Mega Moolah

Anyone familiar with the term “Progressive Jackpot” is likely to have encountered a true pillar of online pokies created by Microgaming.

Dropping on casino front doors in 2006, Mega Moolah has remained one constant in an ever changing industry landscape - and with good reason. The online pokie regularly outperforms more polished, up-to-date games packing progressive jackpots of their own, as well as cutting edge mechanics and absorbing themes.

The fact remains Mega Moolah is rightly considered the grandaddy of all jackpot slots.

But why, exactly?

Well, for starters, Mega Moolah holds the record for the richest jackpot prize ever awarded in an online pokie after one player in Belgium landed an eye-watering $19.4M jackpot in April 21st. The game in question was Absolootly Mad™ Mega Moolah - one of the many titles connected to the Mega Moolah network of games.

Speaking of their-life changing moment, the player, who wishes to remain nameless, exclaimed:

“The feeling at that moment is just indescribable. At first you can hardly believe it and I think it will take a long time to sink in completely. It was on my last spin that it happened.

“I read how last week a player won a multi-million jackpot and of course I started dreaming about it as well. But to actually live this moment… I feel so lucky.”

What’s more, don’t think this was any kind of one-off since Mega Moolah is no stranger to seven and even eight-digit payouts to players the world over. The biggest windfalls even go on to garner mainstrea media interest - benefitting the game’s creator as well as the industry at large.

Progressive Jackpot Game

Mega Moolah, plus all other Progressive Jackpot slots, belong to a distinct online casino category of games.

Whenever you make a bet playing one of these, you’re effectively contributing to the headline prize as small portions of all wageres get pooled into one shared kitty: the jackpot.

With contributions taken from every single casino hosting Progressive Jackpot games, the richest prizes can quickly escalate into multi-million dollar, sky-high territory.

Then, whoever becomes the first player to match a random pre-defined spinning configuration is awarded the jackpot, before it is brought back to down its floor, or ‘seed’ level, prompting the whole process to kick off all over again.

In order to accommodate their colossal headline prizes, the RTP (Return to Player) values of Progressive Jackpot games clock in a little lower than you are likely to find in more regular video pokies. Accordingly, Mega Moolah features an RTP of 94.5% - marginally below the industry average of 96%.

Design

In the graphic stakes, Mega Moolah does sport somewhat dated looks - unsurprising given its 2006 release - making it almost ancient in the word of onine pokies.

Yet despite its age, the game continues to resonate with players everywhere - a testament to its enduring legacy.

Thematically, Mega Moolah transports players to a far-off African wilderness to encounter cartoon-like fauna serving as the game’s symbols. Expect to see brightly coloured Elephants, Lions, Zebras, and Giraffes lining the reels as the premiums, with playing card icons ranging rom 10 to Ace making up the low paying symbols.

A suitably exotic backing track completes the scene punctuated by real life sounds that would be at home in any African jungle, helping to enhance the atmosphere.

Gameplay

Mirroring its design, the main gameplay is relatively uncomplicated - helping to broaden Mega Moolah’s appeal further.

You score a win for landing 3 or more identical symbols across any of the 25 paylines in play.

King of the jungle representing the Wild symbol, the Lion steps in for all other regular symbols to help form winning arrangements and awards payouts worth 600x your bet when five show up during a single spin.

Take a look at regular 2 to 5 of a kind payouts in Mega Moolah:

Mega Moolah Free Spins

Help yourself to 15 Free Spins whenever at least 3 Scatters arrive, boosted by a Multiplier worth 3x which is fixed throughout the round.

Free Spins are retriggerable, too, while the accompanying 3x Multiplier remains in place.

This bonus feature is capable of dishing out fairly sizeable payouts, but the more coveted rewards, unsurprisingly, lie elsewhere…

Mega Moolah Jackpots

The main attraction in Mega Moolah, is, needless to say, the game’s quartet of progressive jackpot prizes.

You’ll often here players ponder: Just how do I land that all-elusive jackpot? Well, in truth, there’s no magic formula, no special skill or fancy bonus feature that holds the key to those stratospheric wins.

Simply choose your wager amount, sit back and watch the reels spin - and pray! That’s just about all there is to it.

And, what’s great about Mega Moolah, is that all wager amounts - no matter how little or small - have an equal chance of scooping the jackpot. Former British solder Jon Heywood managed to turn a single 25c bet into $13.2M - and a place in the Guinness World Records books - playing Mega Moolah. Proof that you don’t need the deepest pockets to stake your claim to the loftiest prizes!

Here’s how it generally plays out:

Without warning, you may be greeted a brand new window before Mega Moolah’s famous Wheel of Fortune-esque bonus wheel is revealed.

Suddenly, the wheel does its thing, taking several turns before eventually stopping in a particular segment which holds your prize. Who knows - you might have just written your own name into history - or be left rueing the matter of small change as consolation

Here are the seed levels of the four jackpots - the minimum prize to be won after each respective level is triggered:

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

Anyone fortunate enough to enter the Mega Moolah ‘Mega’ Winners Enclosure can count themselves an instant millionaire!

Mega Moolah Volatility

Akin to a lot of other Progressive Jackpot games, Mega Moolah comes with slightly deflated RTP to make room for its top prizes.

As a counterbalance, the slot is configured with fairly low variance in order to ensure a steady stream of wins in the base game, such is the relative infrequency of jackpot payouts.

Mega Moolah on Mobile

It would be a crime of the world’s most popular jackpot slot wasn’t available on mobile. Luckily for us, Microgaming are one of the world’s elite developers, and have taken every measure to make sure Mega Moolah runs silky smooth on handheld devices without scrimping on gameplay, production, or features.

You could find yourself on the receiving end of the next multi-million dollar payout from the palm of your hand!

The Verdict

Mega Moolah is undoubtedly the go-to creation for jackpot hunters everywhere.

It remains the jewel in Microgaming’s crown - despite its dated look and feel and questionable child-like imagery.

Hardcore gamblers and enchanted casino rookies alike are constantly drawn to the Mega Moolah reels in equal measure - and will continue to do so for as long as jackpot games exist, drawn by tantalising headline prizes that can transform lives in an instant.

Simply put, there isn’t any other category of game that can offer the same level of thrill or adrenaline-fuelled excitement.

Expect to find Mega Moolah taking centre stage at online casinos everywhere today, tomorrow, and always.

Play Mega Moolah at Wildz Casino

There are many other Progressive Jackpot games available to play here at Wildz. We’re fans of NetEnt’s classy affair, Divine Fortune, while Yggdrasil production Empire Fortune is another popular choice.

FAQs

Can I play Mega Moolah on iPhone?

Yes. Mega Moolah is compatible with most modern portable gaming devices.

Who created Mega Moolah?

Industry stalwartMicrogaming are the brains behind Mega Moolah.

Does Mega Moolah feature Free Spins?

Yes. 15 Free Spins are earned by landing 3+ Scatters during any given base game spin.

What is the largest prize ever paid out in Mega Moolah?

A Mega Moolah spin-off, Absolootly Mad: Mega Moolah, awarded $19.4M in April 2021 - the richest progressive jackpot prize in online casino history.