Play Online Megaways Slots for Real Money or for Free

What Are Megaways Slots?

The main difference between these games and conventional titles is the presence of a random reel modifier. This changes the number of symbols that can land on the 6-reel grid after each spin. The number typically goes from 1 to 7 icons, commonly allowing up to 117,649 ways to win. Most Megaways slots also have a mini reel at the top of the screen, further increasing their potential.

Instead of matching icons on an active payline, Big Time Gaming’s invention only requires players to find at least three identical symbols on adjacent reels from left to right. It’s slightly harder than the cluster pay mechanism in slots such as Aloha! Cluster Pays. Nevertheless, fewer icons are needed to form a winning combination, so it evens things out.

Megaways video slots also have a few special features in addition to the random reel modifier concept. Almost every slot offers the cascading reels mechanic, where winning combinations disappear from the reels to allow new symbols to fall in place. This can lead to consecutive wins on the same spin, often with a progressive multiplier attached.

The Megaways engine significantly ups the excitement of spinning the reels, especially when you hit the maximum number of winning ways. Each developer puts its own distinctive spin on these games with added bonus features, but every game uses the same foundational gameplay mechanic and bonus features. 

Who Is Big Time Gaming?

Big Time Gaming is an Australian iGaming provider established in 2011 by founder Nik Robinson. Its early slot games were well-received, but after the release of its flagship Megaways title, Bonanza, BGT was launched into global online casino stardom.

Fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, among others, the developer has consistently been at the forefront of the online casino world. It has plenty of incredible slots accessible in all global markets. Big Time Gaming notably licensed its pioneering game engine to other providers, including Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, and NetEnt. This has ensured a regular abundance of top-tier Megaways games for players to enjoy.

The industry giant Evolution Gaming acquired Big Time Gaming in 2021, which has further amplified its position in the global slots standings. These are a few of the developer’s best slots:

How Megaways Slots Work

A few years ago, most video slots used 5x3 reel grids, with a few exceptions for cluster play slots and other inventive games. Megaways games were some of the first to expand the reels to six, with 1-7 symbol positions on each reel. An RNG powers the random reel modifier, which changes the number during each spin. With all reels at the highest number of positions, you can generally enjoy 117,649 ways to win.

Players only need to match symbols on adjacent reels, so winning spins can be more common than conventional online slots. You can also enjoy potentially unlimited multipliers after each winning spin courtesy of the cascading reels feature. Otherwise known as avalanche or rolling reels, it removes winning combinations and allows new symbols to fall from above.

Here is a quick rundown of how to play Megaways slots:

1. Sign up at a top-rated Megaways casino like the ones listed on our site

2. Choose a slot to play out of the many options

3. Take a minute to read over the paytable and slot rules

4. Place your bet (typically between 0.20 and 20.00) using the controls at the bottom of the screen

5. Press spin and watch the random reel modifier change the available winning ways

6. If you hit a winning symbol combination you will activate the cascading reels

7. Look out for scatter symbols and special icons, as these can trigger free spins bonuses and more

The Megaways slot experience is a supercharged version of the traditional gameplay, making for a truly wild ride. Most games using the engine have high variance, with maximum jackpot wins exceeding 80,150x your stake in some cases. The RTP is also generally quite high, as we’ll see below.

Megaways Slots RTP

The Megaways engine ensures high hit frequency on these games, generally making for a lower house edge. This is represented by Return To Player in the slots world, a percentage that indicates how much you can expect to win back from every 100.00 wagered. Most Megaways games score above the 96% average, usually in the region of 96.50%.

Doggy Riches Megaways is one of the lowest, at 95.7%, but titles such as White Rabbit Megaways offer 97.72%. You can find the top five highest RTP Megaways slots below:

1. White Rabbit Megaways: 97.72%

2. Medusa Megaways: 97.63%

3. Buffalo Rising All Action Megaways: 97.01%

4. Gorilla Gold Megaways: 97%

5. Queen Of Riches Megaways: 96.90%

How Do You Win on Megaways Slots?

Winning on Megaways is simple: match at least three identical symbols anywhere on adjacent reels. Unlike other slot games, most Megaways titles also feature an added reel at the top of the screen with four more symbols. This can contribute to the winning combinations, ultimately powering over 117,649 ways to win.

Another unique Megaways feature is the cascading reels concept we explained earlier. Just as a recap, it gets rid of winning combinations, allowing other potentially winning symbols to fall in place. Not only this, but players are also treated to a progressive multiplier going up by 1x with each win on the same spin.

How to Calculate Ways to Win On Megaways Slots

The Megaways concept is admittedly quite difficult to understand, especially for beginners. It pays to learn the specifics of how it works, or the high-octane gameplay can become slightly overwhelming. All Megaways slots have 6-reel grids, usually with an added special reel on the top of the screen.

As the maximum number of icons on each reel tends to be seven, you can hit the highest number of ways to win when the random reel modifier generates a 7x7 grid. A spot of quick math will illuminate how you can calculate the ways to win here:

7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 Ways To Win

Hitting the maximum number of symbol positions on the reels isn’t particularly common. In the example below, we’ll help you work out the number of winning ways on an average spin:

4 x 4 x 5 x 2 x 7 = 1120 Ways To Win

Apply this equation anytime you want to check the current situation while playing a Megaways slot. Games using the added bonus reel can often exceed 117,649 ways to win, but the same principle applies when trying to calculate it.

The Best Megaways Slots

There are hundreds of Megaways slots on the market in 2022, with everything from Irish themes to Aztec adventures available for players. While most games using this mechanic are more than worth playing, there are a few titles you really cannot miss. Developers such as Blueprint Gaming have further customized Big Time Gaming’s invention with Jackpot King prizes and more.

Megaways slots also have fantastic game availability, playable worldwide at countless online casinos. It can be hard to choose which game to play, so we’ve compiled the five best Megways options below:

Bonanza

We had to start with the game that kicked off the whole Megaways boom: Bonanza. Big Time Gaming’s groundbreaking title has well and truly stood the test of time, with a barmy mining theme providing the backdrop to several bonus features. RTP is 96%, with up to 117,649 ways to win and a maximum win of 26,000x your stake.

Bonanza has a few seriously powerful bonus features, even by today’s standards. Big Time Gaming uses the term Reactions for the cascading reels here, but the mechanic is the same as in other games. Players also enjoy random multiplayer symbols in the base mode and up to 22 free spins that are endlessly re-triggerable.

White Rabbit Megaways

Another market-leading Big Time Gaming slot, White Rabbit Megaways is famed for its high 97.24% RTP and above-average 248,832 megaways. Big Time Gaming has upped the ante here with extending reels in the free spins bonus reaching up to 12 positions long. This medium variance game has a high hit frequency at 26.7%, so it's especially beneficial for low rollers.

This is the main appeal of White Rabbit Megaways, as the maximum 17,420x win isn’t as large as many other slots. Even still, don’t underestimate this BGT game’s potential, as there are a few bonus features to enjoy. The caterpillar wilds randomly blow multipliers across the reels, while the Down the Rabbit Hole free spins bonus expands the winning ways to 248,832. Players in some territories can also buy their way into the free spins round with the Feature Drop option.

Buffalo Rising Megaways Jackpot King

Blueprint Gaming raised the bar when it released Buffalo Rising Megaways Jackpot King, adding a progressive jackpot to the gameplay. As you can imagine, this slot has seriously high volatility. However, with 97.01% RTP, there are still more than enough chances to win. Fans of the original Buffalo King Megways slot will love this Jackpot King version, as all the award-winning aspects of its predecessor are on show.

Players enjoy up to 15 retriggerable free spins with progressive multipliers attached. There is also a random mystery symbol feature where these special icons can land on the reels and transform to create winning combinations. Triggering the Jackpot King feature requires six special jackpot king symbols.

Ted Megaways

The epic box office smash-hit starring Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg caused several cultural offshoots, and Blueprint Gaming’s original Ted slot was one of them. It featured picture-perfect graphics and several Ted-inspired bonus features, wowing slot fans worldwide. Ted Megaways takes the original’s success and supercharges it with 117,649 ways to win.

This game is notable for its relatively high 50,000x maximum win, achievable when the full number of winning ways is activated. Ted Megaways has high variance, but it's all worth it for the bonus features. You can enjoy cascading reels, mystery symbols, bonus bet, and a powerful Thunder Buddies feature. This is essentially an endlessly retriggerable free spins round with progressive multipliers to boot. 

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways is another remake of a classic slot. Although NetEnt created the original Gonzo's Quest slot, this game comes courtesy of Red Tiger Gaming, another provider under the arm of Evolution. The developer uses the same lovable animation, inviting Gonzo’s Quest enthusiasts into the same world as before, just with added Megaways. With up to 117,649 ways to win when the 7-7-7-7-7-7 grid is activated, this is a powerful upgrade on the first game.

The maximum win is 21,000x is another improvement, but it does come at the expense of a reduced 96% RTP. The cascading reels can reach multipliers of 5x here, while you can also enjoy sticky wilds and special rounds with all low-value symbols removed. To top things off, Red Tiger includes a free spins feature that offers up to 25 free spins with multipliers.

Who Makes Megaways Slots?

The Megaways™ engine is trademarked by Big Time Gaming, but the developer took the admirable decision to open up the licensing for other providers. It has resulted in a glut of spectacular Megaways slots over the last several years from long-standing developers like NetEnt and newer companies including Yggdrasil.

The following software developers are widely acknowledged as the best Megaways slots designers:

Big Time Gaming

BGT is the Megaways slot originator, and there is still no beating this legendary developer. The Australian company hasn’t rested on its laurels over the years, consistently creating new and unique takes on the Megaways engine.

A firm believer in exciting gameplay, Big Time Gaming often infuses its games with random bonus features. To top things off, its attitude to sound effects and animation is top-notch. Here are a few of the best Big Time Gaming Megaways games:

• Bonanza

• White Rabbit Megaways

• Queen of Riches Megaways

NetEnt

NetEnt is arguably the most important online slot provider of all time, playing an instrumental role in the continued development of the industry. The Swedish developer has remarkable attention to detail, crafting beautiful games over various different themes.

NetEnt was also an early frontrunner in exploring interesting new reel mechanics. Twin Spin is a great example, where it gave players two identical reels to spin that linked in the bonus feature. Twin Spin Megaways is an even better version that you cannot afford to miss. Other NetEnt Megaways games include:

• Dazzle Me Megaways

• Divine Fortune Megaways

• Fruit Shop Megaways

Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming is one of the world’s oldest and most respected online slot developers, responsible for modern classics such as Ted and Eye of Horus. The company has updated its catalogue with the Megaways engine to great effect in recent years. Known for perfectly designed branded titles, it’s difficult to beat this UK provider.

Payouts tend to be quite high in titles like Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, although you will have to settle for slightly lower RTPs. Nevertheless, the powerful bonus features across most Blueprint Gaming Megaways slots more than make up for it. Check below for the best examples:

• Ted Megaways

• Buffalo Rising Megaways

• Deal or No Deal Megaways

Others

The companies above are generally regarded as the best Megaways slot providers. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, as other software developers creating Megaways games are plentiful:

Where to Play Megaways Slots

Not all online casinos stock Megaways slots, so you must do your research to find the best. These games are increasingly available worldwide, and some platforms may even have exclusive Megaways games you cannot play elsewhere. We’ve listed a few of the best platforms to play Megaways slots:

🎰 Best for online slots	Mr Rex Casino
⚡ Best for payout speed	Mr Q Casino
🏆 Best mobile casino	LeoVegas Casino
✔️ Best for beginners	Jackpot Village Casino
🚀 Best for our team	Vulkan Vegas Casino

Megaways Slot Bonuses

Checking for Megaways slot bonuses is a fundamental part of choosing a platform and game to play. Regarding casino sites, you should look out for no-deposit free spins and deposit match bonuses to enhance your enjoyment with bonus funds. This is a great way to learn the ropes for free, particularly useful on complex Megaways titles.

Once you have taken advantage of casino bonuses, there are several classic Megaways slot special features to enjoy. Here are the most frequent:

• Cascading Reels

• Unlimited Multipliers

• Random Symbols

• Sticky Wilds

• Retriggerable Free Spins

• Jackpot Respin

• High-Value Symbols Only

Free Play Megaways Slots

Do you want a taste of megaways slots right now without risking your cash? Just about all megaways slots can be tried and tested for free if you're not yet ready to stake any of your hard-earned money. Here's a selection of online megaways slots you can play for free:

Final Thoughts

With expanded bonus features and uncomparably high-octane gameplay, games like Ted Megaways and Buffalo Rising Megaways have quickly become hallmarks of the modern slots scene. The random reel modifier concept allows for a remarkably high number of winning ways, prompting high RTP and larger jackpots in general.