Features, RTP and bonuses

The US Sun

24 October 2023

STARBURST is one of the most iconic online slots in the world and is a staple of US online casinos. The game was created by NetEnt back in 2012, and its popularity has endured throughout the years despite changes in technology, gambling laws, and public taste.

In this Starburst review, we’re taking a deep dive on the game, how to play, why it’s so popular and the best US casino sites to play Starburst right now

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��Best US online casinos to play Starburst

BetMGM - Get 100% up to $1000 + $25 on the house*
DraftKings - 100% match bonus up to $2000**
BetRivers - Up to $500 bonus on first deposit***
Unibet - Up to $500 bonus for new players****

⭐ What are the main Starburst features?

In this section, we’re running through a fact file of the main things to know about Starburst, and why it's regarded one of the best online slots.

Starburst RTP

Starburst has a pretty healthy RTP of 96.09%. That means that for every $100 you put into the game, the house will keep less than $4 on average, with the rest paid out in wins.

Starburst volatility

Starburst is a low volatility slot, which means it tends to pay out small wins regularly. It makes it a great option for more risk averse players, but not ideal if you’re chasing a big jackpot win.

Starburst hit frequency

Starburst’s hit frequency is 22.65%. This concept refers to how often the slot will provide some kind of payout. In the case of Starburst, you can expect to hit a win on average almost once every four spins.

Starburst developer

Starburst was developed by NetEnt, one of the most popular and successful casino software providers in the world. The slot was first released back in 2012.

Starburst special features

Compared with some modern 3D slots, Starburst is a relatively simple game. Its main special features include the expanding Wild symbol, which can trigger up to three re-spins when it hits.

Its paylines also hit in both directions, left to right or right to left.

��What are the most important Starburst symbols?

The symbols in Starburst are mostly bright translucent gems, glinting in the light of a distant star as they are suspended in outer space. In addition to the five gems, there are two higher paying symbols: the BAR symbol and the 7 symbol.

There is also the multicolored star which is the WILD symbol. When it hits, it expands to cover an entire reel and trigger a respin, resulting in rollover combo wins.

The full list of symbols is below, in ascending order of value:

Purple Gem
Blue Gem
Red Gem
Green Gem
Yellow Gem
7
BAR
Wild

How many paylines does Starburst have?

Starburst has 10 paylines across its five reels, which pay out in both directions.

What are the minimum and maximum stakes in Starburst?

This is somewhat customizable by the casino, however in the standard version of the game you must choose both your coin value (which can be as low as $0.01) and your bet level between one and ten. Level one bet level uses 10 coins, level two uses 20 coins and so on.

That means that normally you can play Starburst for as little as $0.10 per spin.

��‍��How to play Starburst

As we’ve mentioned already, Starburst is a very simple game. Really the only potentially confusing part is customizing your bet level and coin size, to create your total bet - and even then the game shows you your total bet before you begin.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to playing Starburst:

Set your coin size and bet level to decide how much you want to wager per spin. There is also a Max Bet button for any higher rollers out there.
When you’re ready, click the round button to spin the reels. You can click it again once they start spinning to make them stop immediately, or wait the few extra seconds while they stop of their own accord.
If any symbols line up in one of the ten paylines, you’ll get paid out according to their value. If an expanding Wild hits, a re-spin will trigger automatically. If you don’t win, you’re back to square one.
There is also an Auto-Play feature, where you can set the game up to play automatically for a preselected number of spins.

��Where can I play Starburst?

As one of the most well known games in the history of online slots, Starburst is widely available at US online casinos. Below you can see some of our top choices to play the game:

BetMGM is one of the top online casinos in the US. It’s the online version of the classic MGM Resorts brand, which operates casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and further afield. In fact, you can even win real life prizes at MGM casinos when you play on BetMGM, thanks to the MGM Rewards loyalty program.

Depending on your state, new players at BetMGM can claim a 100% welcome bonus worth up to $1,000, along with a $25 no deposit bonus. All of this bonus cash can be used on Starburst, as well as the huge menu of other slots on offer.

DraftKings is the most popular sportsbook in most US states, and also includes a healthy selection of casino games in states that allow legal online casino gaming. The menu includes tons of slots, table games and live dealer tables from a variety of top software providers - which includes Starburst and other NetEnt classics. There are exclusive in-house creations too, which you can only find at DraftKings.

DraftKings also offers a customizable welcome bonus which can work out great for both lower stakes players or high rollers. Either way it’s a 100% match bonus, but you can choose between a higher overall value or ultra-low wagering requirements on the bonus.

Unibet is a big dog in European and UK gambling, and has been making waves in the US in the last number of years. The casino is not as widely available as BetMGM or DraftKings, but it’s growing in popularity and likely to only gain more of a foothold in the US market in the future.

Unibet’s platform is a little like Starburst itself: it’s very easy to use and beginner friendly, and has a classic feel, focusing on doing the simple things well. It has a solid menu of more than 500 different games, covering all the major categories including slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, Megaways, live dealer gamers and more.

New players can get a 50% boost on their first deposit, up to a maximum of $1,000. However, that offer may vary depending on which state you are playing from.

4. BetRivers

BetRivers takes its name from Rivers Casino in Pennsylvania, and boasts an online sportsbook available in more than a dozen states as well as an online casino platform. New players can play risk free for their first 24 hours when they join BetRivers, and receive up to $500 back.

The gaming menu is very diverse, including games from multiple top software providers including NetEnt, Red Tiger, IGT, Playtech and more. There are excellent bingo and scratch options available.

The iRush Rewards program is impressive too, and can lead to real life prizes from concert tickets to restaurant vouchers.

��What is the biggest jackpot on Starburst?

The highest paying individual win in the base game is when you hit five BAR symbols on a payline, which pays out at 250x your bet. The highest possible payout on a single spin, including rollover combo wins from Wilds, is 5,000x bet.

Can I use free spins on Starburst?

Absolutely, but it all depends on the policy of your chosen casino. Online casinos hand out free spins for specific slots all the time, as part of welcome bonuses or on-running promos for existing players. It’s up to them whether they choose to offer free spins or Starburst or other slots.

Can I play Starburst for free?

Yes. Most casinos allow you to play their games for free in demo mode or using play money. In fact, it’s a great way to test out some different games without worrying about losing money. You can also play Starburst in demo mode on NetEnt’s website - providing you are in a legal jurisdiction and at least 21 years old.

��What is the best bonus for playing Starburst?

Really, that all depends on how you want to play and on what offers are provided by your casino. If there are free spins on Starburst up for grabs, obviously they are the perfect bonus for Starburst fans.

Otherwise, since Starburst is a low volatility game, it is arguably better suited to smaller stakes players or those with more limited bankrolls. For instance, a no deposit bonus of just $20 would be enough to set you up for a good session playing Starburst.

What other slot games like Starburst are there?

There’s a reason Starburst has been so popular. The fun, beginner friendly format has become a staple at online casinos, and the gem symbols lend that classic touch too.

In terms of similar games, Jewellery Store from Evoplay is a gem-based classic that has obviously taken a few cues from Starburst. NetEnt has also taken advantage of its popularity by creating Starburst Xxxtreme - which introduces a whole new round of bonus features - and Slingo Starburst.

Is there a VR version of Starburst?

Virtual reality slots are still a fairly niche innovation, but more than a few have popped up in recent years - including Gonzo’s Quest VR from Starburst’s parent company NetEnt. However, there is no VR version of Starburst for now.

Does Starburst have good visuals and sound effects?

Yes. Not to keep banging the same drum, but a huge part of the appeal of Starburst is in its simplicity and the tasteful, classic aesthetic it has cultivated. This game is not relying on crazy effects or complicated bonus games, instead it’s focusing on doing the important things well.

The gem symbols look great floating in outer space, as comets drift lazily in the background. The synth backing music matches up perfectly to the outer-space ambience, and the explosion of reverb when you hit a winning line hits exactly the right note too.

��Would we play Starburst at US online casinos?

For sure. Starburst has been one of the world’s favorite slots for more than a decade now, and its popularity is showing no signs of slowing down.

For many hardcore slot fans, if you ask them what is the perfect beginner friendly, low volatility slot with a good RTP and easy to appreciate gameplay - they will all come back with the same answer. Starburst ticks all the boxes.

Our only word of caution is for all the jackpot-chasers out there: as a lower volatility slot you’re less likely to hit that life changing win compared with something like, say, Dead or Alive or Mega Moolah. But apart from that, they don’t come much more classic than Starburst.