Top 10 Highest Wins on Slot Machines Ever

For many Kiwis, the thrill of spinning the reels on a pokie machine is unmatched, especially with the dream of hitting a life-changing jackpot. While most spins result in smaller wins or losses, there are those rare, incredible moments when players strike it rich beyond their wildest imagination. These monumental payouts, whether from the dazzling lights of Las Vegas casinos or the convenience of online platforms, capture the imagination and prove that massive wins are indeed possible.

We've scoured the records to bring you a countdown of the most staggering pokie wins ever recorded. From legendary land-based machines to popular online progressive jackpots, these stories highlight the immense potential of these games and the lucky individuals who became instant millionaires. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer scale of these payouts!

The Allure of Massive Pokie Jackpots

The concept of a progressive jackpot is what fuels many of these incredible wins. Unlike fixed jackpots, progressive jackpots grow with every bet placed on the game across a network of machines or online casinos. This means the prize pool can swell to astronomical figures, creating truly life-altering sums for the fortunate winner. Our list features a mix of these colossal land-based and online pokies, showcasing the biggest payouts in history.

Top 10 Record-Breaking Pokie Wins

Here are the ten most incredible pokie wins that have made headlines around the world. Note that all USD amounts have been converted to New Zealand Dollars (NZD) using an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.65 NZD for context.

1st Place: The Legendary Las Vegas Payout – Over $64 Million NZD

It's fitting that the largest slot machine win ever occurred in the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas. In 2003, a software engineer from Los Angeles placed a modest $100 bet on the iconic Megabucks pokie at the Excalibur Casino. What followed was an unprecedented win of over $39 Million USD, which translates to an astounding over $64 Million NZD. This record-breaking jackpot remains the highest ever paid out on a slot machine, a testament to the incredible potential of the Megabucks game.

2nd Place: Megabucks Strikes Again – Over $56 Million NZD

The Megabucks pokie truly lives up to its name, as it features prominently in our list. The second-highest win also came from this legendary machine. In 1999, a lucky player at the Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas hit a massive $34 Million USD jackpot, approximately over $56 Million NZD. This win further solidified Megabucks' reputation as a dream-maker for pokie enthusiasts.

3rd Place: A Charm for Another Lucky Lady – Over $45 Million NZD

Las Vegas and Megabucks once again combine for our third-place entry. In 1998, a retired flight attendant, already enjoying a winning streak, decided to try her luck on the Megabucks machine at the Palace Station Casino. Her decision paid off handsomely with a colossal $27.5 Million USD win, roughly over $45 Million NZD. It's clear that some games are simply destined to create millionaires.

4th Place: Online Pokies Make Their Mark with Mega Fortune – Over $39 Million NZD

Proving that you don't need to be in a physical casino to hit a life-changing jackpot, an anonymous Finnish player made history in 2013. Playing NetEnt's popular Mega Fortune online pokie, they turned a small stake into an incredible $24 Million USD prize, which is approximately over $39 Million NZD. This remains one of the largest online pokie wins ever and showcased the immense power of progressive jackpot pokies.

5th Place: Back to the Vegas Strip – Over $36 Million NZD

The Megabucks machine continues its reign of massive payouts. In 2002, a 71-year-old woman from Las Vegas hit a staggering $22 Million USD jackpot at Bally's Casino, equating to approximately over $36 Million NZD. This win added another chapter to the storied history of Megabucks and its ability to deliver monumental prizes.

6th Place: Another Megabucks Milestone – Over $34 Million NZD

The pattern is undeniable: Megabucks is a consistent producer of multi-million-dollar winners. In 1997, a player at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas secured a massive $21 Million USD jackpot, roughly over $34 Million NZD. These repeated colossal payouts highlight why Megabucks remains a legendary game in the world of land-based casinos.

7th Place: The Philanthropic Winner – Over $34 Million NZD

This story adds a heartwarming twist to a huge win. In 1999, a player at the Caesars Palace Casino in Las Vegas won $21 Million USD on the Megabucks machine, also approximately over $34 Million NZD. What makes this win stand out is the winner's generosity: they reportedly donated a significant portion of their winnings to victims of a hurricane, proving that some fortunes are used for the greater good.

8th Place: The Reign of Mega Moolah Begins – Over $33 Million NZD

If Megabucks dominates the land-based scene, then Microgaming's Mega Moolah series is its online counterpart. In 2021, a player hit a jaw-dropping $20 Million USD jackpot on the Absolootly Mad: Mega Moolah pokie, which is approximately over $33 Million NZD. This win, powered by Microgaming, cemented Mega Moolah's status as a premier online progressive jackpot network.

9th Place: Mega Moolah's Small Bet, Big Win – Over $26 Million NZD

Another incredible win from the Mega Moolah network occurred in 2015. A UK soldier, playing on a mobile device, placed a tiny 25-cent bet and walked away with an astonishing $16 Million USD, roughly over $26 Million NZD. This win perfectly illustrates that with progressive jackpots, the size of your bet doesn't always dictate the size of your potential win, as the jackpot is pooled across all players.

10th Place: Free Spins Turn into Fortune – Over $21 Million NZD

Rounding out our list is another fantastic online win on NetEnt's Mega Fortune pokie. In 2011, a Norwegian player used free spins bonuses to trigger a massive $13 Million USD jackpot, approximately over $21 Million NZD. This story is a great reminder that sometimes, even bonus funds can lead to life-changing payouts!

Ready to Try Your Luck on the Pokies?

These incredible stories of record-breaking pokie wins are a testament to the excitement and potential rewards that these games offer. While such massive jackpots are rare, the dream of hitting one keeps players coming back for more.

If you're feeling inspired and want to try your hand at some of the most popular online pokies, you can find the best NZ online casinos here. Remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means. For support, contact the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand or call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655.