- In terms of massive online gambling wins, few can match the $17.2 million Megabucks jackpot.
- David L. did just that in June 2021, quintupling his online slot balance with one spin.
- Other big online wins range from $356,000 (blackjack) to $2.5 million (poker).
There have been some insane wins at online casinos throughout their short history. Some lucky players have hit huge online casino wins that have changed their lives forever. But do you know who holds the record for the biggest win ever?
Hint: It wasn’t from a video poker game or a bonus round on slots.
You could be next to join their ranks. Maybe not quite reaching those dizzying heights, but putting some zeros to the right of your balance isn’t exactly unheard of.
We’ve hunted down the biggest online gambling wins ever to find out what games they played and how much they scooped. You might even learn a thing or two for next time you hit up . Let’s get started.
UPDATE (November 2023): More Epic Winners Added
The list of life-changing wins never ends in online gambling. Plenty of players keep hitting it big while playing their favorite games on the internet.
Some even manage to bag more than one massive prize. Like Anon, whose £1 million Mega Moolah jackpot on , was merely the start of an excellent run of form. A couple of months later, he won £750,000 on yet another Microgaming slot, Book of Oz.
We’ll probably be updating this list every other month moving forward. The internet gives people easier access to casino games, and the prizes only seem to be getting bigger.
Anyway, here are a few of the most recent major winners across the web.
Most Recent Major Winners
- Player: Anon
- Casino: Rolling Slots
- Game: Mega Moolah
- Win: €19,244,492.44
- Date: November 2023
- Player: Anon
- Casino: Rolling Slots
- Game: Book of Oz
- Win: €750,000
- Date: September 2023
- Player: S.P.
- Casino: Energy Casino
- Game: Mega Moolah
- Win: €2,152,729.29
- Date: October 2023
- Player: J.D.
- Casino: Casumo
- Game: Imperial Festival
- Win: £1,334,000
- Date: August 2023
- Player: K.T.
- Casino: Casimba
- Game: Hold My Handow
- Win: £715,000
- Date: July 2023
- Player: D.G.
- Casino: Mr Green
- Game: Divine Fortune
- Win: £660,000
- Date: May 2023
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Player: R.K.
-
Casino: Casumo
-
Game: Mega Moolah
-
Win: £615,000
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Date: April 2023
-
Player: O.L.
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Casino: Ladbrokes Coral
magic city casino stage 305 -
Game: Lucky Lady’s Charm
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Win: £555,555.55
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Date: March 2023
- Player: V.S.
- Casino: Mr Green
- Game: Divine Fortune
- Win: £524,000
- Date: February 2023
- Player: P.A.
- Casino: Casumo
- Game: Mega Moolah
- Win: £470,000
- Date: January 2023
Biggest Win Ever – $22.6 Million Mega Moolah Jackpot
Let’s go back to 2018 and start our story there. That was the year when became the largest “winner of winners” ever.
Anonymous (of course) played on his phone – yes, on his phone! – at from his home in Edinburgh. He only signed up to the casino ten minutes before and was spinning on a hunch rather than any particular game.
The hunch paid off – big time.
For the record, Forbes puts the UK’s annual spend on online slots at around £1.6 billion, so the odds of winning big are certainly stacked against you. Still, someone has to scoop the jackpots, right?
This mystery man triggered the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot, which had climbed to over $22.6 million. Even though this scoop is technically from an app rather than a browser, I think we can make allowances for it. After all, the experience is almost identical, and many people interchangeably call it “,” anyway.
Our anonymous winner chose to remain secretive about his success. We wish we could be as mysterious in such a situation!
#2 – $17.2 Million Mega Moolah Jackpot (Jon Heywood)
Our anonymous winner might have broken the record for the biggest online gambling win ever, but he didn’t become the first to bank more than $20 million from .
That accolade belongs to British soldier Jon Heywood, who hit gold (or should that be orange, red, and blue?) back in 2014. At the time, his win was the biggest ever Megamoolah payout and also broke records for being the highest-ever online slot jackpot.
Heywood wagered just 25p on this life-altering spin. He had spent £120 without winning anything of note over two days before considering one last shot. Using his smartphone, he played at 1am while struggling to sleep in his Buchel military base in Syria. So, once again, a mobile casino contributed to a world record payout.
Like our anonymous friend further down the rankings, Heywood opted for the reduced lump sum payment of $17.2million (£10.6million), despite being offered three options to receive his winnings gradually for the next 20 years.
Heydon revealed that he planned to use the money wisely. This pledge included splashing out on a house for his parents, treating his family to dream homes, and going on holidays of a lifetime.
Heydon also suffered from health issues requiring two operations, so the cash no doubt helped him sort out his medical bills. I wonder if he got his parents a nice house?
#3 – $11.2 Million Divine Fortune Jackpot (Jackson)
If anyone is going to follow Heywood’s feat, the Stagg Park athletics track will go down in gambling history as the place it all began.
In 2020 Jackson visited the outdoor track behind Nottingham Forest’s stadium to clear his head after losing $250 playing online. Thankfully, the fresher found him, and just hours later, he struck a fortune on a slot called Divine Fortune at NetBet Casino.
The Swedish player staked just $0.50 on the spin that netted him $11.2million (102,300,000). The win propelled him into the Guinness World Records, securing top spot from Heywood.
Best LA Casinos – Top Casino Resorts in Los AngelesJackson, who dreams of being an Olympic high jumper, hoped to one day see his hero, Swede Stefan Holm, at the venue he regarded as lucky. Little did he know that he would strike luckier than Holm ever was.
Perhaps NetBet deserves a mention among the .
Divine Fortune was designed for those seeking smaller jackpops regularly, making it popular among low-stakes players. Unlike its rival Mega Moolah, which can climb into the stratosphere, this progressive prize stays within four digits. Nonetheless, four million euros still represent life-changing money, as our Swedish friend rightly attests.
At the time of winning, NetEnt capped its jackpots at $200,000 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, when Jackson hit the jackpot, the prize had reached extraordinary heights.
Just a week prior, another player almost struck it rich, falling short by just $40,000. Perhaps Jackson owed his success to the negative effects of running tracks and screaming teenage girls.
Maybe Jackson could help?
#4 – $9.6 Million Mega Moolah Jackpot (Anthony R. )
Our fourth entry completes a hat-trick of Mega Moolah wins into the top five.
Canada has produced many ice hockey champions. In 2021, Anthony R. from Quebec became the country’s foremost champion of online slots, banking over Can$9.6million ($7.8million). The best part? He only staked Can$0.25.
While playing from home during a snowstorm, Anthony R. became the third player to bag a Mega Moolah jackpot exceeding $9million. No wonder this African safari-themed game features so highly on our list of the biggest online gambling wins ever.
After receiving his winnings—which he accepted as a lump sum—Anthony said he would use the money to travel and help his family.
Mega Moolah has dropped several nine-figure jackpots since then. I wouldn’t be surprised if another shows up in our list sooner rather than later.
#5 – $8.6Million Mega Moolah Jackpot (B.S.)
Only two weeks passed between Anthony R.’s and our next winner’s life-changing spins. I wonder if the Mega Moolah devs were scratching their heads in disbelief.
This time, an anonymous British player—listed simply as B.S. – won $8.6 million while playing at from their work break. BS chose to go public with their success, doing the rounds of talk shows and TV appearances. I guess not manyMARKETING PROHIBITEDWORDS like winning $25 in total on slot machines and £3 on blackjack in half a century of gambling suddenly becoming media darlings.
Even more remarkably, this win came hot on the heels of Heywood’s record-breaking success. Some players may spend their entire careers chasing a fraction of that inaugural mega jackpot. Two similarly coloured orange/red/blue blobs on a safari-themed slot machine in Mega Moolah are now responsible for TWO of the biggest online gambling wins on record!
It goes to show how quickly these numbers can change. Who knows? Maybe one of these sites will find itself among the top 10 in the near future.
#6 – $5.6 Million Arabian Nights Jackpot (Johan R. )
All good things must come to an end, and eventually, we say farewell to Mega Moolah’s stranglehold on the top five spots for big online wins. But only just.
Swedish player Johan R. activated the bonus round in NetEnt’s Arabian Nights slot to pocket $5.6 million. Breaking into the top six picks for our biggest online gambling wins, this record was accomplished with bets costing just $0.25.
The odds of winning the jackpot are 4,007,000 to one, making this a rarer achievement than seeing Michael Jordan sink a basketball from halfway. Well, I guess he couldn’t exactly do that… but you get my point.
Remarkably, this was the second big win for Johan R., who pocketed $210,000 playing Hall of Gods in 2011. The Swede donated parts of his winnings to charity, emphasizing that good fortune should be shared where possible.
Arabian Nights has since been retired and replaced in NetEnt’s hall of games by record-breaker, Mega Fortune. Nonetheless, Johan R. will always be associated with one of the most impressive big wins ever recorded playing this old-school progressive slot.
#7 – $4.7 Million Mega Fortune Jackpot (Finnish Player)
NetEnt’s other legendary progressive slot, Mega Fortune, has featured in several notable wins over the years. The game’s image as a regular provider of multimillion-dollar prizes was established in 2013 when a Finnish player claimed €4.7million (about $4.7million back then).
Although the game has created some larger wins since then, this remains the top individual score.
The anonymous winner wagered just $0.25 before activating the bonus round. The spellbound player was convinced he’d won only $3,700 when he exited the feature until realizing the true extent of his windfall. Talk about a case of “you’ve got to be in it to win it!”
Aside from acquiring the means to buy all the champagne he could ever drink, the young Helsinki man had more important priorities, including paying off his debts and buying a car. Surely, he already had a garage full of garages?
Unsurprisingly, Mega Fortune last appeared further down our list, with Aneta from Latvia scoring $3.6million in 02021. If recent trends continue, it won’t be long before it makes its way back up.
#8 – $4.5 Million Mega Fortune Dreams Jackpot (A.S.)
Could Mega Fortune Dreams top its stablemate’s record?
Yes, it did. In 2016, a Finnish player known only as A.S. became the envy of players worldwide after winning €3.3m ($3.3m) on Mega Fortune Dreams.
We don’t know much else about A.S., other than she was playing with Bonnier Games when she made history. The 32-year-old activates the bonus round while betting just $0.25. She spent $35 on the slot across 108 sessions before striking it rich.
“We have had big wins before, but nothing like this,” said a Bonnier Games spokesperson. “This really is a life-changing amount.”
Indeed, $4.5 million represents the biggest share taken from Mega Fortune Dreams, surpassing Thoman’s $2.6 million haul from 2017. NetEnt’s champers-themed slot may not produce jackpots as regularly as Mega Moolah, but when it does, it’s worth waiting for.
#9 – $2.6 Million Mega Fortune Dreams Jackpot (Thoman)
German civil engineer Christian Thoman became one of Germany’s biggest online winners in December 2017, claiming over €2.3million (around $2.6million) on Mega Fortune Dreams.
The 42-year-old from Hamburg was so excited that he struggled to sleep for two days following the big win. “I was shocked; I couldn’t believe my luck,” he recalled.
Toman had better ideas for how to invest his winnings, saying: “With the jackpot, we can finally live out our desires. We want to travel the world, buy a house, and save the rest.”
How many vacations do you suppose that covers?
“I have been playing at Betsson for almost 15 years, and this is my biggest win to date, and I can’t thank the company enough,” he added. “This shows that you can also win normal players. I am overjoyed and grateful.”
#10 – $2.5 Million PokerStars Sunday Million (Lord Of The Ringolets)
So far, we have mostly focused on big online slot wins. But what about poker?
There are plenty of stories to tell in this discipline too. Every Sunday since 2006, has hosted a tournament that has sent someone’s bankroll from zero to hero.
The Sunday Million routinely offers a $1 million prize pool, with a $100,000 guarantee for first place. Several players have pocketed seven figures, earning the right to join the Lord of the Ringlets in our top 15 biggest online gambling wins chart.
British business consultant Stuart Ritchie, better known as Lord of the Ringolets, was the game’s youngest millionaire in 2009, aged just 18. He topped that achievement the following year by becoming the tournament’s biggest ever winner, banking $258,000 in cash and tickets worth $95,534.33.
Ringoletts credits his success to playing against each other rather than directly against one another. It allowed him to secure a dominant position with copious opportunity to accumulate chips.
He advises setting conservative goals in the early stages, avoiding aggressive opponents, and concentrating on outlasting opponents rather than accumulating chips rapidly.
I’m sure we’ll see another poker player creep into the top 15 biggest online gambling wins ever soon. PokerBros could be a name to look out for.
Free Casino Slots You Can Play Online Right Now#11 – $2.35 Million Caribbean Stud Payout (Z.R.)
Very few games have seen multiple entries in our biggest online gambling wins chart. Progressive slots dominated our rankings, with Mega Moolah providing three of the top 15 scores.
But hold on a minute – what’s that anachronistic acorn amongst all these coconuts? How on Earth has a round of Caribbean Stud poked its head into our top 15?
Well, remarkably, an anonymous Canadian player (Listed as Z.R.) hit the industry’s highest-ever payout for the game back in 2022.
To put that into context, Caribbean Stud has a fixed payout table, meaning it cannot produce progressive jackpots. Instead, players hope to line up a royal flush to collect the biggest available prize of 100 to 1.
Z.R. took full advantage of the latter to swell their balance by $2.35 million, using bets of $50 per hand to clinch this monumental hand at Bovada Casino. Do you remember when we mentioned earlier that the best blackjack win ever made $3m for Markerran Udamih? Well, Z.R. just stole his thunder.
The win equalled 625,000 times Z.R.’s initial stake, highlighting the value of playing around with high stakes.
Who knows? Maybe Z.R. could teach us how to play stud .
#12 – $2.2 Million Arabian Nights Jackpot (Johan R.)
I know what you’re thinking: Another Johan R.? Yep. Unfortunately, we need to distinguish between two big wins worth $2.2million and $5.6million. Clearly, the latter was more impressive to the Swede.
Still, we can’t ignore the former, especially considering it comes from a different game. Johan R. earned a handsome living for a decade after overcoming Hall of Gods to land $2.2million playing Arabian Nights.
The IT worker wagered just $35 during 350 spins spread across a month before landing the jackpot. According to R, the bet was meant for his wife but turned into an epic session when she fell asleep.
Sometimes, it’s good to let your partner do the driving, huh?
fanduel casino promo code existing usersJohan R.'s story reminds us that you don’t always need to play for high stakes to achieve your dreams. Okay, let me rephrase that: You don’t need to play for absurdly high stakes to achieve your dreams!
#13 – $1.8 Million Caribbean Stud Payout (R.H.)
Is it just me, or is Caribbean Stud having a moment?
It seems strange to see a structured game without a progressive jackpot finding themselves among the biggest online gambling wins. But that’s exactly what we have here, courtesy of R.H., a player from Newfoundland, Canada.
Being a Caribbean Stud hand, we know exactly what R.H. needed to do to secure this giant prize of $1,827,000 at Bovada Casino. By using bets of $100 per hand to be dealt a royal flush with an improved studio at the same time would be pretty impressive, too.
Instead, we can only imagine the scenes of elation when R.H. achieved the best possible hand in video poker. According to Bovada’s stats, this was a life-changing sum, equivalent to 365,000 times the original stake.
How would you spend $1.8million?
#14 – $1.6 Million Arabian Nights Jackpot (kjelle)
A third win for Arabian Nights sees it become (by some distance) the least prolific slot featuring in the biggest online gambling wins chart.
Penning as kjelle, a Norwegian player scooped $1.6million on NetEnt’s desert-themed progressive game in 2012. It is unclear how much the anonymous gambler spent to clinch the prize, although the record states that it required "a small bet."
I think it’s safe to assume that “a small bet” involves less sand than is typically found in the hourglass timer. But I digress…
kjelle’s triumph was unusual because it came 24 hours after Thomaz from Sweden pocketed $1.35 million on Mega Fortune. Two seven-figure jackpots were triggered in the same 24-hour period almost a decade ago to the day that Heywood secured Mega Moolah’s first multimillion-dollar prize.
Coincidence? I think not. Someone, somewhere, has their birthday on this momentous day for online gambling history.
By the way, this win meant that players had scooped double-figure sums on Arabian Nights, Mega Fortune, and Mega Fortune Dreams, further solidifying the credibility of NetEnt’s jackpot slots.
#15 – $1.5 Million Mega Moolah Summertime Slot (David S.)
Our biggest online gambling wins list concludes with a surprise package in the form of Mega Moolah Summertime. This slot takes the African Safari theme of the original and adds summery spins, including expanding wilds and 20 free spins for longer sessions.
David S. activated the feature using a $20 bet before watching as the wheels spun down to scoop $1.5 million while playing at Zing Casino. The win represented a 75x multiplier on his bet, emphasizing the potential value of this animal-based alternative to the standard Mega Moolah game.
Summertime was developed as a seasonal offering but proved so popular that it earned a permanent place in the Animals Gone Wild suite. Its multicolored symbols include elephants, zebras, kudus, flamingos, lions, giraffes, and monkeys.
Of course, the main attraction is the chance to win big via the linked progressive jackpot. Who says animals don’t contribute to human welfare?
How Do I Stand a Chance of Winning Big Online?
Can you become one of the biggest online gambling winners? Anything is possible, right? These gamblers did it once, why can’t you do it too?
As you can see from the above examples, it doesn’t matter whether you’re , a casual fan of video poker, or something in between; there’s always a chance to walk away with a ludicrous sum of cash, particularly if progressives are involved.
But here’s the thing: There is no guaranteed method to win big online. Anyone telling you otherwise is lying.
However, certain practices can put the odds slightly more in your favor. Below, I have provided a series of tips that could help increase your chances of walking away with top honors.
Take Advantage of Welcome Offers & Promotional Deals
Don’t miss out on welcome bonuses and promotional deals. Most top-rated online casinos offer attractive sign-up bonuses as well as other promos and loyalty rewards.
These incentives enable you to stretch your budget, allowing you to play more games and try higher stakes to chase big wins. When taking advantage of these deals, study the terms carefully, paying close attention to wagering requirements and expiration dates.
Choose Reputable Casinos
Playing at reputable and regulated casinos increases trust and assurance that games are fair and payouts are prompt. Conduct research, read reviews, and check licenses before signing up.
Additionally, seek platforms with an extensive range of games from reputable software providers. A diverse selection enhances variety and keeps gaming interesting while presenting opportunities to try different titles with big win potential.
Manage Your Bankroll Effectively
Effective bankroll management is crucial. Determine your budget before starting to play and stick to it rigorously. Don’t chase losses or gamble under the influence. Know when to quit while you’re ahead.
Set deposit limits to prevent overspending and take breaks when necessary. Remember, wise bankroll management ensures a sustainable and enjoyable online gaming experience.
Play High Payout Games
Choose games with high payout ratios to maximize potential returns. While progressive jackpots offer enormous rewards, their unpredictability makes consistent high-payoff games a sensible choice.
Hot drop jackpots provide scheduled significant prize drops, adding excitement to gaming sessions. Research games with favorable RTPs (Return to Player) and volatility levels aligned with your strategy.
Heavenly Casino Road Trips within a 3-Hour Radius of ChicagoTry Free Games Beforehand
Many casinos offer demo versions of games, allowing you to try them out before wagering real money. Use this feature to understand game mechanics, feature triggers, and win conditions. Gain experience without risking your funds.
Once comfortable with a game, switch to real-money mode and put your skills to the test. Remember, practice makes partially skilled, albeit, sometimes lucky.
Understand the Games You Want to Play
Educate yourself about the games you want to play. Learn about paylines, scatter symbols, wilds, and bonus features. Different games have unique rules and strategies.
Understanding how a game works improves decision-making and maximizes win potential. Check the betting range and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Embrace Responsible Gaming
Above all, embrace responsible gaming. Online gambling should be enjoyed as entertainment, not a solution to financial problems. Set limits, stay within your means, and seek help if you feel you’re losing control.
Responsible gaming allows you to enjoy the thrill of online casinos safely and sustainably. Remember, winning big is a possibility, but it’s not guaranteed. Play smart, stay disciplined, and enjoy the ride.
What Is Volatility in Gambling?
Volatility refers to the risk and frequency of wins in a casino game. High-volatility games offer infrequent but larger wins, whereas low-volatility games deliver smaller, more frequent payouts.
Medium-volatility games strike a balance between risk and reward. As a general rule, players seeking big wins prefer high-volatility games, although they come with greater variance and require a larger bankroll to handle dry spells.
Progressive jackpots also exhibit high volatility, with massive rewards that can take considerable time and wagers to hit. Understanding volatility helps players choose games aligning with their risk tolerance and win preference.