The Origin: Big Time Gaming and a Payline Revolution

In 2016, a small game studio based in Sydney, Australia — Big Time Gaming (BTG) — released a slot called Bonanza. The game had an unassuming mining theme and a cartoonish art style, but it introduced a mechanic so innovative that it would reshape the entire slot industry for the decade to come.

That mechanic was Megaways.

Before Bonanza, slot machines used two primary win structures: fixed paylines and fixed ways. Whether a game had 20 paylines, 243 ways, or 1,024 ways, the number of winning paths was constant on every single spin. Players knew exactly how many ways they could win before pressing the button.

BTG’s founder, Nik Robinson, had a different vision: what if the number of symbols displayed on each reel changed randomly on every spin? What if the number of possible winning combinations was never the same twice?

This idea became Megaways, and BTG promptly filed a patent (US Patent No. US10957157B2) protecting the core concept of dynamically varying reel heights — each reel independently randomizing between 2 and 7 visible symbols per spin.

Bonanza exploded in the streaming community. Slot YouTubers couldn’t get enough of the unpredictability — every spin brought a different grid layout, a different number of ways to win, and a fundamentally different experience from anything that came before.

How It Works: Dynamic Reel Heights

To understand Megaways, it helps to first understand how traditional slots structure their reels.

Traditional Fixed Reels

A standard 5-reel, 3-row slot displays 5 × 3 = 15 symbols on every spin. The number of ways to win is calculated from this fixed grid:

• 243 Ways: 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243 (3 rows per reel, 5 reels)
• 1,024 Ways: 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 = 1,024 (4 rows per reel, 5 reels)

The critical point: these numbers are constants. No matter how many times you spin, the number of winning paths never changes.

Megaways Dynamic Reels

Megaways shatters this fixed structure entirely. In the standard Megaways configuration:

• The game uses 6 reels (instead of the traditional 5)
• Each reel randomly displays between 2 and 7 symbols per spin
• Each reel’s height is determined independently

This means:

• Minimum ways: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64 ways
• Maximum ways: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways

On every spin, the game engine generates an independent random number between 2 and 7 for each of the six reels, determining how many symbols that reel will display. Multiply all six numbers together, and you get the total ways to win for that particular spin.

Deeper Math: Probability Distribution

Assuming equal probability for each reel height (1/6 for each value from 2-7):

Ways to Win	Condition	Probability
117,649	All 6 reels show 7 symbols	(1/6)⁶ ≈ 0.002%
64	All 6 reels show 2 symbols	(1/6)⁶ ≈ 0.002%
Middle values	Mixed heights	~99.996%

In practice, most Megaways games do not use a uniform distribution. Game mathematicians weight each height differently to control RTP and volatility. For instance, the probability of a reel showing 7 symbols might be significantly lower than showing 2 or 3 symbols, making the coveted 117,649-way spin an extremely rare event — and all the more thrilling when it occurs.

The Top Reel (Horizontal Reel)

Many Megaways games (including the original Bonanza) feature a horizontal reel above the main grid, typically spanning reels 2 through 5 and adding 4 extra symbol positions. This increases the way calculation complexity but doesn’t change the fundamental principle.

Comparison with Traditional Win Structures

Win System	Typical Layout	Win Paths	Fixed?	Example Games
Fixed Paylines	5 reels × 3 rows	20-50 lines	Yes	Book of Ra, Starburst
243 Ways	5 reels × 3 rows	243	Yes	Immortal Romance
1,024 Ways	5 reels × 4 rows	1,024	Yes	Thunderstruck II
3,125 Ways	5 reels × 5 rows	3,125	Yes	Various
Megaways	6 reels × 2-7 rows	64-117,649	Dynamic	Bonanza

The key differentiator isn’t just the higher maximum — it’s the variability. In a 243-ways game, win probability is constant across every spin. In Megaways, when all reels expand to 7 symbols, win probability is dramatically higher than when reels contract to 2-3 symbols. This fluctuation in probability itself is the defining mathematical characteristic of Megaways.

Core Megaways Features

Megaways isn’t just about the dynamic reel count. Nearly every Megaways game ships with a set of companion mechanics that amplify the experience:

1. Cascading Wins (Reactions / Tumbles / Avalanche)

When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols are removed from the grid. Remaining symbols drop down to fill the gaps, and new symbols fall in from above. If the new arrangement creates another win, the process repeats. This is known as a cascade (also called reactions, tumbles, or avalanche depending on the provider).

Theoretically, cascades can continue indefinitely within a single spin. Each cascade is essentially a free extra chance to win without placing an additional bet. This dramatically increases the maximum win potential of any given spin.

2. Increasing Multipliers

During Free Spins, each consecutive cascade increases the win multiplier by 1. The multiplier does not reset between cascades — it persists until the Free Spins round ends.

For example:

• First cascade: 1x multiplier
• Second cascade: 2x multiplier
• Third cascade: 3x multiplier
• …and so on

If you’ve accumulated a 15x or 20x multiplier by the final spins and then land a large winning combination, the payout becomes enormous. This is why Megaways games regularly produce screenshots of massive wins — the compounding multiplier creates exponential payout scaling.

3. Unlimited Cascade Potential

The combination of cascading wins and dynamic ways means that a single spin can, in theory, produce astronomical payouts. Many Megaways games cap the maximum win at 10,000x to 50,000x the bet amount, though reaching these caps is exceptionally rare.

4. Additional Features

Different Megaways games add their own unique twists:

• Mystery Symbols: Random symbols that all transform into the same symbol type, increasing match potential
• Expanding Wilds: Wild symbols that expand to cover an entire reel
• Extra Free Spins: Awarded for landing additional scatters during the bonus round
• Feature Buy (Bonus Buy): Pay approximately 100x the bet to instantly trigger Free Spins, bypassing the base game entirely

The Licensing Model: A Business Innovation

Rather than keeping Megaways as an exclusive competitive advantage, BTG made a strategically brilliant business decision: they licensed the Megaways trademark and technology to other game providers.

This means companies like Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming, iSoftBet, Iron Dog Studio, and many others can legally develop and market games using the Megaways name and mechanic. BTG collects licensing fees from every authorized title.

The result was explosive growth:

• 2018-2020 marked the peak Megaways boom
• By 2026, over 200 Megaways-branded slots exist on the market
• “Megaways” became virtually synonymous with “high-ways dynamic reel” slots

In 2021, Evolution Gaming acquired BTG in a deal worth approximately €450 million. This acquisition gave Evolution control over the Megaways patent and brand while ensuring the continuation of the licensing model that made it ubiquitous.

Notable Megaways Slots

Bonanza Megaways (BTG, 2016)

The original. Mining theme, 6 reels plus a horizontal top reel, up to 117,649 ways. Free Spins feature unlimited increasing multipliers. RTP approximately 96.0%. Still one of the most played Megaways games a decade after release.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger / NetEnt, 2020)

A Megaways reimagining of NetEnt’s iconic Gonzo’s Quest. It preserves the original’s Mayan/Incan adventure theme and earthquake cascade animations while adding dynamic reel heights. Maximum win of 20,000x. This game perfectly demonstrated the “classic IP + Megaways mechanic” formula that would become a major industry trend.

Buffalo Rising Megaways (Blueprint, 2019)

American buffalo theme that married Aristocrat’s beloved Buffalo series DNA with the Megaways engine. Features a “Feature Drop” that lets players buy into Free Spins at a reduced cost, plus four different Free Spins modes to choose from.

Big Bass Bonanza Megaways (Pragmatic Play, 2022)

Pragmatic Play merged its most successful franchise, Big Bass, with the Megaways mechanic. Fishing theme with a collect mechanic — landing fisherman symbols during Free Spins awards cash prizes. This game proved that even already-successful series could gain new life through a Megaways adaptation.

Machina Megaways (Kalamba, 2020)

Cyberpunk-themed with an innovative HyperBet system — players can select different bet tiers that unlock additional features and higher RTP. This showcased how Megaways can be layered with completely separate innovation mechanics.

A Note on Sweet Bonanza

It’s worth clarifying that Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza, despite frequently being discussed alongside Megaways games, is not a Megaways title. Sweet Bonanza uses a Scatter Pays (Tumble) system where 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the grid create a win, regardless of position. The candy-crushing cascade experience feels similar to Megaways, but it is technically a completely different system with no Megaways licensing involved.

Providers Using Megaways

Provider	Notable Titles	Distinctive Approach
BTG (Big Time Gaming)	Bonanza, Extra Chilli, White Rabbit	The inventor; most refined implementations
Pragmatic Play	Great Rhino Megaways, Big Bass Megaways	Highest volume licensee
Red Tiger	Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Dragon’s Fire Megaways	Emphasis on visual polish and animation
Blueprint Gaming	Buffalo Rising, Eye of Horus Megaways	Specializes in classic IP conversions
iSoftBet	Moriarty Megaways, Aztec Gold Megaways	Focus on narrative depth
Iron Dog Studio	1 Million Megaways BC	Pushes the mechanic to extremes
Kalamba Games	Machina Megaways	Innovative add-on mechanics

Megaways vs. Other Innovative Win Mechanics

Megaways isn’t the only innovation in slot win structures. Here’s how it compares with other major mechanics:

Infinity Reels (ReelPlay)

Infinity Reels starts with a fixed number of reels (typically 3) and adds a new reel to the right side with every winning cascade. Theoretically, reels can expand infinitely. Ways to win grow exponentially with each added reel.

Key difference from Megaways: Megaways has a fixed number of reels with variable height; Infinity Reels has fixed reel height with variable reel count.

Cluster Pays

Symbols don’t need to align on specific paylines. Instead, 5 or more matching symbols touching horizontally or vertically create a win. Representative games include Aloha! Cluster Pays (NetEnt) and Reactoonz (Play’n GO).

Key difference from Megaways: Cluster Pays completely abandons the reel-and-payline paradigm, creating an experience closer to match-3 puzzle games. Megaways remains fundamentally reel-based.

Multiway / xWays

Some providers developed proprietary alternatives to work around the Megaways patent. Nolimit City’s xWays mechanic, for example, uses special mystery symbols that split into 2-4 identical symbols upon landing, dynamically increasing that reel’s height. The effect is similar to Megaways, but the implementation is technically distinct — and doesn’t require a BTG license.

Volatility Profile: Why Megaways Means High Volatility

Megaways games are almost universally medium-high to extremely high volatility. Here’s why:

1. Massive ways-to-win variance. The swing from 64 ways to 117,649 ways means that win probability itself fluctuates dramatically between spins. Low-ways spins are unlikely to produce meaningful payouts.

2. Compounding multiplier effects. The increasing multiplier during Free Spins concentrates value into rare, high-cascade events. This is the textbook definition of high volatility — you might go 100+ spins with minimal returns, then a single Free Spins round recoups everything and more.

3. High symbol count. Six reels typically feature 10-12 different regular symbol types plus Wilds and Scatters. More symbol variety means lower probability of matching any specific symbol across multiple reels.

4. Value concentration in bonus features. The majority of a Megaways game’s RTP contribution comes from the Free Spins feature. Base game wins tend to be modest, further amplifying the volatility profile.

Typical Megaways games rate 4/5 or 5/5 on volatility scales. If you’re accustomed to low-volatility experiences like Starburst, the Megaways rhythm will feel dramatically different — you need a substantially larger bankroll buffer to weather the inevitable dry spells.

RTP and Mathematical Considerations

Most Megaways games have an RTP between 95.5% and 96.5%, roughly in line with industry averages. However, several nuances are worth noting:

• Uneven RTP distribution: In high-volatility games, RTP is a long-term statistical measure. Actual returns over short sessions (a few hundred spins) can deviate dramatically from theoretical RTP in either direction.

• Feature Buy RTP: Many Megaways games offer a “Buy Free Spins” option. The RTP of this feature is often different from the base game’s RTP — sometimes slightly higher, sometimes lower. Always check if this information is available in the game’s info screen.

• Regulatory RTP variants: Some markets (particularly the UK) allow operators to configure lower-RTP versions of games (e.g., 94% instead of 96%). Many Megaways titles ship with multiple RTP configurations, and the operator chooses which version to deploy. Players should check the game’s info panel to verify which version they’re playing.

• Hit frequency vs. RTP: A game can have a competitive RTP (96%) but a very low hit frequency (e.g., 20% of spins produce any win at all). Megaways games often fall into this category — wins are infrequent but can be substantial when they do occur.

Pros and Cons for Players

Advantages

• Every spin feels different: Dynamic ways count keeps the experience fresh and reduces the monotony that can set in with fixed-ways games
• Explosive win potential: Cascading wins combined with increasing multipliers can produce life-changing payouts from a single spin
• Visually spectacular: A full 117,649-way cascade is one of the most satisfying visual experiences in modern slots
• Massive game library: With 200+ titles spanning every theme imaginable, there’s a Megaways game for every taste
• Strategic depth in Free Spins: Some games offer choices between different Free Spins modes, adding a decision-making element that most slots lack

Disadvantages

• High volatility isn’t for everyone: Bankroll depletion can be rapid, and base game wins are often underwhelming
• Steeper learning curve: Understanding dynamic ways, cascades, and multiplier progression requires more effort than traditional slots
• Higher minimum bets: Due to the large number of potential ways, some Megaways games have higher minimum bet requirements
• Feature Buy temptation: The option to spend 100x your bet for instant Free Spins can lead to rapid losses if the bonus doesn’t pay well
• Homogeneity problem: The sheer number of Megaways games has led to significant sameness — many titles are essentially reskins with minimal mechanical innovation

The Future: Is Megaways Oversaturated?

This is one of the most debated questions in the slot industry.

Arguments for oversaturation:

• Over 200 Megaways games exist, many with nearly identical gameplay
• Player excitement around the Megaways brand has notably diminished since the 2018-2020 peak
• Competing innovations (evolved Cluster Pays, Hold & Win, Buy Bonus variations, xWays) are capturing player attention
• Some operators report that new Megaways releases no longer generate the same engagement spikes they once did

Arguments against oversaturation:

• Megaways remains one of the highest-searched slot mechanic keywords globally
• Classic IP + Megaways combinations (reimagining beloved older games) still generate buzz
• Emerging markets in Asia and Latin America are only beginning to discover Megaways
• Evolution (BTG’s parent company) has the resources to continue innovating within the framework
• The mechanic has proven remarkably adaptable to new feature combinations

The balanced view: Megaways has evolved from a revolutionary innovation into an industry-standard feature. It’s no longer a selling point on its own — it’s a baseline configuration that many games include alongside other mechanics. The future likely lies in Megaways + additional innovation layers — think Megaways combined with Cluster Pays hybrids, social features, skill-based elements, or narrative progression systems.

Conclusion

Megaways stands as one of the most important mechanical innovations in the slot industry’s history. Through a deceptively simple idea — making reel heights dynamic — Big Time Gaming created an entirely new gameplay experience and, through their licensing model, propagated it across the entire industry.

For players, Megaways delivers unprecedented excitement and explosive win potential, but it also demands respect for its high volatility and the bankroll management that entails. Understanding the underlying mathematics — the probability distributions, the cascade mechanics, the multiplier compounding — is essential for anyone who wants to enjoy Megaways games responsibly.

Whether you’re a slot newcomer or a seasoned veteran, Megaways is a mechanic worth understanding deeply — because it has fundamentally shaped the modern slot landscape, and its influence will continue to be felt for years to come.