Bonanza Megaways Slot (Big Time Gaming)

The Bonanza Megaways slot has 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win. Using the unique mechanic pioneering by Big Time Gaming, the number of symbols appearing on each reel is randomly per spin. Between 2 and 7 symbols can appear on each of the reels, at random.

To play with the full allocation of 117,649 ways to win, you must see 7 symbols on each of the 6 reels (7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 Megaways). With at least 2 symbols appearing on the 6 reels, you also have the Extra Reel at the top which extends reels 2, 3, 4 and 5 by 1 symbol. These symbols appear on mining carts. This means that you’ll spin the reels with at least 324 Megaways (2 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 2 = 324).

Winning combinations are created when matching symbols (3+ for lower value symbols and 2+ for higher value symbols) appear on successive reels starting from the leftmost reel. Identical symbols can also appear in any position on the reels.

Stakes-wise, you can play Bonanza (as it’s affectionately known) from 20p to £20 per spin. To change your bet, use the arrows in the ‘Stake box’ to the side or below the reels (depending on which device you’re playing on). Non-UK players have the option to use Autoplay which allows up to 100 auto spins as well as loss and single win limits.

The Bonanza Megaways RTP rate is 96%. It’s the only RTP setting meaning you’re guarantee the same rate at all online casinos in the UK. This is bang on the online slots average return rate. What this means is that you’ll win £96 back for every £100 you wager, in theory.

In terms of variance, the volatility is in the medium to high category. With wins landing every 2.66 spins on average, the hit frequency rate is 37.47%. Expect the majority of wins to be smaller in nature with bigger payouts during the free spins.

This leads up nicely into win potential. The Bonanza Megaways slot can deliver 26,000 times bet max wins per spin or free spin. Bigger wins will come in the free spins due to the increasing and unlimited win multiplier. It’s important to know that the Bonanza max win was 10,000 times your total bet but it has since been remastered and tweaked by BTG. To summarise, below is a table highlighting all the key details for our Bonanza Megaways slot review:

Chris Taylor

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Chris Taylor is an industry veteran originally from Gibraltar. Having worked in the online gambling industry since 2004, Chris loves slots and has reviewed over 10,000 online slot games. Running a slots-focused website for 13 years, Chris is the go-to guy for everything slots-related.

Released on the 7^th of December 2016, the Bonanza Megaways slot has a mining theme. Set at the entrance of a mine shaft on lush, green hills, you’ll see a waterfall falling onto a mining wheel. There is also a little wooden hut which has appeared in other Big Time Gaming slots including Lil’ Devil.

This Gold Mine quest is simple but has bags of personality. You’ll notice the happy Hillbillly-style soundtrack which will have you tapping your toes in no time. The symbols on the reels include low-value A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9 royals. Higher-value symbols include a green emerald, blue sapphire and red ruby gems as well as a diamond. The diamond symbol pays the most with 50 times your total bet awarded for a 6-of-a-kind winning combination.

Look out for the 2 other important or special symbols. There is a Dynamite Sticks Wild symbol which appears on the Extra Reel above reels 2, 3, 4 and/or 5. It substitutes for all symbols above to form wins where possible. Finally, there are G, O, L, D and +5 Scatter symbols which are key to triggering the free spins (more on these below). Below you’ll find all Bonanza Megaways symbols with their payout information and functions:

• 9: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 x bet
• 10: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.15, 0.25, 0.5 or 0.9 x bet
• J: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.15, 0.25, 0.5 or 1 x bet
• Q: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.2, 0.25, 0.6 or 1 x bet
• K: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 1.75 x bet
• A: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 1.75 x bet
• Green Emerald Gem: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 or 2 x bet
• Blue Sapphire Gem: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 0.25, 1, 1.5 or 2 x bet
• Red Ruby Gem: 3, 4, 5 or 6 = 1, 2, 2.5 or 7.5 x bet
• Diamond: 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6= 2, 5, 10, 25 or 50x bet
• Dynamite Sticks Wild: Substitutes for paying symbols + appears on Extra Reel only
• G/O/L/D/+5 Scatters: Trigger Free Spins feature
• Gold Bullion Scatter: Only appears during free spins

Bonanza Megaways Mobile

Using HTML5 technology, Bonanza Megaways can be enjoyed on laptop, PC, mobile and tablet devices. Compatible with iOS and Android operating systems, it also works with TV screens through Google Apps or Apple TV Airplay. With the shape-shifting Megaways in full flow, I also recommend a larger screen for the full experience.

Bonanza Megaways has a total of 3 bonus features. Wins lead to Reactions which in turn can give you unlimited, successive wins. In the free spins, reactions increase the win multiplier with no limits.

Reactions 

When a winning combination is created, the Reactions feature kicks in. The winning symbols are removed from the reels with new symbols replacing them. Allowing for another winning combination to land, the process continues as long as new wins are formed.

The Reactions only end when no new winning combinations appear. In other Megaways slots, this feature is known as Cascading Reels or the Avalanche feature. The latter first featured in NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest slot.

Free Spins 

To activate the Free Spins feature, you need certain Scatter symbols to appear anywhere on the reels. The gold G, O, L and D Scatters appearing simultaneously will reward you with 12 free spins. You might see +5 Scatter symbols which can lead to 5 or 10 extra free spins (so a total of 5 or 6 Scatters respectively. This means you can begin the feature with 22 free spins if you’re lucky.

With Reactions also in play, each Reaction or win sees the Unlimited Win Multiplier feature triggers. Beginning at 1x, each Reaction increases the win multiplier by 1. There is no limit to how high the win multiplier can go too.

Finally, there are Gold Bullion Scatter symbols which only appear in mining carts during the feature (on the Extra Reel). When 3 or 4 appear, 5 or 10 additional free spins are awarded respectively. Like the win multiplier, there’s no limit to how many extra free spins you can win.

Bonanza Megaways Slot

Rating: 5/5

The Bonanza Megaways slot put the mechanic on the map. A cult favourite, it started a Megaways revolution and still remains the best and most popular. It has been revamped for wins of up to 26,000 x bet.

Chris Taylor

Since Bonanza’s release in late 2016, the Megaways revolution began. Even though Dragon Born Megaways was the first Megaways game, Bonanza Megaways put Megaways on the map. It has since become a cult favourite amongst players and streamers in particular.

It’s a simple game but its charm and superb soundtrack make it the go-to slot for Megaways lovers. With only 1 RTP rate (96%), the 26,000 times bet max win potential has been improved from when the original version offered 10,000 times bet payouts. The key to the bigger wins comes in the Free Spins feature due to the unlimited win multiplier.

There are better Megaways slots which offer better graphics and animations, superior bonus features, higher win potential and higher RTP rates but Bonanza Megaways is etched in slot folklore. It’s a bit like fish and chips to us Brits. Yes, there are more exotic options but the traditional UK favourite is comforting and something we all return to frequently.

Big Time Gaming did release a sequel of sorts with Extra Chilli Megaways. With a 96.19% RTP rate and 16,877 x bet max wins, it has a few added extras including the Free Spins Gamble feature. 

Players keep coming back time and time again which has made this classic one of the most-played online slot games of all time. It’s on par with the likes of Starburst (NetEnt), Book of Dead (Play ‘n GO) and Immortal Romance (Stormcraft Studios/Microgaming).

Due to the success and popularity of Bonanza, it was only natural for this favourite to be the first game Big Time Gaming gave the Megapays treatment to. Megapays is the jackpot version which comes with 4 progressive jackpots. The Mega Jackpot is worth at least £300,000.

Big Time Gaming then released Bonanza Falls in late 2023. With 6 reels and up to 117,649 ways to win, it encompasses a Megadozer Free Spins feature. The Megadozer mechanic contains Bonus Coins like the Tipping Point TV game show. These can drop multiplier wilds, individual symbol multipliers, extra free spins or win multiplier increases when they drop onto the reels. With a high 96.51% RTP rate, max wins can reach 93,540 times your total bet.

The Bonanza slot review was written by Chris Taylor from our OLBG Expert team who has written over 10,000 slot game reviews in an iGaming career spanning over 2 decades. It was then verified/checked by Jenny Mason, our prime Slot reviewer who has 17+ years working in online gambling, top UK brands. 

Jenny Mason

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Jenny Mason has more than 17 years of experience in the online gambling industry and has worked for some of the UK’s top betting brands. She started at OLBG in 2014 and her role involves creating great content and looking after the marketing activity. Jenny is knowledgeable in all areas of online sports betting and has an interest in slots and bingo.