Bonanza
Play at bet365 Casino
Bonanza Specifications
| Launch Date | October 5th, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Software | Big Time Gaming |
| Type of Slot | Video slot |
| Theme | Mining & Gems , Top Slots |
| RTP | 96.00% |
| Volatility | Medium-High |
| Reels | 6 |
| Paylines | 117649 |
| Max Wager (per line) | 20 |
| Max Jackpot | 26000 |
| Bet range | 0.20 – 20.00 |
| Paylines type | Megaways |
| Symbols | Wild Symbol, Scatter Symbol |
| Bonus features | Free Spins |
| Mechanics | Megaways, Cascading Reels, Ways to Win |
| Modifiers | Multiplying Symbols |
| Progressive Jackpot | No |
| Practice Play | Yes |
| Autoplay | Yes |
Launched in December 2016, Bonanza by Big Time Gaming is the slot that put Megaways on the map – and it’s still one of the most played games in the UK to this day.
Set in the heart of a noisy gold mine, this 6-reel slot uses the Megaways mechanic to deliver up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. Add in cascading reels, a Free Spins bonus with unlimited multipliers, and a whopping 26,000x max win, and you’ve got a proper slot classic with massive potential.
It’s high volatility, high energy, and loaded with explosive wins – exactly what you’d expect from one of BTG’s biggest hits.
Big Time Gaming
Big Time Gaming (BTG) has been a standout name in the slots world since launching in 2011. But it was in 2016 that they truly hit their stride with the release of Bonanza, the very first slot to feature their now-famous Megaways™ mechanic.
Megaways introduced a brand-new way to play, with up to 117,649 ways to win and dynamic reels that change with every spin. Bonanza quickly became a player favourite, thanks to its fast-paced gameplay and huge win potential.
Since then, BTG has licensed the Megaways mechanic to dozens of other studios, and it’s just as popular today as it was back then. While plenty of developers now use the format, BTG still leads the pack with original, high-volatility slots that continue to stand out.
Bonanza Slot Design and Theme
Bonanza takes its inspiration from the gold rush era, and while it may not have the polish of today’s newest slots, it still holds its own with a rugged charm that suits the theme perfectly.
The reels are set deep in a rocky mountainside, complete with wooden huts, flowing waterfalls, and a makeshift mining setup. The reels themselves are carved into stone, adding a nice bit of authenticity to the whole operation. Visually, it’s not as sharp as modern releases, but it still delivers plenty of atmosphere and character.
A Cluttered Start – But It Works
On first glance, Bonanza can look a bit chaotic. It’s a 6-reel slot, and each reel displays a random number of symbols per spin – anywhere between 2 and 7. That alone can be a bit of a head-scratcher if you’re used to fixed layouts.
Above the main reels, you’ll spot an extra horizontal reel spanning reels 2 to 5. These mini reels add an extra symbol to each of those columns and are key for triggering more wins, as well as hosting the wild symbols (which don’t appear anywhere else).
Symbols and Payouts
⭐️ Low-paying symbols: Classic 9 to A card values
⭐️ High-paying symbols: Colourful gemstones – amethyst, sapphire, emerald, ruby, and diamond
⭐️ The diamond is the most valuable – 6 in a row pays 50x your stake
Despite the shifting reels and multiple rows, once you’ve played a few spins, it all clicks into place. The mechanics are straightforward, and the cascading wins and exploding symbols quickly make things feel fast-paced and rewarding.
Bonanza Gameplay and Features
Bonanza is the original Megaways™ slot, and while it may look a bit hectic at first, it’s actually a straightforward game once you get into it. The key to everything here is the Megaways mechanic – and if you haven’t come across it before, here’s how it works.
Megaways Explained
Each of the 6 reels can show between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. This changes randomly, creating a different number of possible win ways on every spin – up to a maximum of 117,649 ways to win.
Wins are paid left to right, and you just need matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the first.
Cascading Reels (Reactions)
Whenever you land a win, the winning symbols explode, and new symbols drop down to fill the gaps – potentially forming new wins in a single spin. This keeps happening until no more winning combos land, giving you the chance for a proper chain reaction.
Free Spins Feature
To trigger Free Spins, you’ll need to spell out G-O-L-D by landing one letter on each of the four Scatter symbols. This gets you 12 free spins, and any additional scatter beyond the fourth gives you +5 extra spins.
During Free Spins:
⭐️ An unlimited win multiplier kicks in, starting at 1x and increasing by +1 with every winning cascade.
⭐️ There’s no reset – the multiplier just keeps building for the entire round.
⭐️ Extra free spins can be retriggered by landing 3 or 4 Scatter symbols on the top reel.
This bonus round is where Bonanza shows its true potential, with the unlimited multiplier capable of turning a decent run into a monster payout.
Bonanza Megapays
If it’s jackpots you’re after, then Big Time Gaming’s Bonanza Megapays delivers progressive jackpots. Linked to the progressive jackpot network, this remake is almost identical to the original slot but offers up the opportunity to trigger one of four progressive jackpots, the Mini, Midi, Major, and the Mega. The jackpot round triggers randomly on any spin, a symbol is then chosen randomly to become the Megapays symbol, the number of these Megapays symbols landing on a single spin determines which of the four jackpots you’ll receive:
Mini – Seeds at €100
Midi – Seeds at €1500
Major – Seeds at €20,000
Mega – Seeds at €300,000
Are There Any Additional Features or Jackpots in Bonanza?
While Bonanza doesn’t include any progressive jackpots, it certainly doesn’t lack win potential. With cascading wins, 117,649 Megaways, and an unlimited multiplier in the Free Spins round, there’s more than enough going on to deliver some seriously impressive payouts.
The maximum win is capped at 26,000x your stake – and that’s no small fish. It might not have a jackpot label attached to it, but the game’s bonus round and win multiplier system can build some massive totals if you hit the right run.
RTP, Volatility, and Betting Range
If you’re the kind of player who enjoys a bit of risk with the chance of a big reward, Bonanza should be right up your alley. It’s a high volatility slot, which means wins don’t come thick and fast – but when they do land, they can be massive, especially during the bonus round with those unlimited multipliers.
The RTP (Return to Player) is a solid 96%, which is bang on the industry average. It gives players fair value, especially considering the game’s massive max win of 26,000x your stake.
Betting Range
You can start spinning from as little as 20p, with the maximum bet capped at £20 per spin. It’s not the highest high-roller game out there, but it’s more than enough for Bonanza’s explosive potential to come into play – especially if you catch a good run of multipliers during Free Spins.
Mobile
The Bonanza slot is compatible with desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Although the slot comes with 6 reels, it still performs well on a smaller screen so you can play wherever you are.
Where to Play Bonanza Slot UK
If you’re looking to play Bonanza slot in the UK, you’ll have no trouble finding it. This iconic game from Big Time Gaming is available at most top-rated UK casino sites and is often featured in free spins offers, welcome bonuses, and slot tournaments.
Because Bonanza helped launch the Megaways movement, it’s still a regular fixture on many Bonanza slot sites – especially those that focus on high-volatility games and feature-packed gameplay. Whether you’re after the classic desktop experience or prefer spinning on mobile, it’s easy to get started.
To play the gaming Bonanza slot, simply register with a trusted UK slot site from our list below or on our Big Time Gaming casino sites page, make a deposit, and load up the game from the lobby. Many sites even offer demo mode, so you can try before you play for real money.
Bonanza – Our Verdict
Even years after its release, Bonanza still holds its ground as one of the most iconic and influential slots ever made. It was the game that put Big Time Gaming on the map and introduced the now-legendary Megaways™ mechanic to the world – and things haven’t been the same since.
With its dynamic reels, cascading wins, and that unlimited multiplier in Free Spins, Bonanza set the standard for what a Megaways slot should be. And it’s still doing the business today, regularly popping up in favourites lists and bonus offers across top UK casinos.
The fact that so many developers still chase Megaways licenses says it all – this format, and Bonanza in particular, changed the way players spin. It’s high-volatility, high-reward slot play at its best.
If you’re into big win potential, fast-paced gameplay, and a slot that’s genuinely stood the test of time, Bonanza is still one of the best in the game.
FAQs for Bonanza Slot
The RTP for Bonanza is 96%, which is about average for online slots. Combined with high volatility and unlimited multipliers, it offers solid win potential if you're lucky with those cascades. To trigger the Free Spins round, you need to spell G-O-L-D by landing one letter scatter on each of the four reels. This awards 12 free spins, with more added for extra scatters. During Free Spins, a win multiplier increases with every cascade. No, Bonanza doesn’t offer a progressive or fixed jackpot. However, the slot’s top prize of 26,000x your stake is more than enough to keep things exciting – especially during Free Spins with an unlimited multiplier.🎰 What is the RTP of Bonanza?
🎰 How do I trigger Free Spins in Bonanza?
🎰 Does Bonanza have a jackpot?
