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Quick verdict: Starburst is NetEnt’s classic space-gem slot and still one of the most played games online. It’s low volatility with a 96.09% RTP: wins come often but stay modest, with a 500x maximum. Its one feature, the expanding Starburst wild with re-spins, is simple and fun, which makes it a great slot for relaxed play and for clearing bonuses.
Real-money pick for Starburst
For real-money Starburst spins, our pick is 1win, the casino holding our best rating of 9.9/10; it paid our June 2026 crypto withdrawal in 15 minutes. Make sure Starburst is listed for your country before depositing.
Play at 1win18+. T&Cs apply. Not available in every country. Game libraries vary, so search the lobby for Starburst.
Starburst at a glance
| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 10, paying both ways |
| RTP | 96.09% default (versions as low as 90.05% exist) |
| Volatility | Low |
| Max win | 500x your stake |
| Hit frequency | About 22.6% to 22.7% of spins |
| Main feature | Expanding wilds with up to 3 re-spins |
| Free spins | None |
18+. T&Cs apply. Check that online gambling is legal where you live.
How do Starburst’s both-ways paylines work?
Wins pay on 10 paylines in both directions, left to right and right to left, which is why wins land so often. Symbols are colourful gems, a bar and a seven, which pays the most.
The Starburst wild feature
The Starburst wild can land on reels 2, 3 and 4. When it does, it expands to fill the whole reel, stays in place and gives you a free re-spin. Each new wild that lands during a re-spin does the same and adds another re-spin, up to 3 in total. Filling all three middle reels is how you reach the 500x top prize.
Is Starburst a high RTP slot?
At its default setting, the 96.09% RTP is above average, and the low volatility means your balance moves slowly in both directions. That makes Starburst popular for wagering bonuses and free spins offers, which often use it.
How often does Starburst pay out?
Two sources we checked give Starburst’s hit frequency: SlotCatalog lists 22.6% and OLBG 22.7%. That is the share of spins that return any win, and many of those wins are smaller than your stake. Treating each spin as independent, we worked out what that means in practice.
| Question | Working | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Winning spins in 1,000 | 1,000 x 0.226 to 0.227 | About 226 to 227 |
| Average gap between wins | 1 / 0.226 | About 4.4 spins |
| Chance of 10 spins in a row with no win | (1 – 0.226) to the power of 10 | About 7.6% to 7.7% |
| Chance of 20 spins in a row with no win | (1 – 0.226) to the power of 20 | About 0.6% |
| Average cost of 1,000 spins at $1 (96.09% version) | 1,000 x $1 x 3.91% | $39.10 |
| Average cost of 1,000 spins at $1 (90.05% version) | 1,000 x $1 x 9.95% | $99.50 |
The last two rows matter most. Frequent small wins feel the same from spin to spin, but the 90.05% version costs about two and a half times as much over 1,000 spins as the 96.09% default ($99.50 against $39.10). Low volatility does not protect you from a low RTP, so check the info screen before you play.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Frequent wins thanks to both-ways pays | 500x max win is low |
| Simple, polished and quick to learn | No free spins round |
| Good RTP of 96.09% | Can feel repetitive over long sessions |
| Ideal for bonus wagering |
Tips
- Use it for bonus wagering, where steady low-volatility play helps your balance last.
- Don’t expect big jackpots: it’s built for entertainment, not huge wins.
- Look for free spins offers on Starburst, which is a common choice for welcome bonuses.
Like simple NetEnt slots without free spins? Try Twin Spin, where linked reels can grow to cover all five reels.
Starburst vs Starburst XXXtreme and similar slots
Starburst came out in 2012 and NetEnt has since built sequels on it. The best known, Starburst XXXtreme (2021), keeps the expanding wilds but adds random multipliers and high volatility, which lifts the top prize from 500x to 200,000x. If you like the original because it is calm, the sequel is a very different game.
| Slot | Provider | Volatility | RTP | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starburst | NetEnt | Low | 96.09% | 500x |
| Starburst XXXtreme | NetEnt | High | 96.26% | 200,000x |
| Twin Spin | NetEnt | Medium | About 96.6% | 1,080x |
| Fire Joker | Play’n GO | Medium | 96.15% | 800x |
Who should play Starburst?
Starburst suits beginners, players who want long sessions on a small budget, and anyone clearing a bonus wagering requirement. It is a poor fit if you are chasing a big win: the 500x cap is low next to modern slots. For bigger swings, see our high volatility slots; for the best long-run return, see our highest RTP slots.
Where to play Starburst
Our pick is 1win, rated 9.9/10, and our June 2026 crypto withdrawal from it took 15 minutes. BitStarz (9.5/10) is the next best choice. Starburst is in almost every NetEnt lobby, so it is easy to find, but some casinos run lower RTP versions, so check that the info screen shows 96.09%. Compare more options in our casino reviews.
How we checked this
- 96.09% default RTP with versions down to 90.05%, low volatility, a 500x top win and 10 paylines that pay both ways: OLBG and SlotCatalog.
- Expanding wilds on reels 2, 3 and 4 with up to 3 re-spins, and a 2012 release: OLBG and Racing Post.
- Hit frequency of 22.6% to 22.7%: SlotCatalog and OLBG.
- The winning spins per 1,000, the chance of a losing run and the cost of 1,000 spins at each RTP version are our own calculations.
Last checked: 13 October 2026, when we worked out how often Starburst pays and what 1,000 spins cost at each RTP version ourselves with every other figure confirmed by at least two independent sources.
Starburst FAQs
What is the RTP of Starburst?
96.09% by default. Some casinos run lower versions, down to 90.05%, so check the game info screen.
What is the max win on Starburst?
500x your stake.
Does Starburst have free spins?
No. Its feature is the expanding wild, which gives up to 3 re-spins.
Is Starburst low volatility?
Yes. It pays small wins frequently.
Why does Starburst pay both ways?
Its 10 paylines pay from left to right and right to left, which doubles the ways to land a win.
When was Starburst released?
NetEnt released Starburst in 2012.
What is the difference between Starburst and Starburst XXXtreme?
XXXtreme (2021) is high volatility with random multipliers and a 200,000x max win. The original is low volatility with a 500x max win.
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18+. T&Cs apply.
Check your local laws before you play
Online gambling laws differ from country to country, and in some places it is restricted or not permitted at all. Before you sign up to any casino listed on UltraGambler, check that online gambling is legal where you live and that the casino accepts players from your country. You must be 18 or older (or the legal gambling age in your country, if higher) to play. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and use the deposit limits and self-exclusion tools your casino provides if gambling stops being fun.
