A Megaways slot has 6 reels whose height changes on every spin: each reel shows 2 to 7 symbols. The number of ways to win is those heights multiplied together, anywhere from 64 to 117,649 depending on the spin. A win needs the same symbol on neighbouring reels from the left, on any row.
That headline number says nothing about how much the game pays back on average; the RTP does. Below: how the mechanic works, what it changes in a session, how Big Bass Bonanza Megaways compares with the original, and which casinos we list carry the studios that release Megaways games.
Where does the Megaways name come from?
Megaways is a game engine created by the Australian studio Big Time Gaming. It took off with Bonanza, released at the end of 2016, and Big Time Gaming then licensed it to other studios, which is why you will find Megaways games from Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, 2020) or Blueprint Gaming. Since 2021, Big Time Gaming has been part of the Evolution group, alongside NetEnt, Red Tiger and Nolimit City.
So “Megaways” in a game’s name describes the mechanic, not its payout level or RTP: two Megaways slots can have very different returns, volatility and bonus features.
How are the ways counted?
Multiply the number of symbols showing on each of the 6 reels. The game draws a new height for every reel on every spin, which is why the ways counter keeps changing.
| Example | Symbols per reel | Maths | Ways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallest grid | 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 | 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 | 64 |
| “Average” grid | 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 | 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 | 4,096 |
| Mixed grid | 3 · 5 · 2 · 7 · 4 · 6 | 3 × 5 × 2 × 7 × 4 × 6 | 5,040 |
| Largest grid | 7 · 7 · 7 · 7 · 7 · 7 | 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 | 117,649 |
Some games add a horizontal row above the middle reels, or grow the grid during the bonus, and go beyond 117,649 ways: Big Time Gaming’s White Rabbit is one example. Our RTP guide lists it among the highest-paying slots.
How a win is counted
Say there are 2 crown symbols on reel 1, 1 on reel 2, 3 on reel 3 and none on reel 4. The “3 crowns” prize is paid 2 × 1 × 3 = 6 times, once for each possible combination. That is why one spin can show several wins on the same symbol: there are no paylines, only combinations across neighbouring reels.
Do 117,649 ways improve your chances?
No, not over time. The number of ways shapes how wins arrive (frequent and small, or rare and large), but the average is fixed by the game’s RTP. Megaways paytables are tuned for it: a symbol that pays across thousands of combinations pays little per combination.
What matters for your budget is which RTP version the casino runs. Take 500 spins at €0.20, so €100 staked:
| Game RTP | 500 spins at €0.20 | Wagering a €100 bonus at x30 (€1 bets) |
|---|---|---|
| 96.70% | average loss of €3.30 | €3,000 staked, average loss of €99 |
| 94% | average loss of €6 | €3,000 staked, average loss of €180 |
The formula: total stakes × (1 − RTP). These are averages over a very large number of spins; a real session can end far above or below, all the more because Megaways games tend to pack their big wins into rare events. But the gap between two versions of the same game is real: nearly twice the average loss while clearing a bonus. Our guide on how to check a slot’s RTP shows where to find the figure in the game.
Big Bass Bonanza Megaways vs the original
It is one of the most searched Megaways games. It keeps the core of Big Bass Bonanza: in free spins, the fisherman collects the value of the money fish, and retriggers push up a multiplier. The difference is the grid.
| Big Bass Bonanza | Big Bass Bonanza Megaways | |
|---|---|---|
| Grid | 5 reels × 3 rows, 10 lines | Megaways: number of ways changes every spin |
| Listed RTP (highest version) | 96.71% | 96.70% |
| Free spins trigger | 3, 4 or 5 scatters: 10, 15 or 20 spins | 3, 4, 5 or 6 scatters: 10, 15, 20 or 25 spins |
| Retrigger | Every 4 fishermen: +10 spins, multiplier x2, x3 then x10 | Every 4 fishermen: +10 spins, multiplier x2, x3 then x10 |
| Stated potential | Max win of 2,100x | Money fish worth up to 4,000x the bet |
Sources: our Big Bass Bonanza review and Pragmatic Play’s official page for the Megaways version. The RTP running at a given casino can be lower.
With near-identical RTPs, the choice comes down to pace: the Megaways version adds a fourth free-spins tier (25 spins with 6 scatters) and higher fish values, while the original has a fixed grid that is easier to follow. Both sit with the rest of the studio’s catalogue on our Pragmatic Play page.
Where to play Megaways: the studios at each casino
Among the casinos we list, 22 carry at least one of the studios that release Megaways games, and 2 list Big Time Gaming, the engine’s creator (Lussurio and Spin Dynasty). The table is sorted on those criteria, then by our ranking, and updates with our reviews: a paused casino drops out automatically.
| Casino | Megaways studios listed | Bonus wagering |
|---|---|---|
| Lussurio | Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x30 |
| Spin Dynasty | Big Time Gaming, NetEnt, Red Tiger | No wager |
| Cosmobet | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x30 |
| Golden Mina | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x35 |
| WelleBet | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x30 |
| Celsius | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x40 |
| HunnyPlay | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger | x35 |
| Winzter | Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming | x30 |
| BetNinja | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt | x30 |
| CrownSlots | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt | x40 |
| EvoSpin | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt | x40 |
| Lucky Treasure Casino | NetEnt, Red Tiger | No wager |
| Kings Chance | NetEnt, Red Tiger | x1 |
| RealSpin | Pragmatic Play, NetEnt | x40 |
| Golden Lion | Pragmatic Play | x50 |
| Spin Million | Pragmatic Play | x35 |
| BetFury | Pragmatic Play | x40 |
| Tenobet | Pragmatic Play | x25 |
| Pokobet | NetEnt | x40 |
| Nomini | Pragmatic Play | x35 |
| Spinanga | Pragmatic Play | x35 |
| HolyLuck | Pragmatic Play | x40 |
Studios taken from the provider list in our reviews. A studio being listed does not guarantee a specific game is available: catalogues can vary by country. Wagering shown for the first-deposit bonus, as listed in our reviews.
Megaways and welcome bonuses: three rules to check
- Max bet. Most bonuses cap your stake per spin while you clear the wagering (often around €5). On a Megaways game, where it is tempting to raise the stake to chase a big feature, this is the easiest rule to break.
- Bonus buy. Many Megaways games let you buy the free spins outright. With an active bonus this is often banned or excluded from wagering: a buy at 100x the bet quickly exceeds the max bet allowed.
- Excluded games. Some casinos exclude specific titles from wagering or count them at a reduced rate. Check the list before playing your favourite Megaways with bonus money.
These rules are broken down casino by casino in our article on the hidden rules of a casino bonus, and the bonus calculator works out the stakes an offer requires based on the game’s RTP.
⚠️ A ways counter is not a promise
Cascades, a racing ways counter and multiplier free spins make Megaways games very absorbing, and long runs without a feature are normal on a volatile game. Set a budget and a time limit before you start, use the deposit limits in your casino account, and don’t chase a losing run. If gambling becomes hard to control, our Responsible gambling page points you to help.
Checklist before you start a Megaways slot
- Open the game info and read the RTP actually running
- Note the stated volatility and size your bet to your budget
- With an active bonus: check the max bet and whether bonus buys are banned
- Check the game counts 100% towards wagering
- Decide on a number of spins or a session length in advance
Frequently asked questions
What is a Megaways slot?
A slot built on the Megaways engine created by Big Time Gaming: on every spin, each of the 6 reels shows between 2 and 7 symbols, so the number of ways to win changes from spin to spin, up to 117,649. Wins form with matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the left, in any position.
How do you count the ways on a Megaways slot?
Multiply the number of symbols showing on each reel. Two symbols on every reel gives 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64 ways; seven on every reel gives 7 to the power of 6 = 117,649 ways. A mixed grid of 3, 5, 2, 7, 4 and 6 symbols gives 5,040 ways.
Do more ways mean better odds of winning?
Not over time. The number of ways changes how wins are spread from spin to spin, but the game’s average return is set by its RTP. A 96% Megaways slot pays back 96% of stakes on average, whether a spin shows 64 or 117,649 ways.
What is the RTP of Big Bass Bonanza Megaways?
Pragmatic Play lists Big Bass Bonanza Megaways at 96.70% RTP, almost the same as the original’s 96.71%. The RTP actually running depends on the casino, so check the game’s info screen before you play.
Are Megaways slots more volatile than other slots?
Often, but not always. Many Megaways games combine cascades with free-spin multipliers, which concentrates big wins in rare events. Volatility is specific to each game and is shown in its info screen.
📚 Read next
9 years of experience in the iGaming industry. Former analyst for two European operators, Thomas tests every casino with a real account and real wagers before any publication.
For more high-potential games, see our pick of the best online slots of 2026 and all our slot reviews, or compare casinos on our list of the best online casinos.
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