Slot Features Demystified: Megaways, Cascades, and Bonus Buys

Slots are easy on the surface. You turn the reels, and something good or bad happens. Many slot machines employ 2–3 signature mechanics that add variety to your gameplay. We are talking about Megaways, Cascade Tumbles, and Bonus Buys. We will help you master each mechanic without jargon, with examples and responsible gambling advice. We will tell you when differences exist per country and how this impacts your wallet.

Why slot features matter
Megaways explained
Cascades / Tumbles / Avalanche
Bonus Buys explained
How features combine
How to choose the right slot
Responsible play and bankroll tips
Where to try these features legally
FAQs
Sources, how we test, and updates

Why slot features matter

There’s a trio of numbers that give you a sense of a slot’s “personality”: RTP, volatility and hit rate.

RTP (Return to Player): This is the long-term average payback. If a game has 96% RTP, it pays back 96 on each 100 over a very long time. This is math, not a promise. Learn more from the UK Gambling Commission: Understanding RTP.
Volatility: This shows risk per spin. High volatility means fewer wins, but wins can be bigger. Low volatility means more small wins.
Hit rate: This is how often any win happens. A higher hit rate gives more frequent small wins.

Remember that gimmicks such as Megaways, Cascades, Bonus Buys etc. don’t make a huge difference to slots, fundamentally. They’re still random, but they might just play slightly differently, pay out more (or less) money on average, look different, and speed up how quickly you win or lose. Regulation can sometimes impact whether a particular feature will be available too, for instance. Feature buys, for instance, are regularly disabled on UKGC-regulated operators by default. Check with your own jurisdiction. Reminder to edit in unlicensed operators in your jurisdiction (LC), and reminder to check fundamentals with the likes of MGA/AGCO (Ontario).

Megaways explained

Shorter definition (for skimming): Megaways is a mechanic designed by Big Time Gaming which allows for a variable amount of symbols to appear on a reels space. This alters the “ways” of the game on every regeular spin, with the result being thousands or even tens of thousands of ways. It provides diversity and typically increased variance.

How Megaways works

Traditional slots have paylines. Megaways doesn’t. You see some number of ways, say 2 to 7 on each reel. You win whenever there’s a hit on the first 2 reels, or any 3 reels, etc. There’s a “ Ways” counter that gives you the total ways, which is the count on each reel multiplied together. So if there’s 6 reels and each are full at 7 symbols, that’s 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 = 117,649 ways. A lot of games use this setup with a 117,649 maximum, though some vary this up or down. Crucial piece: That way count changes every spin, so you might have 384 ways, then 46,656 ways, then 10,000 ways, then whatever, so it creates some movement in how the hits are happening.

Key point: The number of ways changes on every spin. You can have 384 ways, then 46,656 ways, then 10,000 ways, and so on. This creates swings in how hits land.

What this means for gameplay

More ways can mean more small hits in some spins and no hits in others.
Many Megaways titles also add Cascades, mystery symbols, and multipliers in bonuses.
Volatility is often medium-high to high. Bankroll can move fast.
RTP is not higher just because it is Megaways. Always check the game sheet.

Famous examples and useful links

Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming). Megaways started here. Learn about the mechanic on Big Time Gaming’s site and see the concept summary on Wikipedia: Megaways.
Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger/NetEnt) mixes Megaways with Avalanche. Official game page: Red Tiger. Original Avalanche idea came from NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest: Gonzo’s Quest on Wikipedia.
Great Rhino Megaways (Pragmatic Play). See provider site: Pragmatic Play.

Pros and cons of Megaways

Pros: Fresh feel each spin; big variety in ways; often fun in free spins with multipliers.
Cons: Often high variance; base game can feel dry; RTP varies by version and casino.

Myth-buster: “Megaways means better RTP.” Not true. RTP is set per game and sometimes per market version. Some casinos may host lower-RTP builds. Always check the info screen and provider sheet.

Cascades / Tumbles / Avalanche

Short definition (for quick reading): Cascades remove winning symbols and let new ones drop in the same spin. This can chain into more wins. Providers use different words: “Cascade,” “Tumble,” or “Avalanche.”

How cascades work

You spin. A win lands. The win pays. Those winning symbols vanish. New symbols fall from above (or slide in). You do not pay for this extra drop. If a new win forms, it pays again. The loop can keep going in the same round. In many games, a multiplier grows with each step.

Examples and useful links

Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt) uses Avalanche and growing multipliers in free spins. Background: Wikipedia, developer: NetEnt.
Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) uses Tumbles and a big “bomb” multiplier in free spins. Official page: Pragmatic Play.
Temple Tumble (Relax Gaming) shows clear cascade chains. Series info: Relax Gaming games.
Jammin’ Jars (Push Gaming) has clusters and cascades with moving wild jars. Provider: Push Gaming.

Pros and cons of cascades

Pros: Can turn one spin into many win steps; multipliers add thrill; strong in bonus rounds.
Cons: Wins often come in streaks; dead spins can feel long; multipliers raise variance.

Important: Cascades do not raise RTP by themselves. They change how wins group into chains. The game’s math still sets RTP and volatility.

Bonus Buys explained

Short definition (for quick reading): A Bonus Buy lets you pay a set price (often 50x to 200x your bet) to trigger the bonus round at once. It makes the game faster and riskier.

How Bonus Buys work

In many slots, the biggest wins come from the bonus round. To reach it in normal play, you need bonus symbols. A Bonus Buy skips the wait. You press “Buy,” pay the listed price, and jump into the feature.

RTP and risk notes

Some games list a separate “Feature Buy RTP.” It can be similar, higher, or lower than the base game. Always check the info screen and the provider sheet.
Bonus Buys increase variance. You pay a lot at once. You can lose that cost fast. But you also get a shot at the game’s best features right away.
In some markets, the button is disabled. For example, UKGC-licensed sites usually do not allow Bonus Buys. See UKGC for rules.

When to use a Bonus Buy (and when to skip)

Use it if you fully accept big swings and have a strict budget.
Skip it if you want longer sessions with small bets and lower stress.
Try demo mode first if it is legal in your area; learn how the feature works.

How features combine

Just make sure that what you see is actually enabled in your region. Games are sometimes not exactly the same from one market to the next. A bonus buy option, for example, or even the RTP might vary. That all depends on the rules put forward by the Gambling Authority, like the UKGC and MGA, to which developers must then adhere.

Example: Bonanza (Big Time Gaming) uses Megaways with cascades and a growing multiplier in free spins. Games like this can pay very little for many spins, then hit a single long chain. This is normal for high-volatility math.

Check each of the following before playing:

How to choose the right slot for you

Want a comparison that shows original and current RTP, volatility ratings and enabled feature toggles by country? Check out BesteRecensies.com reviews. They feature important specifications, regional variations, and only link to legal operators.

RTP: Aim near 96% if you can. Some sites offer lower versions (for example 94%). Check the info screen.
Volatility: Pick low/medium/high based on your goal. Want chill play? Go lower. Want big risk and big swings? Go higher.
Hit rate and max win: A higher hit rate means more small wins. Max win shows the top cap. Both affect how the game feels.
Bet range: Make sure the minimum and maximum fit your bankroll.
Features in your region: Is Bonus Buy allowed where you live? Are multipliers or jackpots changed?
Provider reputation: Stick to well-known studios that publish game sheets and clear rules.
Test first: If legal, try demo mode. Track 100–200 spins to feel the rhythm.
Set limits: Fix a session budget and time cap. Stop when either hits.

Need a clean way to compare RTP versions, volatility levels, and which features are turned on by region? See the independent reviews at BesteRecensies.com. They list key specs, note market changes, and point to licensed sites only.

Responsible play and bankroll tips

Slots are entertainment, not a way to make money. Treat spend as a cost, like a movie ticket.
Use site tools: deposit limits, loss limits, time alerts, and cool-off periods.
Pick a small bet size that suits your budget and the game’s volatility.
Do not chase losses. Take breaks. A pause beats tilt.
18+ only. Play only where it is legal for you.

Only play Megaways on licensed casinos. Why not? Licensed casinos use certified RNG, display RTP and have a commitment to safer gambling. You’ll also have more support and clearer support if you have an issue with a casino. Most importantly, the site will display a legitimate license. (Like a UKGC or MGA badge). AGCO badge in Canada

Where to try these features legally

Play on licensed sites only. Why? Licensed sites use tested RNGs, show clear RTP info, and must offer safer gambling tools. You also get better help if something goes wrong. Check that the site shows a real license (for example UKGC, MGA, AGCO).

Want a short list of licensed sites that host Megaways, cascade titles, and (where legal) Bonus Buys? See the curated lists and slot reviews on BesteRecensies.com. They track which markets show which features and which RTP build a casino uses.

FAQs

Are Megaways better than classic paylines?

No. Cascades affect only the mechanics of a single spin, not the payout rate. The RTP of a slot is a function of the game itself; you can look it up in the game info or here in provider pages.

Do cascades increase RTP?

Not usually. You have to pay a high mount and can win a lot or lose a lot. Most people like to pay little at a time and use regular games instead.

Are Bonus Buys good for casual players?

It’s simply not allowed in some markets now, for instance UKGC regulated sites usually have Bonus Buys switched off. Game studios can switch builds per jurisdiction.

Why can’t I use a Bonus Buy in my country?

Roughly 96% is typical. Lower builds such as 94–95% exist in some markets as well. Higher is obviously better over long term, but short term outcomes still fluctuate widely.

What is a good RTP for these features?

Some also have cascades and will have a Bonus Buy in some jurisdictions. Bonanza has Megaways + cascades: versions of these add a buy on non-UK jurisdictions.

Which games mix all three features?

No. Most games make a rule or a limit. Check game rules to check how multiplier increases and if there is a maximum.

Can multipliers stack forever?

How we test: We read the provider game sheet. We check RTP versions, volatility notes, and feature rules. We play demo (if legal) and real sessions where allowed. We record 200–1,000 spins per title to feel the rhythm and note issues. We compare versions across licensed sites.

Sources, how we test, and updates

We update this guide quarterly, and whenever new information is made available from the FCC or individual carriers. The publishing date reflects the latest significant changes. Last update: December 19, 2024.

Sources and helpful links:

Big Time Gaming (Megaways origin) and Megaways on Wikipedia
NetEnt (Avalanche mechanic roots via Gonzo’s Quest)
Red Tiger: Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
Pragmatic Play: Sweet Bonanza (Tumbles) and Great Rhino Megaways
Relax Gaming: Money Train 3 and Relax game list
Nolimit City: San Quentin xWays
Hacksaw Gaming: Wanted Dead or a Wild
UKGC: Understanding RTP
UK Gambling Commission (licensing and safer gambling)
Malta Gaming Authority
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
BeGambleAware and Gambling Therapy

Update policy: We review this guide each quarter and when major providers or regulators change rules. Last updated: December 19, 2025.

Conclusion

Megaways changes how many ways to win you have on each spin. Cascades turn one win into a chain, often with a growing multiplier. Bonus Buys let you pay to jump into the feature, but risk and swings rise a lot. Pick games that match your budget and mood. Check RTP and rules for your country. Play for fun, set limits, and use licensed sites. If you want quick, unbiased comparisons of RTP versions, volatility, and feature rules across markets, check trusted reviews such as BesteRecensies.com.

Disclaimer: 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Feature availability (including Bonus Buys) depends on your jurisdiction. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.