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March 12th, 2026
True or false: casino jackpots and historic records
Jackpots are among the most fascinating stories in the world of casinos. Millions won in just seconds, records that last for decades, incredible anecdotes, and much more. But can you really tell fact from fiction?
Chip has a challenge for you: test your knowledge of the biggest jackpots and historic records in the world of gambling.
Your turn to play 🎲
1. The biggest jackpot ever won on a slot machine was $39.7 million.
👉 Answer: True
In 2003, a player staked $100 on a Megabucks machine at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. The result: $39.7 million, a record that still stands for a slot machine.
2. It’s impossible to win two major jackpots in your lifetime.
👉 Answer: False
Elmer Sherwin won two Megabucks jackpots:
$4.6 million in 1989
$21.1 million in 2005
An extremely rare case in the history of casino gambling.
3. An online player has won more than $20 million with a stake under €1.
👉 Answer: True
In 2015, Jon Heywood staked just 25 pence at an online casino and won the equivalent of $20 million. A remarkable record in the history of online gambling.
4. The biggest jackpots often come from progressive slot machines.
👉 Answer: True
Progressive jackpots grow with player stakes, which explains their impressive amounts.
5. The highest jackpots only come from land-based casinos.
👉 Answer: False
While Las Vegas remains iconic, several major records have been set in online casinos, especially on international progressive slot machines.
6. Progressive jackpots can hit at any time.
👉 Answer: True
A progressive jackpot is not triggered by time or the number of players. It can hit on any spin, in line with the game’s probabilities.
7. Staking more guarantees a bigger jackpot.
👉 Answer: False
The amount of a progressive jackpot is fixed at the moment it hits.
What these records teach us
Historic jackpots spark dreams, but they also highlight one essential point: chance remains central in casino gambling. Even if some wins reach impressive amounts, they rely on very low probabilities. That’s why responsible gaming remains fundamental. Whether you’re playing a slot machine, a table game, or live casino, the objective should always be entertainment.
FAQ – Everything you need to know about jackpots
A jackpot is an exceptional win offered on certain casino games. It can be fixed, meaning a predefined amount, or progressive, meaning it increases with player stakes until it is won.
A fixed jackpot corresponds to a predetermined amount. A progressive jackpot grows gradually thanks to player stakes and can reach very high sums.
A small portion of each stake placed on the game feeds the jackpot. It continues to grow until a player wins it.
Yes. Jackpots rely on certified random systems. They can hit at any time, regardless of session length or previous spins.