What Megaways is — and who invented it
Megaways is a proprietary slot engine invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian studio based in Sydney and founded in 2011. BTG launched the first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, in 2015 — though the mechanic didn't achieve widespread recognition until Bonanza Megaways released in 2016 and became a streamer favorite.
The core innovation: replacing fixed paylines with variable reel heights. Each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols randomly per spin. The total ways to win is the product of symbols per reel across all reels. In the maximum configuration (7 symbols per reel, 6 reels): 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win. Some Megaways games add a horizontal reel (4 positions) which extends the maximum to 117,649 × (up to additional factor) = often 200,704 ways.
Since 2018, BTG has licensed the Megaways engine to other providers including NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming, Relax Gaming, and — crucially for this page — Pragmatic Play. PP pays ongoing licensing fees to BTG to use the engine. BTG itself was acquired by Evolution in 2021, consolidating the Megaways patent within one of the largest iGaming groups.
Pragmatic Play's first Megaways release was Great Rhino Megaways (December 2019) — four years after BTG's original Dragon Born. PP has since built out a Megaways portfolio spanning 2019-2022, with occasional new additions (Wild West Gold Megaways released 2022 via ReelKingdom partnership). The portfolio has stabilized around the 7 core titles covered on this page.
At-a-glance comparison: all 7 entries
Quick decision-support table. Note the "Cascades?" column — 2 PP Megaways lack cascading reels (Dog House MW, Wild West Gold MW) despite cascading being a typical Megaways feature.
| Title | Year | RTP | Max Win | Ways | Cascades? | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Rhino Megaways | 2019 | 96.58% | 20,000× bet | 200,704 | YES | FIRST PP MEGAWAYS |
| Buffalo King Megaways | 2020 | 96.52% | 10,000× bet | 200,704 | YES | PROGRESSIVE WILD MULTI |
| Dog House Megaways | 2020 | 96.55% | 12,305× bet | 117,649 | NO | NO CASCADES |
| Madame Destiny Megaways | 2021 | 96.60% | 5,000× bet | 200,704 | YES | HIGHEST PP MW RTP |
| Wild West Gold Megaways | 2022 | 96.44% | 5,000× bet | 117,649 | NO | MATHEMATICALLY WEAKEST |
| 5 Lions Megaways | 2021 | 96.50% | 19,663× bet | 117,649 | YES | HIGHEST MULTIPLIER CAP |
| Power of Thor Megaways | 2022 | 96.53% | 20,000× bet | 117,649 | YES | INFINITY MULTIPLIER |
The cascades asymmetry — a hidden mechanical split
Cascading reels (winning symbols vanish, new ones fall into place, potentially creating chain wins) are a defining feature of most Megaways slots. When you play BTG's own Bonanza Megaways, Blueprint's Buffalo Rising Megaways, or NetEnt's Divine Fortune Megaways, cascades are always present.
Pragmatic Play's Megaways portfolio breaks this convention. 2 of 7 PP Megaways titles lack cascading reels — specifically:
- Dog House Megaways — no cascades (confirmed by multiple reviews)
- Wild West Gold Megaways — no cascades despite Megaways branding
The rest of the lineup (Great Rhino Megaways, Buffalo King Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways, 5 Lions Megaways, Power of Thor Megaways) DO include cascades. This asymmetry creates meaningfully different gameplay rhythms:
- With cascades: each spin can produce multiple wins via chain reactions. Visual feedback emphasizes momentum. Typical Megaways experience.
- Without cascades: each spin produces one win opportunity only — standard slot flow. Megaways' big edge over conventional slots (cascading chains) is absent. Gameplay feels closer to traditional slot with more ways to win on single evaluation.
Why PP would release Megaways titles without cascades is editorial speculation — possibly licensing cost optimization, possibly design choice, possibly mechanical adaptation to specific themes. The fact is worth knowing: if you specifically want the Megaways cascading experience, AVOID Dog House Megaways and Wild West Gold Megaways.
Each PP Megaways title, analyzed
Ordered chronologically. Each card includes full math verification, original-vs-Megaways comparison, multiplier mechanic explanation, Bonus Buy structure, editorial analysis, and watch-outs.
Great Rhino Megaways#
PP's first Megaways title — solid RTP preservation, 4× max win expansion, remains underrated entry.
| Metric | Great Rhino | Great Rhino Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5×3 with 20 paylines | 200,704 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.53% | 96.58% | +0.05 pp |
| Max Win | 5,000× bet | 20,000× bet | 4.0× larger |
Symbol multipliers in free spins (2×, 3×, 5×, 10×)
Pragmatic Play's first-ever Megaways release in late 2019, establishing the licensing arrangement with Big Time Gaming. The African savanna theme borrowed from the 2018 Great Rhino original. Notable for its 200,704 ways configuration (achieved via horizontal reel) rather than standard 117,649. RTP of 96.58% is preserved from the original's 96.53% (actually +0.05 pp higher), max win 4× the original (20,000× vs 5,000×). Pre-Bonus Buy era — feature was not available at release. Still commercially active at operators but overshadowed by newer PP Megaways titles.
- No Bonus Buy — feature wasn't yet PP standard at 2019 release
- Older engine vs newer PP Megaways titles — less polished feature set
Buffalo King Megaways#
Signature PP Megaways with progressive wild multiplier — best escalating-bonus mechanic in the lineup.
| Metric | Buffalo King | Buffalo King Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 6-reel with 4,096 ways | 200,704 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.52% | 96.52% | +0.00 pp |
| Max Win | 93,750× bet | 10,000× bet | 89% SMALLER |
Progressive wild multiplier (+3× per wild, no upper limit)
Buffalo King Megaways stands out for its PROGRESSIVE WILD MULTIPLIER — each wild appearing during free spins adds +3× to the global multiplier with NO UPPER LIMIT. In extended bonus runs with wild-heavy spins, the multiplier can reach extraordinary values (theoretical max dependent on round length and wild frequency). The 200,704 ways configuration (vs standard 117,649) adds another complexity layer. Interestingly, max win (10,000×) is LOWER than the original Buffalo King (93,750×) due to max-win capping in the Megaways format — a rare case where the sequel's ceiling is below the original's. Full review available on our site.
- Max win ceiling (10,000×) is LOWER than original Buffalo King's 93,750× — not a pure upgrade on max-win terms
- Progressive wild multiplier requires LONG bonus runs to realize high values — variance compression applies
- Original RTP retained — no math tradeoff there, but the max-win cap is a real tradeoff
Dog House Megaways#
HIGHEST RTP in PP Megaways lineup (tied), but uniquely LACKS CASCADING REELS — breaks Megaways convention.
| Metric | The Dog House | Dog House Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5-reel with 20 paylines | 117,649 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.55% | 96.55% | +0.00 pp |
| Max Win | 6,750× bet | 12,305× bet | 1.8× larger |
Multiplier wilds ×2/×3 (multiplicative when multiple wilds combine)
Dog House Megaways is the commercial flagship of PP's Megaways portfolio — August 2020 release that became one of the most-played Megaways slots industry-wide. CRUCIAL editorial point: this title DOES NOT FEATURE CASCADING REELS despite being a Megaways slot. This is highly unusual — cascading reels are the defining Megaways convention — and creates a distinctly different gameplay rhythm from Buffalo King Megaways or Great Rhino Megaways. Two Free Spins modes (Sticky Wilds: 2-6 wilds per reel, sticky; Raining Wilds: up to 6 wilds per spin, non-sticky). Wild multipliers (×2, ×3) COMBINE MULTIPLICATIVELY rather than additively when multiple wilds appear in same win — industry-unusual mechanic that creates the 12,305× max potential.
- NO CASCADING REELS — breaks typical Megaways convention, different gameplay rhythm
- Max win probability 1 in 1,000,000,000 spins — effectively unreachable for individual chasing
- Bonus Buy UNAVAILABLE in UK (UK Gambling Commission Sept 2024 ban)
- Multiplier wilds mechanic unusual — read paytable carefully to understand how values combine
Madame Destiny Megaways#
HIGHEST RTP in entire PP Megaways lineup — but lowest max win ceiling (5,000×).
| Metric | Madame Destiny | Madame Destiny Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5×3 with 10 paylines | 200,704 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.5% | 96.6% | +0.10 pp |
| Max Win | 900× bet | 5,000× bet | 5.6× larger |
Walking Wild with ×2 multiplier in base + free spins; stacks over time
Madame Destiny Megaways is the UNDERRATED HIGH-RTP entry in PP's Megaways portfolio — 96.60% tops the entire lineup. Fortune-teller themed with walking wild mechanic: Madame Destiny wild appears on reels 2-6 (not reel 1), automatically applies 2× multiplier to ANY winning combination it contributes to. Maximum 200,704 ways configuration (via horizontal reel). Bonus round includes 'pick-me' multiplier selection — choose from crystal balls to reveal win multipliers. TRADEOFF: max win capped at just 5,000× bet, making this lineup's LOWEST max-win ceiling. Perfect for players prioritizing RTP over variance upside.
- Max win ceiling (5,000×) is LOWEST in PP Megaways lineup — poor variance fit for max-chasers
- Walking Wild only appears on reels 2-6 (not reel 1) — scatter math is asymmetric
- The 5,000× cap is much below the 12,305× (Dog House MW) or 20,000× (Great Rhino MW) — see this as an RTP-focused choice, not max-win chasing
Wild West Gold Megaways#
THE TROUBLED ENTRY: lower RTP, LOWER max win than original, no cascades — weakest PP Megaways title.
| Metric | Wild West Gold | Wild West Gold Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5-reel with 40 paylines | 117,649 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.51% | 96.44% | -0.07 pp |
| Max Win | 10,000× bet | 5,000× bet | 50% SMALLER |
Multiplier wilds ×2/×3/×5 (additive, sticky in free spins)
Wild West Gold Megaways is the mathematically weakest entry in PP's Megaways lineup on multiple dimensions. RTP 96.44% is LOWER than original's 96.51%. Max win ceiling (5,000×) is HALF the original's 10,000×. No cascading reels despite Megaways branding. The title appears to have been released to keep the Megaways lineup growing rather than for mechanical innovation. The Bonus Buy marginal edge (96.45% vs 96.44% base) is technically real but the 0.01 pp difference is essentially noise at any reasonable sample size. Ante Bet reduces RTP to 96.41% — rare case where Ante Bet is mathematically worse than base (most PP titles preserve RTP with Ante Bet). Original Wild West Gold is mathematically strictly better unless you specifically need the 117,649 ways mechanic.
- LOWER RTP than original (96.44% vs 96.51%) — NOT a pure upgrade
- Max win HALVED vs original (5,000× vs 10,000×) — rare case of sequel downgrade on BOTH RTP and max win
- NO CASCADING REELS — breaks Megaways convention like Dog House Megaways
- Ante Bet DROPS RTP to 96.41% (unusual — most PP Ante Bets preserve RTP)
- Bonus Buy UK-unavailable since Sept 2024 ban
- Consider original Wild West Gold instead unless you specifically want the Megaways mechanic
5 Lions Megaways#
40× multiplier wilds + 19,663× max win = highest variance PP Megaways for bonus-focused play.
| Metric | 5 Lions | 5 Lions Megaways | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5-reel with 243 ways | 117,649 ways | Megaways engine |
| RTP | 96.5% | 96.5% | +0.00 pp |
| Max Win | 500× bet | 19,663× bet | 39.3× larger |
Multiplier wilds up to 40× in free spins (tournament-tier variance)
5 Lions Megaways represents Chinese-themed Megaways entry with the HIGHEST in-game multiplier cap in the lineup — wilds can carry up to 40× multipliers during free spins (vs typical ×2-×5 in other PP Megaways). Seven distinct free spins options available via trigger — player selects preferred volatility profile (longer bonus with lower multipliers vs fewer spins with higher multipliers). Max win 19,663× is second-highest in PP Megaways lineup after Great Rhino Megaways. The multiplier wild math combined with cascading reels and Megaways' dynamic grid creates some of the most extreme variance outcomes in the PP catalogue — suits specifically high-variance bonus-chasers.
- Extreme variance — bonus rounds can produce massive wins OR tiny payouts based on multiplier luck
- Seven free spins options add decision complexity — test in demo before real-money play
- 40× multiplier cap is the HIGHEST in PP Megaways but rarest outcome — see this as ceiling, not expectation
Power of Thor Megaways#
Standalone Thor-themed Megaways with NO UPPER LIMIT on the global win multiplier — long bonus runs can escalate extraordinarily.
Infinity Multiplier — global multiplier increases by +1 per consecutive win during free spins, no upper limit
Power of Thor Megaways is one of the few PP Megaways NOT based on a pre-existing original — it's a standalone release. Norse mythology theme. Key mechanical innovation: INFINITY MULTIPLIER during free spins that increases by +1 for EACH consecutive win (no upper limit on how high it can climb). Long bonus runs with frequent wins produce exponentially growing multipliers. Max win 20,000× bet. 117,649 ways standard. RTP 96.53% is mid-lineup. Suits players who enjoy escalating-bonus mechanics similar to Buffalo King MW's progressive wild but with different trigger logic (consecutive wins vs wild counts).
- Infinity Multiplier ONLY builds during consecutive wins — dry spells during bonus reset the build
- Standalone release (not franchise extension) — different theme/audio than typical PP branded titles
- Max win 20,000× is achievable but requires extended bonus runs with infinity multiplier build
Which PP Megaways is worth playing?
Depends on your priorities. Categorical picks:
96.60% RTP leads the PP Megaways lineup by a small but meaningful margin. Tradeoff: lowest max win ceiling (5,000× bet). Perfect for RTP-focused players who prioritize bankroll preservation over variance upside.
Both tie at 20,000× bet max win. Great Rhino is older (2019) with 200,704 ways. Power of Thor has the Infinity Multiplier mechanic. Either is strong for variance-chasing players.
Progressive wild multiplier (+3× per wild, no upper limit) creates some of the most exciting bonus runs in the PP catalogue. When wild-heavy spins chain together, multipliers can reach extraordinary values.
Wild multipliers up to 40× during free spins — highest cap in PP Megaways lineup. Seven free-spin options let you select preferred variance profile. High-ceiling bonus play.
High RTP (96.55%) and big commercial appeal BUT lacks cascading reels — different rhythm from typical Megaways experience. If you want cascades, pick Buffalo King MW instead. If you want Dog House franchise specifically, it's fine but be aware of the mechanical quirk.
Lower RTP than original (96.44% vs 96.51%).HALF the max win of original (5,000× vs 10,000×). No cascading reels. Ante Bet drops RTP to 96.41% (unusual). Mathematically the weakest PP Megaways. Play only if you specifically want Wild West theme + Megaways mechanic; otherwise choose original Wild West Gold.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Megaways mechanic?
Megaways is a slot mechanic invented by Big Time Gaming (BTG) in 2015. It replaces fixed paylines with variable reel heights — each reel can display 2-7 symbols randomly per spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win (7×7×7×7×7×7 = 117,649). Some Megaways configurations include a horizontal reel that extends this to 200,704 ways. BTG licenses the engine to other developers including Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, and Red Tiger. BTG was acquired by Evolution in 2021.
Is Megaways a Pragmatic Play invention?
No. Megaways is a LICENSED mechanic from Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian studio. PP pays ongoing licensing fees to use the engine. BTG released the first Megaways slot (Dragon Born) in 2015 and the famous Bonanza Megaways in 2016. PP released their first Megaways title (Great Rhino Megaways) in December 2019 — four years after the mechanic's debut.
Which Pragmatic Play Megaways has the highest RTP?
Madame Destiny Megaways has the highest RTP at 96.60%, narrowly ahead of Dog House Megaways (96.55%) and Great Rhino Megaways (96.58%). However, Madame Destiny Megaways has the LOWEST max win ceiling (5,000× bet) — an intentional tradeoff favoring RTP over variance upside. Wild West Gold Megaways has the lowest RTP in the lineup (96.44%).
Do all Pragmatic Play Megaways have cascading reels?
No, and this is a surprising asymmetry within the PP Megaways portfolio. Dog House Megaways and Wild West Gold Megaways DO NOT feature cascading reels despite Megaways branding. This breaks typical Megaways convention (cascading is usually a defining feature). Buffalo King Megaways, Great Rhino Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways, and 5 Lions Megaways do feature cascades. The absence of cascades meaningfully changes gameplay rhythm and visual feedback.
Which Pragmatic Play Megaways has the highest max win?
Great Rhino Megaways and Power of Thor Megaways tie at 20,000× bet max win. 5 Lions Megaways reaches 19,663× (one of the highest multiplier- cap configurations at 40× wild multipliers). Dog House Megaways offers 12,305×. Buffalo King Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways, and Wild West Gold Megaways are capped at lower values (10,000×, 5,000×, 5,000× respectively).
Is the Megaways version always better than the original?
No. Wild West Gold Megaways has LOWER RTP than the original (96.44% vs 96.51%) AND LOWER max win (5,000× vs 10,000×). Buffalo King Megaways max win is 10,000× vs original's 93,750× — significantly lower ceiling despite Megaways branding. Dog House Megaways lacks cascading reels. The "Megaways upgrade" pattern varies per title — some are genuine improvements (Madame Destiny 5,000× vs 900×), others are compromises. Check individual RTP and max-win comparisons before assuming Megaways version is strictly better. Same caveat pattern applies as to 1000 Series (see 1000 Series Guide).
Can I play PP Megaways in the UK?
Yes, the base games are UK-legal. However, Bonus Buy features on PP Megaways slots (Dog House MW 100× buy, Buffalo King MW 100× buy, Wild West Gold MW 100× buy, etc.) are BANNED in the UK since September 2024 under UK Gambling Commission rules. UK players can play the base games with Ante Bet but cannot purchase bonus rounds directly. See our Bonus Buy regulation section for complete jurisdictional breakdown.
Why doesn't Pragmatic Play release more Megaways slots?
Licensing cost speculation: PP pays ongoing fees to Big Time Gaming (now Evolution-owned) for Megaways usage. PP's recent strategy has shifted toward their proprietary mechanics — the 1000 Series (multiplier cap expansion), Super Scatter (launched July 2025, 50,000× max wins), Infinity Reels (Dragon Gold 2026). These newer mechanics don't require BTG licensing. Economically rational for PP to minimize royalty payments by emphasizing in-house innovation. The Megaways portfolio hasn't seen significant new entries since 2022.
The "Megaways upgrade" pattern is MORE mixed than the "1000 Series upgrade" pattern. 1000 Series generally preserves RTP while expanding max win (with notable exceptions like Starlight Princess 1000). Megaways sequels vary more dramatically — Wild West Gold Megaways is a genuine downgrade on both RTP and max win; Dog House Megaways retains RTP but loses cascades; Buffalo King Megaways caps max win far below the original. The licensed-engine context (PP paying royalties to BTG/Evolution) likely influences these design choices — max-win caps may relate to licensing terms, feature omissions may reduce complexity/licensing cost.
The honest framing: Megaways is NOT automatically "better" than the original. It's DIFFERENT — more ways to win per spin, typically more variance per spin, often higher max win but not always. Whether any given PP Megaways is worth playing depends on whether you specifically want the Megaways engine experience (dynamic reel heights, cascading chain wins) or whether the original mechanic suits you fine. For straightforward comparison with related PP franchise-extension strategies see our 1000 Series Guide. For the underlying probability theory behind high-variance slot math see Math Foundations. For broader portfolio context including non- Megaways titles see the Highest RTP Ranking. If your slot play is escalating beyond planned sessions, the responsible gambling guide has practical session management tools.