Megaways Pokies
Australia

What Are Megaways Pokies?

Megaways is a game engine originally developed and licensed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian-founded game studio. The engine replaces the traditional fixed payline system with a random reels mechanic that changes the number of ways to win on every single spin.

In a standard Megaways pokie, each of the six reels displays a random number of symbols — anywhere from 2 to 7. The total number of ways to win is the product of symbols across all reels: if each reel shows 7 symbols, you get 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways to win. If the reels show fewer symbols, the ways to win drop — a spin with 2 symbols per reel produces only 64 ways. This variability is the heart of the Megaways experience.

BTG licenses the Megaways engine to other game studios — Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Red Tiger, iSoftBet and others. This means there are dozens of different Megaways pokies available, each with unique themes, bonus features and RTP values, but all sharing the same core random-reels mechanic.

The Random Reels Mechanic

On a standard five-reel pokie with 20 paylines, the number of potential winning patterns is fixed at 20 on every spin. On a Megaways pokie, the potential changes with every spin because the symbol count per reel is randomised. This means:

• Some spins have massive win potential — when most reels show 6-7 symbols, you have tens of thousands of ways to win, and any matching symbols on adjacent reels trigger a payout.
• Some spins have limited potential — when reels show only 2-3 symbols, the ways to win are low, and the spin is unlikely to produce a meaningful result.
• You cannot predict which type of spin you will get — the RNG determines the reel size independently each time.

This variability is what makes Megaways pokies high volatility. The average spin might have 15,000-20,000 ways to win, but the distribution is heavily skewed — most of the big wins come from the spins where all reels are showing maximum or near-maximum symbols.

Cascading Wins — The Chain Reaction

Almost all Megaways pokies include a cascading wins mechanic (also called tumbling reels or avalanche). When you land a winning combination, the winning symbols are removed from the reels and new symbols drop in from above. If the new symbols create another winning combination, the cascade continues.

In the base game, cascading wins simply give you multiple payouts from a single spin. But during free spins, most Megaways pokies add an increasing multiplier — starting at 1x and going up by 1 for each consecutive cascade. A chain of 10 cascades in free spins means your 10th win is multiplied by 10x. This is the primary mechanism behind the massive payouts that Megaways pokies are known for — wins of 5,000x, 10,000x and occasionally 50,000x+ your stake.

For a deeper explanation of cascading mechanics and how they interact with RTP, see our complete pokies guide.

Top Megaways Pokies Available in Australia

Dozens of Megaways titles are available across our three partnered platforms. Here are the eight most popular among Australian players, ranked by a combination of player engagement and RTP.

Our pick for first-time Megaways players: Bonanza Megaways. It is the original Megaways pokie, the mechanics are straightforward, the RTP is fair at 96%, and the unlimited multiplier in free spins gives you the full Megaways experience. Play it in demo mode first to feel the volatility before committing real money.

Highest RTP in the list: Buffalo Rising Megaways at 96.50%. If you plan to play Megaways pokies for extended sessions, the extra 0.5% RTP over Bonanza compounds meaningfully over thousands of spins.

Megaways RTP Ranges

Megaways pokies typically fall in the 95.5% to 97.5% RTP range — comparable to standard video pokies. The 96-96.5% band is the most common. A few points to keep in mind:

• RTP versions vary by platform. Some game studios offer multiple RTP versions (e.g., 94%, 96%, 97%). The platform operator chooses which version to run. Always verify the RTP in the in-game help menu on the specific platform you are playing — do not assume it matches the studio's default.
• Base game vs feature RTP split. In many Megaways pokies, 60-80% of the total RTP comes from the free spins feature. This means the base game feels "tight" (long dry spells, small wins) while the free spins deliver disproportionately large returns. This is normal for high-volatility pokies.
• RTP does not predict session outcomes. A 96% RTP pokie can return 0% or 1,000% on any given session. RTP converges over millions of spins — your 200-spin session is a tiny sample. See our RTP deep-dive for the full explanation.

How Megaways Volatility Affects Your Bankroll

Megaways pokies are universally high volatility. This has direct implications for how you should manage your bankroll:

• Expect long dry spells. 50 to 100 spins without a meaningful win (more than 2x your bet) is common. This is not the pokie "running cold" — it is the intended math model.
• Bring a larger bankroll. We recommend 200-300x your bet size for a Megaways session. At $0.50 per spin, that means $100-$150 minimum. At $0.20 per spin, $40-$60.
• Use the 1% rule or lower. Never bet more than 0.5-1% of your session bankroll per spin on Megaways pokies. This ensures you have enough spins to reach the bonus feature, where the majority of the RTP is delivered.
• Demo mode first. Spend 100+ spins in demo mode to experience the volatility rhythm before risking real money. If the dry spells feel uncomfortable in demo, they will feel worse with real money.

For comprehensive bankroll management strategies, including the 1% rule and session limit guidelines, see our bankroll management section in the complete pokies guide.

Where to Play Megaways Pokies in Australia

All three Mates Win platforms carry a strong Megaways pokies selection. Here is how they compare for Megaways specifically:

For all pokies categories — not just Megaways — visit our online pokies hub.

Using Welcome Bonuses on Megaways Pokies

Megaways pokies are generally eligible for welcome bonus wagering at 100% contribution across all three platforms. This makes them a viable choice for clearing wagering requirements — but there are considerations:

• High volatility increases variance. Your balance will swing dramatically while wagering on Megaways pokies. You might clear the wagering requirement quickly with a big win, or you might burn through the bonus during a dry spell.
• Respect the max bet rule. While wagering a bonus, you are typically capped at $5 per spin. On high-volatility Megaways pokies, this is actually a reasonable bet size — it protects you from draining your bonus too quickly.
• Check for exclusions. A small number of Megaways titles with very high RTP may be excluded from bonus play. Verify before you start.

For the full welcome bonus comparison across platforms — including wagering requirements, time limits and eligible games — see our bonuses hub and welcome bonus guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Megaways pokies different from regular pokies?

Megaways pokies use a random reels mechanic licensed from Big Time Gaming. Instead of a fixed number of paylines, each reel displays a random number of symbols (2 to 7) on every spin, creating anywhere from 324 to 117,649 ways to win. Combined with cascading wins and increasing multipliers, this produces much higher volatility and larger potential payouts than standard pokies.

What is the RTP of Megaways pokies?

Most Megaways pokies fall between 95.5% and 97.5% RTP. Bonanza sits at 96%, Big Bass Megaways at 96.45%, Extra Chilli at 96.15%, Buffalo Rising at 96.50%. Always verify the RTP in the in-game help menu on your specific platform, as some operators run different RTP versions.

Are Megaways pokies suitable for small bankrolls?

They can be — but you need to adjust your bet size accordingly. Bring at least 200-300x your bet size as a session bankroll. At $0.20 per spin, $40-$60 is the minimum. If your total bankroll is under $20, stick to low-volatility pokies and come back to Megaways when your bankroll supports it. See our bankroll guide for more detail.

Can I play Megaways pokies on mobile?

Yes. All Megaways pokies on our partnered platforms run directly in mobile browsers — no download needed. Bonza7 offers the smoothest mobile Megaways experience among our three partners.

What are cascading wins in Megaways pokies?

After every win, the winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall in from above. If the new symbols form another win, the cascade continues. During free spins, each cascade typically increases a multiplier (1x, 2x, 3x...) that applies to all subsequent wins in the chain. This cascading multiplier mechanic is the source of Megaways' biggest payouts.

This guide covers Megaways pokies specifically. For the full pokies category, visit our online pokies hub. For general pokies mechanics and bankroll advice, see the complete pokies guide.