Megaways
Megaways is a slot mechanic, created by Big Time Gaming, in which each reel shows a random number of symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes from one spin to the next. On the classic six-reel version, each reel shows 2 to 7 symbols, giving anywhere from 64 to 117,649 ways.
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Key takeaways
- Megaways is a branded ways-to-win system with reel heights that change on every spin.
- Classic range: 2 to 7 symbols on 6 reels, so 64 (2⁶) to 117,649 (7⁶) ways.
- Big Time Gaming owns the mechanic and licenses it to other studios.
- Most Megaways slots are high volatility, with cascades and multiplier free spins carrying much of the return.
- Created by
- Big Time Gaming (Sydney, founded 2011)
- Owner today
- Evolution group (deal announced April 2021)
- Classic range
- 64 to 117,649 ways
- Pay rule
- Adjacent reels from the left, any position
- Usual volatility
- High
What Megaways means on a slot
A standard ways to win slot has fixed reel heights, so a 5 × 3 game always has 243 ways. Megaways keeps the same pay rule, matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left in any position, but lets the height of every reel vary randomly on each spin. Taller symbols take up more space, so a reel might show two large symbols one spin and seven small ones the next. Multiply the heights together and you have that spin’s ways count, which the game displays above or beside the reels.
Big Time Gaming developed the mechanic and owns the Megaways name. It uses it in its own games, such as Bonanza Megaways and Extra Chilli Megaways, and licenses it to other studios, which is why you will find Megaways versions of games from Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, Relax Gaming and others. Our profile of Big Time Gaming covers the studio’s other mechanics.
How a Megaways spin is decided
- The RNG picks a stopping position on each reel, and with it how many symbols that reel shows this spin.
- Many games add a horizontal reel above or below the main reels, contributing extra symbols to the middle reels.
- The game multiplies the visible symbols on each reel to set the spin’s ways count.
- Wins are counted for every symbol that appears on adjacent reels from the left.
- If the game uses cascades, winning symbols disappear, new ones drop in, and the ways count can change before the next evaluation.
The headline maximum is rare by design. To reach 117,649 ways, all six reels must show seven symbols at once, so most spins land far below the ceiling. That is fine: the paytable is built around the full spread of possible heights, so what matters for the average return is the RTP, not the number on the counter.
Megaways ranges: where 117,649 and other numbers come from
The ways count is just the reel heights multiplied together. Change the maximum height or the number of reels and the ceiling changes, which explains the different figures printed on Megaways games.
| Symbols on each of 6 reels | Ways | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 2 on every reel | 64 | The classic minimum |
| 4 on every reel | 4,096 | A typical mid-range spin |
| Up to 5 | 15,625 maximum | Eye of Horus Megaways, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways |
| Up to 6 | 46,656 maximum | Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, Primal Megaways |
| Up to 7 | 117,649 maximum | Bonanza Megaways, The Dog House Megaways |
Some games go beyond the classic range with extra positions or expanding reels. Buffalo King Megaways lists up to 200,704 ways, and White Rabbit Megaways reaches 248,832 because its reels can expand during free spins.
Well-known Megaways slots compared
| Slot | Studio | RTP | Volatility | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.00% | High | Varies by version |
| White Rabbit Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 97.24% | Medium–high | 17,420x |
| Monopoly Megaways | Big Time Gaming | 96.5% | Medium to high | 14,700x |
| The Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.55% | Very high | 12,305x |
| Gonzo’s Quest Megaways | Red Tiger | 95.77% (default) | Medium–high | 21,000x |
| Rainbow Riches Megaways | Barcrest | 96% | High | 12,500x |
| Eye of Horus Megaways | Blueprint Gaming | 95.49% | High | 10,000x |
RTPs shown are the studios’ published or default figures; many of these games exist in lower versions, so check the rules screen in the lobby you use. Our Megaways slots hub reviews more titles.
Features that usually come with Megaways
The changing reels are only half the design. Most Megaways games pair them with cascading reels, where winning symbols are removed and replaced so one spin can pay several times, and with free spins in which a multiplier grows with each cascade or win. Because the multiplier can climb over a long feature, a large share of the RTP sits in the bonus round, and the base game can feel quiet for long spells.
The result is high volatility on most titles. Expect long gaps between meaningful wins and a wide spread of session results, and size your stake accordingly. Our guide on whether Megaways slots are better weighs the trade-off honestly.
Megaways and UK slot rules
Many Megaways games are sold internationally with a bonus buy button. Feature buys are not offered to players in Great Britain, so UK versions trigger the bonus only through normal play; see bonus buy slots. The usual UK limits also apply: a maximum stake of £5 a spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24, at least 2.5 seconds per spin, and no autoplay or turbo. Cascades still play out within each spin.
Terms related to Megaways
Megaways sits in a family of variable-reel mechanics. Reel modifiers change symbols or reel sizes mid-spin, split symbols count as two or more symbols at once, and infinity reels add whole reels as wins continue. For the full mechanical walkthrough, read how Megaways works.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Megaways mean?
Megaways is a slot mechanic in which the number of symbols on each reel changes randomly on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too. Wins are paid for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left, in any position. On the classic six-reel layout with 2 to 7 symbols per reel, a spin can have from 64 to 117,649 ways. The mechanic was created by Big Time Gaming, which licenses it to other studios. Our guide to how Megaways works shows example spins step by step.
Who invented Megaways?
Big Time Gaming, a studio founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2011, created the Megaways mechanic and owns the name. Its own titles include Bonanza Megaways, Extra Chilli Megaways and White Rabbit Megaways. Other studios pay to use the mechanic under licence, which is why Megaways versions of games such as Big Bass Bonanza, The Dog House and Rainbow Riches exist. Evolution announced a deal to acquire Big Time Gaming in April 2021. Read our Big Time Gaming profile for the studio’s wider catalogue.
Are Megaways slots better than normal slots?
They are not better value, just different. More ways mean more possible combinations, but symbol payouts are scaled so the RTP stays in the usual range, typically around 95% to 97%. What Megaways games usually offer is higher volatility, with cascades and growing multipliers concentrating the return in rarer, larger wins. If you prefer steady play on a small budget, a lower-volatility line slot may suit you better. Our answer to are Megaways slots better compares them in more detail.
How often do you get 117,649 ways?
Rarely. Every one of the six reels has to show its maximum of seven symbols on the same spin, so most spins produce a much smaller count. The maximum count also does not guarantee a win, because the symbols still need to match across adjacent reels. Treat the headline number as a ceiling, not a typical spin. Our ways to win entry shows how to calculate the count for any spin.
Can you buy the bonus on Megaways slots in the UK?
No. Feature buys are not offered to players in Great Britain, so UK versions of Megaways games remove the bonus buy option that appears in some other markets. The free spins round can only be triggered through normal play, usually by landing enough scatter symbols. Videos from streamers outside the UK often show bonus buys, which can give a misleading picture of how often features arrive. Our answer to can you buy bonuses on UK slots explains the rule.
What is the horizontal reel on a Megaways slot?
Many Megaways games add a horizontal reel above or below the main grid, usually covering the middle four reels. It adds one extra symbol to each of those reels, which raises the ways count and can bring in wilds or other special symbols. Not every Megaways game has one, and some place it at the bottom rather than the top. The rules screen will show the layout. Our Megaways slots hub lists games that use it.