Megaways is the most successful slot mechanic of the last decade and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it actually does.
The mechanic
On a conventional slot each reel shows a fixed number of symbols and paylines are fixed. Megaways, licensed from Big Time Gaming, makes the symbol count per reel variable on every spin — typically two to seven.
Ways to win are then calculated by multiplying the symbol counts across the reels. Six reels showing seven symbols each gives 7×7×7×7×7×7 = 117,649 ways. Two symbols on each reel gives 64. Both are the same game on consecutive spins.
What “117,649 ways” actually means
Not more chances of winning — a different accounting method. Wins pay left to right on adjacent reels regardless of position, so the “ways” figure counts every possible symbol path. The paytable is calibrated around that count, so individual symbol values are far lower than a fixed-payline slot’s.
The headline number is a marketing figure describing the format, not an indication of generosity. RTP still governs the return, and Megaways titles sit in the same 94–96.5% band as everything else.
The features that usually come with it
- Cascading reels. Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in, allowing chained wins from one spin.
- Increasing multipliers during cascade sequences, often unlimited in free spins.
- A horizontal reel above the main grid adding extra symbols.
- Buyable free spins, where the operator’s jurisdiction permits it — banned for GB customers.
Volatility: this is the important part
Almost all Megaways slots are high volatility, and often extremely so. The structure concentrates return into rare free-spin rounds with big multipliers, which means long dry stretches in the base game.
Practically: expect to lose a lot of small spins waiting for a feature that may not arrive. Stake accordingly — 0.2% or less of your balance per spin is the sensible range, and even then most sessions end without the feature. More on matching stake to volatility.
Bonus buys and UK rules
Feature-buy options are prohibited for customers in Great Britain, alongside autoplay and losses-disguised-as-wins presentation, as part of the Gambling Commission’s game design rules. If you see a buy button on a site serving GB customers, that site is not following GB rules — which tells you something about the site.
Is it good value?
No better and no worse than any other slot with the same RTP. What you are choosing is a shape of outcome: a wide distribution with rare large results, wrapped in a mechanic that makes the near-misses feel eventful. That presentation is deliberate, and it is worth being conscious of it rather than reading it as momentum.
If you play them
- Check the actual RTP in the info panel — operators can deploy different configurations.
- Stake small. High volatility punishes normal stake sizing.
- Set a loss limit before you start, and a session time limit as well.
- Do not chase the feature. There is no point at which it becomes due.
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18+ only. Gambling can be addictive — please play responsibly. Free, confidential support is available from BeGambleAware and GamCare on 0808 8020 133. UK players can self-exclude from all licensed online operators through GAMSTOP. This article is editorial information, not advice, and nothing here improves your odds.
