Megaways is a slot mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming in 2015, made famous by Bonanza in December 2016, and now licensed to 50+ providers across 500+ games. It replaced fixed paylines with variable reel heights — each reel shows a random number of symbols (typically 2–7) per spin, and ways to win are calculated by multiplying those counts together. At maximum (7 symbols on all 6 reels), that’s 7⁶ = 117,649 ways. At minimum (2 on all 6 reels), it’s 2⁶ = 64 ways.
The number changes on every single spin. That’s the mechanic. A Megaways slot is not just a slot with lots of paylines — it’s a slot where the playing field itself is random, and the number of ways to win is a live calculation rather than a fixed property of the game.
This guide covers how the mechanic works with actual maths, what makes BTG originals different from licensed versions, and which specific Megaways games are worth playing by RTP and category.
How Megaways Actually Works — The Mathematics
Variable reel heights
On each spin, the RNG independently determines how many symbols appear on each reel — typically between 2 and 7 for a standard 6-reel Megaways game. These are generated independently for each reel, so you might see 3 symbols on reel 1, 7 on reel 2, 2 on reel 3, 6 on reel 4, 5 on reel 5, and 4 on reel 6.
Ways to win = 3 × 7 × 2 × 6 × 5 × 4 = 5,040
The next spin might show 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways. Both are equally probable — neither is “better” for the player in advance, because the specific symbols that land are also random.
How wins are counted
In Megaways, wins don’t require symbols to land on specific payline paths. Any matching symbol on reel 1 connects to any matching symbol on reel 2, regardless of vertical position. If reel 1 shows 3 instances of a symbol and reel 2 shows 4 instances, that’s 3 × 4 = 12 ways those two reels connect. Extend this across all 6 reels and you get the total ways-to-win calculation.
This means a single spin can technically produce multiple wins from the same symbol type — one per connected path through adjacent reels. High symbol counts on multiple reels simultaneously is what produces the larger base game hits.
The Top Tracker (horizontal reel)
Many BTG Megaways games include a horizontal reel above the main 6 reels — one symbol positioned above each column. This adds one symbol to each reel’s count for ways-to-win calculations. A 6-reel game with all 7-symbol reels plus the horizontal tracker = 7⁷ = 823,543… wait, that’s not right either — it’s one additional position per reel from the tracker, so effective max per reel becomes 8: 8⁶ = 262,144. BTG games typically cap at 248,832 (the top tracker contributes 1 position to each of 6 reels, giving effective height of 2–8 per reel).
In Bonanza, the Top Tracker is more than mechanical — it’s the trigger. Landing the letters G-O-L-D across the 6 tracker positions (one letter above each of reels 1–6) triggers the free spins feature. It’s both a mechanic and a narrative.
Cascades (Reactions)
Virtually all Megaways games use cascading reels (called “Reactions” by BTG, “Tumbles” by Pragmatic, “Avalanche” by NetEnt). When a winning combination lands, the winning symbols are removed and new symbols fall from above. If the new symbols form another winning combination, they also cascade. This continues until no new wins form. A single spin can produce multiple sequential wins through cascades.
Cascading reels are not unique to Megaways — they appear in cluster pays games and many non-Megaways slots. But their combination with Megaways’ variable reel heights and unlimited multipliers (in many Megaways free spins rounds) is what creates the mechanic’s ceiling outcomes. Full cascade maths in our Cascading Reels guide.
BTG Originals vs Licensed Megaways — The Honest Comparison
Big Time Gaming invented Megaways and licenses the engine to other providers. Blueprint was first (2019). Pragmatic, Red Tiger, iSoftBet, and dozens of others followed. There are now more licensed Megaways games than BTG originals.
The key question: are BTG originals meaningfully better, or is this just brand loyalty?
Cascade (Reaction) frequency: BTG originals average 8–12% cascade frequency (the probability that any given spin produces a cascade rather than a single-win outcome). Licensed Megaways implementations average 5–8%. This isn’t arbitrary — BTG built the mechanic and calibrated its internal mathematics specifically around the cascade system. Licensees build on top of the engine with their own mathematical configurations. The result is measurably more frequent cascade chains in BTG originals, which is what makes Megaways sessions feel more dynamic in the original implementations.
Unlimited multiplier quality: BTG’s unlimited free spins multiplier (builds across all spins in the bonus round, never resets between spins) is implemented at source in Bonanza, Extra Chilli, and Rasputin. Licensed versions (Dog House Megaways, Eye of Horus Megaways) use different bonus structures that don’t replicate this specific mechanic — their free spins rounds have their own mechanics that may outperform BTG’s multiplier in specific scenarios (walking wilds, stacked multipliers, etc.) but they’re categorically different, not the same mechanic at different quality levels.
RTP comparison: Interestingly, several licensed Megaways games have higher RTPs than BTG originals. Blood Suckers Megaways (licensed by Red Tiger) is at 97.66%, well above Bonanza at 96%. This is the trade-off: licensed games often have higher mathematical return but don’t have the BTG-original cascade depth.
| Game | Origin | RTP | Max Win | Max Ways | Key differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways | BTG Original | 96.00% | 26,000× | 117,649 | GOLD trigger; unlimited cascading multiplier |
| White Rabbit Megaways | BTG Original | 97.24% | 17,420× | 248,832+ | Extending reels (up to 12 positions per reel, 75 free spins) |
| Extra Chilli Megaways | BTG Original | 96.17% | 20,000× | 117,649 | Free Spins Gamble (risk for more spins before round begins) |
| Rasputin Megaways | BTG Original | 96.68% | 68,180× | 2,985,984 | Dual free spins modes; extending reels to 2.9M ways |
| Blood Suckers Megaways | Licensed (Red Tiger) | 97.66% | 139,200× | 117,649 | Highest RTP Megaways; 4 distinct bonus features |
| Dog House Megaways | Licensed (Pragmatic) | 96.55% | 12,305× | 117,649 | Walking wilds instead of multiplier; Pragmatic Tumble |
| Buffalo King Megaways | Licensed (Pragmatic) | 97.01% | 5,000× | 200,704 | Horizontal reel adding extra width; stacked wilds; 97% RTP |
| Eye of Horus Megaways | Licensed (Blueprint) | 96.28% | 10,000× | 15,625 | UK heritage game in Megaways format; Upgrading Tablets |
| Gonzo’s Quest Megaways | Licensed (Red Tiger) | 96.00% | 21,000× | 117,649 | Avalanche cascade + Megaways; original Gonzo theme in new format |
| Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways | Licensed (Blueprint) | 96.12% | 50,000× | 117,649 | Fisherman Collect mechanic in Megaways format |
The honest conclusion: BTG originals provide the purest Megaways cascade experience. Licensed games often provide better RTP and different (not inferior) bonus mechanics. The choice depends on whether you specifically want the original unlimited multiplier system or are willing to trade it for higher mathematical return or different feature types.
Full BTG game-by-game breakdown in our Big Time Gaming guide. Ranked comparison of the top 10 Megaways titles across all providers in our Top Megaways Slots Ranked guide.
Best Megaways Slots by Category — 2026
Best RTP Megaways Slot
Blood Suckers Megaways — 97.66% RTP, 139,200× max win, 117,649 ways
Licensed implementation of NetEnt’s classic Blood Suckers by Red Tiger Gaming. The highest RTP of any mainstream Megaways slot available at UK casinos. Four distinct bonus features (Wilds Raining Blood, Free Spins with Sticky Wilds, Wild Multiplier Reels, and combinations thereof) provide more feature variety than most Megaways games. The 139,200× max win significantly exceeds Bonanza’s 26,000× ceiling despite the lower volatility. For players specifically prioritising return percentage — and who understand that 97.66% RTP means £2.34 expected loss per £100 wagered vs £4 at standard 96% RTP — Blood Suckers Megaways is the optimal Megaways choice.
Best Max Win Megaways Slot
Rasputin Megaways (BTG) — 96.68% RTP, 68,180× max win, up to 2,985,984 ways
The highest max win ceiling of any BTG original Megaways game. The extending reels mechanic pushes maximum ways from 117,649 (standard) to 2,985,984 (12⁶ at full extension — each of the 6 reels extending to 12 positions during Big & Strong free spins). Two selectable free spins modes: Big & Strong (extending reels, ways-focused) or Ecstasy & Fire (unlimited multiplier, ceiling-focused). Dual mode selection adds genuine strategic choice at trigger point. Full review in our Top Megaways Slots Ranked guide.
Best Entry-Level Megaways Slot
Bonanza Megaways (BTG) — 96% RTP, 26,000× max win
The game that made Megaways famous. Still the reference implementation a decade on. The GOLD trigger (landing G-O-L-D across the Top Tracker triggers 12 free spins), the unlimited cascading multiplier that accumulates across the entire bonus round rather than resetting per spin, and the mining theme that makes visual sense of the falling symbols mechanic — Bonanza established the template every subsequent Megaways game either follows or deliberately departs from. Start here before moving to more complex implementations.
Best Licensed Megaways for UK Players
Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic) — 97.01% RTP, 5,000× max win, 200,704 ways
Pragmatic’s implementation adds a horizontal reel that increases the standard maximum beyond 117,649 to 200,704 ways. The 97.01% RTP is among the highest of any Pragmatic Play title and significantly above their typical 96.50% standard. Retriggerable free spins with stacked wilds and accumulating multipliers. The lower max win (5,000×) vs BTG originals is the honest trade-off for the higher RTP and higher starting ways-to-win count.
Best Megaways Slot for Heritage UK Players
Eye of Horus Megaways (Blueprint) — 96.28% RTP, 10,000× max win, 15,625 ways
The online Megaways version of Blueprint’s most-played UK land-based cabinet game. For players who encountered Eye of Horus in betting shops before seeing it online, the Megaways version maintains the Upgrading Tablets free spins mechanic (symbol values progressively upgrade during free spins as Horus Wilds land) in a Megaways frame. Blueprint was the first external Megaways licensee and their implementation of the engine alongside their own proprietary features is well-executed. See the Blueprint Gaming guide for the full Eye of Horus series comparison.
White Rabbit’s Extending Reels — The Maths
White Rabbit Megaways uses the most technically remarkable Megaways extension: during free spins, Cupcake symbols add a reel position to whichever reel they land on. Starting from the standard maximum of 7 positions per reel, each Cupcake adds 1 position. Reels can extend to 12 positions during the “Down the Rabbit Hole” free spins round.
At full extension across 6 reels: 12⁶ = 2,985,984 ways to win. The game also grants extra free spins as reels extend (up to 75 total spins through natural accumulation). The combination of 2.9 million active ways and 75 spins — vs Bonanza’s 117,649 ways and 12 spins — creates a categorically different bonus session experience.
White Rabbit 2 (released November 2025) adds a Hold and Spin Megapots feature alongside the extending reels mechanic, pushing the max win to 133,100× for players who want the sequel.
Why Megaways Feels Different — The Mathematical Reason
Players consistently report that Megaways sessions “feel” more active and engaging than equivalent payline slots. This isn’t subjective marketing — there are two mechanical reasons:
1. More ways = more frequent small wins in base game. At 117,649 ways to win, the probability of at least one winning combination on any given spin is substantially higher than on a 20-payline slot. Many spins that wouldn’t produce a win on fixed paylines will produce at least one win (typically small) on Megaways. This doesn’t change the RTP — but it changes the session rhythm.
2. Cascades extend individual spins. A single paid spin can produce multiple successive cascade wins. This extends the time and engagement from one press of the spin button, creating the subjective feeling that Megaways sessions “last longer” per spin. Combined with the visual movement of varying reel heights, each spin is visually distinct from the last.
The house edge operates identically regardless of these factors. The 96% RTP on Bonanza Megaways means the same expected return as any other 96% RTP slot. Megaways changes the distribution of how wins arrive — more frequent small hits, concentrated large outcomes in the bonus round — not the total return across a session.
Megaways Slots on Bonuses — What to Check
Most UK casino bonuses allow wagering on standard Megaways slots. But some specific Megaways variants are restricted:
- Jackpot King Megaways versions (Blueprint’s jackpot-linked versions of Eye of Horus, Fishin’ Frenzy, etc.) are sometimes excluded from bonus wagering — jackpot slots are commonly on exclusion lists
- Very high-RTP Megaways (Blood Suckers Megaways at 97.66%) may be excluded from bonus clearing at some operators — verify on the exclusion list before wagering with bonus funds on this game specifically
- Standard Megaways titles (Bonanza, Dog House Megaways, Buffalo King Megaways) are almost universally included in standard bonus wagering
The post-January 2026 UKGC cap means wagering requirements are now 10× maximum. Using a standard 96% RTP Megaways slot to clear a £100 bonus at 10× = £1,000 wagering = £40 expected losses. Not free money, but substantially better than the pre-cap 40× environment. Full bonus maths in our Wagering Requirements guide.
Frequently Asked Questions — Megaways Slots
Who invented Megaways?
Big Time Gaming (BTG), founded in Sydney, Australia in 2011. The Megaways mechanic first appeared in Dragon Born (2015) and was made famous by Bonanza Megaways (December 2016). BTG subsequently licensed the engine to Blueprint Gaming (first external licensee, 2019), then to Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, iSoftBet, and dozens of others. Evolution Group acquired BTG in April 2021 for $534.5 million. BTG continues to operate as a standalone brand within Evolution. There are now 500+ Megaways games from 50+ providers, but BTG invented and owns the mechanic.
What is the maximum number of ways in a Megaways slot?
Standard 6-reel Megaways (7 symbols per reel maximum): 7⁶ = 117,649 ways. With a Top Tracker horizontal reel adding one position per column: up to 248,832 ways (White Rabbit standard maximum). With extending reels during free spins (White Rabbit, Rasputin): up to 2,985,984 ways (12⁶ at full 12-position-per-reel extension). Some licensed Megaways games use additional horizontal reels to reach 200,704 ways (Buffalo King Megaways). San Quentin xWays by Nolimit City is not technically a Megaways game, but uses the xWays mechanic to reach 13 billion+ ways — that’s a different proprietary system.
Are BTG Megaways games better than licensed versions?
It depends on your priority. BTG originals have higher cascade (Reaction) frequency (8–12% vs 5–8% for licensed versions) and implement the unlimited cascading multiplier in its original form. Licensed versions often have higher RTPs (Blood Suckers Megaways at 97.66% vs Bonanza at 96%) and different bonus mechanics that can outperform BTG’s in specific ways. Neither is categorically superior — BTG originals provide the purest Megaways cascade experience; licensed games trade that for higher return or different feature types. See the full comparison table in our BTG guide.
What is the highest RTP Megaways slot?
Blood Suckers Megaways (licensed by Red Tiger from NetEnt’s Blood Suckers) at 97.66% RTP — the highest published RTP of any mainstream Megaways game available at UK casinos. Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic) at 97.01% and White Rabbit Megaways (BTG) at 97.24% are the next highest. Always verify the specific RTP at your casino — some operators run lower-RTP configurations of even these titles. The in-game information screen shows the version your casino is running.
What is the Megaways unlimited multiplier?
In BTG original Megaways games (Bonanza, Extra Chilli, etc.), the free spins round features an unlimited multiplier that increments by 1× with each cascade (Reaction) anywhere in the bonus round. Crucially, it doesn’t reset between spins — a multiplier of 8× going into spin 6 stays at 8× for that spin and carries forward to spin 7. It only increases (via new cascades) and never decreases. This means a productive early bonus with several Reaction chains can build the multiplier to 10–20× before the later, larger wins arrive. The combination of a high running multiplier and a productive later spin is the mechanism behind the 26,000× max win in Bonanza. See the full mechanic explanation in our Cascading Reels guide.
Can I use Megaways slots to clear casino bonuses?
Most standard Megaways slots (Bonanza, Dog House Megaways, Buffalo King Megaways, Eye of Horus Megaways) are eligible for bonus wagering at UK casinos. Standard slots contribute 100% to wagering requirements. Jackpot King-linked Megaways versions are sometimes excluded. High-RTP Megaways like Blood Suckers Megaways (97.66%) may be excluded at some operators. Check the specific exclusion list before using bonus funds on any Megaways title. For clearing wagering requirements, Blood Suckers Megaways (if available and not excluded) offers the best mathematical return per £100 wagered of any Megaways slot.
