Progressive jackpots pool a portion of every qualifying wager so the top prize climbs until someone hits it, then the pot “reseeds” to a minimum and grows again. Online slots link thousands of games across a network, which is why headline wins regularly reach seven and eight figures.
For crypto players, the practical question is payout currency. Major networks seed and settle jackpots in the casino’s account currency, and reputable trackers note you become “an instant millionaire in whichever currency you play”—operators that offer crypto wallets typically credit the crypto equivalent at settlement. Availability and licensing vary by market.
How progressive jackpot systems work (fast)
Each spin diverts a small slice to the jackpot pool; linked (wide-area) networks accumulate faster because many casinos feed the same pot. When a player wins, the prize resets to its seed and the cycle restarts.
Trigger mechanics differ. Some progressives can be won on any paid spin regardless of stake (for example, the Mega Moolah wheel is random and not tied to max bet), while others require a qualifying or maximum bet (classic examples include IGT’s land-based Megabucks). Always check the in-game help screen.
Meet the biggest jackpot networks crypto players actually see
Games Global — Mega Moolah (reseeds at 1,000,000)
The internet’s most famous progressive: four tiers (Mini, Minor, Major, Mega). Verified record wins include €17.88M (2015 Guinness) and a recent £11.5M hit on June 12, 2025 at Betfred.
Games Global — WowPot! (reseeds at €2,000,000)
A newer network with a larger seed; in December 2023 it paid €38.46M on Wheel of Wishes, eclipsing prior online slot records.
Blueprint Gaming — Jackpot King
A cross-studio progressive layer attached to popular slots (including many Megaways). The supplier positions Jackpot King as its flagship progressive, and continues to add variants like Rapid Fire for more frequent pot wins.
Red Tiger — Daily Drop Jackpots
Time-based “must-drop-by” progressives (hourly/daily) that guarantee a payout before a set time, alongside larger networked pots. Great for frequent wins; not the multi-million range.
RTP reality: why progressives look “worse” on paper
Because a slice of every bet funds the jackpot, base-game RTP is typically lower than non-jackpot titles. As a clear example, Mega Moolah’s RTP is widely described as ~93.42% including the progressive portion, but around 88.12% for the base game alone. That trade-off buys you access to life-changing upside.
Payout currency for crypto gamblers
Jackpot networks settle prizes in the operator’s account currency, and reputable trackers emphasise that a Mega win makes you “an instant millionaire in whichever currency you play.” At crypto-friendly operators, that typically means crediting your BTC/ETH/USDT wallet with the equivalent amount (subject to exchange rates and house policy). Always read the cashier page and withdrawal policy for your venue.
Eligibility: any bet or max bet?
Rules vary by game and network. Mega Moolah’s jackpot wheel can trigger on any paid spin (no max-bet requirement), while many land-based Megabucks cabinets require a fixed qualifying bet (commonly $3) to be eligible for the top prize. Don’t guess—open the help/paytable panel before you spin.
Records and receipts that keep players chasing
Games Global confirmed a £11.5M Mega Moolah win on June 12, 2025 (Betfred), and its sister WowPot! paid €38.4M in December 2023—a new online slots milestone. Earlier, Guinness recorded the €17.88M Mega Moolah hit (2015). These figures illustrate what “network liquidity” can do.
Bonus terms that matter (especially for jackpots)
Many casinos exclude progressive jackpots from bonus play and/or contribution to wagering. You’ll often find language like “bonuses cannot be used on or win any progressive jackpot; if this happens, wins are void,” or general guidance noting progressives don’t count toward rollover. Promotions should disclose these significant conditions prominently.
Regulators in Great Britain also require fair withdrawal terms: you must be able to withdraw your deposit balance and winnings from it without unfair hurdles, and operators shouldn’t impose unreasonable maximum withdrawal limits or force wagering of your own deposit to cash out.
Smart prep for crypto jackpot hunters
1) Confirm the exact rules in the help panel
Check whether any minimum or maximum bet is required for jackpot eligibility, whether the trigger is random, the number of tiers, and the reseed amounts. For example, WowPot’s seed is €2,000,000; Mega Moolah’s Mega seeds at 1,000,000.
2) Verify RTP and the “model” you’re playing
Some providers publish different configurations; review the in-game info. Progressives often show a split between base RTP and jackpot contribution, as with Mega Moolah.
3) Expect KYC at cash-out
Licensed markets require ID checks around withdrawals. Plan to verify identity and read the site’s withdrawal rules early to avoid delays.
4) Know your bonus exclusions
If you accepted a bonus, assume progressives are excluded from wagering or from bonus-fund play unless stated otherwise.
5) Understand crypto settlement
If your account is denominated in crypto, the operator will typically credit the crypto equivalent of a fiat-quoted jackpot based on its payout policy; review cashier pages for conversion timing and rate. The key point: networks pay in the currency you play.
Quick comparison: four popular routes to a big win
Mega Moolah (Games Global): four tiers; random wheel; seven-figure reseed; many documented eight-figure wins.
WowPot! (Games Global): larger seed (€2M); multiple linked titles; record €38.4M in 2023.
Jackpot King (Blueprint): progressive overlay on hit slots; frequent pot drops via added variants like Rapid Fire.
Daily Drop (Red Tiger): guaranteed hourly/daily must-drop prizes; smaller but more frequent wins.
FAQs
Do I have to max bet to win a progressive?
Sometimes. Many online progressives (e.g., Mega Moolah) can trigger at any stake, but some (especially land-based systems like Megabucks) require a qualifying/max bet. Always check the paytable.
Why is the RTP lower on progressives?
Because a slice of every bet funds the jackpot rather than base-game returns. Mega Moolah’s base is ~88.12%, with ~93.42% quoted when adding the jackpot component.
Can a crypto jackpot pay out in Bitcoin or USDT?
Networks settle in the casino’s account currency, but reputable trackers note you’re an “instant millionaire in whichever currency you play,” so crypto-denominated accounts are typically credited the crypto equivalent, subject to the site’s payout policy.
Are progressives usually allowed with bonuses?
Often no—T&Cs commonly exclude progressive jackpot games from bonus play and wagering. Look for explicit exclusions in the promo’s significant conditions.
What’s the biggest recent online jackpot?
Games Global reports a €38.4M WowPot! win (December 20, 2023, Wheel of Wishes), exceeding prior online records.