How to Play Mega Moolah
How the reels, free spins and four progressive jackpots work, plus the record wins
Mega Moolah Ratings
Mega Moolah has been rated by our slots review team and scores an awesome 84% based from the category ratings overall.
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How to Play Mega Moolah
Mega Moolah is one of the most famous jackpot slots in the world. It’s often called “The Millionaire Maker”, and for good reason. Its progressive jackpots have turned many players into millionaires overnight.
The game was made by Microgaming, and our original review said it was released in 2006. Microgaming’s games are now handled by Games Global. Mega Moolah is still one of its flagship jackpots.
This guide explains how Mega Moolah works. We cover the reels, the symbols, the free spins and, most importantly, the four progressive jackpots. We also look at the record-breaking wins and share tips for playing sensibly.
Mega Moolah at a Glance
| Developer | Microgaming (now Games Global) |
| Theme | African safari |
| Layout | 5 reels, 3 rows, 25 paylines |
| Wild | Lion, which doubles wins |
| Scatter | Monkey, which starts the free spins |
| Free spins | With a 3x multiplier |
| Jackpots | Mega, Major, Minor and Mini |
| RTP in our original review | 94.00% |
| Record win | €19.4 million in April 2021 (Games Global) |
The Basics
Mega Moolah is a classic 5-reel, 3-row video slot with 25 paylines. The reels sit against the African savannah, with wild animals as the main symbols.
Our original review said you can bet up to 5 coins per line, with coin values from $0.01 to $0.05. Casinos can offer different bet ranges, so check the game at your casino.
The rules are simple. Spin the reels and line up matching symbols from left to right. The real excitement comes from the jackpot wheel, which can appear on any spin.
Mega Moolah Symbols
The higher-paying symbols are all savannah animals. Our original review listed the ibis, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and lion. Lower down the paytable, you’ll find the familiar card values, such as 10, J, K and A.
The Lion Wild
The lion is the wild. It stands in for other symbols to complete wins. When it helps form a win, it doubles the payout.
Lions also pay on their own. Our original review said five lions on a line pay the biggest base game prize.
The Monkey Scatter
The monkey is the scatter. Land 3 or more monkeys anywhere on the reels to start the free spins. All wins during the free spins are tripled.
How the Progressive Jackpots Work
This is what makes Mega Moolah famous. A small part of every bet goes into four progressive jackpots. Because the game is linked across many casinos, the jackpots grow quickly.
The jackpot game can start at random on any spin. When it does, you’re taken to a jackpot wheel. The wheel is split into sections, each linked to one of the four jackpots. You spin, and you win whichever jackpot the pointer lands on.
| Jackpot | What to know |
|---|---|
| Mega | The top prize, which regularly reaches millions |
| Major | The second-biggest jackpot |
| Minor | A smaller prize that drops more often |
| Mini | The smallest and most frequent jackpot |
Every spin of the jackpot wheel wins one of the four jackpots. You don’t need any special symbols to reach it. It’s entirely random.
Do Bigger Bets Help?
Many players believe higher stakes improve the chance of reaching the jackpot wheel. Our original review noted this rumour, but found no evidence for it. Check the game’s help screen at your casino for the exact rules.
Our advice is simple. Bet at a level you’re comfortable with. Never raise your stakes just to chase the jackpot.
The Record-Breaking Wins
Mega Moolah has produced some of the biggest wins in online gambling history. Here are some highlights from official sources:
- €17,879,645: won by Jon Heywood on 6 October 2015, playing Mega Moolah at Betway. Guinness World Records lists this as the largest jackpot payout in an online slot game.
- €19.4 million: paid as a lump sum in April 2021. Games Global says this is the largest single win on an online jackpot.
- €13.5 million: won on Book of Mega Moolah at Betway on Christmas Eve 2023, from a €20 bet.
These wins show why players love the game. Of course, wins like these are extremely rare.
Understanding the RTP
Our original review listed Mega Moolah’s RTP at 94.00%. We couldn’t confirm this figure with Games Global. Jackpot slots often have lower RTPs than standard slots, because part of every bet funds the jackpots.
That means you shouldn’t play Mega Moolah for steady returns. You play it for the dream of a life-changing jackpot. Our guide to jackpot slots with the highest RTP explains how RTP works on jackpot games.
Common Mega Moolah Myths
A few myths about Mega Moolah come up again and again. Here’s the truth behind them:
- “The jackpot is due”: every spin is random, so a jackpot is never due.
- “Big bets always reach the wheel”: we found no evidence of this, so play at your own level.
- “You can’t win on a small budget”: the Mega jackpot can drop at any stake.
Knowing this helps you play for fun rather than chasing a win that might never come.
Step-by-Step: How to Play Mega Moolah
- Choose a licensed casino: pick one that carries Games Global jackpots.
- Check the help screen: look at the RTP, bet range and jackpot rules.
- Set your stake: pick a coin value and number of coins per line.
- Spin the reels: line up animals from left to right on 25 lines.
- Hunt for monkeys: 3 or more start free spins with tripled wins.
- Hope for the wheel: it can appear on any spin and always pays a jackpot.
Tips for Playing Mega Moolah
- Set a budget first: jackpots are rare, so decide your limit before you start.
- Don’t chase the Mega jackpot: it drops at random.
- Enjoy the base game: the lion wild and free spins can pay well too.
- Check bonus terms: some casino bonuses exclude jackpot slots.
- Take breaks: jackpot dreams can make it easy to play for too long.
The Mega Moolah Family
Since the first game, many more slots have been linked to the Mega Moolah jackpots. Each has its own theme and features, but they all share the same jackpot network. Some versions we’ve reviewed are 5 Reel Drive, Summertime and Mega Vault Millionaire Slot.
Newer titles include Immortal Romance Mega Moolah, which links the classic vampire slot to the jackpots. Our Mega Moolah jackpot slots page lists more of the family.
Is Mega Moolah Right for You?
Mega Moolah suits players who love the thrill of chasing a huge prize. It’s simple to play, and you don’t need a big budget to reach the jackpot wheel.
It may not suit you if you want frequent wins or a high RTP. The base game is fairly basic by modern standards. Most of the excitement comes from the jackpot.
Playing on Mobile
Mega Moolah is available on desktop and mobile at casinos that carry Games Global jackpots. It runs in your phone’s browser, and the jackpot wheel works just the same on a small screen.
What We Changed in This Guide
- Studio: we’ve added that Microgaming’s games are now handled by Games Global.
- Record wins: our original guide said the record was $13 million. Guinness lists €17,879,645 (about £13.2 million) from 2015, and Games Global reports a €19.4 million win in 2021.
- Figures: we’ve marked the RTP and bet range as coming from our original review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Four progressive jackpots, including multi-million wins
- Jackpot wheel always awards a prize
- Simple and easy to learn
- Free spins with tripled wins
Cons
- RTP of 94.00% in our original review is below average
- Basic graphics by today’s standards
- Big jackpots are extremely rare
- RTP not confirmed by Games Global
Our Verdict
Mega Moolah is a true legend of online slots. Its simple gameplay hides a jackpot network that has paid record-breaking prizes. The base game is basic, and the RTP is lower than average. But if you dream of a life-changing win, few games can match its track record.
Mega Moolah FAQs
Who made Mega Moolah?
Microgaming made it. Its games are now handled by Games Global.
How do I win the Mega Moolah jackpot?
The jackpot wheel appears at random on any spin. Where the pointer lands decides which jackpot you win.
What is the biggest Mega Moolah win?
Games Global reports a €19.4 million win in April 2021. Guinness lists Jon Heywood’s €17,879,645 win from 2015 as a record.
How many jackpots does Mega Moolah have?
Four: Mega, Major, Minor and Mini.
Do I need to bet the maximum to win?
No. The jackpot wheel can appear at any bet level. Check the help screen for the exact rules at your casino.
What is the RTP of Mega Moolah?
Our original review listed 94.00%. Check the help screen at your casino to confirm.
How do the free spins work?
Land 3 or more monkey scatters. All wins during the free spins are tripled.
Jackpot slots are exciting, but always play within your limits. For tips on staying in control, visit our responsible gambling page.
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