Megaways Slots - The Mechanic, the Best Titles and Where to Play Them
Megaways changed how slot reels work and spawned hundreds of titles. Here is how the mechanic functions and which games are worth your spins.
Megaways is one of the most recognisable mechanics in modern slots. You have almost certainly played one, even if you did not notice the name. Here is how it works, why it caught on, which titles are worth seeking out at non-Gamstop sites, and how to tell whether the format actually suits you.
What Megaways actually is
Megaways is a reel engine created by Big Time Gaming. Instead of fixed reels with a set number of symbols, each reel shows a variable number of symbols on every spin - usually between two and seven.
Because the symbol count changes spin to spin, the number of ways to win changes too. A standard six-reel Megaways game can produce up to 117,649 ways to win when every reel lands at maximum height. That headline figure - "up to 117,649 ways" - is the signature of the format. Some studios push it further: Rasputin Megaways from Big Time Gaming reaches up to 2,985,984 ways to win, and Holy Diver offers 586,789.
How a Megaways spin plays out
- Each reel randomly sets its symbol count for that spin
- Wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels, left to right, regardless of row position
- Most Megaways games add a cascade or tumble feature - winning symbols are removed and new ones drop in, allowing chained wins from one spin
- Free spins rounds often add unlimited win multipliers that build across the feature
- A horizontal reel above or below the grid frequently adds extra symbols or a separate set of ways
Why it caught on
Megaways gave studios a framework for high-variance, high-ceiling games without reinventing everything. Big Time Gaming licensed the engine widely, so Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, iSoftBet and many others have all built Megaways titles. The result is hundreds of games sharing one familiar core mechanic.
The trade-off is volatility. Megaways slots are typically high variance. The big ways-count and multiplier free spins create huge potential, but base game play can be long and dry. That is the deal you accept with the format.
The titles worth playing
A few Megaways games stand out from the crowd:
- Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming) - the original, still a benchmark, themed around a mining dig
- Extra Chilli Megaways (Big Time Gaming) - introduced the feature gamble that lets you trade spins for multiplier potential, with rewards up to 10,000x stake
- White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming) - known for its bonus-buy, expanding feature and an unusually high RTP ceiling around 97.72%
- Holy Diver (Big Time Gaming) - 586,789 ways to win and a top reward over 23,000x
- Buffalo Rising Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) - a clean, popular take with a straightforward free spins round
- Monopoly Megaways (Big Time Gaming) - the board-game licence built on the engine, with 117,649 ways
- Gates of Olympus 1000 and related Pragmatic titles - while not all Pragmatic hits use the engine, the studio's Megaways catalogue is deep
Recent and upcoming releases
Big Time Gaming has stayed active in 2026 with polished titles like Fireworks Megaways and Panda Money Megaways, and has Golden Goose Megaways and Max Megaways 3 on its roadmap. A well-maintained lobby should be adding these as they land.
When you pick any Megaways title, check the RTP in the game info panel. Megaways games often ship with multiple RTP configs, so the version your site runs matters.
How Megaways compares to other reel formats
| Format | Ways to win | Typical volatility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic fixed reels | 10 to 50 paylines | Low to medium | Steady, frequent small wins |
| Cluster pays | Group-based, no lines | Medium to high | Cascading chain wins |
| Megaways | Up to 117,649+ | High | Big swings and large bonus potential |
| Hold-and-win | Fixed grid, locked symbols | Medium to high | Collection-style features |
Where to play Megaways at non-Gamstop sites
Megaways games sit behind the studios that license the engine, so a site's provider list tells you how deep its Megaways shelf goes. Of the operators we cover, Velobet's roughly 5,800 slots give it one of the widest Megaways selections, and Zizobet's 8,000-plus title library carries the format across multiple studios. Rolletto's roughly 24 providers include the Big Time Gaming originals, which is the set most worth having, and Cosmobet's curated 7,500-game lobby keeps the headline Megaways titles in stock.
Use the provider filter to find Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming and Pragmatic Play, then look for the Megaways tag. Our slots shortlist notes which operators have the strongest Megaways coverage, and the methodology page explains how we assess library depth.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Megaways slots high volatility?
Most are, but not all. A few studios tune their Megaways titles toward medium variance. Always check the volatility rating in the info panel rather than assuming.
Why does the ways-to-win number keep changing as I play?
That is the core mechanic working as intended. Each reel sets its own symbol height every spin, so the total ways recalculates each round.
Is the bonus-buy option on Megaways slots worth it?
It depends on your budget. Bonus buy on a Megaways title is a large, high-variance bet that can lose in full. It does not improve your odds - it just skips the wait. Treat it as a separate decision.
Is Megaways for you?
If you enjoy long sessions punctuated by occasional big swings, Megaways suits you. If you prefer steady, frequent small wins, the high variance will frustrate you - a low-volatility classic slot is a better fit. Know which player you are before you load one up.
Megaways games can run dry for a long time before anything happens. Set a budget, treat it as entertainment, and use BeGambleAware if play stops being fun. 18+ only.
Disclosure: Cosmobet, Rolletto, Velobet and Zizobet are operated by the same group as this publication. We earn when readers register and play. Other casinos mentioned are editorial context. 18+ - Gamble responsibly - BeGambleAware.org
