What Is the Megaways Mechanic?
Megaways™ is a patented slot mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG) and first introduced in their 2016 game, Dragon Born. It fundamentally changed how reel structures work in online slots by making the number of rows on each reel random on every spin.
In a traditional slot, you might have 5 reels with 3 rows each — fixed and predictable. In a Megaways slot, each reel can display anywhere between 2 and 7 symbols on each spin, with the total number of ways to win changing every single time you hit spin.
How Does the Maths Work?
The number of ways to win in a Megaways slot is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols showing on each reel together. On a standard 6-reel Megaways game:
Ways = Reel 1 symbols × Reel 2 symbols × Reel 3 symbols × Reel 4 symbols × Reel 5 symbols × Reel 6 symbols
If every reel shows the maximum of 7 symbols: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win
If every reel shows the minimum of 2: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = just 64 ways. The live ways count is usually displayed on screen during play, constantly changing as the reels spin.
Cascading Reels: A Common Companion
Most Megaways games pair the dynamic reel system with cascading reels (also called Avalanche, Tumble, or Reactions). When a winning combination lands:
- The winning symbols are removed from the reels
- New symbols fall into the gaps
- If another win is formed, the process repeats
- This continues until no new win is created
This cascade chain creates the potential for multiple wins from a single spin — and when combined with escalating multipliers in the free spins round, the results can be extraordinary.
Free Spins and Unlimited Multipliers
The signature Megaways free spins round (often triggered by landing scatter symbols) typically features an increasing win multiplier that goes up with each cascade. In games like Bonanza Megaways, this multiplier is unlimited — meaning a long chain of cascades can produce multipliers well into the hundreds or even thousands, which is where the game's famous large win potential comes from.
Licensed Megaways Games
Big Time Gaming licenses the Megaways engine to other developers, which is why you'll see Megaways versions of games from many different studios:
- Pragmatic Play: Gates of Olympus Megaways, Sweet Bonanza Megaways
- Red Tiger: Gonzo's Quest Megaways (with NetEnt)
- Blueprint Gaming: Fishin' Frenzy Megaways
- iSoftBet: Book of Cleopatra Megaways
Each studio applies the core mechanic with their own thematic twist, bonus features, and RTP settings.
Pros and Cons of Megaways Slots
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive win potential (often 50,000x+) | Typically high volatility — long losing streaks possible |
| Dynamic, ever-changing gameplay | Can feel overwhelming for newer players |
| Cascade chains create exciting momentum | Free spins can still result in small wins despite potential |
| Wide variety of themes and licensed versions | RTP varies significantly between titles and operators |
Is Megaways Right for You?
Megaways slots are best suited to players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay and can approach sessions with a set budget they're comfortable losing. The mechanic is genuinely innovative and can deliver thrilling play sessions — but the high volatility means patience and responsible bankroll management are essential.
If you're new to Megaways, try the free demo version of a title like Bonanza Megaways to understand how the cascades and multipliers work before playing for real money.