Megaways is the mechanic that changed how pokies count wins, and its appeal is simple: the number of winning ways changes on every spin. Where a classic pokie runs a fixed set of paylines, a Megaways title varies the symbols on each reel, which multiplies the possible ways from spin to spin, sometimes into the hundreds of thousands. The two titles below are the flagship examples, shown with their advertised RTP and the honest legal note that frames every page on this site.
The Megaways mechanic, plainly
Each spin, the number of symbols on every reel changes, and the winning ways are calculated as the product of the symbols across the reels. More symbols means more ways, and fewer symbols means fewer. Buffalo King Megaways can reach 200,704 ways at the top of the range, while other titles cap lower.
More ways does not mean better odds. The RTP stays around the same mid-90s level as most modern pokies, and what changes is how the wins are distributed, with many small pays and the chance of a large one. That is high volatility in action, and it is the reason a Megaways session can swing harder than a fixed-line game.
Two flagship Megaways titles
White Rabbit Megaways by Big Time Gaming advertises 97.72% RTP, one of the higher Megaways returns, and adds a Feature Drop buy-in plus extending reels in the free-spins round. Buffalo King Megaways by Pragmatic Play sits around 96.5% RTP and is the wider-known of the two, with the 200,704-way ceiling.
Before you spin
Check the info panel on the specific version you load, because the same Megaways title can run at different RTP settings. Match the title to the casino's lobby, set a hard limit, and remember the legal frame: real-money pokies are prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and the offshore casinos below are not licensed here.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Megaways pokie?
Megaways changes the number of winning ways on every spin by varying the symbols on each reel. The total ways can reach into the hundreds of thousands.
How many ways can a Megaways pokie have?
It depends on the title. Buffalo King Megaways can reach 200,704 ways, which is the top of the range you will commonly see.
Are Megaways pokies better than normal pokies?
Not necessarily. More ways changes how wins are distributed, but RTP and volatility still decide the long-run return. A Megaways game can have the same RTP as a fixed-line game.
Is it legal to play Megaways pokies in Australia?
No. Real-money online pokies are prohibited in Australia under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, and the offshore casinos offering them are not licensed here.