Rainbow Riches Megaways Review

Follow the Leprechaun’s Rainbow to 117,649 Ways

You are chasing the leprechaun all over again in Rainbow Riches Megaways, Barcrest’s bold reinvention of one of the most recognisable slot brands in the world. Released on 22 January 2020 and powered by Big Time Gaming’s Megaways™ engine under licence, this title takes the familiar Irish good-luck theme — the cheeky leprechaun, the shimmering pot of gold, the arc of a rainbow over rolling green hills — and supercharges it with up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. It is, in the developer’s own words, the gift that keeps on giving, now with extra Megaways.

The Rainbow Riches name has been a fixture in betting shops and online lobbies for well over a decade, and Barcrest (operating through SG Digital, now part of Light & Wonder) clearly understood that fans of the original would expect the magic to carry across. The leprechaun still grins from the corner of the screen, the gems still sparkle in their classic jewel colours, and that unmistakable Irish jig still plays in the background. What is new is the sheer scale of the action: where the original Rainbow Riches was built around modest paylines, this Megaways edition reshuffles symbol counts on every spin, producing a constantly shifting grid of opportunity.

Mechanically, Rainbow Riches Megaways runs on a 6-reel layout with a horizontal top reel, the signature configuration of so many Megaways slots. Each of the main reels can display anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols, and the additional top reel feeds extra symbols across reels two through five. When every reel lands at its maximum height, you reach the full 117,649 ways. Wins are calculated for matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, and every winning combination triggers a cascade — winning symbols vanish, fresh ones tumble down, and the chance for consecutive wins from a single paid spin keeps the reels in motion.

The headline draw, though, is the trio of bonus features that lift this slot above a simple brand re-skin. The Super Gem Bonus can turn a board full of mixed jewels into a single matching colour for explosive cluster pays. The Pot of Gold free spins open the door to the game’s biggest moments, and inside that round an unlimited win multiplier climbs higher with every cascade — with no ceiling to cap your luck. Combined with high volatility, an RTP of roughly 95.99%, and a maximum win of 12,500x your stake (up to €250,000), Rainbow Riches Megaways delivers a familiar face wrapped around genuinely modern slot mathematics.

Whether you are a long-time devotee of the leprechaun’s antics or a Megaways enthusiast looking for a bright, cheerful change of pace, Rainbow Riches Megaways earns its place in the catalogue. Let’s dig into every gem, pot, and rainbow this Irish adventure has to offer.

Key Stats & Specifications

Key Features at a Glance

Before we follow the rainbow to its source, here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Rainbow Riches Megaways shine:

• Megaways™ Engine: Up to 117,649 ways to win, recalculated on every spin
• Cascading Reels: Winning symbols disappear and new ones drop in for consecutive wins
• Super Gem Bonus: A multicoloured gem on the top reel transforms every gem into one symbol
• Pot of Gold Free Spins: 4+ Pots of Gold award 12 free spins, with +5 spins per extra symbol
• Unlimited Win Multiplier: Starts at 1x in free spins and rises +1x with each cascade, uncapped
• Top Horizontal Reel: The classic Megaways™ extra reel feeding reels 2-5
• Wild Symbols: Substitute for paying symbols to complete winning ways
• High Volatility: Big swings and the potential for 12,500x stake wins
• Low Entry Stake: Play the leprechaun from just 20p a spin
• Iconic Branding: A faithful, upgraded take on the Rainbow Riches universe

The Megaways™ Mechanic: 117,649 Ways Across the Rainbow

Understanding Megaways™ in Rainbow Riches

At the heart of Rainbow Riches Megaways sits the Megaways™ system, the variable-ways engine that revolutionised modern slots. Rather than offering a fixed number of paylines, Megaways™ assigns a random number of symbols to each reel on every spin, dramatically changing the number of ways to win from one moment to the next.

How Megaways™ Works Here:

• 6 main vertical reels, each able to show between 2 and 7 symbols
• A horizontal top reel adds an extra symbol to reels 2, 3, 4 and 5
• Ways to win are calculated by multiplying the symbol counts across all reels
• Maximum configuration: 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win
• Minimum configuration: as few as 64 ways when reels are short

Win Formation Principles:

• Matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right form a win
• A symbol’s size or position on a reel is irrelevant — only the reel sequence matters
• Several winning combinations can land on a single spin simultaneously
• All payouts are expressed as a multiple of your total stake, not per line
• Every win triggers a cascade, removing winners and dropping in replacements

Why Megaways™ Matters in This Slot:

The variable-ways structure does more than inflate the headline number. Because the grid constantly reshuffles, no two spins feel identical — a tall reel configuration can suddenly unlock tens of thousands of ways, while the cascade mechanic means a single lucky drop can chain into several wins. In Rainbow Riches Megaways, this rhythm of cascades and shifting ways keeps the base game lively as you hunt for the Pots of Gold that unlock the free spins.

Cascading Reels: Consecutive Wins From One Spin

How the Cascade Works

Like virtually every Megaways™ slot, Rainbow Riches Megaways uses a cascading reels (also called tumbling or avalanche) mechanic that rewards each winning spin with the chance for more wins at no extra cost.

The Cascade Sequence:

1. You spin and the reels fill with symbols across the variable Megaways™ grid
2. A win lands — matching symbols on adjacent reels from the leftmost reel
3. Winning symbols are removed from the grid, leaving empty spaces
4. New symbols tumble down from above (and from the top reel) to fill the gaps
5. The grid re-evaluates for new wins formed by the freshly dropped symbols
6. The cycle repeats until a drop produces no further winning combination

Why Cascades Are Crucial:

• A single paid spin can produce a chain of consecutive wins, stacking up payouts
• Cascades are the mechanism that drives the free spins multiplier (more on that below)
• They maintain on-screen action and anticipation between bigger features
• Longer cascade chains correlate directly with larger overall spin payouts

In the base game, cascades simply add value to winning spins. But once you enter the Pot of Gold free spins, cascades become the engine that powers Rainbow Riches Megaways’ most exciting feature — the unlimited win multiplier.

Super Gem Bonus: One Colour to Pay Them All

The Multicoloured Gem on the Rainbow Reel

The Super Gem Bonus is one of Rainbow Riches Megaways’ most distinctive features and a genuine point of difference from a standard Megaways title. It revolves around a special multicoloured gem symbol that appears only on the horizontal top reel — the “rainbow reel” that crowns the main grid.

How the Super Gem Bonus Works:

1. The multicoloured gem lands on the top rainbow reel during a base game spin
2. The feature triggers automatically when this special gem appears
3. A single gem colour is randomly selected by the game
4. Every gem symbol currently on the reels transforms into that one chosen gem
5. The grid then evaluates for wins with all the now-matching gems counted together
6. Because so many positions can suddenly share the same symbol, the result can be a huge cluster of matching ways

Example Super Gem Scenario:

• You spin with a tall grid showing a scattered mix of red, green, blue and purple gems
• The multicoloured gem lands on the top rainbow reel and triggers the Super Gem Bonus
• The game randomly selects the green gem
• Every gem on the board — red, blue, purple — transforms into green
• A grid that previously held a handful of matching green gems now overflows with them
• The Megaways™ engine counts all the matching green ways across the reels, paying out a substantial combined win, with cascades potentially following

Strategic Significance:

• The Super Gem Bonus can convert a near-miss board into a major paying spin
• It rewards tall reel configurations, where more positions mean more gems to transform
• Combined with cascades, a single Super Gem trigger can snowball into a string of wins
• It keeps the base game engaging even before the free spins are in reach

The Super Gem Bonus is a clever nod to the gem-driven heritage of the wider Rainbow Riches series, repurposed for the Megaways™ format in a way that produces some of the slot’s most satisfying base-game moments.

Pot of Gold Free Spins: The Leprechaun’s Treasure

Finding the Pots of Gold

Every Rainbow Riches game is ultimately about the pot of gold at the rainbow’s end, and Rainbow Riches Megaways makes that the gateway to its premier feature. The Pot of Gold symbol acts as the scatter that unlocks free spins.

Free Spins Trigger Requirements:

• 4 or more Pot of Gold symbols anywhere on the reels trigger the free spins
• Base award: 4 Pots of Gold = 12 free spins
• Additional spins: each Pot of Gold beyond the fourth awards +5 free spins
• The more pots you land, the longer your free spins session runs

Free Spins Award Examples:

• 4 Pots of Gold → 12 free spins
• 5 Pots of Gold → 17 free spins (12 + 5)
• 6 Pots of Gold → 22 free spins (12 + 10)
• 7 Pots of Gold → 27 free spins (12 + 15)

Inside the Free Spins Round

Once triggered, the game transitions into the free spins feature, where the full 117,649-way Megaways™ engine continues to operate — but now with a transformative twist that makes the round far more powerful than the base game. That twist is the unlimited win multiplier, detailed in the next section.

What Makes the Free Spins Special:

• All base-game mechanics (cascades, the Megaways™ grid) carry across
• The win multiplier persists and grows throughout the entire round
• Retriggering is possible if more Pots of Gold land during the feature
• The combination of cascades and a rising multiplier is where the 12,500x max win lives

The Pot of Gold free spins are the heart of Rainbow Riches Megaways. Because there is no bonus buy, every free spins entry has to be earned the traditional way — which makes the moment four pots finally land all the more rewarding.

Unlimited Win Multiplier: No Ceiling on Your Luck

The Multiplier That Never Stops Climbing

The single most important feature in Rainbow Riches Megaways — and the one that gives it serious win potential — is the unlimited win multiplier that operates exclusively during the Pot of Gold free spins.

How the Unlimited Multiplier Works:

1. The free spins begin with the win multiplier set at 1x
2. Every cascade win during the round increases the multiplier by +1x
3. The multiplier does not reset between spins — it carries forward for the whole feature
4. Crucially, there is no upper cap: in theory the multiplier can climb indefinitely
5. The higher the multiplier, the more every subsequent win is amplified

Multiplier Progression Example:

• Free spins start: multiplier = 1x
• First cascade win → multiplier rises to 2x
• Second cascade win → multiplier rises to 3x
• A long chain of cascades across several spins → multiplier climbs to 8x, 12x, 20x+
• A 50x base win landing while the multiplier sits at 20x → 1,000x payout from that win alone

Why the Unlimited Multiplier Is So Powerful:

• Because it persists across the entire round, every cascade builds toward bigger wins
• Long free spins sessions (from landing many Pots of Gold) allow the multiplier to grow taller
• It rewards the cascade mechanic directly — more tumbles mean a faster-rising multiplier
• This is the mechanic that makes the 12,500x maximum win mathematically achievable
• It transforms the free spins from a simple spins-with-extras round into a genuine snowball feature

Strategic Implications:

• Triggering free spins with more than four pots gives the multiplier more spins to climb
• Patience is rewarded: the most explosive results come late in long, cascade-heavy rounds
• A quiet start to the free spins is not necessarily bad — each cascade still nudges the multiplier upward

The unlimited win multiplier is the beating heart of Rainbow Riches Megaways’ big-win potential. Without it, the game would be a pleasant brand revival; with it, the slot has the firepower to deliver the kind of life-changing 12,500x payouts that keep players chasing the leprechaun’s gold.

Symbols & Paytable

Rainbow Riches Megaways uses a symbol set that blends the iconic imagery of the brand with the classic gem royals common to Megaways slots.

Premium Symbols:

• The Leprechaun — the game’s star character and top-paying premium symbol
• The Pot of Gold — the scatter/bonus symbol that triggers the free spins
• Themed Irish premiums — horseshoes, harps and other good-luck icons

Low-Paying Symbols:

• Coloured gems — red, green, blue, purple and amber jewels form the lower tier
• These gems are central to the Super Gem Bonus, where they transform into one matching colour

Special Symbols:

• Wild — substitutes for paying symbols (not the Pot of Gold scatter) to complete winning ways
• Multicoloured Super Gem — appears only on the top rainbow reel to trigger the Super Gem Bonus
• Pot of Gold scatter — collects toward the free spins trigger (4+ needed)

Paytable Principles:

• Wins are formed by matching symbols on adjacent reels from left to right, starting at reel one
• Premium symbols pay significantly more than the gem royals
• Payouts scale with the number of matching reels (typically 3, 4, 5 or 6 of a kind)
• All values are quoted as a multiple of your total stake
• The full paytable is accessible in-game via the information button and adjusts to your chosen stake

As is standard for the format, the leprechaun is the symbol you most want to see stacking across the reels, while the gems supply the volume that the Super Gem Bonus can turn into something spectacular.

How to Win: Strategy & Tips

Rainbow Riches Megaways is a high-volatility slot, which shapes how you should approach it. No strategy can change the underlying RTP of roughly 95.99%, but smart play helps you survive the variance and reach the features where the real wins live.

Bankroll Management

• Size your bets for longevity. With high volatility and dry spells likely, keep individual stakes to a small fraction (1-2%) of your session bankroll.
• Use the low minimum. The 20p minimum bet lets you extend your number of spins, which matters when you’re waiting for four Pots of Gold to appear.
• Set win and loss limits before you play, and treat the free spins as the goal rather than every spin.
• Avoid chasing. Because the multiplier-driven free spins carry the slot’s potential, resist the urge to ramp up stakes after a losing streak.

Base Game Tips

• Watch the top rainbow reel. The multicoloured Super Gem only lands there — every appearance is a base-game bonus that can rescue an otherwise modest spin.
• Tall reels are your friend. The more symbols on screen, the more ways to win and the bigger any Super Gem transformation becomes.
• Let cascades play out. Each cascade is a free re-evaluation of the grid; don’t rush the animations.
• Be patient for pots. Four Pots of Gold is the magic number — the base game is largely a waiting room for the free spins.

Free Spins & Bonus Strategy

• Aim for more than four pots. Extra Pots of Gold add +5 spins each, giving the unlimited multiplier more time to climb.
• Embrace the snowball. The multiplier rises +1x per cascade and never resets, so the back half of a long round is where wins multiply hardest.
• Don’t judge early. A slow start to the free spins still builds the multiplier with every cascade — the biggest hits often come late.
• No bonus buy means no shortcuts. Since you can’t purchase the feature, the disciplined path is consistent stakes and patience until the round triggers organically.

The overarching lesson is simple: Rainbow Riches Megaways pays out in bursts. Protect your bankroll through the quiet base game and you’ll be in a position to capitalise when the leprechaun finally hands over his pot of gold.

Gameplay Experience

Rainbow Riches Megaways stays faithful to the cheerful, instantly recognisable identity of the brand. The reels sit against the familiar backdrop of rolling green hills, a clear sky and the arc of a rainbow, with the grinning leprechaun perched at the side ready to celebrate your wins. It’s a bright, welcoming presentation that trades the dark, cinematic look of many modern Megaways titles for something warmer and more traditional.

Visual Design:

• A vivid Irish countryside backdrop with the signature rainbow framing the grid
• Classic coloured gems that sparkle with each cascade and Super Gem transformation
• The leprechaun, pot of gold and good-luck icons rendered in clean, colourful style
• Smooth cascade animations that keep the action flowing without dragging

Audio Design:

• An upbeat Irish jig that captures the playful spirit of the Rainbow Riches series
• Satisfying chimes and coin sounds layered over winning cascades
• Escalating audio cues during the free spins as the multiplier climbs
• A celebratory flourish from the leprechaun when bigger wins land

The overall feel is one of approachable fun. Where some high-volatility slots lean into tension and menace, Rainbow Riches Megaways keeps things light and optimistic — a deliberate match for a brand built on good luck and the promise of a pot of gold. It’s a presentation that long-time fans will find immediately comforting and newcomers will find easy to enjoy.

Mobile Experience

Built by SG Digital with cross-platform play in mind, Rainbow Riches Megaways runs smoothly across desktop, tablet and mobile without any loss of features or quality.

Mobile Highlights:

• Fully responsive layout that reflows the 6-reel grid neatly to portrait and landscape screens
• Touch-optimised controls with easy access to stake adjustment, autoplay and the paytable
• Identical feature set — Super Gem Bonus, Pot of Gold free spins and the unlimited multiplier all play exactly as on desktop
• Crisp visuals that keep the gems, leprechaun and rainbow sharp on smaller displays
• Stable performance with quick load times and smooth cascade animations on modern devices

The 20p minimum bet is especially well suited to mobile sessions, where shorter bursts of play are common. Whether you’re spinning on a commute or relaxing at home, the mobile build of Rainbow Riches Megaways delivers the complete experience with no compromises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RTP of Rainbow Riches Megaways?

Rainbow Riches Megaways has an RTP of approximately 95.99% (often rounded to 96%). This sits slightly below the modern Megaways™ average but reflects the slot’s high-volatility, feature-driven design. Note that some operators may run alternative RTP versions, so always check the in-game information panel.

What is the maximum win in Rainbow Riches Megaways?

The maximum win is 12,500x your stake, which equates to €250,000 at the maximum bet. This top prize is realistically reached only through the Pot of Gold free spins, where the unlimited win multiplier can climb high enough to amplify cascade wins into a record payout.

How many ways to win does Rainbow Riches Megaways have?

The slot uses Big Time Gaming’s Megaways™ engine and offers up to 117,649 ways to win when all six reels land at their maximum height of 7 symbols, aided by the horizontal top reel.

Does Rainbow Riches Megaways have a bonus buy feature?

No. Rainbow Riches Megaways does not offer a bonus buy option. The Pot of Gold free spins and the unlimited multiplier must be triggered organically by landing 4 or more Pot of Gold symbols on the reels.

How do you trigger the free spins?

Land 4 or more Pot of Gold symbols anywhere on the reels. Four pots award 12 free spins, and each additional Pot of Gold adds +5 free spins, so a six-pot trigger grants 22 free spins.

What is the Super Gem Bonus?

The Super Gem Bonus triggers when a multicoloured gem lands on the top rainbow reel. The game then selects one gem colour at random and transforms every gem on the reels into that single symbol, often creating a large matching cluster and a substantial payout.

How does the unlimited win multiplier work?

During the free spins, a win multiplier starts at 1x and increases by +1x for every cascade win. It never resets during the round and has no upper cap, so the longer your free spins run, the higher the multiplier — and the bigger your potential wins — can climb.

Who makes Rainbow Riches Megaways?

Rainbow Riches Megaways is a Barcrest title developed and distributed through SG Digital, now part of Light & Wonder. It was released on 22 January 2020 under licence from Big Time Gaming, the creators of the Megaways™ engine.

Verdict

Rainbow Riches Megaways succeeds where so many brand revivals stumble: it respects the heritage of the original while genuinely modernising the gameplay. The leprechaun, the gems and the pot of gold are all present and correct, but they now sit atop the full 117,649-way Megaways™ engine, cascading reels, and a free spins round built around an uncapped, ever-climbing win multiplier. That combination gives a famously cheerful, traditional brand the kind of mathematical firepower — up to 12,500x your stake — that modern slot players demand.

The standout feature is unquestionably the unlimited win multiplier in the Pot of Gold free spins. Because it rises with every cascade and never resets, it turns long free spins sessions into genuine snowball events, and it’s the mechanism behind the slot’s most spectacular payouts. The Super Gem Bonus is a smart, brand-appropriate addition that keeps the base game lively, transforming scattered jewels into paying clusters at just the right moments.

The trade-offs are typical of the high-volatility template. The base game can run quiet while you wait for four Pots of Gold, the RTP of around 95.99% is a touch below the Megaways™ average, and the absence of a bonus buy means there are no shortcuts to the features. Patience and bankroll discipline are essential.

Weighing the faithful theme, the strong feature trio, the impressive top-end potential and the accessible 20p minimum against the volatility and the slightly soft RTP, Rainbow Riches Megaways earns a solid 4.2 out of 5. It’s an excellent choice for fans of the original brand and a rewarding, characterful option for any Megaways enthusiast willing to chase the leprechaun all the way to the end of the rainbow.