Bonanza launched on December 7, 2016 and is today THE slot that founded the Megaways format — created by Big Time Gaming and licensed to 50+ providers ever since. A 6-reel Megaways format reaching up to 117,649 ways, RTP 96%, max win 26,000x, and an unlimited progressive multiplier during Free Spins.
This review breaks down the founding mechanic, the unique mining cart, the GOLD-letter Free Spins system, and where to play in 2026.
TL;DR — Bonanza in 4 points
- BTG slot, Dec 2016, the Megaways inventor. 6-reel Megaways format (variable rows) reaching up to 117,649 ways. RTP 96%.
- High volatility, max 26,000x.
- Cascading reels + mining cart (4 bonus symbols every spin) + Free Spins via GOLD (12 spins, +5 per extra scatter — unlimited retriggers) + unlimited progressive multiplier during Free Spins.
- No bonus buy.
Bonanza's mechanics in detail
The Megaways engine — BTG's invention
The founding dynamic format:
- 6 reels, each displaying 2 to 7 symbols (calculated on the fly)
- Theoretical maximum: 7×7×7×7×7×7 = 117,649 ways
- Combinations are recalculated on every spin
This is the original Megaways engine, since licensed to Pragmatic Play, Playson, BGaming, Red Tiger, and 50+ other providers.
The mining cart — the unique selling point
This is the mechanic exclusive to Bonanza:
- On every spin, the mining cart above the reels delivers 4 extra symbols
- These symbols boost the ways calculation (an extension of the base Megaways math)
- More symbols mean more possible ways
This is what gives Bonanza its big hits.
Free Spins via GOLD scatters
A unique triggering mechanic:
- You need to spell "GOLD" across 4 successive reels (G-O-L-D)
- 4 GOLD scatters trigger 12 Free Spins
- +5 spins for every additional GOLD scatter
- Unlimited retriggers — theoretically infinite
Unlimited progressive multiplier
During Free Spins:
- The multiplier starts at 1x
- Every winning cascade adds +1x to the multiplier
- It never resets — it persists for the entire Free Spins session
- Theoretically unlimited
It's this cascade-plus-unlimited-multiplier combination that can lead to the 26,000x max win.
96% RTP — modest for a modern Megaways title
Consistent with its 2016 release. Compared to modern Megaways titles (96-97%) it's a touch behind, but the mining cart plus unlimited multiplier more than make up for it.
Bonanza strategy
At high volatility and a 26,000x max win, here are our recommendations:
- Flat bet of €0.40-€1.00 over 200-400 spins
- Target bankroll: 100-150x the bet
- Free Spins target: roughly 1 trigger per 150-200 spins (GOLD scatters are hard to line up)
- In Free Spins: never stop early — the unlimited multiplier rewards duration
Top 5 casinos to play Bonanza in 2026
🟢 1. BetRiviera — 8-minute withdrawals
🎰 2. BetRiviera — Premium pick
Full BTG catalogue.
🔵 3. BigClash — Casino + sportsbook
🔴 4. Betti — 150% bonus + 150 FS
🟢 5. SpinAura — #1 BCE pick
(BTG availability depends on catalogue rotation)
FAQ — Bonanza
What is Bonanza's RTP?
Official RTP: 96%. Modest for a modern Megaways title but consistent with its 2016 release. Degraded versions are rare.
Did BTG really invent Megaways?
Yes — Big Time Gaming patented the Megaways mechanic in 2015 and launched it commercially with Bonanza in December 2016. Since then, BTG has licensed the engine to 50+ providers.
Bonanza vs Gonzo's Quest Megaways?
Bonanza: the BTG original, RTP 96%, max 26,000x, unique mining cart, unlimited multiplier. Gonzo's Quest Megaways (Red Tiger × NetEnt, 2020): RTP 95.77%, max 21,000x, a 15x multiplier trail during Free Spins. For nostalgia plus the higher max win: Bonanza.
Is Bonanza available in the EU?
Yes, at crypto/anonymous casinos in the top BCE ranking (BetRiviera confirmed). Not available at regulated licensed operators in some markets.
Is a bonus buy available?
No. The original Bonanza has no bonus buy. For a BTG bonus buy, go for Extra Chilli (50x the stake — one of the cheapest on the market).
How does the mining cart work?
On every spin, the mining cart located above the reels delivers 4 extra symbols that fill in the reels. These symbols boost the Megaways ways calculation. More symbols available mean more possible combinations. It's the visual and mechanical innovation unique to Bonanza.
What's the best strategy?
Flat bet of €0.40-€1.00 over 200-400 spins. Patience with Free Spins (GOLD scatters are hard to line up). During Free Spins, never stop early — the unlimited multiplier rewards duration.
Further reading
- 🌶️ Extra Chilli Megaways BTG review — BTG's second Megaways slot (96.82% RTP, top tier)
- 🦎 Gonzo's Quest Megaways Red Tiger review — the NetEnt × Red Tiger collab
- 🐃 Buffalo King Megaways Pragmatic review — 96.52% RTP, top tier
- 💡 Which slot pays best in 2026 — the complete RTP pillar guide
- 💎 Full BetRiviera review — record 8-minute withdrawals
🎰 Bonanza slot page for the full technical breakdown.
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