Expanding Wilds in Online Pokies: How They Work and The Top 5 Games
Expanding wilds are one of the most exciting features in online pokies today. Imagine a single symbol lands on the reels, then bursts to life, stretching across an entire column and unlocking massive payouts.
Expanding wilds don’t just substitute for symbols; they supercharge your gameplay by turning near-misses into big wins. These wilds transform ordinary spins into extraordinary moments. And with the chance to multiply your stake by as much as 5,000x, they’re not just thrilling—they’re potentially life-changing.
At AusCasinos, our team has spent countless hours diving into pokies with this standout feature. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what expanding wilds are, how they work, and why they’re worth chasing. Plus, we’ll highlight our top five games with expanding wilds to get you spinning with confidence.
Let’s dive in!
What are Expanding Wilds?
Expanding wilds are a game-changing feature in online pokies, designed to super charge your payouts (sometimes as high as 5,000x your stake!).
Unlike regular wilds, which only substitute for other symbols, expanding wild symbols stretch to cover an entire reel, creating new winning combinations across multiple paylines. This transformation creates multiple opportunities for winning combinations across all active paylines, turning near-misses into rewarding payouts.
For instance, if an expanding wild appears on reel 2, it not only completes paylines horizontally but can also connect vertically with symbols on adjacent reels for bigger wins.
When triggered, expanding wilds light up the reels with vibrant visuals like glowing symbols or streaks of light. A dynamic sound effect, such as a sparkling hum, builds anticipation for the payout. In games like Starburst by NetEnt, they can lead to re-spins and create multiple chances for wins in a single sequence.
How Common Are Expanding Wilds?
The frequency of expanding wilds often comes down to a game’s volatility. Medium-volatility games like Starburst strike a balance, offering consistent wild appearances to keep you engaged. On the flip side, high-volatility pokies like Iron Bank make you work for it, but the reward can be well worth the wait.
To give you a clearer picture, we’ve rated the appearance rate of expanding wilds in our top recommended games. Keep reading to see which pokies offer steady excitement and which ones pack their wilds into thrilling, high-risk moments.
How Expanding Wild Symbols Work
Expanding wilds are among the most dynamic features in online pokies, offering thrilling opportunities to turn a single spin into a sequence of rewarding payouts.
What Triggers Expanding Wilds?
In most games, expanding wilds activate when a specific wild symbol lands on reels 2, 3, or 4—the prime spots for maximum payout potential. These reels connect with the greatest number of paylines, ensuring expanded wilds have the biggest impact. Depending on the game, this feature can be triggered during base gameplay (Starburst) or as part of a bonus round (Iron Bank). Understanding the game’s rules is key to knowing when to expect expanding wilds.
What Happens When They Activate?
Once triggered, the wild symbol stretches vertically, covering all positions on the reel. This expansion is accompanied by dramatic visuals—think glowing lights or cascading colors—and sound effects that amplify the excitement. In some pokies, like Starburst, the reel locks in place, awarding a re-spin. If another wild lands during the re-spin, the process repeats, creating a chain reaction of potential wins.
Why Do Players Love It?
The feature’s charm lies in its ability to turn near-misses into big wins. With every expansion, new paylines form, especially when high-value symbols align. For instance, aligning an expanding wild with symbols like bars in Starburst can lead to payouts up to 500x your stake. Whether you’re chasing jackpots or enjoying the spectacle, expanding wilds ensure every spin feels like a winning opportunity.
Our Top 5 Online Pokies With Expanding Wilds
Our goal at Auscasinos is always help our players stay ahead of the game. So, to ensure you avoid shoddy pokies, we’ve listed some of our absolute favourite pokies below. All feature an expanding wild feature, and you can play them at various online casinos in Australia.
1. Razor Returns
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature Trigger | Expanding Wilds activate during Razor Reveal or bonus rounds, covering the entire reel and sometimes adding multipliers. |
| Payout Potential | Up to 100,000x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Expanding Wilds occur frequently in the Razor Reveal feature but less often in base play. |
Feature Mechanics
Razor Returns features Expanding Wilds primarily in the Razor Reveal feature. Here, mystery symbols land on the reels and can expand into Wilds or Wild Multipliers. The expanded Wilds increase win potential by substituting for all symbols and covering entire reels.
Visuals and Sounds
Set in a deep-sea world filled with predatory sharks, the Expanding Wilds animate with fluid motion, growing across the reels like a lurking shark striking its prey. The game’s sound design uses suspenseful underwater effects to build tension before expansions trigger.
Payout Potential and Frequency
- Expanding Wilds Frequency: Common in Razor Reveal, rarer in base game.
- Max Win: Up to 100,000x your stake.
- Volatility: Extremely high—perfect for players chasing massive wins.
Why It Stands Out
Razor Returns’ Expanding Wilds feel unpredictable, especially in the Razor Reveal feature, where they can turn into high-value multipliers. The shark attack animations combined with potentially massive payouts make this one of the most exciting slots for Wild expansion mechanics.
2. Starburst
Launched by NetEnt in 2012, Starburst remains a staple of online pokies thanks to its iconic expanding wilds. This feature is at the heart of its gameplay, delivering dazzling visuals and frequent re-spin opportunities that keep players hooked.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature Trigger | Triggered when the Starburst symbol lands on reels 2, 3, or 4. |
| Payout Potential | Max win of 500x your stake during a single spin sequence. |
| Odds/Frequency | Moderate frequency, with expanding wilds appearing regularly during base gameplay. |
Feature Mechanics:
Expanding wilds in Starburst are triggered when the radiant starburst symbol lands on reels 2, 3, or 4. Once activated, the wild expands to cover the entire reel, locks in place, and awards a free re-spin. If another wild lands during the re-spin, the process repeats, creating chain reactions for big payouts.
Visuals and Sounds:
The starburst wild bursts onto the reels with a vibrant explosion of pink, green, and blue, accompanied by shimmering chimes. The locking reel animation and glowing effects heighten the anticipation of chaining wins.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
Expanding wilds appear with moderate frequency, making them a consistent source of excitement. Players can achieve payouts up to 500x their stake by aligning high-value symbols like sevens and bars alongside wild reels.
Why It Stands Out:
What sets Starburst apart is the simplicity and frequency of its expanding wilds. Unlike many games that tie such features to bonus rounds, Starburst delivers action directly in the base game, ensuring every spin feels rewarding.
3. Wanted Dead or a Wild
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature Trigger | VS symbols land on the reels, expand into Wilds, and apply a random multiplier. |
| Payout Potential | Up to 12,500x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Expanding Wilds appear frequently in Duel at Dawn and Dead Man’s Hand bonus rounds. |
Feature Mechanics
In Wanted Dead or a Wild, Expanding Wilds appear through the VS symbol mechanic. When a VS symbol lands on the reels, it expands to cover the entire reel, transforming into a Wild. Each expanded Wild also applies a random multiplier (x2 to x100), multiplying all wins involving that reel.
Visuals and Sounds
Set in a lawless Wild West, gritty visuals and gunfight-inspired animations enhance the Expanding Wild feature. When a VS symbol expands, two outlaws duel on the reels, with the winner’s multiplier applied to the entire reel. The sound of gunshots and dramatic music intensifies the experience.
Payout Potential and Frequency
- Expanding Wilds Frequency: Common in Duel at Dawn bonus rounds.
- Max Win: Up to 12,500x your stake.
- Volatility: High—payouts can be massive but occur less frequently.
Why It Stands Out
The Expanding Wilds + Multiplier combination makes Wanted Dead or a Wild stand out. The gunfight animation brings life to each expansion, and when multiple VS Wilds appear, the multipliers stack, creating explosive wins.
4. Money Train 2
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature Trigger | Expanding Wilds activate during the Respin Feature when two Bonus symbols land, causing Wilds to expand and cover the reel. |
| Payout Potential | Up to 50,000x your stake. |
| Odds/Frequency | Expanding Wilds appear moderately during the Respin Feature, with high volatility leading to infrequent but large wins. |
Feature Mechanics
In Money Train 2, Expanding Wilds are triggered during the Respin Feature. If two Bonus symbols land on the reels, a respin is awarded, and any Wild symbols on the reels expand to cover the entire reel. This significantly boosts the chances of landing multiple winning combinations.
Visuals and Sounds
The game’s steampunk-meets-Wild West aesthetic is gritty and intense, with mechanical sound effects enhancing the action. Expanding Wilds animate seamlessly, stretching across the reel with a smoky, metallic effect, making each expansion feel impactful.
Payout Potential and Frequency
- Expanding Wilds Frequency: Moderate, mostly appearing during the Respin Feature.
- Max Win: Up to 50,000x your stake.
- Volatility: High—expanding Wilds can lead to big wins, but they don’t occur often.
Why It Stands Out
Money Train 2’s Expanding Wilds give an adrenaline rush when activated, setting up players for huge potential payouts during respins. The combination of a dark, high-stakes theme and rewarding mechanics makes it a must-play for fans of volatile slots.
5. Hot Shots 2
iSoftBet’s Hot Shots injects soccer excitement into online pokies, complete with animated animal athletes and fiery expanding wilds that can light up the reels for big wins.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature Trigger | Activated when the Hot Shots ball lands anywhere on the reels. |
| Payout Potential | Max win of 500x your stake with optimal symbol alignments. |
| Odds/Frequency | Medium frequency, with heightened occurrences during free spins. |
Feature Mechanics:
The expanding wilds in Hot Shots trigger when the flaming soccer ball symbol lands anywhere on the grid. The wild stretches vertically, covering the reel, and connects with animal player symbols to form high-value combinations. The feature is especially impactful during the free spins round, where it triggers more frequently.
Visuals and Sounds:
Expanding wilds erupt in fiery animations, with the soccer ball blazing across the reel. Stadium cheers and energetic sound effects enhance the feeling of scoring a goal with each activation.
Payout Potential and Frequency:
With a maximum win of 500x your stake, Hot Shots balances medium volatility with frequent expanding wild triggers, especially during bonus rounds. Aligning wilds with premium symbols like the lion striker can deliver substantial payouts.
Why It Stands Out:
The dynamic visuals and immersive stadium atmosphere make Hot Shots a standout. The expanding wilds replicate the thrill of a last-minute goal, keeping players engaged with every spin.
Types of Expanding Wilds
Expanding wilds usually come in a few different forms, with some offering higher pay outs than others.
Here are some of the most common types we’ve come across while playing pokies online.
Multiplier Expanding Wilds
Sticky Expanding Wilds
One Reel Expanding Wild
Mini Expanding Wild
Random Expanding Wilds
Transforming Expanding Wilds
Cluster Expanding Wilds
Chain Reaction Expanding Wilds
Other Pokie Features
Conclusion
Expanding wilds are just one of many pokie features.
While not every online pokie game will offer expanding wilds, there are plenty that do. You'll find them in games from some of the world’s best game developers. So you can be guaranteed to find high-quality graphics, sound and a fun gaming experience.
Like all other symbols, expanding symbols aren't guaranteed to give you a win. So make sure that you're enjoying the thrill of the game rather than just chasing the cash. We recommend trying out a few games in demo mode before working out which one's right for you.
Enjoy!
Ryan is our resident pokies expert. Not only does he provide readers with the latest insights, innovations and technology news related to pokies, but he also knows all there is to know about pokies game developers.
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