Starburst Slot Review 2026 | RTP, Features, and Payouts

Starburst is an online slot from NetEnt and is one of the provider’s most successful releases. It came out in November 2013 and uses a standard 5x3 grid with 10 paylines that run in both directions. When you play Starburst, the most you can win is 500x your bet. The slot’s volatility is low and its RTP is 96.09%.

A demo is available to play online. Starburst has become a big hit thanks to its visually appealing design, frequent payouts and respin feature. This review covers everything the slot has to offer.

Overview of Starburst

Discovering key facts about the Starburst slot

Developer	NetEnt
Release Date	November 2013
Theme	Gems, Space
Game Type	Video Slot
Reels	5x3
Paylines	10 (both directions)
Wild	Yes
Scatter	No
RTP	96.09% (RTP varies!)
Volatility	Low
Max Win	500.00x
Betting Range	0.10 – 100
Bonus Features	Starburst Wilds
Mobile	Compatible with mobiles
Demo	Available

In the Starburst slot, the wild is represented as a rainbow-coloured star. It fills in for all other symbols to help you create winning combinations on the grid. Whenever it lands, it expands to fill the reel it’s on. You’ll find that the wild can only appear on reels 2, 3 and 4.

Once a wild expands, it triggers a respin. It then stays in place and all other reels are spun again. It’s possible for another one to appear; if this happens, another respin takes place.

You can have a maximum of three respins in a row thanks to the wild. If you’re lucky enough for this to occur, you’ll have wilds covering all of reels 2, 3 and 4, which can lead to significant payouts.

Part of the appeal of the Starburst game is that it’s easy to play. It’s not packed with complicated features and doesn’t have too much going on, unlike some online slots. The respin feature is easy to understand and the low volatility means players should feel rewarded often. What also makes Starburst stand out is the bright, colourful theming.

How to Play the Starburst Slot Game

Once the Starburst slot loads, check the bet size at the bottom of the screen. If you want to change it, use the buttons on either side to increase or decrease it. When you’re ready to play, hit the circular button in the middle of the control panel.

Starburst is a 5x3 slot with 10 paylines running in both directions. To win, three or more matching symbols need to land adjacently on a payline. The chain can start on the far left or far right reel.

The slot’s wild symbol helps you win by filling in for all paying symbols. If you play for real money, remember to be sensible with your spending. Only place bets with spare cash you don’t need for anything important.

You should find that Starburst is an easy slot to play. Its interface is laid out in a straightforward way, with all buttons clearly displayed. Since it’s HTML5-compatible, you’ll have no problems playing it on mobile devices.

Symbols and Their Payouts

There are seven symbols you can win with when you play Starburst. You’ll see them all listed below. Land three or more on a payline in either direction to win.

Low-Paying: Purple Gem, Blue Gem
Medium-Paying: Orange Gem, Green Gem, Yellow Gem
High-Paying: 7, BAR

The table below shows you what the symbols’ payouts are:

	3	4	5
Purple Gem, Blue Gem	0.5x	1x	2.5x
Red Gem	0.7x	1.5x	4x
Green Gem	0.8x	2x	5x
Yellow Gem	1x	2.5x	6x
7	2.5x	6x	12x
BAR	5x	20x	25x

The wild doesn’t have payouts of its own. Its role is simply to help you create winning combinations by substituting for the other symbols.

Gameplay Mechanics and Paylines

The Starburst casino game uses a normal-sized grid with five reels and three rows. The paylines are fixed, so each one of them is included in every bet you place. There are 10 in total, and they run both ways. This allows for winning combinations to be formed from both left to right and right to left across the 10 lines.

The wild lands on the middle three reels only. It fills in for all of the slot’s other symbols; there’s no scatter or any other kind of special symbol. As Starburst has low volatility, you can expect payouts to be frequent and small. Having said that, landing large wins is still possible.

Since the wild is quite common, you can expect the respin feature to trigger fairly often. You need a lot of luck if the feature’s going to result in three fully wild reels.

Whatever device you play Starburst on, you should find it performs well thanks to its HTML5 compatibility. The slot runs smoothly on mobiles as well as computers.

RTP, Volatility and Top Payout

The Starburst slot has an RTP of 96.09%, which is in line with the average online slot. The volatility is low, so you should win frequently, though the payouts will mostly be small. It’s still possible to earn a large payout now and then.

The maximum payout is 500.00x your bet. This isn’t a lot compared with other online slots, though it’s a suitable top win for low volatility slots, as well as slots for beginners. If you decide to play, you can bet from €0.10 to €100 per spin. With the maximum bet of €100, your biggest potential win can reach €50,000.

Before playing this Netent slot for real money, consider giving the demo version a try. It offers a complete preview of the slot's features and payouts without any cost. When switching to real money, remember to gamble responsibly.

Mobile Experience

Want to play Starburst on your mobile? You can do so with no hassle at all. The slot’s designed with HTML5, so it will load in your device’s browser right away. There’s no additional software you need to download for the slot to run.

The slot’s fully compatible with both the iOS and Android operating systems. Whatever platform you access it on, you should find it performs well, runs smoothly and has impressive graphics. Also, the interface is fully responsive, no matter what mobile device you’re on.

Starburst’s payouts and features are the same across all devices. This includes desktop computers and laptops as well as smartphones and tablets. The layout can vary depending on whether your device is in portrait or landscape mode. The Starburst demo is playable on mobiles too.

Advantages of Playing the Starburst Demo

Like other slots, this online legend has a demo you can play whenever you want. It gives you a free preview, so you can see for yourself what it’s like. The gameplay is exactly the same as the real-money version. The only difference is that you use virtual credits and not real funds.

If you’re interested in playing the Starburst demo, it’s widely available online. Some casino sites let you play slots for free without having to create an account. Others require player registration to access demo games.

The free mode lets you experience the slot and its gameplay with no risk to your budget. It also shows you what the low volatility is like and how it results in regular but low payouts. I always recommend trying the demo first, then if you like it, consider playing the slot for real money.

About NetEnt

The studio that gave us the Starburst casino game was established in Stockholm back in 1996 and has played a key role in the development and growth of the iGaming industry. According to its website, it supplies ‘premium gaming solutions to the world’s most successful online casino operators’.

As well as the headquarters in Sweden, NetEnt has offices in Gibraltar, Malta, Poland, the UK and Ukraine. The company has active licences from the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner and half a dozen other regulatory authorities.

There are close to 350 games in the company’s portfolio. The provider currently works with around 200 operators around the world, so its gaming content is widely available. While slots make up the bulk of its collection, there are also some table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, along with some scratchcards. Some of the most popular titles include Twin Spin, Gonzo’s Quest, Divine Fortune and Dead or Alive II.

Over the years, the provider has won dozens of awards. A sample of these includes Product Launch - Divine Fortune Megaways at the Global Gaming Awards London 2021 and Slot Legacy Title (Gonzo’s Quest) at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards 2023. The provider’s slots have been successful thanks to their top-quality graphics, creative themes, player-friendly design and innovative gameplay features.

Other Starburst Slot Games

Since this gem-themed title has been a major success for NetEnt, the provider has released several sequels and spin-offs. Some of these are described below:

Starburst XXXtreme: This is an enhanced version of the original Starburst game. It has a maximum payout of 200,000x your bet and retains the expanding wilds that trigger respins. However, each wild can come with a multiplier of up to 150x.
Starburst Galaxy: Here, the focus is on the features. It uses a 5x5 grid with the cluster pays and avalanche mechanics in place. For every five consecutive avalanches you get, you unlock an enhancer that can help you win more.
Slingo Starburst: This unique hybrid incorporates the original slot as a bonus feature. Complete three or more Slingos within 10 spins to earn Win Spins with guaranteed payouts.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a look at the key advantages and disadvantages of playing this legendary slot online:

Pros

Simple gameplay makes it ideal for beginners
Frequent, small payouts thanks to low volatility
Expanding wilds that trigger respins
Visually attractive slot
Paylines run in both directions

Cons

No free spins round
Low maximum payout of 500x your bet

Given its rather simple gameplay, Starburst is suitable for players new to online slots. It’s also a good match for those who like slots that don’t have too many features. Anyone who enjoys frequent payouts should also give Starburst a spin.

If you like what you’ve read, be sure to play Starburst online. Consider trying the demo version first so you can see if the slot’s right for you.

Jun 09, 2026

Carole Holohan

Hi! I write and analyze in a way that separates facts from big promises, then explains what matters in plain language. My approach is built on checking sources, verifying claims, and focusing on what’s true in practice — not what sounds good on paper.

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