Starburst is NetEnt’s 2012 gem slot: 10 lines that pay both ways, an expanding Wild that triggers up to three re-spins, 96.08% RTP and a top win of 800x the stake.
Starburst
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Game Information
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Provider
netent
Type
Slots
Reels
5
Min Bet
0.01
Max Bet
10
Max Win per Spin
2500
Restrictions
GB,NL
Starburst Slot Review
Starburst is the slot a lot of players meet first, and it still earns its place in 2026. NetEnt’s 2012 gem game keeps things short: 5 reels, 10 paylines that pay from both sides, and an expanding Starburst Wild that triggers a re-spin. There are no free spins and no jackpot, just quick, colourful spins with frequent small wins.
That simplicity is the whole appeal. If you want a relaxed session, a game to play your welcome free spins on, or a first slot to learn how lines and wilds work, Starburst does the job well. If you are chasing a huge multiplier, it is the wrong game, because the top win is 800x your stake.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | NetEnt |
| Release date | 23 January 2012 |
| Reels and rows | 5 reels, 3 rows |
| Paylines | 10 fixed lines, paying left to right and right to left |
| RTP | 96.08% (standard version) |
| Volatility | Low to medium |
| Hit frequency | 23% |
| Bet range | €0.10 to €100 per spin |
| Max win | 800x the stake |
| Main feature | Expanding Starburst Wild with up to 3 re-spins |
| Free spins round | No |
| Progressive jackpot | No |
What a Starburst spin feels like
The reels sit on a dark, starry background filled with purple, blue, orange, green and yellow gems. Two classic symbols complete the set: the lucky 7 and the gold bar, which is the top payer. The soundtrack is a calm synth loop that plenty of players can still hum years after their last spin.
Every spin covers all 10 lines. Because the lines pay both ways, three matching symbols count whether the run starts on reel 1 or on reel 5. That is why the game feels busy. NetEnt puts the hit frequency at 23%, so roughly one spin in four or five returns something. Many of those wins are smaller than your stake, though, so a hit is not the same as a profit.
Once the stake is set there are no decisions to make. You press spin, the reels stop, and any line wins are paid automatically. There is no gamble feature and no bonus game to pick from.
The Starburst Wild and its re-spins
The colourful star is the feature that made the game famous. It only lands on reels 2, 3 and 4. When it does, it expands to cover the whole reel and stands in for every paying symbol.
An expanded wild also gives you a free re-spin. The wild reel stays locked while the other reels spin again. If another Starburst Wild lands on one of the remaining middle reels during that re-spin, it expands and locks as well, and you get another re-spin. That chain can run to three re-spins, with all three middle reels wild on the final one.
The re-spins carry no extra multiplier. Their value comes from the locked wild reels, which turn many of the 10 lines into likely wins at once.
Why the outer reels still decide the payout
The wild never appears on reels 1 or 5, so even a screen with three wild reels needs matching symbols on the outer reels to complete a line. High-value symbols such as the gold bar or the 7 on the outside, with wilds in the middle, are how Starburst reaches its biggest wins. Low gems on the outer reels still pay, just far less.
RTP, volatility and the 800x ceiling
NetEnt lists Starburst’s RTP at 96.08%. RTP is a long-run average worked out over millions of spins, not a forecast for your session, and a single evening can finish well above or well below it. NetEnt also gives casinos several lower RTP settings for this game, so open the info screen and check the figure at the casino where you play.
Volatility is low to medium. In practice that means a steady trickle of smaller wins and fewer long dry spells than in a high volatility slot. It also means the wins stay modest. The maximum payout is 800x the stake, which works out at €80,000 on the €100 maximum bet or €80 on the €0.10 minimum. Hitting that ceiling is very rare.
If you like this gentler rhythm, our guide to low volatility slots lists similar games. For the opposite style, built around long quiet spells and rare big hits, see our high volatility slots guide.
Picking a stake between €0.10 and €100
Bets run from €0.10 to €100 per spin. In the game you choose a bet level from 1 to 10 and a coin value, but the total bet in euros is shown next to the spin button, so go by that figure rather than counting coins. A higher stake makes every win bigger in euros. It does not change how often the game pays.
Because wins come often but stay small, Starburst suits a longer session on a modest budget. Decide your budget first, choose a stake that gives you a few hundred spins, and stop when that money is gone. Autoplay is available at many casinos and repeats your current stake, often with loss and win limits you can set. It saves clicks, but it does not change the RTP.
Playing Starburst on a phone
Starburst runs in HTML5, so it opens in any modern mobile browser on Android or iOS without a download. The paytable and maths are the same as on desktop. The 5×3 grid fits a phone screen comfortably, and the expanding wilds are easy to follow in portrait mode. Our mobile casinos guide covers sites that work well on smaller screens.
Why Starburst turns up in so many free spins offers
Starburst is one of the most common games in welcome packages. Its short rules and frequent small wins make it an easy choice for casinos that hand out spins to new players. Those free spins usually run at a fixed stake, often the minimum, and the winnings normally land as bonus money with wagering attached.
Before you accept, check the wagering requirement, the maximum bet while wagering, the expiry date and any cap on what you can cash out. Our free spins bonus guide explains how these offers work and what to look for in the terms.
Where to play Starburst for real money
Almost every casino with NetEnt games has Starburst in its lobby. Check the casino’s licence and payment terms first, then search for the game or filter by NetEnt. Many casinos also offer a free demo, which is a good way to see the wild re-spins in action before you stake real money. Demo credit cannot be withdrawn, and some casinos hide the demo in certain countries.
Casinos we have reviewed that carry NetEnt games include Gamblezen, Voltslot, Kingdom Casino and Nine Casino. Each review covers the licence, the bonus terms and how withdrawals work, so you can compare them before signing up.
What works and what doesn’t
Starburst does a few things very well, and its limits come from the same simple design.
- Easy to learn: one wild, one re-spin feature and 10 lines, all clear within a few spins.
- Both-ways lines: wins count from either side, which keeps the reels lively.
- Frequent hits: a 23% hit frequency and low to medium volatility make for smooth sessions.
- Great on mobile: the small grid and big wild animations work well on a phone.
- No free spins round: the wild re-spins are the only feature, so there is little build-up.
- Low ceiling: 800x is small next to most modern slots.
- RTP can vary: some casinos run a lower setting than 96.08%.
- Can feel repetitive: long sessions may feel samey for players who like variety.
Is Starburst still worth playing in 2026?
Yes, as long as you know what you are getting. Starburst is a calm, polished slot with a short rule set, steady small wins and one feature that is genuinely fun to watch when the wild reels start stacking up. It suits beginners, players clearing free spins and anyone who wants a relaxed session rather than a rollercoaster.
If you like the theme but want more action, Starburst Galaxy moves to a 5×5 board with cascading wins and a top payout of 17,288x. Whatever you play, gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. Set a budget before you start, and see our responsible gambling page if you need help staying in control.
Starburst Slot FAQs
Quick answers on the RTP, the top win, jackpots, demo play and whether Starburst suits beginners.
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