Starburst Online Slot Review: Free Play, RTP & Win Both Ways

Starburst is a NetEnt slot released in 2012. It has 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 fixed paylines that pay in both directions, plus one feature: the Starburst Wild, which expands and awards re-spins. There are no free spins. Below are the key facts we could confirm from published sources, and where those sources disagree.

Starburst Specifications

Software Provider:	NetEnt
Release Date:	20 June 2012 (OLBG, Gambling.com)
Theoretical RTP:	96.09% (top version; lower versions exist)
Layout:	5 reels × 3 rows, 10 fixed paylines, pays both ways
Volatility:	Low (both review sites)
Bonus Features:	Starburst Wild with up to 3 re-spins. No free spins
Max Win:	500x the bet (OLBG); £50,000 at the top stake (Gambling.com)

Figures come from public review sites and can differ by casino version. Always check the help screen in the game you play.

1. How Starburst Plays

The slot uses a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines and gem symbols on a space background. Its Win Both Ways system lets wins start from the leftmost reel and from the rightmost reel, and only the highest win per payline is paid. That makes combinations easier to hit than on a left-to-right slot with the same layout. Both review sites rate the volatility as low, so wins tend to be frequent and small; OLBG lists a hit frequency of about 22.7%.

2. Starburst Wild and Re-Spins

The Starburst Wild can land only on reels 2, 3 and 4. When it does, it expands to fill the whole reel and awards a re-spin with that reel held in place. If another wild lands during the re-spin, it expands too and awards another re-spin, up to three wild reels and three re-spins. If no wild lands, the feature ends. This is the only special feature: Starburst has no free spins or bonus round, so if you want a slot with a free-spins bonus, look elsewhere on our slot reviews.

3. RTP Versions and Bankroll

The top RTP is 96.09%, but OLBG notes that Starburst also exists in versions at 95.05%, 94.05%, 93.05%, 92.05% and 90.05%, and casinos choose which one to run. Always open the game’s help screen and check the RTP before you play. Read our RTP and volatility guide to see what these numbers mean for a session. Gambling is for adults (18+) only; set a budget before you start and stop when it is spent. Many casinos offer a free demo with virtual credits; it has no cash value and does not predict real-money results.

4. Where to Play Starburst

Game libraries differ by country and operator, so confirm that Starburst is in the lobby before you deposit. The casinos below are ones whose reviews on this site list NetEnt among their providers; we have not checked each lobby for Starburst.