Big Time Gaming is a small studio with an outsized influence. In 2016 it introduced Megaways, a reel system where the number of symbols on each reel changes every spin, and the idea took over the slot industry. Today dozens of studios make Megaways games under licence, but BTG’s own titles, Bonanza and Extra Chilli above all, are still the reference point.
This page covers who Big Time Gaming is, what makes its games different, what they return, and where to play them in Canada.
Quick answer: Big Time Gaming is an Australian studio founded in 2011 and owned by Evolution since 2021. It invented the Megaways mechanic in 2016 and licenses it to many other studios. Its best-known games, Bonanza Megaways (96.00%) and Extra Chilli Megaways (96.19%), are high volatility, with cascading wins and multipliers that build during free spins. Most Canadian casinos carry BTG titles.
Big Time Gaming Casinos for Canadian Players
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About this list. These are our general picks for players outside Ontario and Alberta, ranked by our overall review score. Most carry BTG’s main titles, but check the lobby’s provider filter for the specific game you want. If you live in Ontario or Alberta, play at a provincially licensed site instead (see the section on provincial sites further down).
Who Is Big Time Gaming?
Big Time Gaming was founded in 2011 by Nik Robinson and is based in Sydney, Australia. It has always released relatively few games, focusing on mechanics rather than volume. In 2016 it launched the first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, and later that year Bonanza, the game that made the mechanic famous.
Rather than keep Megaways to itself, BTG licensed it to other studios, including Red Tiger, Blueprint Gaming and Pragmatic Play. That is why there are now hundreds of Megaways games. In 2021, Evolution bought BTG, adding it to a group that already included NetEnt and Red Tiger. Our profile of Evolution and its studios covers the parent company, and our casino software providers overview maps the wider industry.
How Big Time Gaming Slots Play
- Megaways reels. Each of six reels shows between two and seven symbols per spin, for up to 117,649 ways to win. Our page on how Megaways slots work explains why more ways do not mean better odds.
- Reactions. BTG’s name for cascading wins: winning symbols vanish and new ones drop in, so one spin can pay several times.
- Climbing multipliers. In Bonanza’s free spins, the multiplier rises with every cascade and does not reset, which is where the biggest wins come from.
- Gamble features. Extra Chilli lets you gamble your free spins on a wheel for more, a BTG trademark.
- High volatility throughout. Long quiet spells, then occasional very large features.
Big Time Gaming’s Best-Known Slots
| Slot | Published RTP | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways | 96.00% | The original Megaways hit; unlimited multiplier in free spins |
| Extra Chilli Megaways | 96.19% | Gamble wheel to trade risk for more free spins |
| White Rabbit Megaways | Check the info screen | Alice in Wonderland theme with reels that grow during the feature |
| Danger High Voltage | Check the info screen | A non-Megaways BTG hit with two different free spins modes |
BTG’s RTPs sit around 96%, typical for modern video slots. As always, the figure in the game’s info screen is the one that applies at your casino, as our page on high RTP slots explains.
Who Else Makes Megaways Games?
Because BTG licenses Megaways, most Megaways slots you see were not made by BTG at all. Licensees include Red Tiger (Gonzo’s Quest Megaways), Pragmatic Play (Great Rhino Megaways, Madame Destiny Megaways), Blueprint Gaming (Buffalo Rising Megaways), Relax Gaming (Temple Tumble Megaways) and IGT (Wheel of Fortune Megaways). Each builds its own features on top of the shared reel system, so two Megaways games can feel very different. Our profile of IGT’s online games covers one of the land-based licensees.
BTG and Its Sister Studios
| Evolution-owned studio | Best known for | Typical volatility |
|---|---|---|
| Big Time Gaming | Megaways, Bonanza, Extra Chilli | High |
| NetEnt | Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Supermeter classics | Low to medium on the classics |
| Red Tiger | Daily drop jackpots, Megaways remakes | Medium to high |
| Nolimit City | Extreme-volatility slots | Very high |
Playing BTG Games Without Burning Through Your Balance
BTG games are among the most volatile mainstream slots. A few habits make a big difference:
- Bet small enough for 200 or more spins. On a C$100 budget, that means C$0.50 or less.
- Expect the free spins to be rare. Gaps of well over 100 spins are normal.
- Decide in advance what a good result is, and stop there if you reach it.
- Be cautious with the bonus buy. Where it is offered, it compresses all of that volatility into one large bet. Our page on what a slot feature buy really costs explains why.
Our page on high volatility slots and bankroll rules goes into more detail.
Where to Play Big Time Gaming in Canada
BTG’s main titles are widely available. In Ontario, 888 Casino lists Big Time Gaming among its studios, and our list of licensed Ontario online casinos covers the rest. Ontario-facing sites generally do not offer bonus buys, so expect the buy button to be missing there. Alberta’s regulated market opened on July 13, 2026; see our page on Alberta online casinos.
Elsewhere, Lucky Spins, Wildz, Casilime, Jet, CasiYou and PlayOJO all list Big Time Gaming. Our sister profiles of Red Tiger’s Megaways remakes and NetEnt’s classic slots cover the rest of the Evolution group’s slot studios.
BTG Games and Casino Bonuses
BTG slots normally count fully toward wagering, but their volatility makes them a poor tool for clearing a bonus, and buying features while a bonus is active usually breaks the maximum bet rule. If you want to wager a bonus, a steadier game is safer, and our page on low volatility slots lists some. Our explainer on welcome bonus wagering covers the terms.
Is Big Time Gaming Safe?
Yes. BTG is part of the Evolution group, licensed in regulated markets, and its games are independently certified. Our explainer on whether online slots are rigged covers how testing works.
How We Assess Big Time Gaming Casinos
We check which BTG titles a casino carries, whether RTP is shown before you play, how the bonus terms treat high-volatility play and feature buys, and how quickly large wins are paid out. Our full criteria are in our casino review process.
Big Swings Need Firm Limits
BTG games are designed around rare, very large wins. Set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stop at either. Our page on responsible gambling help in Canada lists support in every province.
Written by Ethan Walsh, OCCG casino reviewer. Company details are from industry reporting; RTPs are published figures for the standard version of each game. Casino details come from our individual reviews. If something has changed, let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented Megaways?
Big Time Gaming, which introduced the mechanic in 2016 and has since licensed it to many other studios.
What was the first Megaways slot?
Dragon Born, released by Big Time Gaming in 2016. Bonanza, released later that year, made the format famous.
Who owns Big Time Gaming?
Evolution, since 2021. The group also owns NetEnt, Red Tiger and Nolimit City.
What is the RTP of Bonanza Megaways?
96.00% for the standard version, with high volatility.
Are Big Time Gaming slots high volatility?
Yes. Almost all of its games are high volatility, with long quiet spells and occasional very large wins.
Where is Big Time Gaming based?
In Sydney, Australia. It was founded in 2011.
Can I buy the bonus on BTG slots in Ontario?
Generally not. Ontario-facing casinos usually do not offer the bonus buy option, even on games that have it elsewhere.
Are BTG slots available in Canada?
Yes. Most major Canadian casinos carry them, including 888 Casino in Ontario and offshore casinos such as Lucky Spins and Wildz.
