Slot machine games involve spinning reels of symbols with the hope of matching them in winning combinations. Sure, they’re highly randomized games that players truly have no control over, but that doesn’t detract from the fun or the thrill of playing!
As slot machines are completely down to chance, players can try their luck without any prior skills or knowledge. However, having some knowledge of the RTP and terminology of the game will likely lead to a more successful path.
Whether you’re playing in a land-based casino or online slots real money, every slot machine player dreams of hitting the big win. Yet for some people, this dream has become reality.
Here are the 7 biggest slot machine wins on record.
1. Excalibur Casino, Las Vegas — $39.7 Million
Slot machines can be completely life-changing in just a few simple moves. This 2003 Megabucks win is no exception.
This win was claimed at the world-famous Excalibur Casino by a fortunate player visiting from LA. The anonymous individual opted to try their hand at a Megabucks machine, spending only $100 on the hunt for a big win.
Fortunately, luck was on their side, and they won a staggering $39.7 million payout. To this day, this is the largest win ever recorded on a slot machine.
2. Desert Inn Casino, Las Vegas — $34.9 Million
In 2000, a cocktail waitress called Cynthia Jay-Brennan had just finished a shift at work before stopping at Desert Inn to celebrate her mother-in-law’s birthday. At this time, she was saving for her wedding but chose to enjoy her time in the casino.
After just a couple of rounds on the Megabucks machine, playing just $21 to start, and betting the maximum amount ($3) to begin, she spent her initial bankroll. However, she decided to play two more spins.
On the final spin, Jay-Brennan landed those all-important matching symbols, winning a jackpot of just under $35 million!
3. Palace Station Resort, Las Vegas — $27.6 Million
Another major Megabucks win occurred in 1998 — also in Las Vegas.
A retired flight attendant began her betting journey by playing $100 on the mega-lucky slot game but soon risked tripling her bet after feeling the itch to play. Only $40 into her third $100, the screens flashed, bells rang, and she had won the eye-watering $27.6 million jackpot!
The winner opted to remain anonymous to protect her privacy and received the payout in installments, with the first deposit being $1.1 million.
4. PAF.com, Online Casino — €17.8 Million ($23.6 Million)
Yet another one of the biggest all-time wins on a slot machine exceeds all expectations. Although, this time, the win comes from an online casino.
In 2013, armed with just a small investment, a Finnish gambler tried his luck at the progressive Mega Fortune slot game on PAF.com, a European online casino. Although he remains anonymous, we do know that his preference was for poker instead of slots.
After a small bet equivalent to 25 cents, this lucky player won a colossal €17.8 million.
5. Bally’s, Las Vegas — $22.6 Million
This win occurred in May 2002 and went to Joanna Heundl, proving that casino loyalty programs really can pay off in the long run! At this time, she was enjoying the casino’s birthday offer of $100 in free play and two nights at the resort.
She put her $100 into the machine, played through it, and opted to play an additional $100 before heading to breakfast. With just $20 left, Heundl spun once more and hit three all-important Megabucks symbols.
As a result, she won just over $22 million – alongside an additional jackpot of $3,000.
6. Caesars Palace, Las Vegas -– $21.3 Million
We’re now taking a trip to arguably the world’s most renowned casino: Caesars Palace, located in the heart of Las Vegas. In 1999, the casino was the home of a huge jackpot claimed by a 49-year-old Illinois business consultant.
The lucky recipient wagered only $10 on a Megabucks machine before hitting the big bucks, walking away with just over $21 million.
The best part? This “one-spin wonder” won on their first spin!
7. Cannery Casino and Hotel, Las Vegas — $21.1 Million
The last win on this list shows the enthralling and truly unpredictable nature of slot machines.
In 1989, a World War II veteran with a whole lot of luck in his pockets walked into the Mirage in Las Vegas. The man, Elmer Sherwin, borrowed $20 from his then-wife, bet the money, and left with a cool $4.6 million Megabucks win.
Then, in 2005, at the age of 92, this lucky player visited the Cannery Casino and played that very same Megabucks game. He wagered the $3 maximum and left the casino with a total of $21 million!
This tale of success is truly a billion to one.
Summary
Slot machines have paid out quite a bit of money over the years, but these are the top-recorded jackpots on record. With the rise of online casino gambling, we expect there to be plenty more similar wins in the future!
