Starburst was the first slot machine to be released to an entire generation of online casino players. Developed by NetEnt in 2012 Starburst is still one of the most played slots in the world, and as of 2026 it will continue to be displayed in every Sweepstakes Casino lobby in the U.S. The most played slots are always competing for having the most complex game play but Starburst wins hands down for being the clearest; a Jewel themed Space Adventure that focuses on a single feature: The Starburst Wild Re Spins Feature. Unlike today’s high volatility slots that have taken over the Sweepstakes scene, Starburst is a lower volatility, more frequent win experience making it one of the most accessible Slots available in both Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin. Its 5 x 3 Grid Layout, Both Ways Pay Feature, and its Classic Expanding Wild Re Spin Feature have made Starburst a staple Slot for new Sweepstakes Players to learn how to play the format and for Veterans to stretch their Daily Login Bonuses.
Starburst Review 2026
| Specification | Details |
| Launched | 2012 (active on sweepstakes platforms through 2026) |
| Developer | NetEnt |
| Theme | Space / Jewels |
| Reels | 5 |
| Rows | 3 |
| Paylines | 10 (both ways: left to right and right to left) |
| Max Win/Jackpot | 500x stake |
| RTP | 96.09% (variable depending on operator) |
| Volatility | Low–Medium |
| Bonus Features | Starburst Wild with expanding re spins |
| Sweepstakes Play | Available at Stake.us, McLuck, WOW Vegas, and other major platforms |
Starburst was certainly one of NetEnt’s biggest successes and a game that demonstrates that when simplicity is done well, it always will last longer than complexity. The five reels have two way payoffs with a total of ten possible pay lines. So in comparison to a traditional left to right paying slot machine, there are double as many ways to get paid. The jewels used in the game look like actual gems, so they are very vibrant. They are also easily recognizable as being gems. The music (a great electronic beat) is a perfect match for a starry night sky and has been one of the most popular signature sounds in the gaming industry.
Starburst is a game that can be placed into a sweepstakes casino lobby for one reason: It is the slot machine that makes all players happy. As a medium to low volatility slot machine, you can expect to hit at least one winning combination per session. This keeps the session interesting and does not require a deep pocket to play, like some higher volatility slots, such as Book of Dead, or Gates of Olympus. Even in 2026, this slot machine will continue to be a staple for daily bonuses, for new player sign ups and for low stakes Sweeps Coins.
Gameplay
Starburst utilizes a classic 5×3 slot format with ten fixed pay lines. The lines pay in each direction (left to right & right to left) which gives you twice as many chances to hit a winning combination than most other slots have.
Wins occur when three or more consecutive symbols appear on a line. The symbols can be read either from the leftmost reel to the rightmost reel or from the rightmost reel to the leftmost reel.
Symbols include:
- Premiums – Seven, BAR
- Middle premium – Purple, Orange, Blue, and Green Gemstone
- Special – Starburst Wild; Stars appear only on reels 2, 3, and 4; expand to fill the reel and award respins
The basic game is streamlined to a single objective. Players do not get scatter symbols, free spins, or gamble features. All of the bonus game play is built around the Starburst Wild mechanic. This lack of complexity is one of Starbust’s lasting charms. Every spin has a very distinct purpose. Players always know what to expect from the re spins.
Players can adjust their bet level and choose how many coins to bet per spin based on whether they are looking to entertain themselves using gold coins or if they are trying to chase prizes using sweeps coins.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The title is one of the best known slot games in the world and is immediately recognizable to both new players and veteran slot players.
- This game has a medium low volatility which means that there will be many times when a player receives a small payout which can be beneficial for playing through the daily login bonuses.
- The expanding wild re spin creates an exciting feature for players but is presented in a way that is not too much for new players.
- With a very low minimum bet (0.10 SC/GC), this title provides great value for casual Gold Coin play as well as use during your daily bonus sessions.
Cons
- The maximum win potential is 500x the stake amount, which is lower than many high volatility games.
- There is no free spins round; all the bonus features are built around the Starburst Wild Re Spin.
- Because of the limited depth of the features, players who seek out complex and varied bonus mechanics may find this game to be repetitive.
- There is also no progressive jackpot in Starburst.
Starburst Features
Starburst is the ultimate study in focus. Instead of creating a whole system of bonus features, NetEnt has used one basic idea and run with it. For sweepstakes players, Starburst will likely become one of the simplest games to play and one of the most consistent ways to get a reward when you’re playing small stakes.
Starburst Wild and Expanding Re Spins
The Starburst Wild is what makes Starburst work. The Starburst Wild will only appear on reels 2, 3 and 4. It will never show up on the outside reels. If a Starburst Wild shows up on any of those three reels, it will expand to fill the entire reel. The Starburst Wild will then replace all other symbols on that reel. The moment that happens, the machine will automatically give you a re spin without charging you any more money.
If you get another Starburst Wild on a different eligible reel during that re spin, the process starts all over again. That new wild will expand and lock and you’ll get another re spin. And so on. And so on. All of this can keep happening until all three eligible reels (2, 3 and 4) have been filled with Starburst Wilds. At which point you’ll get a fully expanded three reel wild: one of the coolest visual moments in slot gaming.
You could potentially get three consecutive re spins in a row if you hit a new Starburst Wild on each of the remaining eligible reels.
Sweepstakes Tip: Many sweepstakes platforms offer Starburst as part of their new player welcome package, daily free spin promotions, and/or tournaments. Because it has such a low minimum bet and is well known, it is often one of the most frequently offered games to new Sweeps Coin players. Check your platforms promotion page to see if there are any special Starburst offers being made before your session.
Both Ways Pay Mechanic
All ten of Starbursts paylines check for wins going from left to right AND right to left at the same time. So, if you get a group of matching symbols starting from reel 5 and it would normally count as a loss because it doesn’t start from reel 1, that same combination will now pay out the same as it would if it had started from reel 1. As a result of this, the number of potential winning combinations is doubled for each spin: a significant advantage over a standard left to right slot at the same bet level.
Win Both Ways + Expanded Wild Interaction
When a Starburst Wild expands during a re spin, the both ways pay mechanic works in conjunction with the wild. So, if you got a Starburst Wild and it expanded on reel 3, it could help make a winning combination go from both direction. Meaning one locked wild can contribute to many winning combinations at once across all ten paylines.
RTP & Volatility
| Metric | Value |
| RTP | 96.09% (can vary depending on the casino) |
| Volatility | Low to Medium |
| Hit Frequency | ~22.65% |
The key difference of Starburst from other Sweepstakes games is its Low Medium Volatility Profile. While High Volatility Sweepstakes Games generate large payouts less frequently, Starburst generates more frequent wins with each payout being less large. This makes it perfect for players that wish to have longer gaming sessions using smaller Sweeps Coin amounts. The downside is that the Max Win will be limited to 500X Stake. However, for most casual and Daily Bonus players, having long term engagement is typically much more important than winning a huge Jackpot. Important: Many NetEnt titles are released on different platforms. Each platform may have a different Return To Player (RTP) for the same title. Therefore, some Sweepstakes Casinos may offer an RTP below the standard 96.09% RTP for Starburst. Please always check the RTP listed in the Game Info Panel at your platform prior to committing your Sweeps Coins to a longer gaming session.
How to Play Starburst at Sweepstakes Casinos
Players can begin playing Sweepstakes Slots by beginning with Starburst. It is one of the easiest to learn and play, and is a great way to gain experience playing Sweepstakes Slot Machines. There are several features that will make Starburst appealing to new Sweepstakes Players. The dual currency (Gold Coins & Sweeps Coins) format provides a fun and safe environment for Sweepstakes Players to practice and get used to winning and losing. Additionally, the single feature design allows new Sweepstakes Players to quickly become familiar with the mechanics of the game. In addition, the Both Ways Pay System and the re spin mechanism allow players to easily understand the game and its features.
To be successful when using Starburst in the Sweepstakes mode, it is recommended to first use the Gold Coin version to gain familiarity with the expanding wild mechanic. Once players are confident with the Both Ways Pay System and the Re Spin Mechanism, they can switch to the Sweeps Coin version.
In the following section we outline step by step instructions for Sweepstakes play:
Step 1: Determine the amount to wager per spin. Sweepstakes Casinos offer a variety of stakes ranging from .10 SC/GC up to 100 SC/GC. Due to the 10 fixed paylines that pay both ways, each bet will cover all 10 paylines in both directions on every spin. This means that players do not need to choose which paylines to enable.
Step 2: Select the type of currency. If you would like to practice the mechanics of the game and do not wish to lose any Sweeps Coins, you can select the Gold Coin version. On the other hand, if you would like to wager with Sweeps Coins and have the opportunity to win prizes, you can select the Sweeps Coin version. Most platforms will allow you to instantly switch between the two versions of the game.
Step 3: Start the reels spinning. You can start the reels manually by clicking the “Spin” button or automatically by selecting the “Auto Play” option. Many players enjoy using the Auto Play function to play through their Daily Login Bonus Coins and watch for Starburst Wilds appearing on reels 2, 3, or 4.
Step 4: Collect winnings. Winnings are paid out whenever three or more matching symbols appear on an active payline and read from either the left or the right. The highest paying symbols in the game are the Seven and BAR. Each time the reels are spun, the Both Ways Pay System is evaluated automatically.
Step 5: Take advantage of the re spin feature. Whenever a Starburst Wild appears on reel 2, 3, or 4, the Starburst Wild expands to occupy the entire reel and a Free Re Spin is awarded. The expanded wild remains locked into position throughout the re spin sequence. Keep track of whether the re spin produced a second wild on a new eligible reel. If a second wild appeared, then that wild also expands and a re spin is awarded again.
Step 6: Maximize coverage by chaining re spins. As long as there are new Starburst Wilds landing on previously un activated reels, the re spin sequence will continue. The best possible situation is having three consecutive re spins that expand reels 2, 3, and 4 completely, greatly increasing the likelihood of winning on all 10 both ways paylines.
Player Feedback & Ratings 2026
Starburst has maintained a high level of player ratings at sweepstakes casinos, particularly relating to ease of use and the satisfaction of an expanding wild re spins sequence:
| Category | Example Player Comments |
| Expanding Wild Re Spins | “There is no greater feeling than seeing all three center reels go wild again, back to back. It is simply the best way to end a round of Starburst.” The visual and audio response of a wild reel chain across all three reels is repeatedly mentioned by players as one of the greatest rewards of playing sweepstakes. |
| Mobile Experience | “This is the first game I recommend to everyone who is new to sweepstakes: it loads right away and never crashes. I am impressed with the overall experience on both iOS and Android.” Players also consistently comment on the reliability and performance speed of Starburst. |
| Volatility | “I use this to stretch my daily coin allotment. I can play for hours and still be able to play tomorrow too.” The relatively low to medium volatility of the Starburst slot is another factor which draws in players with limited daily bonus allotments. |
| Sweepstakes Suitability | “It is perfect for beginners. It is easy to understand, and the frequency of wins keeps you interested.” New sweepstakes players frequently mention Starburst as their first slot machine and as the title that educated them on sweepstakes gaming. |
Where to Play Starbust in 2026
Welcome offer
Ruby Sweeps
10,000 GC + 10 Emeralds
Games 200+
Payout time 48h
RTP 97
Ruby Sweeps
Overview
Games200+
Payout time48h
RTP97
Bonus amount
10,000 GC + 10 Emeralds
Payment Methods
Available games
Bingo
Slots
Welcome offer
Vegas Aces
250% up to $2,500
Games 1800+
Payout time 24h
RTP 96
Vegas Aces
Overview
Games1800+
Payout time24h
RTP96
Bonus amount
250% up to $2,500
Payment Methods
Game Providers
Available games
Baccarat Bingo
Blackjack
Crash Games
Keno
Live Casino
Roulette
Scratch Cards Slots
Table Games
Video Poker
Welcome offer
Rune Wager
50,000 FC + 5 SC
Games 200+
Payout time 24h
RTP 95
Rune Wager
Overview
Games200+
Payout time24h
RTP95
Bonus amount
50,000 FC + 5 SC
Payment Methods
Game Providers
Available games
Baccarat Blackjack Crash Games Keno Live Casino Roulette Slots Table Games
Welcome offer
Real Prize
100,000 GC + 2.5 SC
Games 700+
Payout time 24h
RTP 95
Real Prize
Overview
Games700+
Payout time24h
RTP95
Bonus amount
100,000 GC + 2.5 SC
Payment Methods
Game Providers
Available games
Baccarat Bingo Blackjack Crash Games Live Casino Roulette Scratch Cards Slots Table Games Video PokerOur Verdict
Starburst shows us that sometimes the best gaming ideas never get old. NetEnt’s Starburst continues to be one of the top games played today (over 14 years since its release) and I don’t think that’s from nostalgia. Starburst is successful today because it always does what it says it will do. The expanding wild re spin is just as exciting now as it was when it first came out. The two ways to win also deliver great value for players at every bet size.
For sweepstakes players, Starburst serves a purpose that high volatility titles cannot. It is the perfect game for daily bonus play, new player onboarding, and low stakes Sweeps Coin sessions. Starburst is a perfect fit for these types of sessions because it offers long term engagement opportunities rather than trying to hit big jackpots. Additionally, the lowest bet size of .10 SC makes it a great choice for deploying your daily login bonus. Starburst is available on almost every platform and performs flawlessly on mobile devices.
Here are some reasons why Starburst fits so well into the sweepstakes model:
- Entry level bet size of .10 SC: one of the lowest in the industry for daily login bonuses
- Volatility range is low to medium, making it an excellent choice for new players and extended sessions with modest amounts of SC
- Performs extremely well on mobile with quick loading times and seamless performance on all major mobile platforms
- Recognizable brand name: One of the most recognizable and trusted names in the sweepstakes lobby
FAQ
What RTP (Return To Player) is used in Starburst?
The normal RTP of Starburst is 96.09% but some online sweeps sites allow different RTP's. If you want to be sure what RTP is being used with each site, always check the 'Game Info' section of your site.
Sign Up for the Hottest Sweepstakes Casino Deals
Unlock FREE, Exclusive Bonuses delivered straight to you – only from SweepsPulse.
0