How to Play Megabucks Slot
Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Read time: 5 minutes
Dreaming of being the next lucky winner of a million-dollar jackpot? Megabucks might just be your lucky ticket. Launched in the late 1980s by popular software provider International Game Technology (IGT), the title is known for having one of the largest progressive jackpots in history. This 3-reel machine features a single payline format and is one of the first few slots to track its jackpots, using a computerized system.
Megabucks is best known for its simplicity with an RTP between 86% and 89%, which is fair but below average compared to its counterparts. Here, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about how to play the Megabucks slot machine, and also providing beginner tips for newbies.
Getting Started with Gameplay
Megabucks is as straightforward as a slot can be, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise considering it’s one of IGT’s oldest releases.
Before we get into the main factors that define the game, here’s a quick overview:
| Features | Details |
| Release Date | 1986 |
| Slot Manufacturer | IGT |
| Slot Type | Classic Slot |
| Jackpot | Progressive |
| Reels | 3 |
| Pay lines | 1 |
| Minimum Bet | $1 |
| Maximum Bet | $3 |
| RTP | 86% – 89% |
Payline
If you’ve never played the game, you might not be familiar with the term «Payline». You don’t have to worry, though; we’ll be explaining it to you in this how to play Megabucks slot guide. In casino slots, this is a pre-configured line from the backend that helps trigger a win whenever you match similar symbols. Without them, you’d have no way of winning while spinning the reels.
In the case of Megabucks, the machine has just one payline, and it runs across the reels. This means only matching symbols that land directly in the middle row will trigger a win. To better understand how this works, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on playing the game, also highlighting how the payline comes into play.
- Add coins or money in the coin slide to get game credit if you already know how to play Megabucks slot machine
- Bet the maximum number of credits, $3, to qualify for the progressive jackpot
- Once you have done that, select the spin option or shift the lever to start playing
- Watch out for the symbols cherries, bars, and sevens
- Focus on landing a combination of 3 of the same symbol across the pay line to win, or triple «MEGABUCKS» symbols to trigger the jackpot. If you win, go over to the cashier to claim your winnings.
Volatility
Volatility, also sometimes called variance, is an indicator of how many times it’ll take the game to hit a winning combination. It also signifies the average payout size you should be expecting. Megabucks falls under the high-volatility slots category, and what this means is that the machine will payout less often. This also means that a player who knows how to play the Megabucks game can actually receive a significantly larger win after landing the right combination.
Special Features and Bonus Rounds
Megabucks is a straightforward game, and as a result, you won’t exactly find a fancy bonus round or special features available. This doesn’t make the slot ordinary. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, actually. What sets this title apart from other casino slot machines is its ability to trigger massive winnings that only a few of its kind can boast of.
The most captivating feature about Megabucks is its progressive jackpot. And this is what has earned it the title «King of Jackpots». Unlike regular video slots, where the payout is fixed, it has a network that’s linked across many casinos. This means every bet is contributed towards a central jackpot, allowing it to grow in value very quickly.
So, any player who has read this Megabucks slot how to play guide and lands a winning combination has the best chances of claiming up to over a million dollars in payout.
Casinos Where You Can Try Megabucks Slot
Playing Online vs. Land-Based Casinos
Megabucks is a largely successful slot that was created as far back as 1986. While many think it stays within the bounds of land-based casinos, there is an online version available at some sites. So, whether you are looking to get a taste of the game on your next trip to Nevada or Las Vegas or at some gambling websites, Megabucks serves as a perfect choice.
Now, still on the topic of land-based casinos and online websites, let’s compare the benefits and downsides of playing slot on either option:
Pros and Cons of Playing Slots at Land-Based Casinos
| Pros | Cons |
| You get to enjoy great live music and play slot machines with clearer graphics. | Machines are not always free, so you may have to wait for your turn. |
| Playing in a land-based casino allows you to claim your winnings immediately without delays. | |
| It gives you a chance to interact with other players and really soak in the experience. |
Pros and Cons of Slots Playing in an Online Casino
| Pros | Cons |
| No travel required, you can play the games without downloading, wherever you are. | Withdrawals can take long to be processed. |
| Online casinos offer better bonuses and rewards. | |
| You have access to thousands of titles with just one click. | |
| With online casinos, there’s nothing like waiting time; you can access the services whenever you want. | |
| Most of the games have higher RTPs compared to the ones at land-based casinos, so you have better chances of winning. |
Conclusion
It doesn’t take much to notice Megabucks slots when you walk into a Casino, as the game practically commands attention. For players who are visiting a brick-and-mortar casino for the first time, the machine makes for a great entry into slots. While the game doesn’t come with any fancy bonus features, the enormous progressive jackpot makes it clear that the Megabucks title as the King of Jackpots isn’t just a fancy tag.
While this game offers a shot at landing life-changing jackpots, we advise that you keep your bets low when playing, especially as a beginner. This way, you can give yourself the opportunity to play through a few more bonus rounds and even take home a nice win. That said, we sure hope that you found this Megabucks slot how to play guide helpful.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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