Megaways pokies are online slot games whose reels change shape on every spin: the number of symbols on each reel is different each time, so the number of ways you can win also changes from one spin to the next. (“Pokies” is the New Zealand and Australian word for slot machines.) The mechanic was created by the Australian studio Big Time Gaming (BTG) and can produce up to 117,649 ways to win on a single spin. This guide explains, in plain English, how the reels are built, how a win is counted, what cascading reels and free-spin multipliers do, and what figures like RTP really mean before you play.
What are Megaways pokies?
Megaways is not a single game but a reel engine – a way of building the grid – that many different slots use. Big Time Gaming owns the mechanic, which is patented, and “Megaways” is a registered trademark. BTG licenses it to other game studios, which is why you see Megaways titles from dozens of providers rather than just one.
BTG introduced the mechanic in 2016, and its hit Bonanza remains the best-known example. Since then the mechanic has spread across the industry, and Big Time Gaming alone lists dozens of Megaways games, alongside titles from the many studios it has licensed. The point to remember is simple: “Megaways” tells you how the reels behave, not which company made the game.
How the reels work
A standard Megaways game uses six reels. Instead of always showing the same number of symbols, each reel displays a variable number – usually between two and seven – chosen at random for that spin. Many titles also add a horizontal “top reel” that drops extra symbols onto the reels below, which is part of how the symbol count shifts around.
Because the height of each reel changes, the grid you see is rarely the same twice. One spin might show a short, shallow grid; the next might fill every reel to its maximum height. That variability is the whole idea behind the format.
How a win is counted: ways to win vs paylines
Traditional pokies pay on fixed paylines – set patterns across the grid that you either bet on or you don’t. Megaways pokies do away with lines and pay on ways to win instead. A win happens whenever matching symbols land on adjacent reels starting from the leftmost reel, no matter which row each symbol sits in. The vertical position of a symbol does not matter; only that the reels are next to each other, left to right.
The headline number, 117,649, is simply the maximum when all six reels show their tallest height of seven symbols: 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 possible combinations. If a reel shows fewer symbols on a given spin, the number of ways drops accordingly. Some games push the ceiling even higher during bonus rounds – BTG’s White Rabbit, for example, extends its reels in the free-spins feature to reach up to 248,832 ways.
Megaways vs Standard Pokies
| Feature | Traditional payline pokie | Megaways pokie |
|---|---|---|
| Reel layout | Fixed grid (e.g. 5 reels by 3 rows) | 6 reels with a changing number of symbols each spin |
| Symbols per reel | Fixed, usually 3 | Varies, usually 2 to 7 |
| How you win | Set paylines (e.g. 10 to 50 lines) | Ways to win: matching symbols on adjacent reels from the left |
| Ways to win per spin | A fixed number of lines | Changes every spin, up to 117,649 (more in some bonus rounds) |
| Cascading reels | Sometimes | Common: wins are removed and new symbols drop in |
| Typical volatility | Low to high, varies by title | Often high |
Cascading (tumbling) reels
Most Megaways pokies pair the variable grid with cascading reels, also called tumbling reels, avalanches or reactions depending on the studio. When you land a win, the winning symbols are removed, the symbols above drop down to fill the gaps, and fresh symbols fall in from the top. If that new arrangement forms another win, it pays too, and the process repeats until no new win appears. A single paid spin can therefore produce a chain of wins.
Cascades are a feature, not a guarantee – most cascades end after one or two drops. They matter most during free spins, where they interact with multipliers.
Free spins and win multipliers
Like other pokies, Megaways games usually have a free-spins round triggered by scatter symbols. What makes many of them distinctive is an increasing multiplier: during free spins, each cascade in a single spin can bump a multiplier up a step, and in a lot of titles that multiplier does not reset between spins in the round. Long cascade chains during the feature are where the biggest results come from. In games such as White Rabbit, the reels also extend during the feature, raising the number of ways to win at the same time.
RTP and volatility: what to check
RTP (return to player) is the percentage of all money wagered that a game is designed to pay back over the very long run – a theoretical average, not a promise for any session. Bonanza, for instance, has an RTP of 96.00%, while White Rabbit is listed at 96.42%. The Megaways mechanic itself does not set the RTP; each game’s own maths does, and the same title is sometimes offered in lower-RTP versions, so it is worth checking the figure on the game’s info screen before you play.
Megaways pokies are generally high volatility (also called high variance): wins can be infrequent, with long dry spells broken up by occasional larger cascade chains. A bigger maximum ways count does not mean a higher RTP or better odds – it only describes how the grid is built. Players who care about return speed and payout limits often compare the best payout pokies alongside the RTP of individual games. Every outcome is produced by a random number generator, so no amount of play “warms up” a game and no strategy changes the odds.
Where New Zealanders can play Megaways pokies
Megaways titles are stocked by most online casinos, and you will find them listed at NZ-facing sites such as RiverBelle and Casumo. New Zealand’s online gambling rules are changing: the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026 and, for the first time, creates a licensing regime run by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Up to 15 operator licences will be issued, each running three years (renewable once for a further five), and players must be at least 18. If you play, prefer operators working within this new framework.
If you also enjoy other casino formats, the site covers how to play table games such as how to play roulette, as well as the live casino experience with real dealers.
Common misconceptions
- “More ways to win means better odds.” The ways count describes the grid, not your chances. Return over time is governed by RTP, which is fixed for a given version of a game.
- “A cascade is a guaranteed win streak.” Cascades continue only while new wins keep forming; most stop quickly.
- “The game is due to pay out.” Each spin is independent and random; past results have no effect on the next spin.
- “A higher maximum ways figure is a better game.” 248,832 ways is not automatically better than 117,649 – check the RTP and volatility instead.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling is a form of paid entertainment, not a way to make money, and Megaways pokies are high-variance games where losing is the most likely outcome of any session. You must be 18 or older to gamble online in New Zealand. Set a budget before you play, never chase losses, and treat any win as a bonus rather than income. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free, confidential, 24-hour help is available from Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655 (or text 8006). You can also read more about staying in control on our responsible gambling page.
Sources
- Big Time Gaming – official site (Megaways mechanic and licensing programme)
- Big Time Gaming – Bonanza game page (117,649 ways, 96.00% RTP)
- Big Time Gaming – White Rabbit game page (up to 248,832 ways, 96.42% RTP)
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts – New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act 2026
- Department of Internal Affairs – Online Casino Gambling
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “117,649 ways to win” mean?
It is the maximum number of winning combinations on a standard six-reel Megaways game, reached only when every reel shows its tallest height of seven symbols. The maths is 7 to the power of 6 (7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7). On most spins the reels are shorter, so the real number of ways is lower.
Are Megaways pokies better than regular pokies?
Neither is “better” – they are different. Megaways games offer a changing number of ways to win and usually cascading reels, which many players find more dynamic. Regular pokies use fixed paylines. What matters for your chances over time is the RTP and volatility of the specific game, not the format label.
What is a cascade or tumble in a Megaways game?
After a win, the winning symbols are removed and new symbols drop in to replace them. If the fresh symbols form another win, it also pays, and this repeats until no new win appears. So one paid spin can create several wins in a row.
Do Megaways pokies have a higher RTP?
Not inherently. The mechanic does not set the return; each game’s own design does. Published figures are often around 96%, and the same title is sometimes sold in lower-RTP versions, so always check the RTP on the game’s information screen.
Can a strategy improve your chances on Megaways pokies?
No. Results are produced by a random number generator, so every spin is independent and the long-term return is fixed by the game’s RTP. Betting patterns, timing or “systems” cannot change the odds; they only change how fast you stake your money.