With their progressive jackpots, flashing lights, easy gameplay, and tantalizing wins, hitting the jackpot of any slot machine is the ultimate dream for any gambler.

What makes it even sweeter is that the chances of winning a progressive jackpot are slim but never zero. Many players like to put their money where their mouth is and try their luck at winning the biggest slot machine jackpot.

In this article, we will explore the top ten biggest slot machine wins ever recorded. From monumental online wins to unforgettable Las Vegas payouts, these stories showcase the incredible, sometimes life-altering fortunes possible when playing slots at casinos.

Could you be the next player to make history? Read on to discover the biggest slot machine wins of all time and learn how to win while playing online slots at Rivalry.

What Are Some of The Biggest Slot Machine Wins Of All Time?

Here are the top ten biggest slot machine wins ever recorded. As you can see, the Megabucks game is a millionaire maker, featuring on the list eight times.

Rank

Slot Machine Name

Jackpot Money

Location

Date of Win

1st

WowPot! Wheel of Wishes

$42 million

Sportsbet.io

December 20, 2023

2nd

Megabucks

$39,713,982

Excalibur Casino, Las Vegas

March 21, 2003

3rd

Megabucks

$39,959,458

Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas

January 26, 2000

4th

Megabucks

$27,582,539

Palace Station Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas

November 15, 1998

5th

Megabucks

$22,621,229

Bally's Casino, Las Vegas

May 28, 2002

6th

Megabucks

$21,346,952

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

June 1, 1999

7th

Megabucks

$21,147,947

Cannery Casino Las Vegas

September 15, 2005

8th

Megabucks

$20,519,025

Cannery Casino, Las Vegas

June 5, 2006

9th

Mega Fortune Slot Game

$19,335,250

Paf.com

January 2013

10th

Megabucks

$17,329,817

M Resort Spa Casino Las Vegas

December 14, 2012

1 - WoWPot Wheel of Wishes @ Sportsbet.io ($42 million)

After 21 years, a new leader emerged on the top ten slot jackpot winners list. On December 20, 2023, an anonymous player at Sportbet.io wagered $50 worth of Tether on the online slot Wheel of Wishes. He unexpectedly hit the ultimate jackpot, winning a record-breaking $42 million — the largest slot machine win in recent history.

Wheel of Wishes, developed by Games Global and Alchemy Gaming, saw Chief Product Officer Andy Booth remark, "This win is monumental for both Games Global and the iGaming industry. We're incredibly proud to host the largest online slot jackpot win." This achievement highlights the potential for significant wins using cryptocurrency at online casinos.

2 - Megabucks @ Excalibur Casino ($39.7 million)

The Megabucks slot machine, developed by IGT, pioneered progressive jackpot mechanics, pooling income from identical machines to create a shared jackpot.

On March 23, 2003, during a weekend break in Las Vegas for the NCAA March Madness tournament, a software engineer visited the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. Egged on by his uncle, who believed the progressive jackpot was "ready to blow," he wagered $100 on the Megabucks slot. Turning away briefly, he glanced back to see three golden eagle Megabucks symbols aligned, signaling his monumental win of $39.7 million.

3 - Megabucks @ the Desert Inn ($34.9 million)

This Megabucks slot jackpot win is a tale of dramatic highs and lows, showing that nothing is more important than your health, not even money, and that tomorrow is never promised.

On January 26, 2000, 37-year-old Cynthia Jay Brennan wagered $27 on the Megabucks slot machine at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, winning a life-changing $34.9 million.

Unfortunately, fate dealt her a cruel hand. Six weeks after her big win, a drunk driver smashed into Jay Brennan's car. This devastating accident left Cynthia paralyzed from the chest down and her sister and fiancé dead. Much of her newfound fortune was spent on healthcare and rehabilitation as she worked to rebuild her life and adapt to her life-changing disability.

Cynthia's story is a bittersweet tale that reminds us of the unpredictability of life. Her life-changing luck of winning one of the biggest slot machines wins to date was overshadowed by the heart-breaking accident that followed.

4 - Megabucks @ Palace Station Casino & Hotel

The famous Megabucks slot machine is renowned for its multi-million-dollar payouts. At the Palace Station Resort, a retired former airline attendant struck gold with the game.

After investing $340, she hit the Megabucks jackpot, winning $27 million, paid out in twenty-four annual installments. This 1998 win set a new record for the largest slot machine jackpot ever, an unprecedented amount at the time in the gambling world.

5 - Megabucks @ Bally's Casino ($22.6 million)

Sensing a pattern here? Another Megabucks machine win. Another Las Vegas casino. Another retiree with cash to spend. The fifth and final big win we'll go into is another retiree who struck gold at the Megabucks slot games.

This time, the jackpot happened at Bally's Casino, now known as Horseshoe Las Vegas. The retired Australian printer was enjoying her birthday weekend and $170 deep into her $200 bankroll before she finally saw $$$ signs and the familiar three Megabucks symbols of the golden eagles lined up to win a huge $22.6 million.

Honorable Mention - Megabucks @ Caesars Palace ($21.3 million)

The sixth biggest slot machine win was earned at the iconic Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the home of all things gambling and mega moolah. This win also proves that small bets can lead to huge jackpots.

On June 1, 1999, a 49-year-old business consultant from Illinois wagered just $10 on the Megabucks slot machine. With a single spin, he walked away with an astonishing $21.3 million. The anonymous winner became the center of attention at Caesars Palace, as other gamblers wanted to touch him for luck.

How to Win Big on Online Slots

After considering all these massive slot machine wins, a question that may be echoing in your mind is: "How can I win big on online slot machines?"

If you want to add your name to this list of the biggest slot wins of all time, pay attention! Here are some tips and tricks to maximize success when playing slots.

Learn How Slot Games Work

Slot machines run on random number generation (RNG) technology to decide the result of each spin. This means every outcome is different and entirely based on luck. As soon as you hit the shiny "Play" button or pull the lever, the result of your spin is already determined.

The goal of any slot machine is to aim to land a winning combination across the reels, usually three or more matching symbols to win. When these symbols land on a matching combo, you'll get a payout based on the machine's paytable, which you can usually find in the settings menu.

Return-To-Player (RTP) Rates

You need to know about RTP, whether you're playing slots IRL or online. Basically, this is the expected return after each bet is placed. While each spin is random, slot machines are programmed to return a certain percentage of the money wagered over time.

For the best experience, aim for a slot machine with an RTP of over 96%. Options for this on Rivalry.com include Bonanza, White Rabbit, and Twin Spin.

Slot Volatility Levels

Pay attention to the slot's volatility. This affects how often you win and the size of those wins. Low volatility slots give frequent but smaller payouts, while high volatility slots offer bigger payouts but less often.

The best slots have a high RTP rate (over 96%) and low to medium volatility. Some examples include Starburst, Fear the Dark, Cursed Crypt, and Rusty and Curly.

Choose the Right Online Casino

Choosing the right online casino is crucial to having a blast and winning big while playing slots. While we already think you're in the right place with Rivalry, here are some things to consider when choosing your online casino.

  • Licensing and Regulations: Ensure the casino is licensed by a legit authority. For example, Rivalry is governed under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, so we are held to a high standard regarding player security, game fairness, and financial transparency.
  • Mobile Compatibility: For gamers who want to play on the go (and touch grass), Rivalry's casino games and sportsbook are 100% mobile-friendly. Make sure you have a stable Internet connection before betting real cash.
  • Game Selection: Make sure there's a variety of game options from different reputable software providers, like Evolution, Big Time Gaming, PG Soft, Red Tiger, NETENT, and more. We offer casino classics like Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker.
  • Customer Support: We offer 24/7 customer support if you're stuck in a rut.
  • Casino Bonuses: The best online casinos are the ones that offer free play tokens and deposit bonuses for you to use. Our welcome bonus works with your first deposit, doubling up to $100!
  • Payment Options: Many online casinos don't offer enough payment options. Luckily for you, Rivalry has tons! We have instant deposit options with Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, PayMaya, bank transfers, cash vouchers, and more. We even provide cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin and Tether for seamless transactions!

GO NUTZ TO GET NUTZ ($RVLRY TOKEN)

Did somebody say crypto? Aside from our many bonuses, we will now reward our new and existing users with NUTZ, aka interim points, before officially airdropping our cryptocurrency, Rivalry Token ($RVLRY).

From betting on e-sports or conventional sports to playing casino games like online slots, all Rivalry activity will earn you NUTZ. Grow your NUTZ even larger to earn multipliers, attributes, and more ranks.

NUTZ can later be converted into the $RVLRY Token. These crypto tokens will allow you to do anything on our platform. This means you can bet again on our casino and slots or hold onto it and see how far the Rivalry Token can go.

As with any other crypto, $RVLRY will appear in your wallet like BTC or ETH. You can read more about NUTZ and $RLVRY here. Ready to get DEEZ NUTZ?

Popular Slot Machine Betting Strategies

As with all forms of casino gambling, there are popular betting strategies you can use to make your bankroll go further, capitalize on winning streaks, and minimize your losses.

  • Levels Betting: Increase your bet amount after five consecutive losses, typically 5x your OG bet. Using this strategy, you should eventually earn back your losses and some winnings.
  • Martingale Betting System: Double your bet after every loss to recover all previous losses and make a profit once you eventually win.
  • Fixed Percentage Betting: Consistently bet a fixed percentage of your bankroll on each wager, allowing the bet size to adjust with the changes in your bankroll.

Final Thoughts

These record-breaking slot jackpots demonstrate that while the odds may be slim, the possibility of a massive payout is always there, even if you decide to bet $5!

While chasing these enormous jackpots can be enticing, it's essential to approach gambling responsibly. Understanding how slot games work, RTP rates, and choosing a trusted casino can level-up your betting experience and potentially increase your chances of winning.

When gambling, always budget your bankroll efficiently and never bet more than you can afford to lose. With Rivalry, you can also set self-exclusion limits on your account to prevent excess gambling.

Ultimately, whether you're a seasoned gambler or just here for the vibes, the thrill of the spin and the dream of hitting that elusive jackpot keep players coming back for more. Who knows? With some luck and smart play, you might become the new legend on the list of big slot machine winners.