Mega Moolah

Say the words “Progressive Jackpot” in the mirror three times… and nothing will happen. Those familiar with progressive jackpots know the urge to will a desired outcome, despite the futility of such an action. Especially spinning such slots as Microgaming’s safari extravaganza, Mega Moolah.

Released back in 2006, this evergreen creation is a relative veteran of the online slot world. The game continues to punch its weight with more modern offerings that benefit from cutting edge graphics and high tech game mechanics.

It’s also arguably the most popular online jackpot slot in the world.

So what’s the reason behind its magnetic appeal?

Let’s begin with the fact that the game is currently the Guinness World Record holder of the biggest progressive jackpot ever awarded. The beneficiary is Jon Heywood. Heywood is a former British soldier who found himself an overnight millionaire after turning a paltry £0.25 (28¢) bet into an astonishing jackpot prize worth £13,213,838 ($17.9m) one night in October 2015.

Heywood’s story is quite remarkable. On the hunt for that life-changing win following a solitary £30 ($34) deposit, he headed straight to Mega Moolah after seeing it advertised ‘somewhere’. At that moment, the game was, in his words: “the biggest icon.” “I didn’t really pay attention to the bonus or whatever the pot was,” he added. A few minutes later, Heywood’s life changed forever.

The huge windfall was no one-off, as Mega Moolah consistently dishes up seven and eight-figure scores that are the envy of slot players across the world. It’s not uncommon for the biggest prizes to capture mainstream media attention, either.

Progressive Jackpot Game

Mega Moolah is one of a select few Progressive Jackpot slots occupying a very special online casino game category.

Every time you place a wager in a progressive jackpot game, a small percentage of that bet goes towards a communal pot: the jackpot. And since funds get collected from each and every hosting casino, the biggest jackpots can grow exponentially into multi-million dollar territory within a few days.

The first lucky player that achieves a pre-defined winning configuration becomes the next jackpot winner - and considerably richer.

To account for the massive jackpots on offer outside of the regular prizes, RTP (Return to Player) for these games is usually tweaked slightly. Mega Moolah is no different in that regard. At 94.5%, the RTP score clocks in a few percentage points lower than most online slots that hover around the 96%-mark.

Nonetheless, the diminished value in each spin does little to deter players from flocking to the reels over and over again in the vain hope of emulating Mr. Heywood.

Design

Graphically, the 2006 release is starting to show its age. It lacks the visual polish that gives sheen to many of today’s latest titles, but its designers can be forgiven considering the slot was debuted some 14 years ago. That time frame represents an eternity in online slot land, a further testament to the game’s enduring appeal.

Some studios pride themselves on churning out killer slots that boast the very latest design techniques - but that never was, and never will be, Mega Moolah’s M.O. Players will no doubt continue to show it love no matter how dated it feels, such is the gravitational pull of multi-million dollar jackpots.

The slot sees players embark on a safari expedition somewhere in Africa, with brightly produced cartoonish symbols reinforcing the theme. They comprise wild animals including Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes and Lions in various animated states, alongside lower paying playing card values running from 10-A.

Rounding off the scene is an authentic backing track, complete with real life sound effects that help to crank up the intensity and add a layer of atmosphere.

Gameplay

Reflecting its overall look and feel, Mega Moolah offers straight up gameplay. Like most other slots on the market, a win is awarded for lining up 3 or more matching symbols across one of the 25 paylines.

The Lion Wild plays a prominent role in Mega Moolah. When it shows up, it replaces all other regular symbols to help pull together winning assortments.

Here are the payouts you can expect for each different winning combination:

Mega Moolah Free Spins

15 Free Spins are awarded in return for a trio of Scatter symbols landing, accompanied by a Multiplier fixed at 3x. That means any wins you achieve during the bonus feature are tripled instantly. What’s more, it’s possible to retrigger Free Spins, while the 3x Multiplier remains in place throughout the round.

With Free Spins you can get your hands on some chunky payouts, but far richer prizes await behind the quartet of coveted jackpots on offer.

Mega Moolah Jackpots

Needless to say, Mega Moolah is all about its four progressive jackpot games.

One of the most frequently asked questions from casino players is: how do I win the jackpot? The truth is, there’s no magic formula, nor elaborate bonus round that requires you to navigate a series of phases/wheels/tiers and the like. You simply select your stake, watch the reels turn, cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Making the online slot accessible to all, your wager amount has no bearing on the amount of money you can unlock from Mega Moolah’s jackpots - as Mr. Heywood found to his benefit all those years ago! All it took was a single £0.25 (28¢) bet for the Brit to trigger the Mega jackpot and write his name into the record books.

At any random moment, the game may whisk you to a separate screen where you’ll be greeted by the game’s centrepiece bonus wheel. Bearing a strong likeness to Wheel of Fortune, the top prize behind this spinning device is far more lucrative than anything you’re likely to find on TV.

The wheel then starts to turn, before coming to a stop and revealing your prize. You could be the next big multimillion euro winner, or walk away with just a little extra change in your pocket.

Once a jackpot is triggered, it resets back down to its floor level. These are shown below for each of the respective jackpots up for grabs in Mega Moolah:

• Mega: $1,000,000
• Major: $10,000
• Minor: $100
• Mini: $10

If you’re ever lucky enough to unlock the holy grail, Mega Moolah’s ‘Mega’ Jackpot, consider yourself an instant millionaire!

Mega Moolah Volatility

As mentioned, Mega Moolah, along with most other progressive jackpot titles, offer a slightly reduced win margin on each spin to make room for their headline-grabbing jackpots that carry inflated potential.

To counterbalance the inferior RTP score, Microgaming have programmed the slot with a relatively low variance setting. Wins are designed to arrive with a reasonable degree of frequency, so you’ll never be waiting long for before the next one shows up.

Triggering the Free Spins bonus round can provide some welcome relief if you do happen to endure a long winless spell. Once inside, look forward to some significant upgrades to your bankroll.

Mega Moolah on Mobile

As the world’s most beloved progressive jackpot slot, it goes without saying that Mega Moolah is optimised for seamless mobile play. iOS, Android, Windows or tablet - they all give you thrilling jackpot play at your fingertips.

The Verdict

Many still consider Mega Moolah the Godfather of all online jackpot games, and the go-to title for scores of slot fans.

Despite its dated appearance and unimaginative gameplay, Microgaming’s crown jewel continues to outperform even the newest and flashiest titles that drop. The slot constantly draws throngs of seasoned gamblers, and wide-eyed newcomers, like no other game.

Added to its sheer simplicity, Mega Moolah’s remarkable longevity boils down to its promise of truly earth-shattering jackpot prizes that can make millionaires of just about anybody who steps up to the reels.

We expect the game to play a starring role in the casino arena today, tomorrow, and years to come.

Play Mega Moolah at Wildz Casino

Mega Moolah is one of several progressive jackpot games found at Wildz. Other popular titles offering huge jackpot prizes include Divine Fortune, an elegant production from NetEnt steeped in mythology, and Yggdrasil release Empire Fortune, based around a three-tiered bonus wheel.

FAQs

Does Mega Moolah run on Android?

Mega Moolah is playable on most modern mobile devices.

Who developed Mega Moolah?

The game was produced by software provider Microgaming.

Does Mega Moolah offer Free Spins?

Yes. Landing 3 or more Scatters is enough to earn 15 Free Spins playing Mega Moolah.

What is the biggest jackpot prize ever awarded in Mega Moolah?

In 2015, British player Jon Heywood scooped a £13,213,838 jackpot - a Guinness World Record.