We all dream of landing a big win when playing slots. However, for some, the dream has become a reality, as they’ve scooped millions of dollars simply from one spin of the reels.
As you might expect, the majority of these big winners have hit the jackpot in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, but online slots have provided some mammoth prizes too.
Keep reading to find some of the biggest slot machine wins ever and who the lucky winners were.
Serious Bucks
As you can see, it is possible to make big money while playing slot machines.
Some players believe they can get an edge by searching for the loosest slot machines or reading up on how to win at slots, but it’s important to know that slot machines are totally random and it just depends if Lady Luck is on your side when you play!
BONUS: $42.9 Million – Resort World Casino, New York
You might have heard that there was a giant $42.9 million win for a woman in New York back in 2016. She was told she’d won the prize while playing the Sphinx slot, even though the game stated its top award was $6,500.
After much legal wrangling, the case disappeared. However, previous rulings show that this claim was almost certainly rejected, and the woman didn’t receive the prize.
1. $39.7 Million – Excalibur Casino, Las Vegas
The largest slot jackpot of all time was won by a lucky player from LA at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. In 2003, they decided to play the famous Megabucks slot machine, spending just $100 in their search for a big win.
The win came in the form of a jackpot worth a staggering $39.7 million, which remains the largest jackpot ever in history.
2. $35 Million – Desert Inn, Las Vegas
In second place is Cynthia Jay Brennan, who was 37 when she managed to scoop a jackpot worth just under $35 million in 2000. Once again, this prize was won when playing on the famous Megabucks slot.
However, this time it came while Brennan was in the Desert Inn, which used to be in Wynn Las Vegas.
Tragically, she was seriously injured in a crash which left her paralyzed just months later.
3. $27.6 Million – Palace Station Casino, Las Vegas
In third place is a lucky retiree, who went to the Palace Station Casino in 1998. Intending to spend $100, she ended up spending triple that, but it was a fantastic investment.
As with the many others this list of the biggest slot machine jackpot wins, she too played the Megabucks machine, and was fortunate enough to win a massive prize of $27.6 million!
4. €17.8 Million – PAF.com, Online
Another online slots win, this time in 2013 by a Finnish player spinning the reels of Mega Fortune, the famous progressive slot from NetEnt.
Amazingly, the lucky Finn only spent 25¢ before they won their colossal prize. The jackpot of €17.8 million, which was worth approximately $23.6 million in 2013, was won at PAF.com.
5. $22.6 Million – Bally’s, Las Vegas
The next huge jackpot on our list was won by a player called Johanna Heundl, who played the Megabucks machine at the famous Bally’s in May 2002.
Heundl was 74 years old at the time of the win, which she managed to scoop before breakfast. She only spent $170 before winning the jackpot.
6. $21.3 Million – Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
We now head to perhaps the most famous casino in the world: Caesars Palace.
This was the location of a ginormous jackpot in 1999 won by a business consultant who wagered just $10 on – you’ve guessed it – the Megabucks slot machine.
The 49-year-old from Illinois, who remained anonymous, won a massive prize of $21.3 million.
7. $21.1 Million – Cannery Casino & Hotel, Las Vegas
This is perhaps the most unbelievable entry on the list.
In 2005, Elmer Sherwin won $21.1 million while playing the Megabucks slot in the Cannery Casino & Hotel.
The amazing thing? He had already won the jackpot on the machine previously, scooping $4.6 million while playing the game in 1989 at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.
8. £13.2 Million – Online
This online jackpot hit in 2013 and was won by a very lucky British soldier. He won a jackpot worth £13.2 million, which was worth approximately $20.8 million at the time.
The prize was won while playing the Mega Moolah slot at Betway. The player from Crewe, Jon Hayward, spent just 25p before winning the giant sum. Wow!
9. $17.3 Million – M Resort, Henderson
The next entry on our list of the biggest slot machine wins ever is the $17.3 million won by a woman from Las Vegas.
She visited the M Resort in Henderson, where she used some free credits to play the Megabucks machine and won the huge prize.
It just goes to show that you shouldn’t forget about spending any free credits you might have!
10. $14.3 Million – Rampart Casino, Las Vegas
First up, we come to the 10th largest slot machine win of all time, won by a player at the Rampart Casino in Las Vegas in December 2013.
They spent just $20 on the Megabucks slot machine (featured on 80% of this list!) before winning a jackpot of $14.3 million.
The winner decided to remain anonymous and donated much of their prize to charity.