Starburst Slot Review: NetEnt's Classic Explained

Starburst is a NetEnt slot released in June 2012 with 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 fixed paylines that pay both ways, from left to right and from right to left. It is a low-volatility game with a maximum win of 500x the stake, and its only feature is the expanding Starburst wild that triggers re-spins. There is no free spins round. The highest RTP version is 96.09%, but several lower versions exist, which is the most important thing to check before you play.

How the Starburst slot machine works

Each spin lands 15 symbols: coloured gems, a bar and a lucky seven. Wins need three or more matching symbols on one of the 10 lines, starting from either the leftmost or the rightmost reel. Because lines pay both ways, the same line can pay twice on one spin. Line count and stake are simple to set, which is a big part of why the game has stayed popular for well over a decade.

Expanding wilds and re-spins

The Starburst wild can only land on the three middle reels, reels 2 to 4. When it does, it expands to fill the whole reel and stays in place while the other reels spin again. If another wild lands during that re-spin, it also expands and you get another re-spin, up to 3 in total. With all three middle reels covered, every line runs through wilds, and that is where the game's biggest wins come from.

That is the full feature set. No scatter, no bonus game and no free spins round. If you have seen "Starburst free spins" in an advert, it means free spins given by an operator as a promotion on this game, not a feature inside it.

Starburst RTP versions

NetEnt supplies Starburst at a maximum RTP of 96.09% and in versions at 95.05%, 94.05%, 93.05%, 92.05% and 90.05%. The operator chooses which one it runs. Over a long period, the gap between 96.09% and 90.05% is significant, so open the game's information screen and look for the RTP figure before you stake real money. Our high RTP slots page explains how to compare games on this basis.

Low volatility: what to expect

Low volatility means frequent, mostly small wins. Starburst rarely produces the long dry spells of games such as Gates of Olympus, but its 500x maximum win is modest by modern standards. It suits players who prefer steady, slow-paced play over the chance of a large hit. No Starburst strategy changes the outcome: each spin is random, and the RTP is fixed by the version the operator runs. The only real choices are your stake and when you stop.

Starburst demo

This site does not host games. The official Starburst demo is available from NetEnt, the provider, and some licensed bookmakers offer a demo mode in their own lobbies. A demo uses the same rules and maths as the real game, without real money.

Starburst in South Africa

World Sports Betting and YesPlay both name NetEnt among the game providers on their sites, which is where South African players usually look for NetEnt titles; check the bookmaker's lobby to confirm Starburst itself is listed. The legal status of casino-style games at bookmakers is disputed and depends on the province that licenses the bookmaker. Be wary of "25 free spins on Starburst, no deposit" offers that circulate online: they usually come from offshore sites that are not licensed in South Africa.

Searching for the Starburst candy or pink Starburst sweets? This page is only about the slot, which shares the name. More NetEnt and fruit-style games are in our fruit slots section.

Gambling is for adults 18 and over only. If slot play is costing more than you planned, see our responsible gambling page or call the free National Responsible Gambling Programme line on 0800 006 008.