The Megaways engine changed online slots forever. Licensed from Big Time Gaming, this random reel modifier creates up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. In this guide, we explain exactly how Megaways mechanics work, why cascading reels pair so well with the engine, what the variance profile looks like, and which Megaways titles are available at the casinos we track. All outcomes in slot games are determined by random number generators and are never predictable.
Megaways is a patented random reel modifier mechanic invented by Australian game studio Big Time Gaming (BTG). First released in 2015 with the game Dragon Born, it fundamentally changed how slot reels behave. Instead of a fixed number of symbols on each reel, Megaways slots display a random number of symbols per reel on every single spin.
In a standard 6-reel Megaways setup, each reel can show between 2 and 7 symbols. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the symbol count across all reels. When every reel lands at maximum (7 symbols each), you get 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways to win. When reels show fewer symbols, the ways count drops — a spin might offer as few as 64 ways (2 per reel).
BTG trademarked the Megaways name and licenses it to other providers. Major licensees include Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, iSoftBet, and Iron Dog Studio. Each licensee creates original Megaways games while paying royalties to BTG. This licensing model has led to hundreds of Megaways titles across the industry.
64 ways
When each of the 6 reels shows only 2 symbols. Wins are harder to land, but the random modifier means the next spin could be completely different.
~15,000 — 30,000 ways
Most spins land somewhere in the middle range. The varying ways count creates a dynamic experience where no two spins feel the same.
117,649 ways
When all 6 reels display 7 symbols. This is the maximum on a standard setup — some Megaways slots with extra mechanics exceed this.
Unlike traditional slots with fixed paylines (e.g., 20 lines, 50 lines), Megaways slots use a ways-to-win system. A win occurs when matching symbols appear on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel, regardless of their vertical position. There are no fixed payline paths to follow.
On each spin, a random number generator determines how many symbols appear on each reel. This is the random reel modifier at the heart of Megaways. A reel might display 2 symbols one spin and 7 symbols the next. The game calculates the total ways by multiplying all reel heights together.
A spin lands with reel heights of 5-3-7-6-4-7. The ways to win for that spin: 5 x 3 x 7 x 6 x 4 x 7 = 17,640 ways. The next spin might show 7-7-7-7-7-7 = 117,649 ways or 2-3-2-4-2-3 = 288 ways. Each spin is independently determined by the RNG.
Many Megaways slots also include a horizontal top reel that sits above reels 2 through 5. This extra reel adds additional symbols that count toward winning combinations, further increasing the variety of possible outcomes. Bonanza Megaways, the game that popularized the mechanic, uses this top-reel layout.
Some Megaways slots expand beyond the standard 6-reel format. White Rabbit Megaways features an Extending Reels feature that can push individual reels up to 12 symbols high, resulting in a maximum of 248,832 ways. These extensions typically activate during bonus rounds rather than in base game play.
Most Megaways slots pair the random reel modifier with cascading reels (also known as tumble, avalanche, or reaction wins). After every winning combination pays out, the winning symbols are removed from the reels and new symbols cascade down from above to fill the empty positions. If the new symbols create another winning combination, the process repeats.
This creates a chain reaction effect where a single spin can produce multiple consecutive wins. In Megaways slots, cascading reels are particularly impactful because each cascade can change the effective reel heights. Removing symbols from a reel and replacing them may alter the number of visible symbols, which changes the ways-to-win count mid-cascade.
In the base game, cascading wins offer extra value from a single bet. Each cascade is essentially a free follow-up spin. However, multipliers typically do not increase during base game cascades.
During free spins, cascading wins become much more powerful. Most Megaways slots increase a win multiplier with each cascade. In Bonanza Megaways, the multiplier has no upper limit — each cascade adds +1x. Five consecutive cascades mean all wins pay at 5x.
The combination of random reel heights and cascading wins is what makes Megaways slots distinct from other high-ways-to-win games. A single spin can start with a modest win, cascade into a bigger one as the reel configuration changes, and then cascade again with an increasing multiplier. This chain reaction potential is the engine behind the large payouts that Megaways slots are known for — but it also means many spins produce no wins at all. See our glossary for detailed definitions of cascading reels and related terms.
Megaways slots are almost exclusively high volatility. This is an inherent consequence of the random reel modifier. When each spin can offer anywhere from 64 to 117,649 ways to win, the variance between spins is naturally enormous. Add cascading reels with progressive multipliers in free spins, and you get a mechanic that concentrates a large portion of the total return into infrequent big wins.
In practical terms, this means Megaways slots tend to produce extended stretches without significant wins, followed by concentrated bursts of payouts — often during the free spins bonus round where multipliers accumulate. The base game typically returns less than the theoretical RTP, with the free spins bonus making up the difference.
High volatility demands a larger bankroll relative to bet size. A common guideline is 200-500x your bet size to have a reasonable chance of reaching a bonus round. This is educational context, not financial advice.
Two players on the same Megaways slot can have wildly different sessions. One might hit a 1,000x win in 50 spins; another might go 400 spins without a significant payout. Both outcomes are mathematically normal.
A substantial portion of Megaways RTP is loaded into the free spins feature. This means base game returns tend to be below the stated RTP, with bonus rounds pulling the long-term average up.
Compared to traditional 20-payline video slots, Megaways games typically have 2-3x higher variance. If you are accustomed to low or medium volatility slots, Megaways will feel significantly different. Use our Volatility Visualizer to understand what high-volatility sessions look like before committing real funds. Remember: gambling outcomes are never guaranteed regardless of volatility level.
These are the most notable Megaways slots available at the casinos we track. All RTPs are sourced from provider documentation. Remember that RTP describes long-term statistical averages, not individual session results.
| # | Slot Name | Provider | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonanza Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.00% |
| 2 | White Rabbit Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 97.77% |
| 3 | Gonzo's Quest Megaways | Red Tiger / NetEnt | 96.00% |
| 4 | Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.07% |
| 5 | Gates of Olympus Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| 6 | Kingmaker Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.65% |
| 7 | Buffalo King Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.52% |
| 8 | Pirate Gold Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% |
| 9 | Return of Kong Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 96.50% |
| 10 | Empress of the Deep Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.58% |
Some providers release Megaways slots in multiple RTP configurations. Casinos choose which version to host. Always check the specific RTP at the casino you are playing — it may differ from the maximum published figure. The casinos we recommend display confirmed RTP values for every game. Visit our High RTP Slots Guide for more on RTP verification.
Megaways titles are widely available, but not every casino carries the full range from all licensed providers. We have verified Megaways availability at these tracked casinos, all of which have passed our review process.
Megaways mechanics feel different from traditional slots. Play in demo mode to understand the random reel modifier, cascading wins, and bonus triggers before committing real money.
Megaways slots are almost universally high volatility. Consider a session bankroll of at least 200-300x your chosen bet size to give yourself a reasonable chance of reaching the bonus feature. This is educational guidance, not financial advice.
Most Megaways slots require 4 scatter symbols to trigger free spins. Know what symbols to watch for and understand the retrigger mechanics. Some games offer a bonus buy option at a premium cost.
Megaways slots from Pragmatic Play and other providers often come in multiple RTP versions. Verify the RTP at your chosen casino before playing — it may differ from the maximum published figure.
In free spins, most Megaways slots increase a multiplier with each cascade. Understanding this mechanic helps you appreciate why long cascade chains during bonus rounds are where the biggest payouts occur.
High-volatility slots can produce rapid balance swings. Set a loss limit and a time limit before every session. No slot mechanic, regardless of how many ways it offers, guarantees a positive outcome.
Megaways slots are high-volatility games that can produce rapid balance changes in both directions. The high ways-to-win count and cascading multipliers create an exciting experience, but they do not change the fundamental reality: all slot games have a built-in house edge and no strategy or mechanic guarantees profits.
Set deposit limits, loss limits, and session time limits before you play. If gambling stops being enjoyable, take a break. Visit our responsible gambling page for self-assessment tools and direct links to support organizations including GamCare, Gambling Therapy, and the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Pair Megaways knowledge with practical slot strategy for smarter play.
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