What Are Megaways Slots? Understand How They Work in 2026

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What Are Megaways Slots?

Megaways slots are an innovative breed of online slot play that renders the standard casino gambling session redundant. They have a unique reel modifier mechanism that produces an astronomical number of potential winning combinations. In answer to "What does Megaways mean in slots?", the answer is in its changing reel mechanism whereby the number of symbols shown on every reel alters at random with each spin.

A Brief History of Megaways Slots

Megaways slots came about courtesy of Big Time Gaming, which was founded by Nick Robinson and Hugh McIntosh in 2011. Their first Megaways slot hit the scene in 2016 and it was the casino-exclusive. The innovative slot presented players with an opportunity to have more than 4,096 ways of winning, opening doors to something new and bigger in the industry.

However, it was Bonanza Megaways that introduced the Megaways concept to the world in 2016. Bonanza was an instant hit with players and continues to be popular today.

Following the success of their best Megaways slots, BTG began licensing the Megaways engine to other providers. This led to a huge boom of Megaways slots, continuing to cement the mechanic as a fan favourite.

Pros and Cons of Megaways Slots

 

 

How to calculate the number of ways to win on Megaways Slots?

Calculating the number of ways to win in a Megaways slot is pretty simple once you understand the basics. Most Megaways games have six reels, and each reel can show between 2 and 7 symbols per spin (some can go up to 8). You can calculate the total number of ways to win by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if the reels show the 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 symbols, you calculate 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 = 5,040 ways to win. Many games add an extra horizontal reel (usually 4 symbols), which multiplies the total further.

So if that reel has 4 symbols, it becomes 7 × 6 × 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 4 = 20,160 ways. The max is often 117,649 (7 symbols on all 6 reels, which is calculated as 7^6), but some like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire go up to 1,000,000. Always check the game's info tab for the exact details, as it changes with every spin.

How Do Megaways Slot Work?

Megaways games work by adjusting the number of symbols on each reel during a single spin, often between 2 to 7 symbols on each reel. This creates an ever-changing number of possible winning ways, with some games offering as many as 117,649 possible ways when all the reels display the most symbols.

Unlike the traditional slots which have fixed pay lines, Megaways slots (such as Buffalo King Megaways) pay for adjacent reels with identical symbols, irrespective of their location. The new design makes it possible for players to bet Megaways slots with a significant level of excitement and winning chances.

 

How to Play Megaways Slots?

Playing Megaways slots is relatively straightforward, despite their complex mechanics:

1. Choose your bet size and hit the spin button.
2. See the reels spin and then come to an abrupt stop, revealing a large amount of symbols per reel.
3. Successful combinations are created by the alignment of symbols on consecutive reels from the left.
4. When you receive a winning combination, the cascading reels feature will kick in, leading to additional winnings.
5. Look for special symbols that will trigger bonus rounds or free spin features.

Main Features of Megaways Slots

The Megaways mechanic, pioneered by Big Time Gaming, revolutionised online slots by ditching fixed paylines in favour of a dynamic reel system. Here are the core features that define the megaways slots experience:

• Randomised pay lines: The number of ways to win changes with every spin, usually as many as 117,649 and more than 200,000 in certain games.
• Cascading reels: The symbols that form a win are discarded and new ones added, enabling the player to create several wins out of a single spin.
• Multipliers and bonus features: Most Megaways games boast special features like expanding win multipliers, mystery symbols, and bonus features.
• Free spin and retriggering: The games also often feature free spin features with the possibility of retriggers, which amplify the bonus play and winning opportunities.
• Dynamic game: The changing reel matrix makes each spin dynamic.

Return To Player Of Megaways Slot Games & Tips

When playing Megaways slots, consider these tips:

• Begin playing with small wagers to sense the volatility of the game.
• Take advantage of casino bonuses or free play options to practice the game dynamics without spending real money.
• Get an idea of RTP (Return to Player) between 95% to 97% in the case of Megaways slots.
• Watch over your bankroll and establish boundaries to maintain controlled gambling.

Main Megaways Slot Game Developers

While Big Time Gaming created the Megaways mechanic, many other casino software providers have since licensed the technology and created some of the best Megaways slots around: