What Is Megaways?
Megaways is a revolutionary pokie mechanic created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian game development studio founded by Nik Robinson. First introduced in 2015 and popularised by the smash-hit Bonanza pokie in 2016, Megaways fundamentally changed how online pokies work by replacing traditional fixed paylines with a dynamic, variable reel system.
In a traditional pokie, each reel has a fixed number of positions and there are a set number of paylines (typically 10, 20, 25, or 50). You know exactly how many ways to win are possible before every spin. Megaways throws this convention out the window. Instead, the number of symbols displayed on each reel changes randomly with every spin, creating a different number of potential winning combinations each time you press the button.
The result is a much more dynamic and unpredictable gaming experience. One spin might offer just a few hundred ways to win, while the next could deliver the maximum 117,649 ways. This variability, combined with cascading wins and increasing multipliers, creates the potential for enormous payouts that traditional fixed-payline pokies simply cannot match.
Big Time Gaming patented the Megaways mechanic and has since licensed it to many of the industry's biggest game providers. Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming, iSoftBet, and others have all created their own Megaways pokies using the licensed technology. This has resulted in hundreds of Megaways titles available across Australian online casinos, covering every conceivable theme from ancient civilisations to fishing adventures.
🇦 Australian Connection
It is a source of pride that the Megaways mechanic was invented by an Australian company. Big Time Gaming, based in Sydney, has created one of the most successful innovations in online gambling history. The mechanic has generated billions of dollars in global revenue and transformed player expectations of what pokies can deliver.
How the Variable Reel System Works
The core of the Megaways mechanic is the variable reel system. Here is exactly how it functions, step by step.
A standard Megaways pokie uses a 6-reel layout. On each spin, every reel independently generates a random number of symbols — anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel together.
The Mathematics
Let us walk through the maths to show how the number of ways changes:
- Minimum ways: 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 ways to win (when all reels show only 2 symbols)
- Average spin: Approximately 4-5 symbols per reel = 4 x 5 x 4 x 5 x 4 x 5 = 20,000 ways (varies widely)
- Maximum ways: 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways to win (when all reels show their maximum 7 symbols)
The game typically displays the current number of ways to win on each spin, so you can see exactly how many winning combinations are possible. Seeing all six reels land on 7 symbols — the coveted "MEGAWAYS" moment — is always exciting because it means you have the maximum 117,649 ways to form winning combinations.
The Horizontal Reel
Many Megaways pokies include an additional horizontal reel positioned above reels 2 through 5. This extra reel adds more symbols to the grid and can boost the total number of ways to win beyond the standard 117,649. It also creates additional chances for winning combinations to form across the extended grid.
How Wins Form
Instead of traditional paylines, Megaways pokies award wins for matching symbols on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel (reel 1). Any matching symbol on any position of the adjacent reel counts as a winning combination. With up to 7 symbols per reel, there are many more positions where matches can occur compared to traditional pokies with 3-5 fixed positions.
💡 Key Concept
The beauty of Megaways is that more symbols on the reels means more ways to win. When the reels are "full" with maximum symbols, you have the best chance of landing wins. When reels show fewer symbols, there are fewer possible winning combinations. This creates natural excitement as you watch the reels populate and hope for a full grid. To understand how this affects your overall returns, read our guide to how RTP works.
Cascading Wins Explained
Cascading wins are a core feature of most Megaways pokies and are integral to how the big payouts are generated. This mechanic goes by several names across different games — tumbling reels, avalanche reels, reaction wins, or rolling reels — but the concept is the same.
How Cascading Wins Work
After a winning combination forms on the reels, the winning symbols are removed from the grid. The remaining symbols drop down to fill the gaps, and new random symbols fall in from the top to fill the empty positions. This creates a new reel layout, which is then evaluated for additional winning combinations. If new wins form, the process repeats. The cascade continues until no more winning combinations appear, at which point the total win for that spin is calculated and paid.
Increasing Multipliers
What makes cascading wins particularly powerful in Megaways pokies is the increasing multiplier that many games apply during the cascade chain. In the base game, each consecutive cascade might increase a win multiplier by 1x. During free spins, this multiplier often has no upper limit and carries over between spins.
Here is how a cascade chain with multipliers might look during free spins:
- Win 1: AU$5 win x 1x multiplier = AU$5
- Win 2 (cascade): AU$3 win x 2x multiplier = AU$6
- Win 3 (cascade): AU$8 win x 3x multiplier = AU$24
- Win 4 (cascade): AU$2 win x 4x multiplier = AU$8
- Total from one spin: AU$43 from a series of cascades
In the best free spins rounds, the multiplier can climb to 10x, 20x, or even higher, turning relatively modest base wins into enormous payouts. This is the mechanism behind the massive win potential that Megaways pokies are famous for — some games offer maximum wins of 10,000x to 50,000x your bet.
Top Megaways Pokies for Australian Players
Hundreds of Megaways pokies are available, but some stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are the top Megaways games we recommend for Aussie players, based on gameplay quality, RTP, features, and overall entertainment value.
Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming)
The game that started it all. Bonanza Megaways is set in a gold mining theme and was the first Megaways pokie to truly capture the imagination of players worldwide. It features cascading wins with unlimited multipliers during free spins, and the reactions feature creates chain wins that build excitement with every cascade. The free spins round is triggered by landing four scatter symbols (G-O-L-D) and starts with 12 free spins with unlimited increasing multipliers. Bonanza remains one of the most popular Megaways pokies years after its release, and its proven gameplay loop has stood the test of time.
White Rabbit Megaways (Big Time Gaming)
White Rabbit takes the Alice in Wonderland theme and delivers one of the most innovative Megaways experiences available. Its unique "Extending Reels" feature allows the reels to grow up to 12 symbols high during free spins, creating a potential for an enormous number of ways to win that far exceeds the standard 117,649. The cupcake symbols that trigger reel extensions during the free spins round create genuinely exciting moments. The bonus buy feature is also available, allowing you to jump straight into the action.
Gonzo's Quest Megaways (Red Tiger / NetEnt)
A Megaways reimagining of NetEnt's classic Gonzo's Quest, this version takes the beloved Aztec adventure theme and adds the variable reel mechanic. The cascading wins (called Avalanche Reels) pair perfectly with the Megaways system, and the increasing multipliers during both the base game and free spins create strong win potential. With an RTP of 96.0% and high volatility, it appeals to fans of the original who want a more dynamic experience.
Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Pragmatic Play's contribution to the Megaways catalogue brings the popular North American wildlife theme with buffaloes, eagles, and wolves. Buffalo King Megaways offers up to 200,704 ways to win thanks to its expanded reel layout. Free spins with increasing multipliers and the chance to retrigger make this a high-ceiling game with serious win potential. The ante bet feature increases your chances of triggering the bonus round for an additional cost of 25% of your base bet.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
The fishing-themed Big Bass franchise gets the Megaways treatment, combining one of the most popular online pokie themes with the variable reel mechanic. The free spins feature includes a fisherman symbol that collects fish values from the reels, and increasing multipliers on the fisherman create explosive win potential. With up to 46,656 ways to win and a maximum payout of 5,000x your bet, it delivers the Big Bass excitement with added Megaways volatility.
Gates of Olympus (Pragmatic Play)
While technically using a "pays anywhere" mechanic rather than the licensed Megaways system, Gates of Olympus deserves mention as it achieves a similar feel with its tumbling wins and increasing multipliers. Zeus drops random multipliers of 2x to 500x during any spin, and during free spins, all multipliers accumulate for potentially staggering payouts. With 96.50% RTP and extreme volatility, this is one of the highest-ceiling pokies available and a favourite among Aussie players chasing massive wins.
Megaways Pokies Comparison Table
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top Megaways and Megaways-style pokies to help you choose the right game for your playing style and bankroll.
| Game | Provider | RTP | Volatility | Max Ways | Max Win | Bonus Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonanza | Big Time Gaming | 96.00% | High | 117,649 | 10,000x | No |
| White Rabbit | Big Time Gaming | 97.72% | High | 248,832 | 13,000x | Yes (100x) |
| Gonzo's Quest MW | Red Tiger / NetEnt | 96.00% | High | 117,649 | 21,000x | No |
| Buffalo King MW | Pragmatic Play | 96.52% | High | 200,704 | 5,000x | Yes (100x) |
| Big Bass MW | Pragmatic Play | 96.07% | High | 46,656 | 5,000x | Yes (100x) |
| Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | 96.50% | Extreme | Pays anywhere | 5,000x | Yes (100x) |
| Extra Chilli | Big Time Gaming | 96.20% | High | 117,649 | 20,000x | Yes (50x) |
| Kingmaker MW | Big Time Gaming | 96.65% | Very High | 117,649 | 43,000x | Yes (100x) |
White Rabbit stands out for its exceptional 97.72% RTP and expanding reel feature that pushes the maximum ways to win well beyond the standard 117,649. Kingmaker Megaways offers the highest maximum win potential at 43,000x your bet. For the best all-round Megaways experience, Bonanza remains the gold standard — there is a reason it has endured as one of the most played pokies in the world since its 2016 release.
Tips for Playing Megaways Pokies
Megaways pokies offer incredible excitement and win potential, but their high volatility demands a thoughtful approach. Here are practical tips for getting the most from your Megaways sessions.
Size Your Bankroll Appropriately
High volatility means you need a larger bankroll relative to your bet size. A general guideline for Megaways pokies is to have at least 200-500x your bet size available in your bankroll. If you are betting AU$1 per spin, have at least AU$200-$500 available. This gives you enough runway to survive the dry spells and still be playing when the big features hit.
Check the RTP Version
Many Megaways pokies are available in multiple RTP configurations. Always check the in-game information to confirm the RTP at your specific casino. If a casino is running a reduced-RTP version (e.g., 94% instead of 96%), consider playing that game at a different casino that offers the standard version.
Try Demo Mode First
Most Megaways pokies are available in free demo mode at online casinos. Use this to understand the game mechanics, bonus features, and volatility before wagering real money. Every Megaways game plays slightly differently, and knowing what to expect helps you set appropriate expectations and bet sizes.
Be Patient
Megaways pokies are designed around their bonus features. The base game is often relatively quiet, with the massive wins reserved for the free spins round with increasing multipliers. Patience is essential — do not increase your bet size out of frustration during dry spells, and do not chase losses. The big moments will come, but they are unpredictable by nature.
Set Win and Loss Limits
Before starting a session, decide on both a loss limit (the maximum you are willing to lose) and a win target (the amount at which you will cash out). High-volatility games can give big wins that evaporate quickly if you keep playing. Having the discipline to stop after a good win is one of the most valuable skills in Megaways play.
Consider the Ante Bet Carefully
Many Megaways pokies offer an ante bet that increases your chance of triggering free spins for a 25% premium on your base bet. This can be worth it mathematically if the free spins round has significantly higher value, but it also increases your cost per spin. Only use the ante bet if your bankroll can handle the higher burn rate.
Bonus Buy Features
The bonus buy (or feature buy) is a popular option on many Megaways pokies that lets you skip the base game entirely and jump straight into the free spins or bonus round. It is a divisive feature among players — some love the instant access to the game's best feature, while others see it as an expensive shortcut.
How Bonus Buy Works
When available, the bonus buy option is typically displayed as a button on the game screen (often labelled "BUY BONUS" or "FEATURE BUY"). Clicking it shows the cost, which is usually 50x to 100x your base bet. If your base bet is AU$2, the bonus buy might cost AU$100 to AU$200. Once purchased, the free spins round triggers immediately with the standard number of starting spins and mechanics.
Is Bonus Buy Worth It?
From a mathematical standpoint, the bonus buy is usually designed to offer roughly the same long-term RTP as triggering the bonus naturally through base game play. The difference is in the experience: instead of spending 100-200 spins waiting for the feature to trigger naturally, you get instant access.
The main risk is concentration of variance. Instead of spreading your wagering across many base game spins (which smooths out results), you are putting a large sum into a single bonus round. Some bonus rounds will return 2-3x the cost (a loss), while others will return 50x or more. The results are highly unpredictable.
⚠ Bonus Buy Warning
The bonus buy feature can be extremely expensive relative to your bankroll. Spending AU$100 on a single bonus round that returns AU$30 is a quick way to deplete your funds. Only use the bonus buy if you have a substantial bankroll that can absorb several unsuccessful purchases, and never chase losses by buying consecutive bonus rounds. If in doubt, play the base game normally and let the feature trigger organically.
Where to Play Megaways Pokies in Australia
Megaways pokies are widely available at offshore online casinos that accept Australian players. Here are our top recommendations based on Megaways game selection, casino quality, and overall player experience.
| Casino | Megaways Titles | Key Providers | Welcome Bonus | PayID Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyCrown | 100+ | BTG, Pragmatic, Blueprint | Up to AU$4,000 | Yes |
| Ricky Casino | 80+ | BTG, Pragmatic, Red Tiger | Up to AU$7,500 | Yes |
| Casinonic | 90+ | BTG, Pragmatic, iSoftBet | Up to AU$5,000 | Yes |
| Donbet | 70+ | BTG, Pragmatic, NetEnt | Up to AU$3,000 | Yes |
| Queenspins | 85+ | BTG, Blueprint, Pragmatic | Up to AU$4,500 | Yes |
All of these casinos have been tested by our team with real deposits and offer a strong selection of Megaways pokies alongside thousands of other titles. They support PayID for fast Australian deposits and withdrawals, and their welcome bonuses can be used on Megaways pokies (though always check specific bonus terms for any game restrictions).
Most casinos let you filter their game library by provider or mechanic type, making it easy to find all available Megaways titles. Look for games from Big Time Gaming for the original Megaways experience, Pragmatic Play for the widest variety of Megaways themes, and Blueprint Gaming for creative twists on the formula.
Frequently Asked Questions About Megaways Pokies
Megaways pokies are online games that use the Megaways mechanic developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG). Instead of fixed paylines, they feature a variable reel system where the number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win on a standard 6-reel setup. The mechanic has been licensed to many providers, making Megaways one of the most popular pokie mechanics available at Australian online casinos.
Megaways pokies use a 6-reel layout where each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. The total ways to win is calculated by multiplying the symbols on each reel (maximum 7x7x7x7x7x7 = 117,649). Most Megaways pokies also feature cascading wins where winning symbols are removed and new symbols fall into place, creating chain reactions of multiple wins from a single spin, often with increasing multipliers.
The standard maximum is 117,649 ways when all six reels display 7 symbols each. However, some Megaways variants exceed this — White Rabbit Megaways can reach 248,832 ways through its expanding reels feature, and Buffalo King Megaways offers up to 200,704 ways. The exact maximum depends on each game's specific configuration.
Cascading wins (also called tumbling or avalanche reels) remove winning symbols after a win, with new symbols falling from above to fill the gaps. This can create new wins without a new spin. Many Megaways pokies add increasing multipliers during cascades, so each consecutive win in a chain pays more. During free spins, these multipliers often have no cap, which is how the biggest Megaways wins are generated.
Yes, most Megaways pokies are high to extremely high volatility. The variable reel system creates unpredictable results, and the cascading wins with multipliers are designed to produce infrequent but potentially massive payouts. This means long dry spells are common. Megaways pokies are best suited to players with larger bankrolls (at least 200-500x the bet size) who can handle significant variance.
The bonus buy allows you to pay a premium (typically 50x-100x your base bet) to instantly trigger free spins without waiting for them to occur naturally. At a AU$1 base bet, the bonus buy costs AU$50-$100. It provides guaranteed access to the most lucrative feature but does not guarantee a profitable outcome. Use it cautiously and only with a bankroll that can absorb multiple unsuccessful purchases.
The Megaways mechanic was created by Australian developer Big Time Gaming (BTG), founded by Nik Robinson and based in Sydney. BTG introduced Megaways in 2015 and patented the technology. The breakthrough title was Bonanza (2016). BTG has since licensed the mechanic to major providers including Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, and Red Tiger Gaming, resulting in hundreds of Megaways titles across the industry.
Megaways pokies are available at most offshore online casinos accepting Australian players. Top choices include SkyCrown, Ricky Casino, Casinonic, Donbet, and Queenspins — all offering 70-100+ Megaways titles. Most games are also available in free demo mode. Use PayID for fast Australian deposits and withdrawals at these casinos.