Top 10 Jackpot Winners in Las Vegas

Written by Bonnie Gjurovska 3 minute read

What holds the key to a life-changing win? Did the people have a feeling in their gut? Many questions arise when one hears that a jackpot dropped in Las Vegas or other gambling centre. Imagine, you're having a night out with friends, having fun, you decide to press a button or play a certain set of numbers - and there you have it, all your financial troubles are history. You can do everything you've ever wanted! Take a look at these inspirational top 10 biggest Las Vegas jackpot wins below. Who knows? Maybe you could be next!

1

Excalibur Casino - $39.7 Million

Excalibur Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $39.7 Million
  • Game: Mega Bucks Slot by IGT
  • Date: March 21, 2003

Biggest Vegas Jackpot Winner

Back in 2003, a 25-year old Los Angeles engineer was in Vegas for a completely different reason - to support his basketball team. He went to Excalibur Casino just for fun, and had no idea that the biggest jackpot in Vegas history will be his. He spent around $100 and with the next spin, the word 'jackpot' appeared on the slot. He had no idea that he won the biggest Vegas jackpot wins is his - amassing a total of $39.713.982,25! The name of this big winner is unknown, but Excalibur is transferring money each year to this winner as he asked his winnings to be transferred with a sum of $1.5 mil per year. Talk about an A-list winner, right?

2

MGM Casino Vegas- $20-40 Million Jackpot

MGM Grand Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $20-40 Million
  • Game: Blackjack and Baccarat
  • Date: 1997

A Million Dollar Tip From A Vegas Winner

Imagine being a Vegas jackpot winner and giving a million as a big tip to a doorman! That's exactly what Kerry Packer, an Australian billionaire did as a part of his high roller journey. He had a trip to Vegas to hunt jackpots, and according to the sayings, he won somewhere between $20 and $40 playing blackjack and baccarat. Unfortunately, his lucky streak lasted for two years, when he lost $28 million in a casino in London. However, even when he lost, this winner still deserves a mention on our top 10 list of big winners - he truly deserves a place here.

3

Desert Inn Casino - $34.9 Million

Desert Inn Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $34,9 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: January, 2000

A Vegas Jackpot Winner Roller Coaster Ride

Cynthia Jay-Brennan was a 37-year waitress working in Las Vegas when her life changed forever after she won the big Vegas jackpot playing Megabucks, back in 2000. She would've been first on our list, because this was the biggest jackpot in Vegas until the unknown engineer winner toppled it. The winner was staying at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas when the jackpot came her way. Tragically, while she was a very lucky winner to claim this jackpot on the list, she was in an unfortunate car accident 6 weeks after getting the Vegas Jackpot, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. While it is a fortunate thing that she survived, we can't stop being surprised by everything life throws our way, right?

4

Palace Station Casino- $27.5 Million

Palace Station Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $27.5 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: 1998

Sometimes it Pays For Winners to Push Boundaries

Who knew that your life might start going good once you retire? Well, that happened for a flight attendant who retired and decided to test her luck playing on the Megabucks slot. She thought she ruined her evening by betting around $300 when she intended to spend only $100, but life had other things planned for her - not only did she get her money back, but she won a big Vegas jackpot totalling $27.5 million. At the time, this jackpot from our list was the biggest winner, and it still has a respectful place on our top 10 winner list.

5

Cannery Casino- $21.1 Million

Cannery Casino Hotel Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $21.1 and $4.6 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: 1989 and 2005

Two-Time Jackpot Vegas Winner

They say that lightning doesn't strike twice. However, this was exactly the case for USA casino player and winner, Elmar Sherwin. In his lifetime, he won not one, but two big Vegas jackpots. He was a winner first in 1989 when he played the Megabucks machine and cashed in a winner jackpot of $4.6 - obviously, his life changed for the better. A few decades later, he goes back to Vegas and plays the same slot machine - this time, winning 5 times more! He truly is a lucky winner on our list.

6

M Resort Casino Vegas - $17.3 Million Jackpot

M Resort Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $17.3 Million
  • Game: N/A
  • Date: December, 2012

Free Credits Lead to Vegas Jackpot

Getting something for free is always a great treat - but what happens when your free credits make a millionaire winner out of you? A woman from Las Vegas won a jackpot by simply getting dinner and using her free credits at the M Resort! Talk about an A-list winner experience!

7

Rampart Casino- $14.3 Million

Rampart Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $14.3 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: 2014

A Vegas Jackpot Win for the Community

This Vegas jackpot winner turned $20 into a big jackpot just for the fun! He put $20 in the slot machine and within a matter of seconds, the symbols aligned and he was a big winner of a big jackpot - $14.3 million! Many of us will go to a great vacation and buy a house with the money, but this man had other things on his mind - he built a church and helped the local gym! This really is a great example on our list that speaks about a Vegas jackpot winner being beneficial to your community!

8

Aria Casino- $12.7 Million

Aria Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $12.7 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: January 21, 2011

A Little bit of Fun

This was an ordinary trip to Vegas for a lady that was one of the top 10 winners on our list. She had $6 in her pocket to play the Megabucks slot machine and she just wanted to have some fun. However, faith had other plans for this winner from our list. When the symbols aligned, the winner thought that the machine broke - but that wasn't the case- she was a multimillionaire winner! In fact, Aria Casino seems to be so lucky, that just 4 months after that, another Megabucks Vegas jackpot dropped - this time for the big sum of $10.6 mil.

9

New York New York Casino- $12.5 Million

New York New York Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $12.5 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: April 14, 1997

Good Things Come to Those who Wait

Waiting in line is a bore and not everyone would do it, especially to play a couple of spins at a slot game. However, Vegas citizen Suzanne Henley seem to have had a winner feeling in her gut, and waited more than an hour to play at the Megabucks machine - and the wait was worth it. She put a $100 bill in the machine, and at 1:44, Lady Luck smiled on her and made an A-list winner of a 12.5 mil jackpot. This winner will never regret that one-hour wait line.

10

Wynn Casino- $12.5 Million

Wynn Casino Top 10 Biggest Vegas Jackpot Wins

Info:

  • Amount Won: $10.7 Million
  • Game: Megabucks
  • Date: August, 2016

Lucky Laki

Last but not least winner on our top 10 winner list is a woman from Hawaii who remains anonymous - but she can buy an island now. This was a very lucky winner, having placed $3 in bets at the IGT megabucks Wynn Wheel Machine. In just a short time - the reels started spinning and the symbols aligned, making her a Vegas jackpot winner of nearly $11 million.

A List of the Best Jackpot Casinos in Vegas, the UK, Europe, and Internationally

Good news spreads fast, and news about winning casinos from all over the world spreads even faster. Of course, given the situation, our bucket-list countries and places to visit are unavailable - and our hands seem to be tied to do anything about it. However, the team of experts at Top 10 Casinos is always here to give casino enthusiasts a good alternative. So, for those who can't afford or are unable to go to Las Vegas to have the casino experience of a lifetime, especially during the pandemic, here are some potential options that are closer to home. Also, discover the great top 10 lists of international casinos popular around the world and lists focusing on top European casino suggestions as well.

  • Babylon Casino, Macau - With breathtaking architecture and more than 50.000 square feet casino floor, Babylon is a dream-come-true in Macau. It has more than 50 table games and 20 slot machines, in addition to the great lounge.
  • Hippodrome, London, UK - Hippodrome casino's 3-floor casino is a must-see! It is open 24/7 and it is a membership-free casino in the UK that you simply must visit whenever you are around.
  • Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, Canada - Only 3km from Niagara Falls, Fallsview Casino is completely breathtaking, with great service, lots of gambling opportunities, and many Vegas-like jackpots for big winners.
  • The Star Sidney, Sydney, Australia - This Australian casino deserves to be on our list, even if it's the second-largest in Australia after Crown Casino. It has two gaming floors and it is owned by Star Entertainment Group - an A-list company in the industry.
  • Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco - Of course Monaco will be on our list, after all, they have some of the top 10 best casinos and biggest jackpot wins in the world! This big casino entails a gaming floor, an opera, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.
  • Soirée Casino, Paris, France - With an A-list staff and a big gaming floor, Soiree Casino is a must-whenever you visit the city of love - Paris.
  • Trilenium Casino, Argentina, South America - With big, Vegas-like jackpot winners going over several hundred thousand dollars, this casino deserved a place on our top 10 list. The casino lists several advantages for visitors. Besides a great gambling experience, they can get entertained, have great food, and enjoy a mesmerizing ambiance.
  • Sun City in Pilanesberg Game Resort, South Africa - Listing more than 30 table games and hundreds of slot machines, the Pilanesberg Game Resort is a must-have vacation on your to-do list. It is a great establishment with lots of entertainment opportunities.>
  • Holland Casino, Amsterdam, Netherlands - Besides a live DJ every day, Holland Casino gives Vegas-like jackpot seekers a list of many gaming options - poker, roulette, blackjack, and numerous slot machine games. It has a great ambiance and an impeccable service.
  • Dubai Palace Casino, Cancun, Mexico - Open 24/7, this casino is a breathtaking source of entertainment worthy of being on our top 10 casino list. It has a history of great Vegas-like jackpot winners and a lot of opportunities. Plus, soft drinks are free!

Jackpot Winner FAQs

  • Do you have to pay taxes on jackpots? In most countries from all over the world - Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, South Africa, UK and other European countries, players need to pay taxes on the winnings from the jackpots in brick and mortar and online casinos. However, this might not always be the case, as in some countries, there are different legal frameworks covering big jackpot taxes. The factors that determine taxation on jackpots vary because of the amount and the legislation. So, if you win a big jackpot, we advise to consult a financial and taxation professional to discuss the tax liabilities.
  • Which is the best Vegas casino for jackpots? All casinos in Las Vegas have big jackpots that are up for grabs. However, the biggest jackpot winners at Vegas came from Aria and Wynn. However, all the other casinos mentioned on our top 10 list might be a great option.
  • What was the largest losing streak? The largest losing streak is by a man, in fact, a well-known gambler and jackpot winner who lost $1.5 billion within 14 months on baccarat games in Australia. Harry Kakavas sued the casino later, but he lost this claim in a court of law too.
  • Which celebrities have performed in Las Vegas? Many big celebrities entertain the winners in Las Vegas casinos playing roulette or blackjack games - some of the most popular names include Celine Dion, Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, Elton John and many others.
  • Who can play in casinos? Anyone who is of legal gambling age in the specific country where the casino is registered can enter and play. Usually, the legal gambling age is 18, and for some countries, the gambling age can be set at 21.
  • What are the best casino games to play? If you are a gambling beginner, our top 10 team will suggest you start playing a list of big and polular slot machines games. Of course, if you are after some adventure and a good adrenaline rush, perhaps you can try playing top 10 rated games like blackjack, poker or baccarat.
  • Should I tip the dealer? Tipping the dealer is not obligatory, but if you feel that your experience was heightened by the dealer or that they contributed to your win, you should tip the dealer. Have in mind that dealers aren't paid as much, and if you score a big win, it would be nice to tip the dealer.
  • How to win in a casino? If there was an absolute question to that, we'd all be millionaires. Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer. However, what you can do is be patient and be responsible. First, never chase losses. Second, always have a betting budget and stick to it. Third, if you play skill-based games, try to practice as much and get any free practice you can, especially by taking advantage of big bonuses in online casinos.
  • Are slot machines random? While traditional slot machines don't use a random number generator like the online casino slots, they too are random from the aspect that they aren't rigged. They are tested regularly, and usually, they are timed. Again, it is a matter of luck to sit down at a machine and have the big winning spin.
  • How to tell when a slot machine is about to hit a big jackpot? While there isn't a concrete answer to this question, there are tips that you can use to maximize your chances of winning a big jackpot. One thing would be to avoid the unpopular slots - as they don't have many players or big sums. Another big thing is to consider playing at big-limit slots. Of course, they cost more, but they also payout big. Also, make sure that you know when the machine has dropped a jackpot for the last time - if there is a long time before a jackpot dropped, you might be the next big top 10 listed jackpot winner.

There you have it folks, the list of the ultimate biggest Vegas jackpot winners. All winners are important and inspiring, but the ones on this top 10 list are those that changed how we see Vegas jackpots. After this, you can see that winning a jackpot in Vegas isn't as impossible as you may think - sometimes, it takes one lucky spin and your whole life changes. So, whenever you feel like having an adventure, put jackpot-hunting in Vegas on your bucket list. Who knows, you might be the next big winner!

 Bonnie Gjurovska
Written by
Bonnie Gjurovska - Lead Editor

Bonnie Gjurovska has been professionally involved in iGaming for over 5 years. She is passionate about online casinos, testing software and finding the best promotions. Her passion makes Bonnie the perfect candidate to help guide players from around the world and to oversee the content published on Top10Casinos.com.

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