Progressive Jackpot Winners: The Real Deal Behind the Big Wins
You think winning the lottery is dope? Wait until you discover what these progressive jackpot winners are cashing in. Ben “The Brain” O’Connor and Tom “The Tactician” Bradford are your captains today.
We’ve got the best testimonies of players who became millionaires overnight. So, are you ready to take that bold move, or are you comfortable with your penny winnings?
Time to rewrite your story with progressive jackpot games.
👀 Take a Sneak Peek!
- Discover some of the largest progressive slot jackpot winners in the world.
- Find out casino games that made people f***in millionaires in the blink of an eye.
Does Anyone Ever Win Progressive Jackpots? (Spoiler Alert: They Do!)
Do you know some of those skeptics who spread lies that no one has ever won a progressive jackpot? They’re probably not hitting the casino in the right spot. People have won millions of dollars since the launch of the first progressive jackpot by Microgaming.
Progressive jackpot casino games have a random number generator (RNG). It is not just some fancy term, but built-in software that ensures each spin is entirely random and unique from the previous one.
They also have RTP percentages, which show the potential player’s long-term profit. While winning progressive jackpots is rare due to low odds, there are winners to prove their legitimacy. So, get facts before you ask, “Does anyone ever win Progressive jackpots?”
Fact: The largest progressive slot jackpot win to date was $42,149,180 on the WowPot Mega Jackpot.
Progressive Slot Jackpot Winners: A Record-Breaker’s Tale
The online gambling industry has crowned some of the most prominent slot machine jackpot winners. Not just one or two progressive jackpot winners but numerous. Here are some of the biggest winners to motivate you, doubtful Thomas:
Elmer Sherwin — The WWII Vet Who Hit the Jackpot Twice!
Imagine hitting a progressive jackpot decades after serving in the Second World War. Well, Elmer Sherwin’s story is no different. He became legendary on the battlefield and casino floors.
His first win was in 1989 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, where he hit a staggering $4.6 million on a slot machine. The second luck struck him 16 years later in 2005 at the Cannery Casino, where he scooped $21 million. Sounds fantastic, huh?
Mavis Wanczyk — From a Retired School Teacher to a Multi-Millionaire
The story of Mavis Wanczyk went viral in 2015 after she hit a f***in jackpot worth $39.7 million on Powerball. Although she had been a Powerball player for years, she had never hit such a massive win or anything close to it.
Funny enough, she only learned about her win while watching the news from her house. She spent her winnings by giving back to the community, including sponsoring education programs.
Declan O’Neill — The Irish Plumber Who Became a $20 Million Winner
Declan O’Neill was a plumber before joining the Millionaires Club. His win of 20 million dollars occurred in 2019 on the EuroMillions lottery, and the story spread like wildfire. The once humble and down-to-earth individual became a median sensation with his life-changing story.
| Jackpot Slot Machine | Winning Time | Info | Jackpot Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| WoWPot Mega | 20th Dec 2023 03:10 UTC | Napoleon Casino | $42,149,180 |
| Mega Fortune Mega | 20th Jan 2014 14:29 UTC | Paf Casino | $17,860,868 |
| Jackpot Giant | 20th Oct 2018 05:55 UTC | Grand Mondial | $12,305,243 |
| Megabucks | 21st March 202306:48 UTC | Excalibur, Las Vegas | $39,713,982.25 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 27th April 202122:40 UTC | Napoleon Casino | $19,429,358 |
| Mega Fortune Mega | 28th Sept 2018 | Grand Mondial | $18,915,721 |
| Mega Fortune | 6th October 2016 23:11 UTC | Betway Casino | $13,212,882 |
| WoWPot Mega | 1st June 2024 07:25 UTC | — | $11,8288,811 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 10th May 2022 21:10 UTC | — | $12,792,526 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 30th Jan 2019 15:40 UTC | Zodiac Casino | $20,057,734 |
| Mega Fortune Mega | 23rd Sept 2012 23:29 UTC | Betsson Casino | $11,735,446 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 5th Nov 2016 19:55 UTC | Yako Casino | $11,633,898 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 5th March 2019 05:10 UTC | Luxury Casino | $12,945,603 |
| WoWPot Mega | 14th April 2021 21:10 UTC | 32Red Casino | $15,183,805 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 8th April 2016 12:25 UTC | Spin Palace Casino | $10,423,223 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 5th April 2020 18:40 UTC | Jackpot City Casino | $16,495,060 |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 17th Aug 202020:40 UTC | Lucky Casino | $14,679,06 |
| Wheel of Fortune | 16th June 2016 | Las Vegas, Nevada | $15.3 million |
| Mega Moolah | July 2020 | Casino.com | $11.6 million |
| Mega Moolah Mega | 6th Feb 2022 05:25 UTC | — | $10,666,541 |
I don’t know about you, Tom, but I’ll definitely try my luck again with Mega Moolah!
How Do Casinos Pay Out Progressive Jackpots? The Money Trail Revealed
Relax; a few procedures follow once you win a jackpot at an online casino. If the largest jackpot won on a slot machine was paid out, you will get the minimum seed of the jackpot.
However, the process may vary depending on the casino’s jackpot terms and conditions.
Lifetime Payouts
Lifetime payouts are self-explanatory. A player agrees to receive money in installments over their lifetime, not the whole amount. The periodic payments can be monthly, annually, or at any other agreed-upon time. The lifetime payout structure can be a predetermined casino rule or influenced by the game’s jackpot structure.
Once-off Lump Sum Payment
As the name suggests, a once-off lump sum payment is when you receive the total jackpot amount in a single payment. This progressive jackpot payment structure is typical in lotteries. While it provides players instant access to a lump sum, it is subject to higher taxes.
Taxes on Progressive Jackpot Winnings
All progressive jackpot winnings in the US are subject to the federal income tax. Any amount won is considered taxable income and added to your annual income. So, if you hit a massive jackpot, it will elevate you to a higher tax bracket. And you know what? Jackpot wins have a withholding rate of 24%. Note that state taxes also apply, and the rates vary depending on where you live.
Fact: Via Form W-2G documentation, 24% of jackpot winnings get deducted and sent directly to the IRS.
Ready to Learn More About Progressive Jackpots?
You see? We told you progressive jackpots are real, and they pay generously. Nevertheless, you have several factors to consider when looking for jackpot games. Choosing a secure casino, the most suited games, and understanding the rules will keep you on the safe side.
Explore our 101 section for more facts about progressive jackpots. So, what’s holding you back? Take your chances today, and you could be the next winner.