Megaways is a reel system where every reel shows a different number of symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes each time you press spin. On a standard six-reel Megaways slot it can go as high as 117,649. That number sounds like a promise of more wins. It isn’t, and understanding why makes these games easier to judge.
Where 117,649 comes from
Most Megaways slots have six reels, and each reel lands with anywhere from two to seven symbols. Wins pay for matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left, in any position, so the number of ways to win is simply the number of symbols on each reel multiplied together.
| Symbols on each reel | Ways to win |
|---|---|
| 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 | 729 |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | 5,040 |
| 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 | 15,625 |
| 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 | 117,649 (the maximum) |
Many Megaways games add a horizontal reel above the middle reels, which puts extra symbols on those reels and is how some titles reach their maximum more often. The exact layout varies by game, so check the paytable.
Who invented it
Megaways was created by Big Time Gaming, a studio founded in Sydney in 2011. The mechanic first appeared in Dragon Born, but it was Bonanza in 2016, a gold-mining slot, that made it famous. Big Time Gaming then licensed Megaways to other studios, which is why you’ll find Megaways versions of games from Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming and many others. Big Time Gaming has been part of Evolution since 2021.
The name is now a brand as much as a mechanic. Big Time Gaming has pushed the idea further in its own games, including Gold Megaways, which can reach 1,000,000 ways during its free spins.
What more ways to win doesn’t mean
More ways to win doesn’t mean better odds or a higher return. A game designer sets the payouts so the overall return to player lands where they want it, whatever the number of ways. A Megaways slot with a 96% RTP returns the same share of stakes over the long run as a 10-line slot with a 96% RTP.
What the mechanic does change is the feel. Results swing more from spin to spin, and most Megaways slots are high volatility, often paired with cascading reels where winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in. Expect long quiet patches and occasional large wins, rather than a steady trickle. Our guide to RTP and volatility explains both terms in more detail.
How to judge a Megaways slot
Ignore the 117,649 headline, since nearly every Megaways game has it. Look at the three numbers that actually differ between games: the RTP in the game’s info screen (casinos can run lower versions), the maximum win, and the volatility rating if the studio publishes one. Then play the free demo for a while before spending anything; with high-volatility games, a few hundred demo spins tell you far more than a description can.
You can try free demos of popular slots, including several from the studios above, in our free slots section.
18+. This guide is for information only. Gamble responsibly.