The online gambling industry has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. Perhaps no segment has evolved more than online slots, with game developers making revolutionary changes to traditional slot machine formats. Two of the most impactful innovations have been megaways slots and adjustable paylines, both of which have dramatically expanded the possibilities within online slots.
In 2025, the average online slot bears little resemblance to its predecessors from even 10 years ago. Software providers have entered a new era of creativity, using advanced mathematics and mechanics to craft immersive game engines with seemingly endless variance. Players have reaped the benefits through bigger payouts, exciting features and an overall more entertaining experience every time they spin.
Megaways Revolution
No recent slot innovation has made bigger waves than the advent of megaways slots. Pioneered by Australian developer Big Time Gaming in 2016, megaways slots utilize an RNG (random number generator) to produce a different number of symbol positions on every spin. This creates an exponential number of payline combinations, drastically heightening the ceiling for potential payouts.
Most megaways slots available at Lucky7even Casino and other sites contain six reels and between two and seven symbols per reel, generating thousands if not millions of ways to win. The minimum is 117,649 ways in a game like Bonanza, while some slots like White Rabbit Megaways offer up to 248,832 payline combinations. Popular titles also include Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Piggy Riches Megaways and the aptly named Megaways Jack.
| Year | Sample Megaways Slots | Average Megaways |
| 2016 | Bonanza
Megaways Jack |
117,649 |
| 2020 | Piggy Riches
White Rabbit |
150,000+ |
| 2025 | Fire Hopper
Gates of Olympus |
200,000+ |
The flexible reel format of megaways has proven a monumental success, becoming one of the most sought-after features for slots enthusiasts. It injects games with high volatility, opening the door for some incredible payouts. Megaways are also easily adapted to just about any theme, allowing developers to get extremely creative in applying the mechanic to a multitude of slot genres.
Rise of Adjustable Paylines
Paylines serve as another fundamental component of any slot. Traditionally, slots came with a set number of paylines, ranging anywhere from 9 to 50. Winning combinations had to fall on enabled paylines to return a payout. This limited the betting flexibility for players, often forcing them to enable unnecessary paylines to unlock bonus features and bigger wins.
Adjustable paylines changed the game completely. Also known as 243 Ways to Win, the adjustable format got rid of fixed paylines, instead enabling every possible path on the reels. Wins now pay both left to right and right to left, removing the need for standard paylines. Players gain more control, able to increase or decrease their bets without limiting payout potential.
Many popular slots series have adopted adjustable paylines, including giants like Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck and the legendary Book of Dead. The format also features heavily in Egyptian slots and other themed genres. Adjustable paylines slot seamlessly with tumbling reels, stacked wilds, scatters and other bonus features that increase engagement.
Much like megaways, adjustable paylines heighten the entertainment factor and payout potential substantially. Slots can still function fine with fixed paylines, but adjustable configurations better optimize the experience for both casual and high stakes players.
Future of Online Slots
If the last 10 years are any indicator, the online slots world still has plenty of groundbreaking innovations on the horizon. Megaways and adjustable paylines were just the beginning, with game developers constantly experimenting to devise creative new mechanics.
Skill-based slots are poised to drive the next evolution, incorporating decision-making elements to allow players to influence payouts beyond just the spin. Lightning Reels and locked wilds already display the potential for slots doubling as skill games. Virtual and augmented reality will also open new doors for immersion.
One thing is for certain: as slots continue maturing as a digital gaming format, the varieties of themes, betting options and core mechanics will scale exponentially. The result will be an even more customizable experience where players of all interests and skill levels can find the perfect game. Online gambling operators have slots to thank for playing a starring role in the industry’s growth for years to come.
