Bonanza MEGAWAYS
Dig deep, win big – the OG Megaways experience.
Written by: Gabriel Bouchard
Fact Checked by: Martin Hansen
Game Specs
Provider: Big Time Gaming (BTG)
Release Date: December 7, 2016
Theme: Mining / Gold Rush
Layout: 6 Reels + 1 Horizontal Top Reel
Paylines: Up to 117,649 (Megaways)
RTP%: 96.00%
Variance: High
Player Suitability: Recommended for experienced players
Minimum Bet: C$0.20/spin
Maximum Win Potential: Up to 26,000x your bet
Technology: HTML5, JS
Minimum OS: iOS 10.0+ / Android 5.0+
Game Size: ~ 20MB
Key Gameplay Features You Should Look Out For
Bonus Buy Option
he original Bonanza MEGAWAYS by Big Time Gaming does not have a “Bonus Buy” (Feature Drop) option.
Why it’s missing?
When Bonanza was released in 2016, the “Bonus Buy” mechanic hadn’t yet become an industry standard. While Big Time Gaming later introduced the “Feature Drop” in games like White Rabbit and Extra Chilli, they chose to keep the original Bonanza in its classic format to preserve its high-volatility “grind” appeal.
Top Streategies Reported by Real Fans
I’ve spent plenty of time lurking in iGaming forums and watching high-stakes YouTube sessions to see how the pros handle this beast. Here are three specific tips gathered from real-user experiences:
- The “Incremental Crawl”: Many forum regulars suggest starting with the minimum bet for the first 50 spins. Bonanza is notorious for “dead” stretches. By keeping your initial spend low, you preserve your bankroll for when the “GOLD” scatters actually decide to show up.
- The Multiplier Momentum: Real users often report that the biggest wins don’t come from the initial free spin trigger, but from retriggers. Look for the “Carts of Gold” (three or four scatters in the top carts) during the bonus. If you hit a retrigger early, the unlimited multiplier has more time to scale into the double digits.
- The Reaction Wait: Avoid using the “Quick Spin” or “Spacebar” slam. Many players in the community believe that letting the full animations of the cascading reels play out helps track the patterns of the Megaways better, ensuring you don’t overspend during a cold cycle.
As for hitting big wins, check this This user’s hit of a record-breaking $74,190 with an amazing sequence of explosions and lucky tumbles:
The "Megaways Math" Explained
To really master this game, you need to understand the “Ways to Win” calculation. On any spin, multiply the number of symbols on each reel (e.g., 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7). Understanding this helps you see why the top reel (the carts) is so vital – it adds that extra symbol to reels 2, 3, 4, and 5, which is often the difference between a small win and a 117,649-way monster.
Graphics & Sound
Recent News
January 2026: Big Time Gaming was recognized at the latest industry awards for the “Long-Term Performance” of the Bonanza series, maintaining a top-10 ranking in player volume nearly a decade after release.
Late 2025: BTG announced a partnership update for their Megapays system (the progressive jackpot version of Bonanza), confirming that the network-wide jackpot reached a record-breaking $24.6 million CAD payout.
Updates to the mobile UI were rolled out to ensure 100% compatibility with the latest foldable phone displays and iOS 19 updates.
Final Verdict:
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