How do jackpot slots work?

A progressive jackpot slot adds a small part of each bet to a prize that grows until someone wins it. The largest reported US online win is $9.28 million, hit on DraftKings Casino in Michigan on February 26, 2025 from a 20-cent spin. Part of each bet funds the jackpot, so the base game usually pays back less.

By InsideCasino.us. Updated November 5, 2026.

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What is a progressive jackpot?

A progressive jackpot grows with every bet placed on the games linked to it, then resets to a starting amount after a win. A fixed jackpot stays the same size. The help screen says which kind a game has and what you must bet to qualify.

What are the biggest US online slot jackpots?

The biggest reported US online slot jackpot is $9.28 million. These are reported wins at licensed US online casinos:

AmountWhereWhenDetails
$9.28 millionDraftKings Casino, MichiganFebruary 26, 2025Irish Pot Luck, from a 20-cent spin
$6.4 millionBetMGM, New JerseyAugust 2024The previous US online record

Reported by the Lawrence Journal-World in March 2025. Records change, and operators publicise only some wins.

Can a jackpot make a game worth playing?

Sometimes, in theory. Wizard of Odds lists progressive games with a known break-even point, where the jackpot becomes large enough for the RTP to pass 100%. Below that point the game costs you money on average. For most slots, the break-even point is not published, so you cannot tell.

What should you check before playing a jackpot slot?

Check the help screen for:

  • Whether you must bet the maximum or buy a feature to qualify for the top prize.
  • The RTP, and whether it includes the jackpot contribution.
  • Whether the jackpot is linked across casinos or states.

What are the rules in your state?

Each state sets its own online casino rules. Pick a state to see its status, its regulator and the date we last checked it.

Read next: New slots

Sources

Checked November 5, 2026. Regulator rules were read through the sources listed, and they can change. How we research.

  • Lawrence Journal-World: Michigan player turns 20 cents into $9.28 million (March 8, 2025)
  • Wizard of Odds: slots
  • Wizard of Odds: house edge of casino games compared