Megaways Slots Explained: How the Mechanic and Odds Work

Megaways is a slot mechanic — a way of building a pokie (the New Zealand word for a slot machine) — that swaps the fixed grid of a traditional pokie for reels that change height on every spin. Because the number of symbols on each reel is drawn at random each time, the number of “ways to win” is recalculated spin by spin, up to a headline 117,649. This guide explains how that works, where the maths comes from, and what it does (and does not) mean for your chances. It is information, not a recommendation to gamble.

What Megaways slots are

Megaways is a licensed game mechanic created by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian studio based in Surry Hills, Sydney. BTG describes Megaways as a mechanic it created and now licenses to other developers, and the name is trademarked. The format first appeared in BTG’s own title Dragon Born and spread quickly after the 2016 release of Bonanza, which is the game most players associate with the format.

Because it is a licence rather than a single game, you will see the Megaways name on titles from many different studios — Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming and others all build games on it. Industry coverage from the time described it as a “patented and trademarked” mechanic that BTG licenses out, which is why so many different-looking pokies share the same underlying behaviour.

The one idea behind all of them is simple: the layout is not fixed. On a standard online pokies title the grid stays the same size every spin; on a Megaways title it does not.

How the changing reels work

A typical Megaways pokie has six reels. On each spin, every reel independently shows a random number of symbols — usually between two and seven. Many games also run a small horizontal reel across the top that feeds extra symbols onto the middle reels, which is how those reels reach seven.

The number of ways to win on any given spin is found by multiplying the symbol counts on all six reels together. A few examples:

• If every reel shows 7 symbols: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways — the maximum.
• If the reels show 4, 5, 6, 3, 4 and 2 symbols: 4 × 5 × 6 × 3 × 4 × 2 = 2,880 ways.
• If several reels show only two symbols, the number of ways can drop into the hundreds.

So the “117,649 ways” you see advertised is the best case, not what you get every spin. Most spins produce far fewer ways, and the figure moves up and down constantly as the reels resize.

Ways to win, not paylines

Traditional pokies pay on fixed paylines — set patterns across the grid that you have to land symbols on. Megaways games drop paylines entirely and pay “left to right on adjacent reels”: if matching symbols appear on consecutive reels starting from the leftmost one, that counts as a win, wherever on the reel they sit. This is why the number of winning combinations can balloon — you are no longer tied to specific lines.

Cascades, multipliers and bonus features

Most, though not all, Megaways games add a cascading-reels feature (also called tumbling or reactions). When you land a winning combination, those symbols are removed and new symbols fall down to fill the gaps, which can create further wins from a single paid spin. In the free-spins round, many titles layer on an unlimited or increasing win multiplier that climbs with each cascade.

These features are where the big numbers come from. They are also optional extras that vary from game to game, so two Megaways pokies can behave very differently despite sharing the core mechanic. Bonus rounds and free spins are features, not guarantees — they change how wins are paid, not whether you are likely to come out ahead.

RTP and volatility: what the odds really mean

A huge number of ways to win sounds like better odds, but it is not. The Megaways mechanic itself does not set a game’s return to player (RTP) — the long-run percentage of stakes a game pays back across millions of spins. Each individual game is configured with its own RTP, and many ship in several RTP versions, with the operator choosing which to run. Reported Megaways RTPs generally sit in the roughly 94% to 96% range, similar to ordinary pokies, so the format is not inherently more generous.

What the format does change is volatility — how evenly or unevenly the return is spread out. The overwhelming majority of Megaways titles are high or very high volatility: the return is concentrated into rarer, larger wins rather than frequent small ones. The large ways count and escalating multipliers make huge payouts possible, but they are uncommon, and long dry runs are normal between them. RTP and volatility are separate measures: RTP is the long-run average, volatility is how bumpy the ride is on the way there. If you want to compare returns across games, our guide to the best payout pokies explains how to read RTP and volatility figures.

Are the results actually random?

Yes. The symbol counts and the symbols themselves on every spin are produced by a random number generator (RNG), the software that decides each outcome independently of the last. A Megaways reel that showed two symbols last spin is no more or less likely to show seven on the next one; each spin starts fresh. We explain the software side in more detail in our piece on how online casino algorithms work.

Two popular beliefs follow from misunderstanding this. The first is that a game can be “due” for a win after a losing streak — it cannot, because past spins do not influence future ones. The second is the so-called “$20 method” and similar staking systems, which claim a sequence of bets can beat the game. No staking pattern changes the RNG or the built-in house edge; changing your stake only changes how fast you win or lose, not the underlying odds. The same logic applies to chasing a big win — our look at the real odds of a jackpot on pokies shows why no method shortens them.

Who Megaways suits — and a few cautions

The format tends to appeal to players who enjoy variety and the chance of occasional large wins, and who are comfortable with long stretches that return little. If you prefer frequent small wins and a steadier balance, a high-volatility Megaways title may feel punishing. A few practical points before you play:

• Read the game’s info screen. The RTP, maximum win and volatility rating are listed there; do not assume them from the Megaways name.
• Treat the 117,649 figure as marketing, not odds. It describes the maximum layout, not your chance of winning.
• Set a budget in NZ dollars before you start and treat any win as luck, not a strategy paying off.

If you are new to the format, our general guide on how to play pokies covers the basics of stakes, lines and bonus rounds that apply to Megaways too.

A note for New Zealand players

New Zealand is building its first licensing regime for online casino gambling. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 has commenced and the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is phasing in the new system, which it does not expect to be fully operational until 2027, with licences awarded through a competitive process. Until licensed New Zealand operators are live, any offshore site offering Megaways pokies to Kiwis sits outside that local oversight, so the consumer protections the new regime is designed to provide are not yet in place. Treat availability and terms as subject to change.

Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment, not a way to make money. The information above explains how Megaways pokies work; it is not advice to play, and nothing about the mechanic improves your odds. You must be 18 or over to gamble in New Zealand. If gambling is affecting you or your whānau, free, confidential help is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006. Setting deposit and time limits, and taking breaks, are practical ways to keep play under control.

Frequently asked questions

Does more ways to win mean better odds?

No. The number of ways to win is built into how the game pays, and it is already accounted for in the game’s RTP and volatility. A Megaways pokie with 117,649 ways is not more likely to pay you back than an ordinary pokie; it simply distributes its wins differently, usually into rarer, larger ones.

What is the maximum number of ways in a Megaways slot?

In the standard six-reel layout the maximum is 117,649, reached when every reel shows seven symbols (7 multiplied by itself six times). Most spins show far fewer, because the reels usually display between two and seven symbols each.

Do Megaways pokies have a higher RTP than normal pokies?

Not as a rule. The mechanic does not set the RTP; each game is configured separately, often in several RTP versions. Reported Megaways RTPs generally sit around 94% to 96%, broadly in line with ordinary online pokies.

Are Megaways slots more volatile?

Usually, yes. Most Megaways titles are rated high or very high volatility, meaning wins are less frequent but can be larger. Expect longer gaps between meaningful wins than on a low-volatility game.

Can you influence the outcome of a spin?

No. Each spin’s reel heights and symbols are decided by a random number generator, independently of previous spins. No staking system, timing trick or “due” game changes the result or the house edge.