Few ideas have changed online slots as much as Megaways. Introduced by Australian studio Big Time Gaming in 2016, it's now licensed to dozens of studios and powers hundreds of games.
How Megaways works
A typical Megaways slot has six reels. On every spin, each reel shows a random number of symbols — usually between two and seven. Because winning combinations only need matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, the number of ways to win changes every spin:
7 symbols × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways
That's the classic maximum, not a rule: many games add a horizontal reel above the main ones, which adds extra symbols to the middle reels, and some titles use more symbols per reel and go well beyond 117,649 ways. Check each game's info panel.
Cascades (tumbles)
Most Megaways games use cascading reels: winning symbols disappear, new ones drop in, and you can win again on the same spin. Free spins often add a growing multiplier with every cascade, which is where the biggest wins come from.
Volatility and RTP
Megaways slots are usually medium-high to high volatility: the changing reels and cascading multipliers concentrate value in big combinations and free spins. Expect quiet spells, then sudden spikes. RTPs typically sit around 96%, with some higher — White Rabbit Megaways has a 97.7% maximum, which is why it features in our highest RTP slots list.
Before you play, read slot volatility explained and set a stake that lets you survive dry patches.
Popular Megaways slots
- Bonanza Megaways — the game that made the mechanic famous.
- Extra Chilli Megaways — free spins with a gamble feature.
- White Rabbit Megaways — huge reels and a high RTP.
- Big Bass, Gonzo's Quest and Buffalo King Megaways — classic franchises rebuilt with the mechanic.
Bonus buys
Many Megaways games offer a feature buy: pay (often 100x your stake) to go straight to free spins. It's fast and exciting but very volatile, and bonus buys are banned in some regulated markets such as the UK.
Explore more game types on our online slots page, or see how far we've come in a short history of the slot machine.
