Starburst is a 5-reel, 3-row video slot from NetEnt, built around a glowing space-gem theme with a simple, fast-paced structure. Released in 2012, it plays on 10 fixed paylines that pay in both directions, and its entire appeal rests on one mechanic — an expanding wild that can lock in place and trigger free re-spins — rather than an elaborate bonus round.
| Provider | NetEnt |
| RTP | 96.08% |
| Volatility | Low |
| Reels / Rows | 5 / 3 |
| Paylines | 10 (pays both ways) |
| Max Win | 800× bet |
| Release Year | 2012 |
Starburst’s core mechanic is the expanding wild: landing a wild symbol on reels 2, 3 or 4 causes it to expand to cover the entire reel, then locks in place for one free re-spin while the other reels spin again. If a second wild lands on a different reel during that re-spin, it also expands and locks, and the cycle can repeat up to three times in a row. Because all 10 paylines pay both left-to-right and right-to-left, a single expanded wild can complete multiple winning combinations at once. There’s no free spins bonus or multiplier trail — the low volatility and frequent small-to-medium wins are the entire draw.
Pros
- Both-ways-pay paylines double the ways a single wild can create wins
- Expanding wild re-spins can chain up to three times in a row
- Low volatility means frequent, steady wins
- Fast, simple gameplay with no bonus round to learn
Cons
- No free spins feature or bonus round
- 800× max win is low next to modern high-volatility slots
- Only 10 paylines limits combination variety
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTP of Starburst?
Starburst has an official return-to-player rate of 96.08%, as published by NetEnt.
Is Starburst high or low volatility?
NetEnt rates Starburst as a low-volatility slot, meaning wins land often but stay modest, with a maximum win of 800× your bet.
Where can I play Starburst for real money?
You can play Starburst for real money at Sloto Cash, one of the online casinos carrying NetEnt's slot library.