously. You are presented with five masked statues, each holding a chest. Unlocking a chest reveals either a demon or an angel. Demons yield nothing, while angels award cash prizes. The feature continues until all five statues are revealed — meaning all five chests are always opened, and the number of angels you encounter determines the total bonus payout.

How does the free spins multiplier work in Secret Code?

Free spins in Secret Code are triggered by 3 or more Scatter symbols. The key mechanic is that additional Scatter symbols landing during the free spins round increase the win multiplier progressively, up to a maximum of x20. This means the later free spins in the bonus can be paying out at 20 times the normal win value — making a late-game Scatter land potentially very lucrative if the multiplier has already been built up to its ceiling.

How does the Expanding Wild work in Secret Code?

The Expanding Wild in Secret Code activates when a Wild symbol lands on the second, third or fourth reel and there is an active winning payline present on that reel. When this condition is met, the Wild expands to cover the entire reel — all three positions — effectively turning the whole column into a Wild for that spin and significantly boosting the number of winning combinations it can contribute to across the 20 paylines.

Is Secret Code worth playing in 2026?

Secret Code's age (released 2010) shows primarily in its visual presentation and interface design, which feel dated by modern standards. However, its 96.3% RTP, high-volatility bonus structure and the combination of three distinct features — any one of which can trigger in relatively quick succession — give it genuine gameplay longevity. Players who prioritise RTP and feature depth over cutting-edge visuals will find it still holds up reasonably well.