Examining British Megaways Slot Rankings to Find the Best Games to Play

The British online gambling market is one of the most seasoned in the world. Not only did online casino gaming spawn from the Isle of Man, which sits between Great Britain and Ireland, but the Gambling Commission has essentially become a global bar-setter in regulation over its decades of service. So, it makes for a good market to review to find the best games around given the seasoned player base and strict regulatory framework. These are the games that have risen to the pinnacle while also sporting the Megaways mechanic.

1. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most popular of all of the Megaways slots in the UK is also a member of the biggest series going right now. Big Bass Bonanza Megaways is very much the best of both worlds. Each spin can yield up to 46,656 paylines – which is a more reeled-in count than some other top Megaways slots – and it includes the famed fishing feature.

With high volatility and a 4,000x maximum win, the Tumble can make wins become more wins and even offer more chances to drop the symbols needed for the Reel ‘Em feature. Plus, new modifiers like the Dynamite and the Bazooka come into play for this addition to the Reel Kingdom series of slots.

Having a somewhat restrained implementation of Megaways, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways is also very approachable entry without too much symbol size variety across its six vertical reels and one horizontal one. Put all of this into the same pond, and it’s easy to see why it ranks so highly among the top collection of games at the Megaways casino. It’s got some stiff competition in Ancient Island Megaways and even another fishing slot, Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways. Yet, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways consistently sits among the most popular of these slots – even when you include the WowPot! progressive prize additions like Cash ‘N Riches!

2. Cash ‘N Riches Megaways

Created by Triple Edge Studios, Cash ‘N Riches Megaways is a fittingly popular entry to the top ranks of this slot game genre. For one, the wealth theme has long been a popular one in online slots. For two, the online gambling industry of the UK is particularly lucrative. After all, the UKGC report sees remote play alone being responsible for £6.9 billion in total gross gambling yield per year.

Cash ‘N Riches Megaways is also a high volatility slot, has a bit of a larger maximum win of 5,000x, but also sticks to the high-end standard for paylines in these slots. It arrives with the full power-pack of 117,649 paylines. Accompanying these are the four Pick ‘Em Jackpots, which flank the reels. While the background glitters, Cash Clip Wild symbols are the key to trying to hit the Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega fixed jackpots.

3. 5 Lions Megaways 2

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Building on the strong core gameplay of 5 Lions Megaways, the 2025 release 5 Lions Megaways 2 hit the ground running. Featuring the Chinese lion, which, as detailed by this SCMP article, is seen guarding buildings across the country, warding off ill omens, and protecting from bad luck, the new Megaways slot leans heavily into the theme. It’s a beautifully ornate game with many characterful, jewel-encrusted characters to land across the six reels.

One of its biggest selling points is its Wild Multiplier. This mechanic can reach up to 100x! It’s not just the wild feature that makes this a particularly gaudy slot, though. The 5 Lions Megaways slot is high volatility, has a maximum win of up to 8,000x, and can land with as many as 262,144 paylines. A truly massive win line count that takes Megaways to the next level, it’s easy to see why the new slot has become so popular so quickly.

As it stands, the UK’s top-ranking Megaways slots are Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, Cash ‘N Riches Megaways, and 5 Lions Megaways 2, with each of them offering a different take on the mass-payline formula.

Tony Bloom: The Billionaire Gambler Who Beat the Odds

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Tony Bloom: The Billionaire Gambler Who Beat the OddsHave you ever heard of Tony Bloom? If you’re into horse racing, poker, or football betting, chances are you already know his name. But if you don’t, buckle up—because this man is the epitome of high-stakes gambling mastery.

Nicknamed “The Lizard” for his ice-cold demeanor at the poker table, Bloom isn’t just another professional gambler—he’s a billionaire who cracked the code of betting. From a childhood spent sneaking into betting shops with a fake ID to building the world’s most powerful sports betting syndicate, his rise is nothing short of legendary.

Poker Prodigy – Over $3.5 million in live tournament winnings, including the Australasian Poker Championship (2004).

Racing Royalty – Owns multiple winning racehorses, including Energumene, a back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chase winner.

Football Mogul – Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion since 2009, steering the club to the Premier League and European football.

From Betting Shops to Billionaire Status

Born in Brighton (1970), Bloom was introduced to gambling by his grandfather, a greyhound owner. His obsession with numbers led him to study mathematics at Manchester University, but the real education happened outside the classroom—where he turned spread betting into a lucrative career.

After brief stints in accountancy and trading, he ditched the 9-to-5 life to bet full-time. By the late ’90s, he was already a major player in the Asian betting markets, working with bookmakers before launching Premierbet, which he later sold for £1 million.

The Starlizard Empire

In 2006, Bloom founded Starlizard, a sports betting consultancy so powerful it moves markets. Based in London, it employs top analysts, statisticians, and researchers to provide data-driven insights for high-stakes gamblers. Clients bet billions annually, making it the most sophisticated betting operation on the planet.

Brighton’s Football Revolution

Taking his gambling instincts to the football pitch, Bloom became Brighton’s major shareholder in 2009, investing £93 million to build the Amex Stadium. Under his leadership, the club climbed to the Premier League (2016-17) and made history by qualifying for European competition in 2023.

A Legacy of Risk & Reward
From a young punter losing his bankroll to a billionaire gambling icon, Bloom’s story proves that fortune favors the bold. Honored with an MBE in 2024, he remains one of the sharpest minds in betting and football.

What do you think? Is Tony Bloom the greatest gambler of all time? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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The Best Pokies Features to Look For: Free Spins, Multipliers, and More

Despite the abundance of casino games available today, slot machines hold the leading position.

These are games with 3 to 5 (or more) reels where the number of active lines varies from 1 to 100,000+ offering appropriate ways to win. The outcome of each spin depends on the symbols. Landing in different cells, they can create combinations that delight participants with prizes.

However, the essence of video slots goes beyond the regular rotations of reels. Modern providers add unique tools designed to make the gameplay more convenient and bring players closer to the jackpots. Below, you can check out the best features of pokies that will take your experience to the next level.

What are Pokies and What are Their Features

Pokies (slot machines) are one of the most popular genres of casino games. They offer a simple but exciting gameplay. These games come in a variety of themes, designs, and mechanics, which guarantees entertainment for every type of player.

Modern pokies online offer exciting features such as free spins, multipliers, and bonus rounds that enhance the overall gaming experience. Many online platforms also offer progressive jackpot poker, where players have a chance to win huge prizes.

The convenience of playing on mobile devices makes online poker even more accessible to a wider audience. Advanced graphics and exciting sound effects add to the appeal, creating an immersive casino experience.

Autoplay Mode

Sometimes, you may prefer to relax and watch the reels spin instead of being actively involved when playing online slots. This is where the Autoplay feature comes in, one of the most effective feature.

Let’s see how Autoplay works. It is available in most online pokies and to activate, hit the corresponding button and do it again when you want to pause or stop. Depending on your preference, You can customize the feature by setting it to run for a specific number of spins, ranging from 10 to 100+.

Wild Symbols

Wilds are a staple in most pokies and offer significant benefits to players. They act as substitutes for other characters, increasing your chances of landing a winning combination. In addition to this, wild symbols often work with other game modifiers.

They may expand to cover entire reels, become sticky and remain in place, and even trigger a variety of exciting features. Often, wilds create their own combinations with excellent payouts.
Free Spins

You may have come across free spins as a casino bonus. The good news is they are also available as a built-in slots feature. Usually, you have to catch a special symbol to unlock the bonus. In fishing pokies, for example, you have to catch a fish of a certain color or type to get a certain number of free spins (usually between 5 and 20).

Although the method of activation may vary, the feature works in the same way. Reels are rotated several times without deducting the bet value from your balance. Yet, you still win prizes for every combination on the screen. Typically, this bonus can be re-triggered, or it may include wilds and other modifiers.
Hold and Spin

This feature offers a distinctive bonus round. Its mechanics lock symbols in place while re-spinning the remain reels. It’s usually activated when a certain number of special symbols, like scatter or bonus characters, land on the reels. So if you didn’t create a combination within a rotation, you can still get one during re-spin.

Bonus Rounds

Many casino slots offer bonus features, where free spins take the central stage. However, the best pokie games with bonus features often include exciting modifiers to enhance the free plays:

Progressive multipliers;
Sticky or walking wilds;
Symbol transformations;
Synced reels.

Games without free spin-based bonuses often feature unique, sometimes interactive rounds, offering a more thrilling experience. Here are some of the most common options:

Pick & Win rounds;
Re-spins on different sets of reels;
Bonus wheel spins for cash and other prizes;
Virtual board games with cash prizes, multipliers;
Bonus play on additional sets of reels.
Multipliers

Players hope to win as much money as possible when starting a slot machine. If you are one of these enthusiasts, then pay attention to multipliers. Typically, they are available in pokies from Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, and NetEnt. That’s the feature that increases the amount of winnings.

Multipliers often appear on the screen as individual symbols. But sometimes, these functions are performed by other symbols involved, such as wilds, for example. The point is that multipliers increase the payout amount by x2, x5, x10, or even more. Some of them even reach x100. Keep in mind that multipliers can also be part of free spins or bonus round.

Progressive Jackpots

Such jackpots set themselves apart from regular paytable prizes by starting with a base sum, such as $1,000 or $10,000. As players place bets, a small portion of each stake is added to the jackpot, causing it to grow over time.

Thus, the prize pool can reach $500,000 or even exceed $10,000,000. The biggest jackpot was won in Mega Moolah, but other pokies pay significant amounts regularly. To reach the main prize, you have to unlock a bonus round or land a combination of specific symbols.

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Card Marking Techniques Used by Casinos (and Cheats)

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Card Marking Techniques Used by Casinos (and Cheats)Play safer on casinos online

Card marking has been part of gambling for centuries. Cheaters use it to gain an unfair advantage. Casinos use it to maintain security.

Many people link card marking to fraud. However, casinos like Bizzo casino login have their own marking methods. They use them for tracking and anti-cheating measures.

This article covers both sides. It explores how cheats mark cards for profit. It also explains how casinos use markings for protection.

How Cheats Mark Cards

Cheaters mark cards to gain an unfair advantage. These methods help them identify specific cards during play. Over time, techniques have evolved, varying in subtlety and effectiveness.

1. Nail Nicking

This is one of the oldest methods. Cheaters use a fingernail or small tool to scratch card edges. These tiny nicks help them feel marked cards while handling the deck. The marks are nearly invisible but still effective. Despite being crude, this method is still in use today.

2. Daubing and Inking

Daubing involves applying ink or dye to cards. The markings are visible only to those who know where to look. Some cheaters use invisible ink, seen only with special glasses or contact lenses. More advanced methods use ultraviolet or infrared ink, which remains hidden under normal lighting.

3. Card Bending and Warping

Cheaters bend certain cards to create tiny curves. These bends help them distinguish between high and low-value cards. The warping is subtle, making it hard to detect without close inspection.

4. Edge Sorting

This method takes advantage of tiny imperfections on card edges. Some cards are not cut perfectly, making them slightly asymmetrical. Skilled players or cheaters use these irregularities to spot high and low-value cards. Edge sorting is not exactly marking, but it has been used in major gambling scandals.

5. Block-Out and Shade Work

This is a highly sophisticated technique. Cheaters alter the card’s design by adding or removing small details from the patterns on the back. They use fine-tipped pens or other tools to make these changes. A trained eye can recognize marked cards at a glance.

How Casinos Use Card Marking Techniques

Casinos watch for marked cards to stop cheaters. But they also mark their own decks for security. These markings do not give players an advantage. Instead, they help track decks, prevent fraud, and spot suspicious activity.

1. Security Markings and Invisible Ink

Casinos print some decks with invisible ink. Infrared or ultraviolet scanners can detect these markings. They help casinos check if a deck has been tampered with. Security cameras and trained dealers use special filters to spot hidden marks.

2. Barcode and RFID Chips

Some high-tech casinos use barcodes or RFID chips in their decks. These allow casinos to track card movements in real time. Automated shufflers and high-speed cameras work with these markings. They help ensure fair play and detect cheating.

3. Specially Printed Cards

Some casinos use custom-printed decks. These have unique inks, micro-patterns, or watermarks. These security features make it hard for cheaters to introduce fake or marked cards.

Detecting and Preventing Marked Cards

Both casinos and players must stay alert. Casinos use advanced security to detect cheating. Players should watch for suspicious behavior. Here are some ways to spot marked cards:

1. Light and Angle Tests

Tilting a card under different lighting can reveal hidden marks. Surface irregularities may become visible.

2. Texture Checks

Running fingers along card edges can expose small nicks or bends. These tiny changes may indicate marking.

3. Infrared and UV Scanning

Casinos use special scanners to detect invisible markings. These tools reveal marks hidden to the naked eye.

4. Automated Deck Verification

Some casinos use high-tech shuffling machines. These machines scan decks for inconsistencies and potential tampering.

Cheaters

Card marking is a constant battle between cheaters and casinos. Dishonest players use tricks to manipulate games. Casinos fight back with advanced security markings.

Understanding these methods helps keep gambling fair. It protects players and maintains casino integrity.
In this industry, even a small advantage matters. Winning or losing millions can depend on it. Vigilance is essential.

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Tony Bloom Pro Gambler – Timeline of a Billionaire’s Net Worth

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Tony Bloom Pro Gambler - Timeline of a Billionaire's Net WorthHave you heard of Tony Bloom, professional gambler?

If you love gambling: horse racing, poker or football then I’d be very surprised if you haven’t heard of this private figure. I’ve written many articles about professional gamblers and few have achieved millionaire status. An even smaller number billionaires.

Bloom was inspired to gamble by his grandfather who enjoyed a bet and owned greyhounds.

However, that initial seed or enthusiasm led to a professional gambler of the likes few have seen before. He may even be the greatest of them all. To many, he is a modern-day hero.

He’s nicknamed The Lizard due to his ice-cold persona at the poker table.

It’s interesting that Bloom enjoys all forms of gambling. A successful poker player winning $3.5 million in live poker tournaments including the Australasian Poker Champion (2004). He’s had his share of winning racehorses including Energumene who has total earnings of £1M winning back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Notwithstanding his love of football, and major shareholder and Chairman at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club since 2009. They gained promotion to the Premier League in the 2016-17 season. He invested £93 million in the clubs new ground, Amex Stadium, located in Falmer.

Bloom, born and bred in Brighton, a 1970’s child, didn’t start  with a silver spoon in his mouth, from a Jewish background.

Let’s take a look at Bloom’s timeline from a 70s child to gambling billionaire.

  • 1970 (20th March) born, Brighton.
  • 1980s: Influenced by his grandfather who like a bet, owned greyhounds and enjoyed a night at the casino. At 7 or 8 Tony used to go to the local arcades and as a teenager faked an ID to bet at the local bookies, his interests mainly football and horse racing. However, in these early years he admitted he was a ‘hopeless gambler’ and guessing.
  • 1988: Mancester University reading Mathematics. Graduated with Degree in 1990. He got involved with sports and spread betting making his hobby pay.
  • 1991: Trainee Accountant with Ernst & Young. Lasted two and half years, punting in his spare time, winning £20,000.
  • 1993: City trader learning how to trade options on the London International Financial Futures Exchange. The job lasted six months as he was winning much more money betting.
  • 1994: Professional gambler spread-betting far more aggressively. He remembers losing £5000 betting the England v West Indies Test match. He said he was ‘ridiculously bullish’ and could have lost his whole bank. The loss felt like a triumph. Insightfully he said: ‘I believe in betting aggressively and, occasionally, to win big, you have to risk losing.’
  • 1997: Contacted by Victor Chandler bookmaker to break into Asian football market. First time he learned about Asian handicap betting. Spent six month in Bangkok betting for himself and Chandler.
  • 1998: Worked for Chandler in Gibraltar operation.
  • 2002: Started bookmaker business Premierbet on eve of World Cup bring Asian handicap betting to an English audience. He sold the company for £1M.
  • 2003: Reverted from professional gambling to private betting syndicate using data analytics and algorithms.
  • 2006: Founded Starlizard sports betting consultancy, primarily football, providing data-driven insights to high-stakes gamblers (a large team based in north London: analysts, statisticians and researchers). The biggest betting operation in the world. Starlizard doesn’t place bets for itself and acts as an advisory service for private clients. They reputably place bets worth hundreds of millions each year. Later billions per annum.
  • 2009: Major shareholder and Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
  • 2011: Blooms investes £93M Amex Stadium (Premier League Ready).
  • 2016/17: Brighton promoted to Premier League.
  • 2020: Rise of Brighton to Premier League and investments see net worth £1B.
  • 2023: Brighton qualifies for European competition.
  • 2024: Appointed an MBE in New Year Honours for services to association football and to the community of Brighton

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