Starburst slot review
No bonus round, no apologies.
Fourteen years after launch, a cosmic gem slot set in the stars is still the first slot most Canadians ever spin.
Starburst is low volatility, pays from both ends of its 10 lines, and hands you a re-spin every time a wild expands.
Highlights
- Provider: Evolution (NetENT)
- Volatility: Low
- RTP: 96.09% (94.05% in Alberta)
- Min. bet: $0.20
- Max bet: $200
- Paylines: 10
- Available in: Ontario and Alberta
Pros and cons
Gameplay
Ten lines run across five reels and three rows, paying from either end. BAR and the lucky 7 carry the paytable, and underneath them are the gems. These trigger often enough but don’t amount to much; land a full line of purple or blue gems and you’ve got 2.5x your stake.
When a wild hits one of the middle three reels, it bursts across all three rows and locks there while the rest spin again. A second wild during that re-spin locks as well and buys you another.
Three wilds held across the middle, with every line reading both ways through the gaps, is as good as Starburst gets.
There’s not much to work with in terms of bonus rounds or features, but the simplicity and speed is part of the appeal.
Starburst RTP and volatility
96.09% sits a shade above average, and low volatility means it comes back in small, frequent pieces rather than one spike.
A $0.50 spin returning $0.20 is a normal outcome here. Starburst doesn’t do swings.
Does Starburst still hold up in 2026?
Slots released this year arrive with cascading reels, bonus buys and multiplier trails stacked three deep. Starburst has an expanding wild and nothing else, and it has had exactly that since 2012.
It still works for a certain kind of session. The re-spins land often, stakes start low, and there’s nothing to learn before the first spin. For a modern ceiling, the 2021 sequel Starburst XXXtreme is built for that and plays nothing like this one.
Playing Starburst for real money in Ontario and Alberta
Starburst is one of the most widely available slots in Ontario and Alberta with a certified build regulated by provincial authorities.
Size your bets for length, and set deposit, time or loss limits before you start to keep your gambling sessions in check.
Other games from NetENT
You may like
Final verdict
Starburst is the slot most Canadian players spin first, and it’s a staple for a reason. With one feature, ten lines and a low roof, nothing here needs explaining. The re-spins land often enough and the pacing feels right.
Come for a low-stakes session and the game delivers. Come for free spins, multipliers, or a number worth screenshotting, and NetEnt built other games for that.
FAQ
What is the RTP of Starburst? 96.09% in Ontario and 94.05% in Alberta.
Is Starburst high or low volatility? Low. Wins land often and stay small, and the ceiling is modest to match.
Does Starburst have free spins? Not in the traditional sense. The expanding Starburst Wild locks a reel and gives you a re-spin, up to three in a row, and those re-spins cost you nothing. But there’s no free spins triggered by scatters and no multipliers.
Which reels do the Starburst Wilds land on? Reels 2, 3 and 4 only. They never appear on the outside reels.
Who makes the Starburst slot? NetEnt, which released it in 2012.
