Scatter Pays is a slot mechanic used increasingly more at new online pokies. The concept is based on the scatter symbols traditionally triggering slot bonus rounds after landing three anywhere on the reels.
Pragmatic Play first implemented the scatter pays system on standard symbols in Sweet Bonanza. Due to the game’s popularity with players, the same company and more studios have since borrowed the concept.
Unlike traditional payline or cluster pays slots, scatter paying games award wins when a certain number of identical symbols land anywhere on the reels. In most cases, at least 8 symbols are needed to form a win in scatter paying slot machines. These games are often paired with cascading reels, making back-to-back winning combos possible.
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Top Scatter Paying Slots in Australia
The first scatter paying slot machines appeared around 2020. Although the mechanic has been more prevalent since then, only selected game providers have used it for their games.
Most notably, Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Push Gaming, and Relax Gaming. Having reviewed most of their online slots, here are the ones from the scatter paying category that I enjoy the most.
Sweet Bonanza 1000 – The sequel to the now classic Sweet Bonanza slot machine not only pays out for landing 8+ matching symbols anywhere on the reels, but the winning symbols also disappear, providing additional chances to win. During the free spins, Sweet Bonanza 1000 includes persistent multipliers up to 1000x, which are added after all wins are summed and can pay up to 25,000x your wager.
Gates of Olympus Super Scatter – Although all Gates of Olympus online slots are scatter paying games, the Super Scatter version has the highest max win cap at 50,000x. Land 4 Super Scatters in the base game and the jackpot is yours. Elsewhere, you get paid when at least 8 symbols appear anywhere on the grid, plus multipliers and free spins!
Starlight Princess – Starlight Princess was modelled after Gates Olympus, but it rocks a cool manga theme and addictive music that makes it worth checking out. Tumbling reels for 8+ matching symbols, 15 free spins with progressive multipliers, and a max win of 5,000x the stake make this game a must-try scatter paying slot.
Pirate Bonanza – Turning our focus to Hacksaw Gaming, Pirate Bonanza is a 6×5 reel slot with pirate-themed symbols. Get 8 or more on any spin to bag a win and trigger a reaction. Large scatter paying combos combined with a cannon can lead to massive multiplier bombs and even a 10,000x jackpot.
Old Gun – Backseat’s Old Gun is a spin-off of Pirate Bonanza with a Wild West theme. Again, you are playing at 6×5 reels and need 8 or more symbols for a win. Cascades help land additional multipliers that come supercharged during the progressive free spins bonus and can easily lead to the 12,500x max win.
Dragon’s Domain, Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus 1000, 7×7 Zeus, Ashoka, Goat Getter, TNT Bonanza, Bonanza Billion, and several other slot games use the scatter paying feature with a unique set of other features to deliver a dynamic and highly unpredictable but potentially lucrative gaming experience.
Scatter Pays Slots Mechanic Explained
Scatter Pays is a game mechanism used in online slots. Instead of forming standard symbol wins on specific lines from left to right, or on adjacent reels, you win after a set number of the same symbol lands anywhere on the grid. In most cases, the grid is large (5×5 or 6×5), and you need a minimum of 8 symbols for a payout.
Although scatter paying games require more symbols for a payout compared to the 3+ on classic video slots, the larger grid and pay anywhere system guarantee a conventional average hit rate of 25 – 35%. Having said that, to get a worthwhile payout, you need the 8+ higher paying symbols or 10 – 12 of the lower paying ones.
The whole experience can be confusing to beginners, but it is easy to grasp after a few spins, and the inclusion of cascading reels makes the whole experience fun and potentially lucrative.
Scatter Pays vs Scatter Symbols
Scatter symbols have been used in online slots for over two decades. As the name implies, this special symbol pays out for 3 or more anywhere on the reels, breaking away from the standard payline wins applicable to all other game symbols. Scatter symbols in video slots usually trigger the bonus round and an instant win, making them highly sought after.
The concept of the ‘scatter bonus symbols’ has been the precursor to the now popular pay anywhere slots discussed in this guide.
Similar Online Slots Mechanics
The first slot machines were based on 1 – 3 L to R paylines and 3 reels with 9 symbols. The wins were lucrative but rare, and you needed the same symbol to get a win. The inclusion of 5 reels and 10+ paylines in video slots has been revolutionary, and bonus rounds are now the main driver behind big wins.
To ensure that players stick around, developers have been introducing special elements to the base game, too. One of them is the scatter pays mechanism, but the following have also been central to this gaming niche.
- Cluster Pays – get enough identical symbols in a cluster to receive a payout.
- Adjacent Pays – land matching symbols on three or more connected reels from left to right for a win.
- Megaways – the number of rows changes on each spin, creating a random number of ways to win per round.
The above are just a few of the creative ways developers have come up with to make online slots as trendy as they are at online casinos.
Are Scatter Pays Slots Worth Playing?
| Pros | Cons |
| Dynamic & engaging gameplay | Confusing for beginners |
| Usually paired with interesting features like reactions, multipliers, and free spins | 8 symbol payouts rarely cover the cost of the bet |
| Some of the most popular online slots are scatter paying | Don’t make much sense without cascading reels |
| Fun big slot grids (5×5, 6×5, etc.) | Most new scatter pays slots feel similar |
I never liked cluster pays slots. They shift your attention to a single area of the screen, and it often feels like nothing is happening.
Scatter paying games are the exact opposite – your eyes scan the massive grid as you are counting whether you got enough matching symbols to trigger the next cascade.
Personally, I can’t see myself going back to classic payline slot machines after being hooked on games like Sweet Bonanza and Pirate Bonanza.
That said, the features of these games are not for everyone, and the payouts are often small despite getting the required number of symbols. You should nonetheless try them out at least once!
- About the Author
- Affiliate Disclosure
Michael has reviewed and verified all information on this page. Having worked in the iGaming industry for over 8 years, he is the most capable person to help you navigate online casinos, pokies, and the Australian gambling landscape.
