What makes Bonanza Megaways different
Bonanza Megaways is a 6-reel pokie by Big Time Gaming, released in 2016. It was the first mainstream title to use the Megaways mechanic, which has since been licensed to dozens of providers and used in hundreds of games. Understanding Bonanza is essential to understanding Megaways pokies as a format.
The Megaways mechanic
On every spin, each reel shows a random number of symbols between 2 and 7. The total number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the symbol counts across all six reels. At maximum (7×7×7×7×7×7), this reaches 117,649 ways to win. Most spins produce fewer ways.
Megaways pays for any matching symbols appearing in adjacent reels from left to right, regardless of position — there are no fixed paylines.
Bonanza also features a horizontal strip of four symbols above the main reels (the mining cart track), which can contain Gold scatter symbols.
Free Spins and the unlimited multiplier
Four or more Gold scatter symbols (appearing across the top strip and main reels combined) trigger 12 free spins.
During free spins, an avalanche (cascade) mechanic activates. Each time a winning combination occurs and winning symbols are removed, a multiplier increases by 1x. The multiplier is unlimited — it continues growing with every cascade win throughout the entire free spins session, never resetting between spins within the round.
This unlimited multiplier is the feature that makes Bonanza’s ceiling achievable. Free spins sessions with long cascade chains and a multiplier reaching 20x, 50x, or higher produce the game’s largest wins.
Landing 3+ scatter symbols during free spins adds 5 more spins.
RTP and volatility
Big Time Gaming publishes 96% RTP. Bonanza Megaways is high-volatility — the Megaways format produces irregular win sizes (because ways to win vary each spin), and the free spins unlimited multiplier concentrates extreme value in exceptional sessions.
What it costs per hour
At NZ$0.40 per spin and 400 spins per hour: NZ$160 wagered × 4% house edge = approximately NZ$6.40 expected loss per hour.
### Q: What is the maximum ways to win in Bonanza Megaways?
A: 117,649 ways, achieved when all six reels show 7 symbols simultaneously. This is the statistical maximum; most spins produce significantly fewer ways. The average ways per spin is substantially below the maximum.
### Q: Does the multiplier reset between spins in free spins?
A: No. The multiplier is unlimited and persistent — it does not reset between individual free spins within the round. It starts at 1x and increases by 1x with each cascade win throughout the entire session. A long session with many cascades can accumulate multipliers of 50x or higher.
### Q: How does Bonanza differ from other Megaways games?
A: Bonanza was the original Megaways title and uses a top horizontal reel for scatters — a design feature not present in most later Megaways games. The core unlimited win multiplier in free spins is also the original implementation of a mechanic that later games modified. Many licensed Megaways games add extra features (extra wilds, increasing multipliers per reel, etc.) not present in the original Bonanza.
Playing Bonanza Megaways at NZ casinos
Bonanza Megaways returns 96% over the long run — well above the 78% minimum return required at NZ land-based pokies venues. At the NZ$0.20 minimum bet, the 4% house edge produces an expected hourly loss of approximately NZ$3.20 at 400 spins. At the NZ$500 maximum bet that rises to approximately NZ$8,000. The NZ$500 maximum bet is among the highest on this site, making Bonanza genuinely suited to high-stakes play — but the expected hourly cost at that level is substantial.
High volatility in Bonanza Megaways is amplified by two mechanics working together: the variable Megaways count (2–7 symbols per reel per spin) means the number of active ways changes constantly, and the unlimited win multiplier during free spins means the potential outcome of a free spins round is theoretically unbounded. Sessions with long avalanche chains during free spins that drive the multiplier into double or triple figures produce the game’s exceptional outcomes. Base game play involves variable-ways combinations and the occasional gold scatter cluster, but significant value is concentrated in the free spins round. Sessions without a free spins trigger in a reasonable number of base game spins will show clear below-average results.
The 10,000x maximum win requires a substantial unlimited multiplier combined with a strong winning avalanche combination during free spins — a statistical edge case, not a session expectation. At NZ$0.20 per spin it represents NZ$2,000; at NZ$500 it represents NZ$5,000,000. Expected hourly cost at NZ$0.20 minimum is approximately NZ$3.20; at NZ$0.40 approximately NZ$6.40.
Set your maximum session loss before you start and treat it as final. For NZ responsible gambling support, visit our responsible gambling page.
Q: What is the RTP of Bonanza Megaways?
A: Bonanza Megaways has an RTP of 96%. This means for every NZ$100 wagered over many sessions, the game returns an average of NZ$96.00 to players and keeps NZ$4.00 as the house edge. At NZ$0.20 per spin and approximately 400 spins per hour, the expected hourly loss is approximately NZ$3.20. Check the in-game information panel at your specific casino to confirm the RTP setting in use — some casinos apply lower settings.
Q: Is Bonanza Megaways available at NZ casinos?
A: Yes. Bonanza Megaways by Big Time Gaming is available at reviewed NZ casinos on this site. Check individual casino reviews for the current game library — availability can change as operators update their game catalogues.
Q: What is the maximum win on Bonanza Megaways?
A: The stated maximum win is 10,000x your stake. At NZ$0.20 per spin this would be NZ$2,000.00. Maximum win figures represent the theoretical ceiling under optimal conditions — they are statistical outliers that occur rarely across millions of spins, not typical session outcomes.