What Are Megaways Slots?
Megaways is a slot mechanic that changes the number of symbols on each reel every spin, so the number of ways to win changes too, up to 117,649 on a standard six-reel game. This guide explains how it works and what to expect, then lists the Megaways slots we have reviewed, including the ones with the highest RTP in our database.
Megaways slots are now offered by many software studios, and South African players will see them at most casinos with a big slot library. The questions people ask most are how they work, whether they pay better than other slots, and which ones are worth a look. We answer all three below.
Where Megaways Came From
Megaways was created by Big Time Gaming, an Australian studio founded in 2011. It first appeared in Dragon Born at the end of 2015, a six-reel slot that could produce up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin.
Other studios then licensed the mechanic from Big Time Gaming. Blueprint Gaming was one of them, and our Valletta Megaways review covers a Blueprint release. Today our reviews include Megaways slots from Red Tiger, Skywind Group, BGaming, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Relax Gaming, as the list further down shows.
How Megaways Slots Work
A Megaways slot uses a random reel modifier. Instead of every reel always showing the same number of symbols, each reel can show between 2 and 7 symbols on any given spin. That makes the number of ways to win different on every spin.
The standard setup is a 6-reel grid. When all six reels reach their maximum height, you get 7x7x7x7x7x7 = 117,649 ways. Wins are paid on adjacent reels from left to right, so there are no paylines to count: a symbol only has to appear on neighbouring reels, starting from the first reel.
For a worked example, watch how changing reel heights changes the ways count. The animation uses illustrative rules; more ways do not guarantee a win.
Some games stretch this further. They may use a 7-reel playfield or extending reels and similar extra features, which multiply symbols across the grid and push the number of ways higher than 117,649. Not every Megaways slot follows the standard layout either: in our database Alive! Megaways and Book of Gems Megaways are listed with 5 reels.
Do Megaways Slots Pay Better?
Not automatically. We checked the RTP figures in our own reviews. Of the 43 Megaways reviews that have a sensible RTP recorded, 26 sit at 96% or above and 17 sit between 93.01% and 95.73%. So Megaways slots are spread across the range, and the mechanic alone does not tell you the payback. Always check the RTP of the specific game. If you need a refresher, read what RTP means, and compare with our lists of highest RTP slots and lowest RTP slots.
Two more points to keep in mind:
- Volatility is usually on the higher side. Games built on this mechanic tend to pay bigger prizes less often, so a session can be quiet for a while.
- The maximum is not the average. The average number of ways per spin is far lower than the headline figure, so the full potential of the mechanic may take many spins to show, if it shows at all.
Megaways Slots We’ve Reviewed
Our database holds dozens of Megaways reviews. Here are ten from different providers. RTP and reel figures come from our database and are the theoretical values, so check the game’s own info screen before you play.
- Big Buffalo Megaways (Skywind Group, RTP 96.5%, 6 reels): free spins that can reach up to 100, with wild multipliers.
- Sticky Sevens Megaways (Skywind Group, RTP 96.5%, 6 reels): lets you choose between two free spins features.
- Alive! Megaways (Skywind Group, RTP 96.47%, 5 reels): Dynamic Action symbols, the Play It Your Way feature and Unlimited Multiplier free games.
- Well of Wilds Megaways (Red Tiger, RTP 95.67%, 6 reels): plenty of wild symbols and the Lucky Wishes bonus.
- NFT Megaways (Red Tiger, RTP 95.66%, 6 reels): a crypto-themed slot with pixelated characters. If crypto interests you, see our page on crypto-friendly slots.
- Twin Spin Megaways (NetEnt, RTP 96.04%, 6 reels).
- Valletta Megaways (Blueprint Gaming, RTP 96.45%, 6 reels).
- The Dog House Megaways 1000 (Pragmatic Play, RTP 96.5%, 6 reels).
- Spin and Score Megaways (Pragmatic Play, RTP 96.55%, 6 reels).
- Sweet Rush Megaways (BGaming, RTP 96.72%, 6 reels).
For provider overviews, see our reviews of Red Tiger, Skywind Group, BGaming and Pragmatic Play.
Highest-RTP Megaways Slots in Our Reviews
These are the Megaways slots with the highest RTP recorded in our database. A higher RTP does not mean you will win. It is a long-run average across all players.
| Slot | Provider | RTP | Reels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Suckers Megaways | Red Tiger | 97.66% | 6 |
| Savage Buffalo Spirit Megaways | BGaming | 97.04% | 6 |
| Luck Lady Moon Megaways | BGaming | 97% | 6 |
| Sweet Rush Megaways | BGaming | 96.72% | 6 |
| Aztec Magic Megaways | BGaming | 96.69% | 6 |
| Spin and Score Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.55% | 6 |
Fancy something different from reel-based mechanics? Our guide to cluster pay slots covers a format with no paylines and no reel ways at all. You can also browse online casino slots or try games for free first on our free casino games page.
Megaways slots give you a changing grid and a large headline number of ways, but they are still slots. Results are random and no mechanic guarantees a win, so play within a budget you can afford.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly: SA Responsible Gambling Foundation counselling line 0800 006 008 (24/7).