Biggest Slots Wins of All Time!

BIGGEST SLOTS WINS OF ALL-TIME

• #8. BEVERLEY WHITTEN – $3.7 MILLION (£2.8M), 2006
• #7. AMY NISHIMURA – $8.9 MILLION (£6.7M), 2003
• #6. JOHN HEYWOOD – $21.2 MILLION (£16.1M), 2015
• #5. JOHANNA HEUNDL – $22.6 MILLION (£17.1M), 2002
• #4. ELMER SHERWIN – $24.6 MILLION (£18.6M), 1979 & 2005
• #3. CYNTHIA JAY-BRENNAN – $35 MILLION (£26.5M), 2000
• #2. ANONYMOUS – $39.7 MILLION(£30.1M), 2003
• #1. ANONYMOUS – $42 MILLION (£31.8M), 2023
• LOTTOLAND CASINO’S BIG WIN

#8. BEVERLEY WHITTEN – $3.7 MILLION £2.8M), 2006

In 2006, Beverley Whitten, a retired teacher from Ohio, had an unexpected windfall during a trip to the Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia. After playing the Golden Chambers slot machine for a couple of hours, Beverley struck a remarkable $3.7 million (£2.8M) jackpot.

Rather than indulging in immediate extravagant purchases, Beverley made the decision to receive her winnings through monthly payments of $2,000. This method helped her manage her new fortune responsibly and maintain security throughout her retirement.

#7. AMY NISHIMURA – $8.9 MILLION (£6.7M), 2003

Perseverance paid off for Amy Nishimura, who had been making annual trips to Las Vegas for over 20 years. In 2003, during one of her visits, she played the MegaBucks slot at the Fremont Hotel. Armed with $100, Amy spun the reels and on her 21st spin, hit an incredible $8.9 million (£6.7M) jackpot.

Despite this fortunate win, Amy chose a pragmatic approach, choosing to receive her winnings in yearly installments. She even cashed out the $37 left in the machine!

#6. JOHN HEYWOOD – $21.2 MILLION (£16.1M), 2015

In October 2015, British soldier John Heywood made history by winning £16.1 million ($21.2 million) while playing the Mega Moolah online slot. His bet? Just 25p per spin. This jackpot set a record at the time for the largest online slot win. John used his winnings to support his family and friends, while also treating himself to a new car.

#5. JOHANNA HEUNDL – $22.6 MILLION £17.1M), 2002

In May 2002, Johanna Heundl celebrated her 74th birthday by visiting Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas. Before heading to breakfast, she decided to try her luck at the Megabucks slot machine. To her surprise, she won a staggering $22.6 million (£17.1M).

At first, Johanna thought she had won a smaller amount, but when she realised the true figure, it was a moment of pure disbelief!

#4. ELMER SHERWIN – $24.6 MILLION (£18.6M), 1979 & 2005

Elmer Sherwin defied the odds twice, winning the Megabucks progressive jackpot in both 1979 and 2005. His first win came when he was 76 years old, securing $4.65 million at The Mirage. Remarkably, 16 years later, at the age of 93, he won $21.1 million at the Cannery Casino.

Rather than keeping all his winnings, Elmer generously donated much of his second jackpot to various charities, including relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims. Elmer’s story stands as an example of responsible generosity after an unexpected stroke of luck.

#3. CYNTHIA JAY-BRENNAN – $35 MILLION (£26.5M), 2000

In 2000, cocktail waitress Cynthia Jay-Brennan won a $35 million (£26.5M) jackpot at The Desert Inn in Las Vegas after only nine spins on a Megabucks machine. Despite her significant win, Cynthia continued to work for a few more weeks and planned a modest future.

Sadly, just weeks after her win, a tragic car accident altered her life. This somber story highlights how gambling wins, even large ones, do not shield people from the challenges and unpredictability of life.

#2. ANONYMOUS – $39.7 MILLION (£30.1M), 2003

In 2003, a 25-year-old man from Los Angeles hit a record-breaking jackpot while visiting the Excalibur Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. While little is known about the winner, his $39.7 million (£30.1M) win remains one of the largest ever from a land-based casino.

#1. ANONYMOUS – $42 MILLION (£31.8M), 2023

In December 2023, just before the year ended, an unknown individual claimed a $42 million (£31.8M) jackpot on the WowPot progressive slot at an online casino. The winner, who placed a $50 bet using cryptocurrency, was initially in disbelief but soon celebrated the monumental win.

This marks the largest-ever slot win, surpassing the previous record that stood for two decades.

LOTTOLAND CASINO’S BIG WIN

At Lottoland, we are proud to celebrate big wins. In July 2024, a British expat living on the island of Gozo, Malta, secured a €750,177 (£642,653) jackpot on Red Tiger’s Zeus Lightning Power Reels – the largest online casino win in Lottoland’s history and possibly Malta's biggest ever.

As always, we encourage responsible gambling. Wins like these are rare, and gambling should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment rather than a financial strategy. Remember to play responsibly and stay within your limits.

For more information on responsible gambling, visit GambleAware.