Playing Megaways Slots In Ontario

September 30, 2026

Megaways is a slot mechanic, not a single game. It was created by Australian studio Big Time Gaming and is licensed to other providers, which is why you see Megaways versions of so many familiar titles in Ontario lobbies.

How the mechanic works

On a standard Megaways layout there are six reels, and each one lands with a random number of symbols on every spin, commonly between two and seven. Multiply those counts together and you get the number of ways to win on that spin. A spin where every reel shows seven symbols gives 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7, or 117,649 ways. A spin where every reel shows two gives just 64.

Wins pay for matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, in any row. Many Megaways games add a horizontal reel above the main grid, which adds extra symbols to the middle reels.

Cascades and multipliers

Most Megaways games use cascading (or tumbling) reels: winning symbols disappear, new ones drop into their place, and a single spin can chain several wins together. In the free spins round, many titles add a win multiplier that grows with each cascade and does not reset, which is where the big results in these games come from.

What that means for your play

• Expect volatility. The ways count swings wildly from spin to spin, so a run of small results is normal.
• Check the maximum win and RTP in the info screen before you play. Megaways titles from different studios vary a lot.
• Stake for the long run. A lower stake lets your budget survive long enough to reach the free spins.

New to slots altogether? Start with our online slots guide. If you enjoy the Megaways feature round, bonus buy slots cover the option of buying straight into it.