Bonanza Megaways

Bonanza is the game that started it all. Before every other provider jumped on the Megaways train, Big Time Gaming dropped this gem and changed online slots forever.

With its mining theme, unpredictable reel setup, and massive win potential, Bonanza Megaways is still one of the most-played slots out there. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done – and it can hit hard.

Quick Facts

• Game: Bonanza Megaways
• Provider: Big Time Gaming (BTG)
• Reels: 6 reels + horizontal top reel
• Paylines: Up to 117,649 ways to win
• Volatility: High
• RTP: 96.00%
• Max Win: Over 26,000x your stake
• Special Features: Cascading wins, free spins, unlimited multipliers

Theme and Graphics

Bonanza goes for a rustic gold-mining vibe, set against a rocky mountain landscape. The soundtrack is full-on banjo, pickaxe clinks, and TNT vibes.

Visually, it’s not modern or glossy – but it holds up. The focus here isn’t style, it’s pure slot mechanics.

How Bonanza Megaways Works

Bonanza uses the Megaways engine, which means:

• Each reel can show between 2 and 7 symbols per spin
• That gives you up to 117,649 ways to win
• Winning symbols explode, and new ones drop in (cascading wins)

The horizontal reel at the top adds an extra layer of chaos and boosts win potential on the middle reels.

Bonus Round – Where the Money Is

To trigger the free spins, you need to land G-O-L-D scatter letters across the reels.

• You’ll start with 12 free spins, plus 5 extra for every additional scatter
• During free spins, you get an unlimited win multiplier that increases by 1x after each cascade
• The best part? The multiplier never resets during the feature

And yes, you can retrigger free spins by landing 3+ scatters on the top reel.

Payout Potential

Bonanza Megaways can be brutal, but when it hits, it hits big.

• Base game wins are decent thanks to the cascading system
• The real money comes in free spins, especially with early retriggers and high multipliers
• Max win is estimated at 26,000x your bet, but most decent hits come in the 200x–2,000x range

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The OG Megaways slot – still holds up
• Cascading wins keep the action flowing
• Unlimited multipliers in free spins = massive potential
• Works great on mobile and desktop

Cons

• Can be hard to trigger free spins
• Graphics are a bit dated
• High volatility means dry spells are common

How it compares to 76-payline slots

Bonanza Megaways runs on the Megaways engine rather than a fixed 76-line layout, so instead of 76 set paylines you get up to 117,649 shifting ways to win. The trade-off is volatility: Megaways games hit less often but can pay far bigger than a classic 76-line slot like Dazzle Me. If you love the constant action of 76 fixed lines, start there; if you want rarer, heavier hits, Bonanza Megaways delivers. See our full Megaways vs 76 paylines breakdown, or browse the best 76-payline slots.

Verdict

Bonanza is the blueprint every Megaways slot copied, and it still holds up — high volatility with genuine 26,000x potential and a bonus that’s worth the wait. Try the free demo to test the cascading free-spins multiplier before staking real money, and only ever wager what you can afford to lose. Ready to play? See our top-rated casinos. 18+ · Play responsibly · BeGambleAware.org.