The starburst game runs on five reels, three rows, and a 243-ways-to-win engine that pays in both directions — left-to-right and right-to-left. Low volatility, a published RTP of 96.09%, and a simple expanding-wild mechanic make it one of the most beginner-friendly NetEnt titles in any regulated US casino lobby.
How the Starburst Game Is Set Up
There are no traditional paylines to select. The starburst slot game replaces fixed lines with 243 ways, so any matching symbols on adjacent reels — regardless of row position — count as a win. That's a meaningful difference from older five-payline slots where symbol placement mattered row by row.
Reels 2, 3, and 4 are the only reels where the wild star symbol can land. Reel 1 and reel 5 are reserved for standard symbols only. Keep that in mind when you're watching the spin — action in the middle three reels is where the re-spin feature lives. For a detailed breakdown of how that works, see the guide on how expanding wilds and re-spins work in Starburst.
Symbol Table: What Each Icon Pays
Starburst uses a gem-and-space theme with six standard symbols ranked by value, plus the star wild. Here's the lineup as documented by NetEnt:
| Symbol | Type | Special Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Star (rainbow gem) | Wild | Expands to fill reel; triggers up to 2 re-spins on reels 2, 3, or 4 |
| Seven (lucky 7) | Standard — highest value | None |
| BAR | Standard — high value | None |
| Orange gem | Standard — mid value | None |
| Purple gem | Standard — mid value | None |
| Blue gem | Standard — lower value | None |
| Yellow gem | Standard — lowest value | None |
The wild substitutes for all standard symbols. Because it expands to cover an entire reel, a single wild landing can complete multiple ways-to-win combinations at once — that's the core of Starburst's appeal despite having no traditional free-spins bonus round.
What Is the Starburst Game's Volatility and RTP?
NetEnt publishes the RTP at 96.09%, implying a house edge of roughly 3.91%. Volatility is low, which means the math model favors frequent, smaller wins over rare jackpot swings. Players running an entertainment budget rather than chasing big scores tend to find low-volatility slots easier to pace. For more on what that percentage means session to session, the starburst rtp guide breaks down the math in plain language.
Wanting to see the mechanics before committing real money is reasonable — check the starburst slot demo guide for how to access a free-play version through NetEnt's official game page or a licensed operator preview.
Where Can US Players Access the Starburst Game for Real Money?
Real-money online casino slots are legal in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. You must be 21 or older and physically located inside a regulated state when you play. Operators like BetMGM Casino carry NetEnt content in NJ, PA, and MI, though availability of Starburst specifically should be confirmed in each operator's lobby. For a state-by-state look, the casino starburst page lists licensed options by jurisdiction.
Offshore and unlicensed sites sometimes feature the Starburst title, but without US state licensing there is no regulatory recourse if a dispute arises. Always verify a site's license by checking the regulator's official list — for example, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement publishes its active licensee database online.
Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit National Council on Problem Gambling for resources including live chat and a text line.
Quick Setup Checklist Before Your First Spin
- Confirm you are physically inside a regulated iGaming state.
- Set a bet size within your session budget — bet sizing options vary by operator.
- Note that Starburst has no free-spins bonus round; re-spins are triggered only by expanding wilds on reels 2–4.
- Complete KYC (identity verification) at your chosen licensed casino before you need to withdraw — incomplete verification is the most common withdrawal delay.
- Check whether any welcome bonus applies to NetEnt slots at your operator; playthrough terms differ and should be read before opting in.
If you want to go deeper on the starburst slot pay system or compare the original to the newer variant, the starburst extreme page covers what NetEnt changed in the follow-up release.