Every casino enthusiast shares one dream – winning it big. Many people have already done it in the US, whether in the bright lights of Sin City or in the quieter casinos in various states. Some of these big winners have gambled with a plan, while others have just been lucky.
Either way, every player loves a good story, so today, we’ll look at some of the most incredible ones. We’ll explore big winners overall and a few others from different states.
1) $39.7 Million Slot Jackpot at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Nevada
Las Vegas is the biggest gambling destination in the world, and it sees over 40 million people come to enjoy the casinos and entertainment shows. In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer hit a similar number when he turned a casual $100 bet into a mind-blowing $39.7 million jackpot. This happened while playing on a Megabucks slot machine at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
The engineer, who chose to remain anonymous, was initially in Vegas to watch March Madness basketball with friends. A conversation with his uncle about IGT’s Megabucks then changed his life forever in one of the biggest rags-to-riches stories.
2) Cynthia Jay-Brennan – $34.9 Million Jackpot in Desert Inn Casino, Nevada
In 2000, another story that’s just as inspiring but sobering was born. Cynthia Jay-Brennan, a 38-year-old waitress at the Monte Carlo Casino, decided to try her luck with a bankroll of just $100. She played at the Megabucks slot machine at the Desert Inn Casino while on a night out with her boyfriend and won a staggering $34.9 million.
Sadly, her life took a quick, tragic turn only two months later. Shortly after her wedding, she was involved in a devastating car accident caused by a drunk driver, which left her paralyzed and claimed the life of her sister. The story serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictability.
3) The 67-Yearl Old Flight Attendant: $27.6 Million at Palace Station, Nevada
Palace Station Hotel and Casino isn’t one of the flashiest strip casinos but more of a low-key, locals-friendly spot. However, it produced one of the biggest win stories in 1998. This was after a flight attendant from Las Vegas took a spin on a Megabucks slot machine and walked away with a cool $27 million.
The 67-year-old, who chose to remain anonymous, was halfway through her third $100 bill after initially planning to spend just $100. Interestingly, she had won $680,000 at the same casino just a few months prior while celebrating her husband’s retirement. Talk about luck!
State-by-State Highlights
New Jersey
The big wins are not only from the 1990s, and neither do they have to take place in a physical casino establishment. In August 2024, a New Jersey player hit a whopping $6.5 million while playing an online progressive jackpot at BetMGM. This is the largest jackpot in iGaming history in the US.
Just a few weeks before, a first-time customer at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City had won a progressive jackpot of $1.5m after placing $10 into a Wheel of Fortune slot machine with a $1 bet denomination.
West Virginia
The state may not boast the largest casino scene, but West Virginia online casinos are buzzing after the state became only the fifth one to legalize online casinos back in 2019. While winners haven’t crossed the $ 1 million mark yet, various casinos in the state often report millions in winnings from both physical and online users.
On top of that, West Virginia is also known for the largest lottery win in US history – Jack Whittaker won $314.9 million in the Powerball lottery on Christmas Day 2002.
New York
In 2018, Theresa P. of New York won the biggest jackpot in Empire City Casino when playing Wheel of Fortune. This was a windfall of $2.9, and she joined the list of other New York millionaires made by slots – Howard G., who won $1.4m in 2015, and Linda H., who took home a “nearly there” million-dollar jackpot of $961,411 in 2016.
All these wins highlight that every gambler’s dream is possible. However, it’s important to keep in mind that gambling is meant to be treated as a form of entertainment first. Whether you’re playing in online casinos, the Vegas Strip, or anywhere in between, know your limits and play responsibly.