Game guide
Megaways slots: how the mechanic works and what to check in 2026
What Megaways means, how the changing reel heights create up to 117,649 ways, and what to look for in a Megaways game at a GB-licensed casino.
Megaways slots are games in which the number of symbols on each reel changes from spin to spin, so the number of ways to win changes too, up to 117,649 on the classic six-reel layout. Megaways is a trademarked mechanic created by Big Time Gaming, now part of the Evolution group, and licensed to other studios, which is why you see Megaways versions of so many familiar UK slots.
Below we explain how the maths of the reels works, what tends to come with it (cascades, multipliers, free spins), which Megaways games appear in GB lobbies and how the British rules on stakes and spin speed apply.
On this page
How Megaways reels create a different game every spin
On a standard slot each reel shows a fixed number of rows, usually three, and wins follow fixed paylines. On a Megaways slot each of the main reels shows between two and seven symbols at random. The number of ways is simply the product of those heights: if six reels land with 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 and 7 symbols, there are 117,649 ways; if they land 2, 3, 2, 4, 2 and 3, there are 288. Any matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left count as a win, wherever they sit on the reel.
Many Megaways games add a horizontal reel above the main grid, which adds extra symbol positions to the middle reels. Mecca Games, among others, describes the mechanic in terms of "117,649 potential ways of winning", which is the ceiling on the six-reel version; individual games can differ, so read the info panel.
Features you usually find in Megaways games
- Cascades or tumbles. Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in, so one spin can produce several wins. Pub Casino's own description of the category says winning combinations "cascade so new symbols can form winning combinations again".
- Rising multipliers. In many games each cascade during free spins increases a win multiplier.
- Free spins with unlimited or extra multipliers. The feature is where most of the top prizes sit, which is why Megaways games are often high volatility.
- Reel modifiers. Some titles add mystery symbols, expanding wilds or guaranteed reel heights in the feature.
Not every Megaways slot has all of these, and the rules vary a lot between a branded adaptation and a provider's original. That is why the information screen matters more here than on a simple three-reel game.
Megaways games you will see in UK lobbies
Studios have released Megaways versions of many long-running UK favourites. Operators' lobbies list titles including Fishin Frenzy Megaways, Eye of Horus Megaways, Buffalo King Megaways, Great Rhino Megaways, The Dog House Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways, Release the Kraken Megaways, 5 Lions Megaways and Deal or No Deal Megaways. Other names players search for include Bonanza Megaways, the first Megaways release, plus Monopoly Megaways, Temple Tumble Megaways, Reel King Megaways and Big Bass Megaways. Availability varies by casino and changes often, so the lobby search is the only reliable check.
If you know the original game, it is worth reading our page on it before you try the Megaways edition, because the feature design often carries over while the volatility changes:
- Fishin' Frenzy - the 10-line Blueprint original has spawned Fishin' Frenzy Megaways and The Big Catch spin-offs.
- Eye of Horus - Blueprint's Egyptian slot also exists as Eye of Horus Megaways.
- Big Bass Bonanza - Pragmatic Play's fishing slot has a Megaways sequel among many others.
- Rainbow Riches and Cleopatra - both have Megaways adaptations alongside the classic versions.
Megaways versus fixed paylines: the practical differences
| Point | Fixed-payline slot | Megaways slot |
|---|---|---|
| Ways to win | Same every spin (for example 10 or 20 lines) | Changes every spin, up to 117,649 on six reels |
| Symbol positions | Fixed rows | Two to seven per reel, at random |
| Typical volatility | Ranges from low to high | Often high, with wins concentrated in features |
| Stake | Per line or total | Total stake covers all ways |
More ways does not mean a higher return. RTP is set by the game's maths, not by the number of ways, and the same game can be supplied in several RTP versions. Check the figure in the game's own info panel at the casino you use, and see our guide to high RTP slots for why the version matters.
GB rules that apply to Megaways slots
Megaways games are online slots, so every GB slot rule applies in full:
- Maximum stake of £5 per spin, or £2 if you are 18-24.
- No spin faster than 2.5 seconds, and cascades do not change that: the whole game cycle is one spin.
- No autoplay, turbo or slam stop.
- No celebration of a "win" that pays back your stake or less.
- A visible running total of your net position and time played.
Bonus buy, where a player pays a multiple of the stake to start the feature, is widely shown in videos from other markets. For several Pragmatic Play titles the provider states that bonus buy is not available to UK players; for other games, do not assume it is there.
Where Megaways games are listed
Several licensed casinos have a dedicated Megaways tab or filter. Magical Vegas, Bella Casino and Mecca Games list Megaways in their game categories, 666 Casino and Amazon Slots show long Megaways lists in their lobbies, and LuckyMate and Lottomart include the category among thousands of games. If you are comparing sites, our UK online casinos page covers licences, terms and payments rather than game counts alone.
18+ only. Megaways games can swing hard in both directions, so decide on a budget before you start and stick to it. Our responsible gambling page explains deposit limits, time-outs and GAMSTOP.
UK-licensed casinos, ranked by our score
Order = score out of 10. Every operator holds a Gambling Commission licence.
| # | Casino | Score | Welcome offer and significant terms | Payments | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place 1 |  Magical VegasRank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited | Score: 8.1 out of 10, very good | 100 bonus spins after a £10 deposit and £10 stake Significant terms Min deposit £10 and £10 stake; Paysafecard excluded; 10x wagering; max win £200; spins on The Goonies Quest for Treasure Jackpot King |
| Visit Magical Vegas (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Magical Vegas |
| Place 2 |  Bella CasinoRank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited | Score: 7.9 out of 10, good | 100 bonus spins on Kong 3 Even Bigger Bonus when you deposit and stake £10 Significant terms New players; min deposit £10 (Paysafecard excluded) and £10 stake on Kong 3 Even Bigger Bonus; 10x wagering; max win £200 |
| Visit Bella Casino (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Bella Casino |
| Place 3 |  Mecca GamesRank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited | Score: 7.8 out of 10, good | £20 bonus and 50 bonus spins after a £10 deposit Significant terms Min deposit £10, Paysafecard excluded; £20 bonus 10x wagering on selected games, max win £50; 50 bonus spins on Kong 3 Even Bigger Bonus, 10x wagering, max win £50 |
| Visit Mecca Games (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Mecca Games |
| Place 4 |  666 CasinoJupiter Gaming Limited | Score: 7.8 out of 10, good | 20 spins on Big Bass Splash when you deposit and wager £20 Significant terms 18+, new players, first deposit; £20 must be wagered on Big Bass Splash within 7 days; spins on Big Bass Splash; 0x wagering on winnings | Not listed | Visit 666 Casino (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: 666 Casino |
| Place 5 |  Amazon SlotsJumpman Gaming Limited | Score: 7.7 out of 10, good | Chance to win up to 500 bonus spins on Starburst Significant terms 18+, new players, £10 min fund; bonus spins winnings subject to 10x wagering; max bonus conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to £250; only bonus wagers count |
| Visit Amazon Slots (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Amazon Slots |
| Place 6 |  LuckyMateAnakatech Interactive Limited | Score: 7.4 out of 10, good | 50 bonus spins on Big Bass Splash when you bet £10 on slots Code MATE50 Significant terms £10 min deposit; £10 in slot bets; 50 spins at £0.10 (£5 total); x1 wagering, £1 max bet contribution; £100 max cashout from winnings; 7-day expiry; selected payment methods only | Not listed | Visit LuckyMate (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: LuckyMate |
| Place 7 |  LottomartMaple International Ventures Limited | Score: 7.1 out of 10, good | New customer prize wheel: win up to 500 bonus spins Significant terms New players, opt-in; min £10 cash stakes on slots; wheel used and spins claimed within 4 days; spins played within 24 hours; free spin winnings paid as cash (no wagering); max 1 claim | Not listed | Visit Lottomart (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Lottomart |
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Questions readers ask
What does Megaways mean in a slot?
It is a mechanic created by Big Time Gaming in which each reel shows a random number of symbols on every spin, so the number of ways to win changes each time, up to 117,649 on six reels.
Are Megaways slots better paying than normal slots?
Not by design. The number of ways says nothing about RTP. Return depends on the game's maths and on which RTP version the casino runs, which you can check in the game's info panel.
Can I buy the bonus round on Megaways slots in the UK?
Do not assume so. For several Pragmatic Play games the provider states that bonus buy is not available to UK players. Check the game at your casino rather than relying on videos from other markets.
What is the maximum stake on a Megaways slot?
The same as any online slot in Great Britain: £5 per spin, or £2 if you are aged 18-24.