A gaming device and methods of operating a gaming device including paylines that transition in relation to symbol display areas are disclosed. Paylines transition from one position to another position in which the payline is associated with a different combination of symbol display areas than the symbol display areas associated with the payline in the position prior to the transition. The gaming device evaluates symbols displayed in symbol display areas associated with the payline in each of the positions to determine if the generated symbols displayed in the associated symbol display areas include a winning symbol or combination of symbols. The transition of the paylines may be displayed as a movement of the paylines, or portions thereof, individually or as a group, across the viewing area of a display in a scrolling, shifting or rotating manner.