How Megaways With 117,649 Paylines Disrupted Online Game Industry

Over the past decade, online gambling has seen tremendous innovation in game mechanics and features. But no single advancement has disrupted the industry more than Megaways. With the ability for slots to have up to 117,649 paylines, Megaways has broken revenue records, inspired hundreds of new games and even spawned profitable clones. Behind the ingenious mechanic is a clever bit of math allowing exponentially more winning combinations.

When Australian mathematician Michael Bowling first filed patents for Megaways in 2014, few could have predicted its phenomenal impact. Partnering with game provider Big Time Gaming (BTG), the first official Megaways slot Bonanza launched in 2016. Though initially receiving only modest attention, it became a sleeper hit once players realized its profit potential. Soon, online casinos were inundated with slots using the unique mechanic.

So what exactly fueled Megaways mania, and how did it conquer online gambling worldwide?

Maths Behind 117,649 Ways to Win

Megaways slots available at MrGreen can have up to 7 symbols on each of their 6 reels. This allows for 117,649 possible winning combinations on every spin. Compared to traditional slots with just 10–20 paylines, it represented an exponential increase in winning chances. With Return-to-Player (RTP) percentages averaging around 96%, Megaways also frequently paid out huge sums. Its trademark cascade feature, adding multipliers during repeated wins, created epic wins from small stakes.

Another key attraction of Megaways is its consistent novelty and variety. Game providers utilize the mechanic in diverse genres, from Egyptian adventures to Irish folklore themes. There are branded slots featuring rock bands, movies and TV game shows. Dozens more unique iterations launch every month. Players never get bored spinning identical reels. New art, soundtracks, bonuses and features make each Megaways title feel fresh.

Megaways Slot Games Released Per Year

The chart above tracks the exponential growth in Megaways slots since their 2016 debut. From the original groundbreaking Bonanza, releases have ballooned to hundreds of unique games using the patented mechanic. Their popularity completely altered developers’ design strategies and revenue models.

Megaways Massive Financial Success

When examining metrics and profits, the runaway triumph of Megaways becomes clear. Their games frequently claim online casinos’ top slots for player counts, spins and revenue. By 2021, over 30% of all wagers were on Megaways games. Due to partnerships with leading providers like BTG, Relax Gaming and Blueprint Gaming, they receive prime placement on https://slotspeak.net/free-slot-games-no-download/ lobbies and promotional banners. Recognizing their earning potential, sites actively push Megaways slots via bonuses and free spins.

Industry reports reveal how the mechanic’s RTP maths produces profitability for both players and casinos. Megaways’ high volatility and potential for big bonus rounds fosters longer play sessions. Their trademark cascading wins and increasing multipliers also generate higher average returns. These factors combine to create the highest yields among online slots. Players win bigger jackpots more frequently. Thus, casinos earn a larger share of wagers. It’s a mutually beneficial formula that makes Megaways universally appealing.

Developer profits also reveal the mechanic’s tremendous success. BTG’s annual earnings tripled from £10 million to over £30 million following their integration of Megaways slots. Dozens of providers pay licensing fees to use the patented maths formula in their games. And despite hundreds of Megaways titles already existing, new releases show no signs of slowing. Gambling firms dedicate bigger budgets and development resources toward Megaways projects. Their long-term plans all involve capitalizing further on the profitable mechanic.

Rise of Megaways Clones

Seeing billions in annual wagers flowing toward Megaways slots, rival companies moved quickly to copy their success. Dozens of clone versions appeared, using slightly altered maths to provide tens of thousands of paylines. Major providers like NetEnt, Yggdrasil and Red Tiger developed their own Megaclusters, InfiniReels and Infinity Reels with near-identical mechanics. Though unable to match the precise 117,649 configurations, these clones provide comparable exponentially higher winning odds.

Facing dozens of imitation designs, BTG aggressively defends its intellectual property. Lawsuits forced some clones to close, while deals integrated other versions into the official Megaways framework. The most successful clones pay licensing fees to avoid litigation. However, BTG faces continued challenges, in stopping the proliferation of unauthorized Megaways dupes. Despite their dominance, cheap knockoffs continue eating into the market share of authentic slots. Still, most players recognize Megaways as the premier brand in high-paying casino games.

Future of Megaways

Over 7 years after its quiet launch, Megaways continues revolutionizing slot design and online gambling profits. Its innovative maths mechanics of 117,649 paylines fueled exponential growth for providers and wagers worldwide. Despite clones and copycats, Megaways shows no signs of losing player appeal or casino earnings. With hundreds more titles planned and profits reaching billions annually, its dominance looks certain for the foreseeable future. Megaways succeeded where most novel casino ideas fail – gaining user adoption and capturing long-term sustainability. Their trademark cascades even entered common slot vocabulary alongside scatters, wilds and free spins. As the premier brand in slot innovation and profitability, the Megaways revolution still has worlds left to conquer.