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Starburst Slot Demo & Review – Play for Free in South Africa

There are very few South African online slots that are as iconic as Starburst. Since NetEnt launched it in 2012, it has captivated South African players, thanks to its cosmic theme, legendary expanding wilds, and respins. I have been playing Starburst for years, and in this review, you will find out about Starburst’s features, betting range, and where to play it.

published: 24-10-2025

Last updated: 19-02-2026

Jo Davies
Jo Davies
Betting & Casino Writer
Chad Nagel
Sports Betting & Casino Editor

8 minutes read

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Starburst

Starburst

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Best South African Casinos for Playing Starburst Slot

South Africans are spoilt for choice when it comes to Starburst casinos. As there are a lot to pick from, I have shared a list of my favourite online casinos, and why I think you should give them a go.

Best South African Casinos

Best South African Casinos 

  • Goldrush Casino: This one tops the list for being the best overall. It offers both the original and a Goldrush exclusive Starburst slot. I can play in dual-view, and I often have a live dealer game like Crazy Time going at the same time. It also has a weekly cashback, which gives me daily rebates on my net losses. Make sure you switch to the new site for the best experience.
  • Betway: This is a great site that offers not only casino games, but also a very competitive sportsbook. One of the perks of Betway is that you can deposit using USSD on your cell phone, much like buying airtime.
  • Betshezi: This is a newer addition than many of the casinos that I recommend, but it is developing into a very solid platform for slots like Starburst.  There is an Android app available to download and a fantastic welcome bonus of up to R10,000. 

Starburst Slot Review

Let’s start with an overview of the Starburst slot:

Slot Developer

In 2012, NetEnt, the Swedish game developer responsible for Gonzo’s Quest and Dead or Alive, released Starburst. If you have played any other NetEnt games, then you should agree that their games are known for respins and high winning potential.

Slot Theme and Storyline

Starburst takes you on a space adventure into outer space. The neon galaxy is filled with gems and starbursts of light. There is no storyline to follow, just a cosmic gaming experience with hypnotic visuals

Reels, Rows & Paylines

The layout is a standard 5-reel, 3-row grid with 10 paylines. One great feature is that instead of paying left to right like most slot games, it pays both ways, so you keep watching the spin until the last reel has finished spinning. This and the 10 paylines double the hit frequency to 23%.

RTP & Volatility

Starburst’s RTP is 96.09%, putting it on the right side of the industry average. It enjoys a medium volatility, which means that you will get frequent small wins, with bursts of bigger wins. Starburst is ideal for casual players who don’t want to burn through their bankroll too quickly.

Betting Range

Betting Range starburst slot

Betting Range starburst slot

You can bet anywhere from 0.10 coins to 100 coins per spin. At Betway or Hollywoodbets, you can bet as little as R0.10 per spin, and as much as R1,000. It's great for casual spinners and high rollers alike, thanks to its flexible range.

Max Win Potential

The maximum win on Starburst is 50,000 coins. It might seem modest, but Starburst's medium volatility and frequent hits make it possible. It's pretty exciting to know that a R10 spin could net you R500,000

Jackpot Element

There’s no progressive jackpot in Starburst — what you see is what you get. There's no millionaire-maker aspect, but you get more consistent, predictable gameplay in return.

Graphics and Sound

Even by 2025 standards, Starburst's visual presentation holds up remarkably well. With HD clarity, the gemstones sparkle, and the space-themed background creates an immersive atmosphere without being overwhelming. Although the soundtrack complements the cosmic theme perfectly, it can get a little repetitive after a while

Starburst Pros and Cons

Pros

  • RTP of 96.09% with medium volatility

  • Both-ways-win mechanic doubles your chances of winning

  • Wild respins give you a chance to win big

  • Low minimum bet (R0.10) fits any budget

  • Mobile-friendly with smooth performance

Cons

  • A modest 500,000 coin maximum win 

  • No progressive jackpot or gamble feature

  • Limited bonus features (no free spins rounds)

  • Long sessions can make sound effects repetitive

Game Symbols and Payouts

Game Symbols and Payouts starburst

Game Symbols and Payouts starburst

Symbols can be defined as regular and special symbols.

Regular Symbols

Five gems and two premium symbols fill the reels. The premium symbols are the Lucky 7 and the Gold Bar

Symbol

Match 3

Match 4

Match 5

Gold Bar

25

20

5

Lucky 7

12

6

2.50

Yellow Gem

6

2.5

1

Green Gem

5

2

0.80

Red Gem

4

1.5

0.70

Blue Gem

2.5

1

0.50

Purple Gem

0.05

0.1

0.25

Special Symbols

Starburst Wild: The wild symbol is the iconic multi-coloured star, appearing only on reels 2, 3, and 4. The wild substitutes for all other symbols.

Starburst Demo Version and Free Play

The best way to learn the ins and outs of Starburst is to play it. Luckily, there are Starburst demo versions at casinos and on the NetEnt website, so you can play it risk-free. I suggest you play 100 – 200 demo spins to get a feel for patterns and features.

Starburst Bonus and Key Features

Let’s look at the special feature at Starburst beyond the Starburst wild, the respin feature.

Respin Feature

Whenever the Starburst wild lands, it expands to cover the whole reel and triggers a free respin. During the respin, if another wild appears, you'll get another respin. Wilds can appear on all three middle reels for up to three consecutive respins and big winning potential.

How to Play Starburst Slot for Real Money?

How to Play Starburst Slot for Real Money

How to Play Starburst Slot for Real Money

Before you can start to win money on Starburst, you will need to sign up at a licensed South African betting site. I have set out an example of the typical registration process, using World Sports Betting as an example.

  1. 1

    Make your way to the casino on your mobile or desktop browser. Click on Join and complete the online registration form. Some, like WSB, will ask you for your ID, address, and source of income, while others just want basic details. All of this information is necessary for FICA.

    Make your way to the casino on your mobile or desktop browser

    Make your way to the casino

  2. 2

    Before you deposit, make sure that you check the bonus section. Sign Up bonuses are generally credited to your account instantly. Look at the welcome bonus to see how to claim it, then head over to the cashier to make your first deposit.

    Before you deposit, make sure that you check the bonus section

    Before you deposit, make sure that you check the bonus section

  3. 3

    Next, head over to the casino to find Starburst. At WSB, you have the choice of playing the original slot game or the World Sports Betting exclusive version. Choose your bet and hit spin.

Mobile Play Experience

Mobile Play Experience starburst..

Mobile Play Experience starburst..

Speaking from experience, I prefer to play on my cell phone. One advantage of downloading mobile casino apps in South Africa is that there are some sites that offer data-free play. The HTML5 technology means that it runs smoothly, especially if you are using a casino app like the Gbets mobile app. 

Starburst Expert Tips & Strategies for Winning

Unlike card and dice games, there are no real strategies that you can use for slot games like Starburst. That being said, I can offer some tips to help you extend your bankroll when playing Starburst.

  1. Firstly, manage your bankroll carefully. It can be very tempting to go for big wins using big bets, but nothing is guaranteed. Stick to bets that you can easily afford. Wait until you see a profit before increasing the bet size.

  2. As well as your bankroll, you should manage your time. Set a limit to the length of your sessions, especially if you have just had a big win. It is very easy to get carried away.

  3. Take advantage of the demo mode. You might have read about the gameplay, but until you have experienced it, it might take you some time to come to grips with it.

Starburst Alternatives

If you enjoy Starburst and want to try out similar games, why not give these slots a go:

  • Gonzo’s Quest: This is another classic from NetEnt, which features cascading reels and multipliers set in an adventurous theme.
  • Joker Jewels: The Habanero slot is a twist on classic fruit machines. The modern slot features nudging wilds and scatter symbols, as well as Habanero’s signature progressive jackpot race.
  • Cosmic Cash: Sticking with the space adventure theme, this Pragmatic Slots slot has scatters and free spins amongst the alien and starship symbols.

SportsBoom Suggests – Is Starburst Worth Playing?

The short answer is yes; Starbursts is absolutely worth playing. Since it has appeared at online casinos, it has only continued to gain in popularity thanks to its uncomplicated gameplay, good RTP, and timeless arcade feel. Starburst is made with casual and high rollers in mind, with bets starting for as little as 10c. 

It doesn’t have a jackpot feature, and the sound effects can feel repetitive, but when you combine everything that it brings to the table, it is a fantastic game. The best way to approach the game is to try it out on the demo or free spins and start with smaller bets.

FAQs

Can I play Starburst in South Africa?

Yes. Starburst is fully licensed for play at several SA online casinos such as Goldrush. Always check the “NetEnt” or “Slots” section to confirm availability, or try one of our recommended casinos. 

What is its RTP and volatility?

Starburst offers an RTP of 96.09% and low to medium volatility, making it ideal for consistent, smaller wins.

What’s the max win potential?

The maximum win is up to 500x your stake, typically achieved through multiple Starburst Wilds expanding and re-spinning in a single round.

How do the bonus features work?

The main bonus is the Starburst Wild, which expands to fill an entire reel and triggers up to three re-spins. There are no free spins or gamble options.

What bet range is supported in ZAR?

Most SA casinos support R0.20 to R1,000 per spin, suitable for casual and serious bettors alike.

Does it include a progressive jackpot?

No, Starburst does not feature a progressive jackpot. Instead, it focuses on frequent line wins and stacked symbols.

Any special tips for SA players?

Yes, look for cashback promos or welcome spins at Goldrush, play in demo mode before betting real ZAR, and always set session limits to maintain control and fun.

Jo Davies
Jo Davies Betting & Casino Writer

Jo Davies is a content writer with a well-rounded background that brings a practical, real-world edge to her work. Before moving into writing, she built experience across a range of industries, including health and safety, administration, petrochemical, medical, skills training, and hospitality. That journey has helped shape her ability to communicate clearly and approach topics with structure and understanding.