.svg)
Big Time Gaming (BTG) is one of the most influential slot developers in the online casino industry, best known for inventing the Megaways game engine that reshaped how modern slots are built and played. Founded in Sydney in 2011 by a group of experienced gaming veterans, the studio built its reputation on high-volatility mathematics, distinctive themes and genuinely original mechanics rather than volume. Titles such as Bonanza, White Rabbit and Extra Chilli became defining releases of their generation and remain player favourites across regulated markets today.
Rather than chasing a huge catalogue, BTG focuses on carefully crafted games that combine memorable presentation with market-leading win potential, an approach that has earned the studio a loyal following among slot enthusiasts and operators alike. Following its acquisition by Evolution in 2021, Big Time Gaming continues to produce premium content while licensing Megaways to studios worldwide. Operators can add the full Big Time Gaming portfolio through SoftVault's single aggregation integration, with no separate technical project required.
Big Time Gaming, universally known in the industry as BTG, is an Australian slot studio that has had an outsized impact on the global online casino market. Since its founding in 2011, the company has released a comparatively small but highly influential catalogue of games, prioritising originality, high volatility and standout win potential over sheer volume. Its most important contribution, however, is not a single game but a mechanic: Megaways, a variable-reel engine that has become one of the most recognised and widely licensed features in the entire slots sector.
Where many studios compete on the number of titles they ship each year, BTG has consistently taken a different path, releasing a handful of meticulously crafted games designed to become long-term staples of operator lobbies. That focus on quality and innovation has made the studio a favourite among experienced slot players and a valuable partner for operators seeking premium, differentiated content.
Big Time Gaming was established in Sydney, Australia, in 2011 by a team of gaming industry veterans, including Nik Robinson, Huw McIntosh and Ian Schmidt, who had previously worked together on land-based and early online gaming products. Basing a globally significant slot studio in Australia rather than the traditional European hubs of Malta, Gibraltar or the United Kingdom was unusual, and it helped give BTG an identity distinct from its rivals.
From the outset, the founders set out to build games with genuine mathematical innovation and strong entertainment value. The studio's early titles established a house style built around high volatility, generous maximum win potential and mechanics that gave players a real sense of anticipation. This philosophy laid the groundwork for the breakthrough that would follow, and it continues to define the studio's output today.
BTG's defining achievement is the invention of the Megaways mechanic, first introduced in its 2015 release Dragon Born and popularised the following year by the smash hit Bonanza. Megaways replaces the fixed paylines of a traditional slot with a variable number of symbols on each reel, so the number of ways to win changes on every single spin. At its most famous, a six-reel Megaways game can offer up to 117,649 ways to win, creating a level of unpredictability and excitement that captured players' imagination almost immediately.
The mechanic proved so popular that BTG began licensing the Megaways engine to other studios, turning a proprietary feature into an industry-wide standard. Over time, Megaways has been licensed to a long list of well-known developers, dramatically expanding its reach far beyond BTG's own catalogue.
This licensing model was as commercially significant as the mechanic itself. It generated a substantial and recurring revenue stream for BTG, cemented the studio's reputation as a genuine innovator, and made Megaways one of the most instantly recognisable brands in the slots world. For players, the Megaways name became a shorthand for high volatility and big win potential; for operators, a Megaways badge in the lobby became a reliable draw.
Big Time Gaming's influence and profitability made it an attractive acquisition target, and in 2021 the studio was acquired by Evolution, the Swedish-listed live casino and gaming giant. The deal, valued in the hundreds of millions of euros with an initial consideration and performance-based earn-out, formed part of Evolution's broader strategy to expand beyond live dealer content and build a portfolio of leading slot brands alongside earlier acquisitions such as NetEnt and Red Tiger.
Under Evolution's ownership, BTG has retained its distinctive creative identity and Australian roots while benefiting from the scale, distribution reach and commercial resources of one of the industry's largest groups. The studio has continued to release new Megaways and non-Megaways titles, and its games are now delivered to operators worldwide as part of Evolution's wider content offering.
BTG's catalogue is compact but packed with genuine classics, several of which are considered landmark releases in modern slot design. These games are recognised for their memorable themes, sophisticated bonus features and headline win potential.
Beyond individual hits, the studio's milestones include the creation and successful commercialisation of Megaways, the development of further proprietary mechanics such as Megaclusters, and its emergence as one of the most respected creative studios in the sector. Together, these achievements explain why Big Time Gaming punches far above its weight and why its games continue to occupy prime positions in operator lobbies across regulated markets. For operators, adding BTG means offering the studio that started one of the industry's biggest trends, backed by a track record of enduring, high-performing titles.
For operators building a compelling and differentiated slot lobby, Big Time Gaming offers a rare combination of brand recognition, genuine innovation and proven long-term performance. Its games are not disposable filler; they are enduring titles that players actively seek out by name, making them valuable assets for acquisition, retention and cross-sell. The following are the key reasons operators consistently prioritise BTG content.
Big Time Gaming's full catalogue is available to SoftVault operators through a single aggregation integration, with no need for a separate technical project or a direct contract with the studio. Because BTG content is delivered as part of SoftVault's unified game aggregation layer, the same integration that gives you access to dozens of other studios also gives you access to Megaways originals such as Bonanza, White Rabbit and Extra Chilli. There is no additional API to build, no separate certification to manage and no bespoke engineering work required on your side.
Once your SoftVault platform is live, enabling Big Time Gaming is simply a matter of switching the studio's games on in the back office. You can browse the available titles, activate the ones you want and configure them within your lobby using the tools you already use for the rest of your content. New BTG releases are added to the aggregation platform automatically as they launch, so your catalogue stays current without any manual integration effort, and you can promote fresh titles as soon as they become available. This keeps your lobby fresh and lets you react quickly to demand for the studio's latest games.
Commercially, the arrangement is equally simple. Revenue share for Big Time Gaming content is handled entirely through SoftVault, and the associated costs appear on your consolidated SoftVault GGR statement alongside every other provider, so there is a single, transparent reconciliation rather than a patchwork of separate studio invoices. Because the content is pre-integrated and pre-certified, turning it on is fast, and Big Time Gaming is included within SoftVault's 14-day launch timeline. That means new operators can go live with BTG's flagship Megaways titles from day one, while existing operators can add the studio to an established platform in a matter of clicks. The result is a premium, industry-defining slot portfolio delivered with minimal operational overhead and maximum speed to market.
Big Time Gaming is best known for inventing the Megaways mechanic, a variable-reel engine that can offer up to 117,649 ways to win and changes the number of ways to win on every spin. The studio is also known for high-volatility hits such as Bonanza, White Rabbit and Extra Chilli, which are among the most recognised slots of the modern online era.
Big Time Gaming was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Its Australian origins set it apart from many rivals based in traditional European gaming hubs, and the studio has retained that identity even after becoming part of a larger international group.
Yes. Big Time Gaming was acquired by Evolution, the Swedish-listed gaming group, in 2021 in a deal valued in the hundreds of millions of euros. Under Evolution's ownership, BTG has retained its creative independence while benefiting from the scale, stability and global distribution of one of the industry's largest content providers.
The studio's flagship titles include Bonanza Megaways, White Rabbit Megaways, Extra Chilli Megaways, Danger High Voltage and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Megaways. Bonanza in particular is regarded as the game that turned Megaways into a global phenomenon, and many of these titles have remained popular for years after their original release.
For players, Megaways delivers high volatility, unpredictable gameplay and large maximum win potential, which appeals strongly to engaged slot enthusiasts. For operators, the Megaways name is a recognisable draw that can anchor a dedicated lobby category, support retention campaigns and signal a premium, up-to-date content offering. Because Megaways has been licensed to well over a hundred studios, it is now one of the most widely recognised brands in slots.
Operators access the full Big Time Gaming catalogue through SoftVault's single aggregation integration, with no separate contract or technical project required. Once your platform is live, you simply enable the studio's games in the back office, new releases are added automatically, and revenue share is billed through your consolidated SoftVault GGR statement. Big Time Gaming is included within SoftVault's 14-day launch timeline, so it can be switched on quickly for both new and established operators.
