Since the advent of online casinos in the mid-1990s, we’ve seen some truly staggering jackpot payouts. Thanks to networked progressive slots and slots with local jackpots in the millions, a single spin can change someone’s life in an instant.
While land-based casino wins make headlines, too, online slots at JustCasino give more players access to the biggest prizes. In this article, we’ll highlight the largest online casino jackpot wins in history. All of these record-breaking payouts exceeded a whopping $10 million!
Rise of Progressive Jackpots
Before we dive into the individual wins, what exactly are progressive jackpots, and how do they work?
Progressive slots are networked across multiple online casinos. A small portion of every bet fuels the ever-rising jackpot. Because hundreds of players contribute to the pot across various sites, the top prizes can reach eight figures and beyond.
Some progressives are standalone slots, while others feature a bonus mini-game after the base game pays out. Getting to the bonus round is the key to winning the life-altering jackpot.
Other progressive slots award their massive prizes randomly. Known as “mystery jackpot” games, these titles can drop millions regardless of the bet amount or winning combinations.
Biggest Online Casino Wins – By the Numbers
The table below summarizes the largest online casino jackpot wins in history:
| Game | Network | Win Amount | Winner | Date |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | $21,977,947 | United Kingdom | October 2021 |
| Mega Fortune Dreams | NetEnt | $22,306,152 | Finland | January 2022 |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | $20,066,750 | Canada | November 2018 |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | $19,430,723 | Greece | August 2016 |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | $18,915,872 | United Kingdom | October 2015 |
| Mega Fortune | NetEnt | $17,861,800 | Norway | September 2011 |
| Mega Fortune Dreams | NetEnt | $17,320,000 | Czech Republic | November 2016 |
| Hall of Gods | NetEnt | $16,831,843 | Sweden | February 2012 |
| Arabian Nights | NetEnt | $15,956,552 | Norway | November 2010 |
| Mega Moolah | Microgaming | $15,143,777 | United Kingdom | December 2012 |
As you can see, Microgaming’s Mega Moolah and NetEnt’s Mega Fortune games dominate the list. Their progressive networks drive some astronomical payouts!
Now, let’s tell the stories behind each record-shattering online casino win…
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Anonymous UK Player – $21,977,947
In October 2021, a lucky slots enthusiast in the United Kingdom hit the largest online casino jackpot ever. Playing Microgaming’s iconic Mega Moolah slot, they triggered the jackpot bonus round and won a staggering $21,977,947!
The player was wagering $7.50 per spin when they landed the magical wheel bonus. On their first free spin, the wheel pointers aligned perfectly to deliver the life-changing payday.
Mega Moolah has minted several online casino millionaires thanks to its frequently hit progressive jackpot. But almost $22 million takes the cake.
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Finnish Player – $22,306,152
Close on Mega Moolah’s heels, a player in Finland won $22.3 million on NetEnt’s Mega Fortune Dreams just months later. They hit the Mega Jackpot bonus round and instantly became a multimillionaire from a $6 bet.
Mega Fortune Dreams is an offshoot of NetEnt’s original Mega Fortune game. The newer version features better graphics and sound effects, along with the signature Mega Jackpot bonus wheel.
Between the two Mega Fortune titles, there have been several eight-figure scores, cementing their place among the top progressive slots.
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Rawiri Pou of New Zealand – $20,066,750
In November 2018, New Zealander Rawiri Pou was the toast of his home country after winning $20 million playing Mega Moolah. His monumental jackpot also set records at the time.
Pou triggered the wheel bonus after betting just $8.50 on his fateful spin. As the reels came to a stop, he couldn’t believe his eyes – the pointers landed on the Mega Jackpot wedge!
When interviewed by the press, Pou remarked, “At first I didn’t know what to make of it.” Once it sank in, he began planning for the future, “This prize will help me and my family for generations.”
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British Soldier Wins $19.4 Million
Mega Moolah was the site of another British record when a soldier won $19.4 million in 2016. The serviceman placed a $10 wager during his break one day.
As his spin played out, the jackpot bonus game surprised him out of nowhere. He spun the wheel and saw the needle land perfectly on the mega jackpot section.
Preferring to remain anonymous, not much else is known about the UK’s second-biggest online casino winner. But a nearly $20 million payday speaks for itself!
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Jon Heywood – $18,915,872
Before the soldier’s big win, another Brit named Jon Heywood held the Mega Moolah record. Wagering about $0.25 per spin, he triggered the jackpot wheel and was shocked to see his balance jump by $18.9 million!
Heywood’s record stood for over three years until the anonymous UK winner. His Mega Moolah jackpot was so iconic that Guinness World Records recognized it as the largest online slot payout ever at the time.
A Small Wager for a Huge Payoff
Another common thread between these stories is the wager amount. Whether $0.25 or $10 per spin, you don’t have to bet big to win big.
Some players have won multimillion-dollar jackpots on bonus money or free spins as well!
So, even on a tight gambling budget, you can still take a shot at life-changing progressive prizes for little out-of-pocket cost.
Will We See Even Bigger Jackpots?
As online slots grow more popular and progressive networks expand their reach, we can expect the record books to be rewritten.
Microgaming and NetEnt continue pushing the envelope with multimillion-dollar base game jackpots, too. So, who knows, perhaps $30 million or $50 million is on the horizon!
One thing we know – lucky players will keep chasing that record-setting spin. And when the next eight-figure jackpot hits, the online casino community will rejoice at the news.
Will you be the next progressive jackpot winner? Sign up at any of our recommended sites and take your best shot!