Megaways is a reel mechanic developed by Australian studio Big Time Gaming (BTG) and first commercialized in 2016. The core innovation: instead of fixed symbol positions per reel, Megaways reels show a random number of symbols on each spin, anywhere from 2 to 7 per reel. With 6 reels each showing up to 7 symbols, the maximum payway count is 7⁶ = 117,649. The number changes on every single spin.
How the Variable Reel Mechanic Works
In a standard slot, each reel shows a fixed number of symbols, usually 3. Your payways are determined by which symbols land in which positions across a fixed grid. Megaways breaks this. Each reel independently determines how many symbols to display (2–7 on most implementations), and the total payways for that spin is the product of all six reel sizes.
Spin result where reels show 3, 7, 4, 6, 7, 7 symbols: total payways = 3 × 7 × 4 × 6 × 7 × 7 = 24,696. Next spin shows 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7: 117,649 payways. This variance in payways is part of the volatility profile, more payways on a spin generally increases the chance of landing multiple simultaneous wins.
Pays go left to right on adjacent reels (no specific payline patterns). Any matching symbols on consecutive reels from reel 1 onward count as a win, scaled by how many appear.
Cascade (Avalanche) Mechanic
Almost all Megaways games include a cascade feature. When a winning combination lands, those symbols are removed and new symbols fall from above to fill the gaps. If the new symbols create another win, they cascade again. This continues until no new win forms.
Combined with an unlimited win multiplier (common in Megaways bonus rounds), cascades are where the really big wins happen. Each consecutive cascade in the bonus typically increases the multiplier: 1x on the first win, 2x on the second, 3x on the third, and so on. A long cascade chain at a high multiplier, say 8 cascades in with a 9x multiplier, produces the kind of 2,000x+ single-spin wins that made Megaways famous.
RTP and Volatility on Megaways Games
Most Megaways implementations run 96–97% RTP, which is competitive with non-Megaways slots. Volatility is almost always high, sometimes extreme. The design concentrates payout potential into the free spins bonus, meaning base game play is mostly treading water between bonus triggers.
Typical bonus frequency: one trigger every 200–300 spins for most Megaways titles. Some high-volatility variants (Buffalo King Megaways, Book of Fallen) can go 400+ spins between bonuses. Budget accordingly, small bankrolls will often exhaust themselves before seeing the bonus at all.
The BTG License and Megaways Proliferation
Big Time Gaming licenses the Megaways mechanic to other studios, which is why it appears across hundreds of titles from dozens of developers. Pragmatic Play (Gates of Olympus Megaways), NetEnt (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways), Hacksaw Gaming, Relax Gaming, and Red Tiger have all released Megaways titles. The core mechanic is the same, but the bonus implementations differ significantly.
BTG’s own Megaways titles tend to use the unlimited progressive multiplier in free spins. Licensed versions sometimes modify this, some use fixed multipliers, others add extra mechanics. Reading the specific paytable for each game matters because “Megaways” tells you about the reel structure, not necessarily the bonus behavior.
Notable Megaways Games Worth Knowing
- Bonanza Megaways (BTG): the original flagship. 6 reels + horizontal reel across the top, progressive multiplier in free spins, up to 117,649 ways. Still one of the most-played slots in the world.
- Extra Chilli Megaways (BTG): a Bonanza sequel with a “gamble the free spins” option, you can trade 8 free spins for a chance at more via a gamble ladder.
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger/NetEnt): a Megaways remake of the classic NetEnt game. Adds a Megaways reel structure while keeping the avalanche mechanic and the adventure theming.
- Dead or Alive 2 (NetEnt): technically not Megaways, but often grouped with high-volatility slots. Separate mention, don’t confuse the game type.
- Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic): extreme volatility variant with free spins multipliers and a massive potential top win. High risk, longer dry spells than most Megaways games.
Megaways vs Traditional Slots: Which Is Better?
Neither is universally better, it depends on your playing style. Megaways offers higher ceiling wins but requires a larger bankroll to absorb the variance and reach the bonus rounds where those wins occur. Traditional fixed-payline slots offer more predictable session dynamics and often better base-game hit frequency.
The feature buy (bonus buy) option available on many Megaways titles lets you skip the base game and buy directly into the free spins for a premium (typically 80–100x your bet). This is useful if you have a defined session budget and want to maximize time in the high-potential bonus rather than grinding the base game, but it’s a bet in itself at high-volatility odds.
