Bonuses & Special Features
Bonanza includes at least one main bonus feature, plus supporting mechanics such as wilds and scatters. The exact configuration can vary by version and operator, but common elements include:
Wild Symbols
Wilds typically substitute for regular pay symbols to help create or extend winning combinations. Some versions may also attach multipliers to wilds during specific features, similar in spirit to how Dice Bonanza applies multiplier dice during free spins.
Scatter Symbols & Bonus Triggers
Scatter symbols are usually the key to free spins or other feature rounds. Unlike regular pays, scatters often don’t need to land on a specific line; they just need to appear in sufficient numbers anywhere on the reels.
Comparison with Competitor Features
- Versus Sweet Bonanza: Sweet Bonanza relies on a tumble feature and scatter-triggered free spins with large multiplier bombs, and often includes a bonus-buy option at many offshore casinos. Bonanza generally takes a more conventional approach in regulated US markets, where bonus buys may be restricted or unavailable, but still delivers strong upside through its native features.
- Versus Dice Bonanza: Dice Bonanza pays “anywhere” on a 6×5 grid and uses a refilling mechanic; Bonanza instead focuses on traditional reel sets and line/ways-based wins, which some players find easier to track.
- Versus Genie’s Bonanza: Genie’s Bonanza layers in special mechanics like the Genie’s Carpet and an optional bet multiplier feature. Bonanza is slightly more straightforward, which may appeal if you prefer simpler decision-making and fewer toggles.
Top Wins & Maximum Payout Potential
The theoretical maximum payout in Bonanza is 26000xx your stake, which puts it in line with many high-volatility “big-win” slots in the US market.
Jackpot type:
Note that most headline “max win” screenshots you see on social media or forums represent extremely rare outliers. In practical play, big wins usually fall far below the mathematical maximum, even during strong sessions. Any “top wins” highlighted by casinos or streamers should be seen as entertainment, not an expectation.
Disclaimer: All win figures are illustrative only. Actual results are random and may differ significantly from examples shown in promotional materials or streamer content.
Free Spins in Bonanza
Free spins are the centerpiece feature in Bonanza. While the precise trigger and re-trigger mechanics depend on the version offered by your chosen operator, they typically require a certain number of scatter symbols in a single spin.
Once triggered, free spins often introduce one or more of the following, similar to how many modern high-volatility slots are structured:
- Win multipliers that increase with each cascade or win, as seen in games like Genie’s Bonanza and many other tumble-style slots.
- Locked or expanded wilds that stay on the reels for the duration of the bonus.
- Additional retriggers, where landing more scatters adds extra spins.
Because the math model often concentrates a large portion of the slot’s RTP inside the bonus feature, free spins tend to be where most significant wins occur. However, chasing a bonus round by overextending your bankroll is one of the easiest ways to lose control of your gambling. Treat free spins as a potential upside, not a guarantee you have to “unlock.”
Mobile Experience
Bonanza is fully optimized for mobile browsers and casino apps, with responsive layout adjustments so that the 6-reel grid remains clear on smaller screens. Important buttons like spin, bet adjust, and information panels remain accessible with one hand in portrait mode.
Compared with more cluttered titles like Sweet Bonanza 1000, where numerous multiplier icons can crowd the screen on mobile, Bonanza benefits from relatively clean spacing and clearly highlighted special symbols.
For the smoothest experience, use a stable Wi-Fi or 5G connection and keep your device OS and casino app updated. Connection interruptions mid-spin are usually handled correctly by regulated operators, but it’s better to avoid them where possible.
Why You Should Play Free First
Before wagering real money on Bonanza, it’s wise to try a free demo version if it’s available in your state or on a legal social / sweepstakes casino.
Benefits of Free Play
- Learn how 6 reels and 117649 ways to win actually play out in practice.
- See how quickly features trigger and how often dead spins occur at your typical session length.
- Understand the rhythm of the bonus round and the potential range of outcomes.
- Test whether the volatility matches your risk tolerance without financial pressure.
Free play is particularly useful for high-volatility titles because the swinginess can be much greater than players expect based on simple RTP percentages alone.
Our 150-Spin Test Experience
To benchmark Bonanza against other popular slots, our reviewers run a standardized 150-spin test at a mid-range stake. This is not statistically definitive, but it gives a practical snapshot of how the game feels in a typical short session.
In a representative 150-spin session, you can generally expect:
- A mix of frequent small hits and longer stretches of non-winning spins, consistent with high volatility.
- Base-game play dominated by low and mid-tier symbol wins, with occasional spikes when special features or stacked premiums align.
- One or more bonus triggers possible, but not guaranteed—similar to how players often report waiting several hundred spins between features in titles like Sweet Bonanza 1000.
For comparison, our 150-spin tests on games like Dice Bonanza and Genie’s Bonanza tend to show slightly more frequent “action” in the form of tumbles or mini-features, but individual bonus rounds can still be very swingy.
Important: Your own results will differ. A 150-spin test is a snapshot, not a predictor. Always size your bets so that even a complete loss of your session budget wouldn’t impact your essential expenses or financial obligations.
Similar Games to Try
If you enjoy Bonanza, you may also like:
- Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play): A candy-themed tumble slot with scatter-triggered free spins and large multiplier bombs, widely available at international-facing casinos and some sweepstakes sites.
- Dice Bonanza (BGaming): A 6×5 dice game with pay-anywhere wins, refilling symbols, and free spins with multiplier dice up to 100x, offering win potential up to 15,000x stake.
- Genie’s Bonanza (SmartSoft Gaming): A tumble-style slot where free spins, bonus-buy options (outside stricter jurisdictions), and multiplier features create high-volatility gameplay comparable to Bonanza.
On Bonus.com, you can also explore broader categories like “high-volatility slots,” “Megaways-style slots,” and “sweepstakes casino slots,” to find games with comparable math models or themes.
Overall Review & Verdict
Bonanza delivers a modern, feature-driven slot experience with:
- A flexible layout of 6 reels and 2-7 (Megaways) rows.
- Up to 117649 paylines or ways to win.
- 96.10% RTP and high volatility, suited to players who can tolerate swings.
- Core bonus mechanics centered around free spins and special symbols.
Where it excels compared with competitors:
- Clear, readable visuals and pacing that make it easier to track wins than some more chaotic tumble-style games.
- Strong top-end potential via 26000xx max win, competitive with many high-volatility online slots.
- Compatibility across major devices, fitting naturally into US online casino and sweepstakes platforms.
Where it might fall short:
- Players who prefer low-volatility, frequent-but-small wins may find the stretches of dead spins frustrating.
- Feature hunters used to aggressive bonus-buy options in offshore games could find regulated US versions more conservative.
Overall, Bonanza is best suited to experienced slot players who understand high-volatility dynamics and approach the game with a clear budget and responsible gambling tools in place.
Latest Game Stats
| Game |
Bonanza |
| Provider |
Big Time Gaming |
| Release date |
2016 |
| RTP |
96.10% |
| Volatility |
high |
| Reels / Rows |
6 / 2-7 (Megaways) |
| Paylines / Ways |
117649 |
| Min bet |
US$ 0.2 |
| Max bet |
US$ 20 |
| Max win |
26000xx stake |
| Jackpot type |
|
| Bonus rounds |
|
| Megaways-style mechanic |
|
| Auto play |
|
Note: Some operators may offer slightly different RTP configurations or feature sets. Always verify the stats in the in-game help menu or information screen at your chosen casino.
User Reviews & Community Feedback
Bonus.com readers currently rate Bonanza at 0.0 / 5 based on reviews.
Common themes we see in feedback:
- Positive: Engaging bonus rounds, solid top-win potential, and a satisfying sense of progression when features land.
- Mixed: Some players enjoy the volatility; others report long cold streaks before seeing meaningful returns.
- Negative: A minority of players feel the game is “too swingy” for smaller budgets, echoing similar views frequently expressed about high-volatility titles like Sweet Bonanza 1000.
You can contribute your own review using the rating tools on this page once you’ve tried the game at a legal US operator or an approved sweepstakes casino.