Megaways Slots: How They Work, the Math, and How to Play Smart

Megaways is a slot game engine — not a single game — invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG) and first introduced in 2015. Instead of fixed paylines, it uses a random reel modifier that changes the number of symbols shown on each reel every spin, so the number of ways to win varies from one spin to the next.

On a typical Megaways slot you'll see 6 reels, each showing between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. When every reel lands its maximum of 7 symbols, the game reaches its signature 117,649 ways to win. On leaner spins, the ways count drops sharply — sometimes to a few hundred. Wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of their exact row position.

Megaways slots are widely available in both free/demo play and real-money play, so you can learn the format at no cost before staking anything. Remember that slots are games of chance designed with a built-in house edge: this guide helps you understand and play them, not beat them. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

The core of a Megaways game is a random reel modifier that runs before symbols lock in. Here's the flow of a spin:

1. You set a stake and press spin.
2. The engine randomly assigns each of the (usually 6) reels a symbol count between 2 and 7.
3. Symbols drop in, and the game multiplies the symbol counts across reels to calculate the ways to win for that spin.
4. Any winning combination — matching symbols on consecutive reels starting from the leftmost — pays out.
5. In most Megaways titles, winning symbols then cascade (see below), potentially creating chain wins from a single spin.

Because the ways count is recalculated every spin, no two spins look the same, and a single spin can produce multiple wins when cascades trigger repeatedly. The outcome of each spin is determined by a certified random number generator (RNG) — past spins have no effect on future ones.

The famous 117,649 figure isn't marketing — it's arithmetic. Ways-to-win formats multiply the number of symbols on each reel together.

With 6 reels each showing a maximum of 7 symbols, the calculation is:

7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 7⁶ = 117,649

That's the ceiling. Because each reel independently lands anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols, the actual ways count fluctuates every spin. A spin showing, say, 4, 6, 3, 7, 5 and 2 symbols would offer 4 × 6 × 3 × 7 × 5 × 2 = 5,040 ways. The floor on a standard 6-reel setup is 2⁶ = 64 ways.

Some titles vary the format — a fourth-reel horizontal 'extra reel', more or fewer reels, or a base of 243 ways on smaller configurations — which is why you'll see Megaways games advertised anywhere from 243 up to 117,649+ ways. Always check the individual game's rules for its exact structure.

Beyond variable ways to win, Megaways games are known for a recognisable toolkit of features. Not every title includes all of them, so read the paytable before you play.

Cascading / Tumbling Reels

After a winning combination pays, the winning symbols are removed and new symbols drop in to fill the gaps. This can create a chain of consecutive wins from a single paid spin. Cascades are a signature of the format and a big part of why one spin can feel eventful.

Free Spins With Multipliers

Most Megaways bonus rounds attach a win multiplier that increases with each cascade — and in many titles that multiplier has no upper cap during free spins. This is where the format's biggest wins tend to happen, and also why base-game spins can feel long and dry by comparison.

Mystery Symbols

Some Megaways games use mystery symbols that reveal as a single matching symbol across the screen when they land, occasionally lining up large same-symbol wins. Implementation varies by studio.

Ways to win: from 243 to 117,649+

The headline attraction. Because the ways count is re-rolled every spin, the same game can offer as few as a couple of hundred ways or as many as 117,649+, keeping outcomes unpredictable.

Volatility and RTP in Megaways games

Megaways titles are generally high volatility, meaning wins can be less frequent but larger — though variance differs by individual title. Typical RTP sits around 94%–96.5%, so on average the game keeps 3.5–6% of stakes over the long run. High volatility plus cascades can burn through a bankroll quickly, so size your stakes accordingly.

The Megaways mechanic was created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian-founded studio, and launched in 2015. The first game to use it was Dragon Born (2015), but the format really broke through with Bonanza (2016), whose mining theme and cascading reels made it a benchmark title still popular today.

BTG doesn't build every Megaways game itself. It operates a licensing model: third-party studios pay to license the Megaways engine and apply it to their own themes. That's why you'll find Megaways games from many different developers — more on which studios below.

Because BTG licenses the mechanic, a wide roster of studios produces Megaways titles. Well-known names in the space include:

• Big Time Gaming (BTG) — the inventor and still a prolific producer (Bonanza, Extra Chilli, White Rabbit).
• Red Tiger — polished, feature-rich Megaways releases.
• Blueprint Gaming — behind many branded Megaways titles (The Goonies, Rick and Morty).
• Pragmatic Play — high-profile Megaways slots (Madame Destiny Megaways).
• iSoftBet — Megaways titles across varied themes.
• Games Global / Microgaming — a broad Megaways catalogue.

Because the underlying engine is licensed and standardised, the quality of the maths and the RNG is consistent across studios, while themes and feature packaging differ. If a game carries the official Megaways branding, its provider is a BTG licensee.

Playing a Megaways slot is as simple as any online slot — the complexity is under the hood, not in the controls.

1. Choose a licensed casino and a Megaways title.
2. Set your stake (see below).
3. Spin and let the reel modifier assign symbol counts.
4. Watch for cascades and adjacent-reel matches from the left.
5. Trigger free spins (usually via scatters) for the multiplier-driven bonus round.

Setting your stake / minimum bet

Megaways slots typically offer a wide stake range. The exact minimum bet varies by game and casino — often a small amount per spin — so check the game's bet settings rather than assuming a figure. Because these are high-volatility games, keeping your stake small relative to your total bankroll helps your session survive dry streaks.

Demo vs. real money play

Most Megaways games are available in a free demo mode as well as real money. Demo play uses fake credits and is the best way to learn a title's features and rhythm before you risk anything. Demo results don't translate into real winnings, and the RTP and volatility are the same in both modes.

There is no strategy that overcomes the house edge on a Megaways slot — outcomes are RNG-driven and the game is designed to return less than 100% over time. What you can do is play smarter and make your bankroll last.

• Compare RTP before you play. Some Megaways games are offered at different RTP configurations by different casinos. Choosing a version around the top of the 94%–96.5% range is a small but real edge for the player.
• Match volatility to your bankroll and goals. High-volatility titles can go a long time without a meaningful win; if you want longer sessions, favour lower-variance options.
• Use demo mode to learn the features so you understand how the bonus round and multipliers work before staking.
• Set a loss limit and a time limit and stick to them.
• Treat 'bonus buy' features with caution. Some Megaways games let you pay a large multiple of your stake to jump straight into free spins. This does not improve the maths in your favour and increases how fast you can lose money.
• Never chase losses. No spin is 'due' — the RNG has no memory.

Bankroll management strategies

Divide your gambling budget into session-sized chunks and set a per-spin stake that lets each session absorb a long losing run — a common rule of thumb is staking no more than 1% of your session bankroll per spin on high-volatility games. Decide in advance what you're willing to lose, and stop when you hit it. Wins are variance, not skill. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

The core difference is fixed vs. variable ways to win.

Traditional slots are more predictable and often better suited to steady, lower-variance play. Megaways games trade predictability for unpredictable ways counts and bigger potential swings. Neither is 'better' — they suit different appetites for risk.

Megaways is one of several modern alternatives to fixed paylines. Here's how it compares to related mechanics:

• Cluster pays: You win by landing groups of matching symbols touching horizontally or vertically, rather than along ways or lines. Position matters, not left-to-right adjacency.
• Megaclusters: A BTG evolution of cluster pays where winning symbols split into four smaller symbols, expanding the grid and creating new cluster opportunities.
• Infinity Reels: Rather than re-rolling symbol counts, the grid adds a new reel each time a win extends the chain, theoretically without limit — a different route to very large win potential.
• Progressive jackpot slots: A pooled jackpot grows across many players until it's won; this is a payout structure, not a ways-to-win mechanic, and can be combined with other formats.

Megaways vs. Infinity Reels

The key distinction: Megaways changes the number of symbols per reel each spin (up to 117,649 ways), while Infinity Reels keeps adding reels as long as wins keep landing. Both aim for high ceilings, but through different engines.

These titles are among the most recognised in the format. This is a descriptive list, not a recommendation — always check the specific game's RTP, volatility and rules at your casino, as versions can differ.

• Bonanza Megaways (BTG) — the mining-themed game that popularised the format.
• Gonzo's Quest Megaways — a Megaways take on a classic cascading slot.
• The Goonies Megaways (Blueprint) — branded, feature-heavy.
• Hypernova Megaways — space-themed high-variance play.
• Moriarty Megaways — detective-themed.
• Rick and Morty Megaways (Blueprint) — branded pop-culture title.
• Madame Destiny Megaways (Pragmatic Play) — fortune-teller theme.

Because new titles launch regularly, treat any 'best of' list — including this one — as a snapshot rather than a definitive ranking.

RTP (Return to Player) is the theoretical percentage of total stakes a game pays back over the very long run. Megaways slots typically sit around 94%–96.5%, meaning the house edge runs roughly 3.5–6%.

Two things matter for players:

1. RTP is a long-run average, not a session guarantee. Over any short session your results can be far above or below it. It describes millions of spins, not yours.
2. The same game can ship at different RTPs. Studios sometimes provide multiple RTP configurations, and casinos choose which to run. Because these figures vary by title and by casino, we don't quote a fixed RTP for any specific game here — check the game's info screen before you play, and prefer the higher configuration where you have the choice.

We won't publish a table of exact per-game RTPs because those numbers change by operator and version; a game's own paytable is the authoritative source.

• 'Megaways slots are rigged.' Licensed Megaways games run on certified RNGs and are tested by regulators and independent labs. They are not rigged — but they are designed with a house edge, which is legal and disclosed, not cheating.
• 'More ways to win means better odds.' A higher ways count on a given spin doesn't change the game's overall RTP. The house edge is baked in regardless of how many ways appear.
• 'A big win is due.' The RNG has no memory. No spin is ever 'due', and previous results don't influence the next spin.
• 'Bonus buys are a shortcut to profit.' Buying a feature costs a large multiple of your stake and doesn't tilt the maths in your favour — it just changes how fast you spend.
• 'Megaways are always high volatility.' Most are, but variance differs by title; don't assume every Megaways game behaves the same way.
• 'Strategy can beat the game.' No betting system overcomes the house edge on a slot. Strategy is about bankroll discipline, not winning long-term.

Choose the operator as carefully as the game. Look for these criteria rather than the biggest advertised offer:

• A valid licence from a recognised regulator such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), or the relevant US state gaming commission for your jurisdiction.
• Certified RNG and game fairness, ideally with independent testing seals visible.
• Official Megaways titles — genuine BTG-licensed games, not clones.
• Transparent RTP disclosure in each game's info screen.
• Solid mobile performance if you play on a phone or tablet.
• Clear responsible-gambling tools: deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.

Megaways slots are only legal where online casino play is regulated — that varies by country and, in the US, by state. Play only where it's legal for you and where you meet the age and eligibility requirements. We don't name a single 'best casino' because eligibility and offers depend on your location and change over time. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Geo restrictions apply.

Because Megaways games are generally high volatility, they can deplete a balance faster than steadier slots. Play them as entertainment with money you can afford to lose — never as income.

• Set a budget before you start and never top it up to chase losses.
• Use deposit, loss and time limits offered by licensed casinos.
• Take breaks; long uninterrupted sessions cloud judgement.
• Watch for warning signs: gambling to escape stress, hiding play, or betting more to recover.

If gambling stops being fun, seek support. In the UK, GamCare (gamcare.org.uk) and the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) offer free, confidential help; BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) has guidance and self-assessment tools. Elsewhere, contact your national provider. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Can you play Megaways for free? Yes. Most Megaways titles offer a demo/free-play mode with fake credits, letting you learn the features, volatility and pace before staking real money. RTP and volatility are identical in demo and real-money modes; only the stakes are fake.

No-deposit offers: Some licensed casinos occasionally run no-deposit bonuses or free spins that can include Megaways titles. Availability varies by casino and jurisdiction and comes with strict terms — wagering requirements, game weighting, maximum cashout and time limits. We don't list specific offers because they change constantly and depend on where you are; always read the full terms before opting in. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Megaways games are built to run in the browser and are fully playable on phones and tablets without a separate download at most licensed casinos. The reel modifier, cascades and bonus rounds work identically to desktop; the main differences are screen size and touch controls. For the best experience, use a stable connection and a licensed operator's official mobile site or app, and set the same deposit and time limits you'd use on desktop.

Whether Megaways slots are 'worth it' depends on what you want from a session. If you enjoy unpredictable ways counts, cascading wins and high-ceiling bonus rounds, and you're comfortable with high variance, they're among the most engaging slot formats available. If you prefer frequent small wins and predictable, longer sessions, a lower-volatility traditional slot may suit you better.

What they are not is a way to make money. Like all slots they carry a house edge (typically a 94%–96.5% RTP), and no format or strategy changes that over the long run. Enjoy them for the entertainment, set limits, and treat any win as a bonus rather than an expectation.

• Megaways is a reel-modifier engine from Big Time Gaming (2015), not a single game.
• It re-rolls 2–7 symbols across (usually) 6 reels every spin, for up to 117,649 ways to win (7⁶).
• Expect high volatility and a typical RTP of ~94%–96.5%.
• Signature features: cascades, multiplier free spins, and mystery symbols.
• Studios license the mechanic from BTG, so many developers make Megaways games.
• No strategy beats the house edge — play at a licensed casino, use demo mode to learn, and set firm limits. 18+, T&Cs apply.