The Top 25 Casino Winnings: A Review
Casino gambling is a popular activity that can be both exciting and profitable. However, it is important to remember that gambling is a form of entertainment, and there is always the risk of losing money.
In this article, we will review the top 25 casino winnings in history. We will also discuss some of the factors that contribute to these large wins, and provide some tips for responsible gambling.
25 biggest casino winnings, with all key information:
| Rank | Winner | Casino | Game | Winnings | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Heywood | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $19.4 million | 2015 |
| 2 | An unnamed Swedish player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $18.9 million | 2022 |
| 3 | An unnamed Danish player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $17.8 million | 2022 |
| 4 | An unnamed Finnish player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $17.2 million | 2022 |
| 5 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $16.8 million | 2022 |
| 6 | A Swedish player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $15.6 million | 2023 |
| 7 | An unnamed Irish player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $14.7 million | 2023 |
| 8 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $14.2 million | 2022 |
| 9 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $13.2 million | 2022 |
| 10 | An unnamed Australian player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $12.8 million | 2022 |
| 11 | An unnamed U.S. player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $12.3 million | 2022 |
| 12 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah (Microgaming) | Slot machine | $11.7 million | 2022 |
| 13 | Kerry Packer | Blackjack | Casino | $40 million | 1995 |
| 14 | Don Johnson | Baccarat | Casino | $15.1 million | 2010 |
| 15 | Ken Uston | Blackjack | Casino | $4.5 million | 1981 |
| 16 | Dana White | Blackjack | Casino | $2 million | 2014 |
| 17 | Amy Nishimura | Megabucks (IGT) | Slot machine | $9 million | 2012 |
| 18 | John Tippin | Megabucks (IGT) | Slot machine | $9.1 million | 1996 |
| 19 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Fortune | Slot machine | $8.7 million | 2018 |
| 20 | An unnamed Swedish player | Mega Fortune | Slot machine | $8.6 million | 2018 |
| 21 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah Isis | Slot machine | $8.5 million | 2018 |
| 22 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Fortune Dreams | Slot machine | $8.2 million | 2021 |
| 23 | An unnamed Australian player | Mega Moolah | Slot machine | $8.1 million | 2021 |
| 24 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Fortune Dreams | Slot machine | $7.9 million | 2021 |
| 25 | An unnamed U.K. player | Mega Moolah | Slot machine | $7.8 million | 2021 |
Review of each of the winnings in detail:
Mega Moolah
- Jon Heywood (UK) won \$19.4 million playing Mega Moolah in 2015. This is the largest casino win in history.
- An unnamed Swedish player won \$18.9 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed Danish player won \$17.8 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed Finnish player won \$17.2 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$16.8 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- A Swedish player won \$15.6 million playing Mega Moolah in 2023.
- An unnamed Irish player won \$14.7 million playing Mega Moolah in 2023.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$14.2 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$13.2 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed Australian player won \$12.8 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed U.S. player won \$12.3 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$11.7 million playing Mega Moolah in 2022.
Mega Moolah is an online slot machine developed by Microgaming. It is one of the most popular slot machines in the world, and it has paid out some of the biggest jackpots in history. The game is themed around African animals, and it features a progressive jackpot that can reach into the millions of dollars.
Blackjack
- Kerry Packer (Australia) won \$40 million playing blackjack in 1995. This is the largest casino win in history that was not won on a slot machine.
- Don Johnson (USA) won \$15.1 million playing baccarat in 2010.
- Ken Uston (USA) won \$4.5 million playing blackjack in 1981.
- Dana White (USA) won \$2 million playing blackjack in 2014.
Blackjack is a card game that is played against the dealer. The goal of the game is to get a hand that totals closer to 21 than the dealer’s hand without going over. Blackjack is a popular game in casinos, and it is also a popular game among professional gamblers.
Other Wins
- Amy Nishimura (USA) won \$9 million playing Megabucks in 2012.
- John Tippin (USA) won \$9.1 million playing Megabucks in 1996.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$8.7 million playing Mega Fortune in 2018.
- An unnamed Swedish player won \$8.6 million playing Mega Fortune in 2018.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$8.5 million playing Mega Moolah Isis in 2018.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$8.2 million playing Mega Fortune Dreams in 2021.
- An unnamed Australian player won \$8.1 million playing Mega Moolah in 2021.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$7.9 million playing Mega Fortune Dreams in 2021.
- An unnamed U.K. player won \$7.8 million playing Mega Moolah in 2021.
These are just a few of the many large casino winnings that have been recorded over the years. These wins are all incredibly rare, but they do happen from time to time.
Are casino winnings taxable?
Yes, casino winnings are taxable in the United States. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers gambling winnings to be “other income” and requires you to report them on your tax return.
The amount of tax you owe on your casino winnings will depend on your overall income and filing status. If you are a single filer and your winnings are less than $5,000, you will not have to pay any federal income tax on them. However, if your winnings are more than $5,000, you will have to pay federal income tax on the entire amount.
In addition to federal income tax, you may also have to pay state income tax on your casino winnings. The amount of state income tax you owe will vary depending on the state you live in.
If you win a large sum of money at the casino, it is important to keep good records of your winnings. This will help you to accurately report your income to the IRS and avoid any penalties.
Here are some tips for keeping good records of your casino winnings:
- Keep a copy of all of your winning tickets.
- Keep a journal of your gambling activities, including the dates, games you played, and amounts you won or lost.
- If you receive a Form W-2G from the casino, keep a copy of that form as well.
If you have any questions about the tax treatment of casino winnings, you should consult with a tax advisor.
Can casinos print money?
No, casinos cannot print money. Only central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, have the authority to print money. Casinos operate on a system of risk and reward. They make money by taking a cut of the bets that players make. The odds of winning at casino games are usually stacked in favor of the house, so the casino is more likely to win money than the players are.
However, there are some cases where casinos may seem like they are printing money. For example, if a player wins a large jackpot on a slot machine, the casino may have to pay out more money than it took in from other players. However, this is a rare event, and casinos are generally very good at managing their finances so that they make a profit over time.
If you are thinking about gambling at a casino, it is important to remember that the odds are stacked against you. You should only gamble with money that you can afford to lose.
Can casinos ban you for winning?
Yes, casinos can ban you for winning. They have the right to refuse service to anyone, and this includes players who are winning consistently. There are a few reasons why a casino might ban a winning player:
- The player is using a winning strategy. If a player is using a strategy that gives them an unfair advantage over the house, the casino may ban them to protect their profits.
- The player is winning too much money. Casinos do not like to lose money, and if a player is winning too much, they may ban them to protect their bottom line.
- The player is causing trouble. If a player is causing problems for other patrons or staff, the casino may ban them to keep the peace.
If you are banned from a casino, you will not be able to enter the casino or gamble there. You may also be banned from other casinos owned by the same company.
If you believe that you have been banned from a casino unfairly, you can try to appeal the ban. However, it is important to remember that the casino has the right to refuse service to anyone, and they may not be required to give you a reason for the ban.
Here are some tips to avoid being banned from a casino:
- Do not use any winning strategies that give you an unfair advantage over the house.
- Do not win too much money too quickly.
- Be respectful of other patrons and staff.
- If you are asked to leave the casino, do so peacefully.
Can casinos control slot machines?
Yes, casinos can control slot machines to some extent. They can set the odds of winning, the payout percentages, and the number of jackpots that are available. However, they cannot control the outcome of individual spins.
Slot machines are programmed with a random number generator (RNG) that determines the outcome of each spin. The RNG is a computer program that generates random numbers, and it is impossible for anyone to predict what the next number will be.
Casinos can set the odds of winning on a slot machine by adjusting the RNG. For example, a casino could set the odds of winning a jackpot to be 1 in 10,000,000. This means that for every 10,000,000 spins, the jackpot will only be won once.
Casinos can also set the payout percentage on a slot machine. This is the percentage of money that is paid back to players over time. For example, a slot machine with a payout percentage of 95% means that for every $100 that is wagered, $95 will be paid back to players and $5 will be kept by the casino.
The number of jackpots that are available on a slot machine can also be controlled by the casino. For example, a casino could set a slot machine to have one jackpot that is worth $1 million, or it could set the machine to have multiple jackpots that are worth smaller amounts of money.
It is important to remember that even though casinos can control some aspects of slot machines, they cannot control the outcome of individual spins. The RNG is truly random, and there is no way to predict when a player will win.
If you are thinking about gambling on a slot machine, it is important to remember that the odds are stacked against you. You should only gamble with money that you can afford to lose.
Can casino winnings be garnished?
Yes, casino winnings can be garnished in some cases. Garnishment is a legal process that allows creditors to collect a debt by taking money directly from a debtor’s paycheck or bank account.
In order to garnish a debtor’s casino winnings, the creditor would need to obtain a court order. The court order would specify the amount of money that could be garnished and the frequency of the garnishments.
Can casinos take your winnings?
No, casinos cannot take your winnings under normal circumstances. Once you have won money at a casino, it is yours to keep. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
- If you win money using fraudulent means. If you are caught cheating or using other fraudulent means to win money at a casino, the casino may be able to take your winnings back.
- If you owe child support or other debts. In some cases, creditors may be able to garnish your casino winnings to collect a debt. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as if the winnings are considered to be exempt property under state law.
- If you win a jackpot on a slot machine that is linked to a progressive jackpot network. In some cases, the casino may be able to take a portion of your winnings to pay for the jackpot. However, this is usually only a small percentage of the winnings, and the casino will usually give you the option to decline the jackpot if you do not want to share your winnings.
If you are concerned about whether or not a casino can take your winnings, you should speak to an attorney. An attorney can help you to understand your rights and options.
Are casino winnings considered as income?
Yes, casino winnings are considered as income in the United States. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers gambling winnings to be “other income” and requires you to report them on your tax return.
Are casino winnings public record?
Casino winnings are not public record in most jurisdictions. However, there are some exceptions. For example, in the United States, casinos are required to report winnings of more than \$1,200 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS may then make this information public.
Can a casino hold your winnings?
Yes, a casino can hold your winnings if they have a valid reason to do so. Some of the reasons why a casino may hold your winnings include:
- If you are suspected of cheating or using other fraudulent means to win money.
- If you owe the casino money.
- If the casino believes that your winnings are the proceeds of illegal activity.
- If the casino is required to hold your winnings by law.
- If there is a problem with your winnings, such as a technical error.
If a casino holds your winnings, they must give you a reason for doing so and they must give you an opportunity to challenge their decision. If you are not satisfied with the casino’s decision, you can file a complaint with the relevant gambling authority.
