We all dream about it. Hitting that juicy life changing jackpot that just changes everything from one second to the next. But how likely is it? We explain everything in this guide. But first let’s dive in and explore the biggest jackpots from US casinos.
1. Ancient Fortunes: Zeus – DraftKings Casino ($3.3M)
On June 14, 2023, a player at DraftKings Casino hit an enormous jackpot of $3,297,864.13 playing Ancient Fortunes: Zeus. This slot game is themed around Greek mythology, featuring the god Zeus. Players are attracted to its engaging graphics, exciting gameplay, and the chance for substantial payouts. The winning player was likely spinning with a significant bet, given the size of the jackpot. This win stands out as one of the largest in online slot history in the USA.
2. Bison Fury – Borgata Casino ($3.0M)
On October 16, 2023, Borgata Casino witnessed a monumental win when a player won $3,028,335.94 on the Bison Fury slot game. Bison Fury is known for its captivating American wildlife theme, featuring symbols like bisons, eagles, and wolves. The game offers multiple paylines and bonus features, which contribute to its high payout potential. The player hit the progressive jackpot, which had been accumulating over time, leading to this significant payout.
3. MGM Grand Millions – BetMGM Casino ($2.8M)
On January 7, 2023, a lucky player at BetMGM Casino won $2,839,968.97 playing MGM Grand Millions. This slot is part of BetMGM’s exclusive offerings, often boasting high progressive jackpots. The game features luxurious themes and is popular for its frequent big wins. The progressive jackpot mechanism ensures that with each spin, a portion of the bet contributes to the growing jackpot until a player wins it. This particular win added to the game’s reputation as a slot with life-changing potential.
4. Luck O’ The Jackpot – Borgata Casino ($2.4M)
On June 7, 2023, another significant win was recorded at Borgata Casino when a player won $2,420,549.95 on Luck O’ The Jackpot. This slot game leverages Irish luck themes, with symbols like four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, and pots of gold. The game includes various bonus features that can lead to substantial wins. The progressive jackpot, which keeps increasing with each play, was hit, resulting in this massive payout. Such games are designed to build excitement and anticipation as the jackpot grows.
5. Extra Chilli MEGAWAYS – DraftKings Casino ($1.98M)
On April 20, 2023, DraftKings Casino saw a win of $1,978,196.27 on Extra Chilli MEGAWAYS. This slot is known for its dynamic MEGAWAYS mechanics, providing up to 117,649 ways to win. The game’s theme revolves around a vibrant Mexican market with chili peppers as central symbols. The numerous ways to win and the potential for free spins with increasing multipliers make it a favorite among players. The sizeable jackpot was a result of hitting the right combination during a high-stakes game.
6. Divine Fortunes MEGAWAYS – DraftKings Casino ($1.84M)
On October 5, 2023, a player at DraftKings Casino won $1,837,896.00 playing Divine Fortunes MEGAWAYS. This slot is a variation of the popular Divine Fortune game, enhanced with the MEGAWAYS feature to offer more winning combinations. The game draws players with its classical mythology theme, featuring symbols like Medusa, Minotaur, and Pegasus. The progressive jackpot had been growing, culminating in this significant win, which added to the allure of this high-potential slot game.
Current Biggest Progressive Jackpots Waiting To Get Hit As of July 2024
| Game | Jackpot (USD) | Average Win (USD) | Average Frequency | Last Hit | Game Developer |
| Mega Moolah | $3,895,812 | $10,100,080 | 69 days, 19 hours | 32 days, 22 hours ago | Microgaming |
| King Cashalot | $2,878,479 | $861,066 | 264 days, 14 hours | 3 years, 251 days ago | Microgaming |
| Mega Fortune | $2,115,491 | $3,738,746 | 105 days, 6 hours | 1 year, 37 days ago | NetEnt |
| Hall of Gods | $1,755,592 | $6,036,086 | 212 days, 18 hours | 1 year, 91 days ago | NetEnt |
| Aztec’s Millions | $1,553,319 | $2,080,196 | 4 years, 79 days | 2 years, 53 days ago | RTG |
| MegaJackpots | $1,146,698 | $1,212,996 | 103 days, 15 hours | 208 days, 13 hours ago | IGT |
| Megasaur | $964,010 | $1,033,387 | 367 days, 19 hours | 257 days, 20 hours ago | RTG |
| Roulette Royale | $788,656 | $501,374 | 625 days, 20 hours | 8 years, 308 days ago | Microgaming |
| Caribbean Draw (MGS) | $449,730 | $389,715 | 691 days, 0 hours | 2 years, 204 days ago | Microgaming |
| LotsaLoot | $367,129 | $98,848 | 51 days, 1 hour | 1 year, 77 days ago | Microgaming |
| Poker Ride | $366,905 | $301,932 | 69 days, 6 hours | 2 years, 167 days ago | Microgaming |
| Major Millions | $343,564 | $1,060,041 | 79 days, 18 hours | 17 days, 20 hours ago | Microgaming |
| Triple Sevens | $335,222 | $114,518 | 234 days, 12 hours | 4 years, 131 days ago | Microgaming |
Types of Online Jackpot Slots
1. Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive jackpot slots are games where the jackpot prize increases each time the game is played but the jackpot is not won. A small percentage of each bet is added to the jackpot. These slots can be standalone, linked within a single casino, or linked across multiple casinos. Examples include Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune.
2. Local Progressive Slots
These slots have jackpots that are linked within a single casino. The jackpot increases as players at that specific casino play the game. The jackpots tend to be smaller than wide-area progressives but still offer significant payouts.
3. Wide-Area Progressive Slots
These slots are linked across multiple casinos, often through a network provided by the game’s developer. The jackpot builds up across all the connected casinos, leading to very large potential payouts. Mega Moolah is a famous example, known for its multimillion-dollar jackpots.
4. Fixed Jackpot Slots
These slots offer a set jackpot amount that does not change regardless of how many times the game is played. The jackpot can be won by landing a specific combination of symbols. These games often have multiple fixed jackpots of varying sizes.
5. Hot Drop Jackpots
These are timed progressive jackpots that are guaranteed to drop within a certain period, such as every hour, day, or week. They provide frequent opportunities for wins but usually have smaller jackpot amounts compared to traditional progressives.
6. Hourly Jackpot Slots
Similar to daily jackpots, these slots guarantee that a jackpot will be won every hour. The jackpots are smaller but provide frequent opportunities to win. These are also a type of Hot Drop Jackpot.
7. Random Jackpot Slots
These slots have jackpots that can be won randomly during gameplay, regardless of the spin result. The jackpot can drop at any time, adding an extra layer of excitement to every spin. An example is Divine Fortune.
How Likely Is It to Hit a Jackpot?
Hitting a jackpot on a slot machine is a dream for many casino enthusiasts, but the reality is that the odds are often quite slim. The likelihood of winning a jackpot depends on several factors, including the type of slot machine, the specific game mechanics, and the casino’s payout policies.
Probability of Winning
Progressive jackpot slots generally have lower odds of hitting the jackpot compared to regular slots due to the immense payout potential. For example, the odds of hitting the Mega Moolah jackpot are estimated to be around 1 in 50 million.
Average Playtime and Cost
Let’s calculate how long you might need to play and how much you might spend before hitting a jackpot, using the following assumptions:
- Odds of hitting the jackpot: 1 in 50 million (for high-end progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah)
- Bet per spin: $0.01 (1 cent)
Calculations:
- Total Spins Needed: On average, to hit a 1 in 50 million jackpot, you would need 50 million spins.
- Cost Per Spin: At $0.01 per spin, the cost per spin is one cent.
Total Cost:
Total Cost = Total Spins x Cost Per Spin
Total Cost = 50,000,000×0.01
Total Cost = $500,000
Time Needed: Assuming you can make 600 spins per hour (a reasonable estimate for online play):
Total Hours = Total Spins / Spins Per Hour
Total Hours = 50,000,000 / 600
Total Hours = 83,333.33 hours
If you play 8 hours a day:
Total Days = Total Hours/8
Total Days = 83,333.33/8
Total Days = 10,416.67 days
Total Years:
Total Years = Total Days/365
Total Years = 10,416.67/365
Total Years ≈ 28.5 years
Summary
- Average Cost: $500,000
- Average Time: 28.5 years of continuous play (8 hours a day, every day)
These calculations illustrate the extreme rarity of hitting a jackpot, especially on high-end progressive slots. While it is possible to win big, the significant time and financial investment required make it an unlikely outcome for most players. Always gamble responsibly and treat slot games as entertainment rather than a guaranteed source of income.