Top 5 Progressive Jackpot Slots of All Time

The best-known progressive jackpot slots are Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Divine Fortune and Arabian Nights. All five have paid out life-changing sums, and four of them are still common at European online casinos. What sets them apart is how the jackpot is won: through a bonus wheel, a pick game, or simply five symbols on a line.

Below you will find how progressive jackpots work, a quick comparison of the five games, a short profile of each, and the record wins that made them famous. Keep in mind that a jackpot slot usually returns less in regular wins, because part of every stake feeds the jackpot.

How progressive jackpots work

A small share of every stake on a progressive slot goes into a jackpot pool that keeps growing until someone wins it. After a win, the jackpot resets to a starting amount, called the seed, and grows again.

There are two main types. A networked jackpot is shared across many casinos, which is why it can reach millions. A local jackpot only grows from players at one casino or operator, so it is smaller but drops more often. Many games now have several jackpot tiers, from small prizes that drop daily to a top prize that can take months to hit.

The five slots in detail

Each of these games has a different feel, from simple 10-line play to multi-tier bonus features.

1. Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights is one of NetEnt’s oldest jackpot games and also one of the simplest. It has 5 reels, 3 rows and 10 fixed paylines. The jackpot is won by landing five gem dealer wild symbols on a payline, with no bonus game in between.

The game sheet lists an RTP of 95.62% for the local jackpot version (95.22% for the networked version), with free spins that triple wins. Check the game rules at your casino, as some versions only pay the progressive at a specific bet level.

2. Hall of Gods

Hall of Gods is a Norse-themed NetEnt slot with three progressive jackpots: Mini, Midi and Mega. The jackpots are won in a bonus game where you smash shields to reveal jackpot symbols. Match three of the same to win that tier.

It suits players who like a classic jackpot game with a clear bonus feature. As with all networked jackpots, the top prize can take a long time to drop.

3. Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah is the safari-themed slot that made networked jackpots famous. It has 5 reels and 25 paylines, and four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major and Mega. The jackpot wheel triggers at random on any spin, and once it lands, you are guaranteed one of the four jackpots.

Mega Moolah holds some of the biggest online slot wins on record. In October 2015 a British player won €17,879,645, which Guinness World Records certified as the largest online slot jackpot at the time. In April 2021 a player in Belgium won €19,430,723 on the Absolootly Mad version.

4. Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune is a Greek-mythology slot from NetEnt with 5 reels, 3 rows and 20 fixed paylines. Its jackpot bonus game starts when three or more bonus coins land. Fill one row with gold coins for the Minor jackpot, two rows for the Major, or all three for the progressive Mega jackpot.

Divine Fortune is a local jackpot game, so the Mega is usually smaller than on networked slots but can drop more often. Falling wild respins and free spins keep the base game lively.

5. Mega Fortune

Mega Fortune is NetEnt’s luxury-themed jackpot slot, with yachts, limousines and champagne on the reels. It has 5 reels and 25 paylines. The three jackpots, Rapid, Major and Mega, are won on a bonus wheel triggered by three bonus symbols on an active line.

In January 2013 a Finnish player won €17,861,813 on Mega Fortune, which was the largest online slot jackpot ever at the time.

Record progressive jackpot wins

The biggest online jackpots have grown steadily over the past decade. These widely reported wins are a good guide to what networked jackpots can reach.

WowPot is a newer four-tier jackpot network from Games Global. Its top prize starts at €2 million, and the December 2023 win more than doubled the previous record.

Are jackpot slots worth playing?

They suit players who accept a lower everyday return in exchange for a small chance at a huge prize. Because part of every bet feeds the jackpot, the base game usually pays less than a regular slot with a similar RTP. Expect long stretches without notable wins.

• Check the RTP and the jackpot share in the game info. Some sheets split the RTP into base game and jackpot contributions.
• Read the bet rules. Some games raise your jackpot chances with higher stakes, and a few only pay the top prize at certain bet levels.
• Check bonus terms. Many casinos exclude jackpot slots from bonus wagering.
• Set a fixed budget. Never raise your stake because a jackpot “looks due”. Jackpots drop at random.

Play responsibly

A big jackpot figure can make it tempting to keep playing. Decide in advance what you will spend, and use the deposit limits and time-outs your casino offers. Our responsible gambling page explains where to find help.

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