adminMillions of dollars, legendary slots, and a strict ban: progressive jackpot games have captivated the gambling world for years. With the passage of the German Gambling Act (GlüStV) in 2021, they became history in Germany.
Legendary progressive jackpot slot payouts and why they’re banned in Germany
Progressive jackpot slots were among the most popular games in online casinos before the 2021 German Gambling Treaty (GlüStV) came into effect. Their immense popularity stems from the extremely high winnings offered by progressive jackpot games. However, players in Germany are not allowed to play these slots. Below, we explain why, how progressive jackpot slots work, and the winnings that have already been paid out.
Games Global’s Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot pays out nearly £11.5 million
Games Global (formerly Microgaming), a leading online gaming content provider, has announced a major progressive jackpot win for June 2025.
A UK player has hit the jackpot, winning £11,498,211 on the legendary Mega Moolah slot. The incredible win went to a family man from Lowestoft, Suffolk, where he owns a scaffolding company.
The recent payout follows a string of major jackpot payouts that have seen Games Global award over €130 million in prizes.
The long-established Games Global network continues to lead the progressive jackpot scene, paying out some of the largest amounts in the industry and delivering wins more often than any other progressive jackpot offering.
Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said:
Mega Moolah has been a pillar of the progressive jackpot world for nearly two decades, and this latest win further cements its legendary status. It’s a compelling reminder of the excitement and engagement potential that progressive networks like Mega Moolah, WowPot!, and King Millions offer players worldwide. Jackpot content remains a cornerstone of our global strategy, and we’re proud to continue offering exciting and engaging entertainment at scale. […]
Record win of €19,430,723.60 in Mega Moolah Absolootly Mad
However, the latest win of just under £11.5 million was not the largest in the history of Games Global’s progressive jackpot slots. The record win of €19,430,723.60 was paid out to a player from Belgium in April 2021.
The record jackpot was won on the Absolootly Mad slot machine, part of the Mega Moolah series, which also includes Absolootly Mad, Isis, Summertime, 5 Reel Drive, Mega Vault Millionaire and Immortal Romance.
What are progressive online slots?
Progressive jackpot slots offer the chance to win millions with just one bet. These are slot machines or online slots where the prize pool increases with each spin. A small percentage of each bet is added to the pot, causing the jackpot to grow larger and larger until it’s won.
These games first appeared in land-based casinos in 1986 with the Megabucks slot machine. After that, more and more casinos began installing interconnected machines on the same floor, combining their top prizes.
In the early 2000s, this idea spread worldwide, especially with the release of Mega Moolah by Microgaming in 2009. Among the most popular and frequently played games are Mega Moolah, Good Girl Bad Girl, Divine Fortune, and Wheel of Wishes.
How do progressive jackpot slots work?
Progressive jackpot slot machines are almost always online. To win such huge jackpots, a single slot machine isn’t enough. In land-based casinos, you might see four, five, six, or more interconnected jackpot slot machines. Online, the possibilities are endless!
Every time a player places a bet on a progressive slot, a small portion of the bet, typically 1% to 5%, is added to the jackpot pool. This pool continues to grow with each spin, regardless of whether the player wins in the main game.
Some jackpots are local and are generated by bets placed within the casino. Others are linked between several casinos across the country or through online platforms. This allows the prize pool to grow much faster. The more players, the faster the prize pool grows.
The system updates the prize pool in real time, so players see the amounts constantly growing. After the jackpot is won, it resets to the starting amount set by the provider, and the process begins again.
Wins in progressive jackpot games are determined by a random number generator (RNG). The jackpot is activated either by symbols during the bonus round or completely randomly.
German law bans progressive slots
Following the entry into force of the 2021 GlüStV Act, progressive jackpot games have disappeared from the portfolios of licensed online gaming halls. Section 22a(8) prohibits the distribution of jackpots in virtual slot machines. The GlüStV Act states:
Winnings must be a multiple of the bet amount set before the game begins. Bets, winnings, or portions of bets or winnings cannot be accumulated to create winnings in future games.
Although GlüStV does not set any limits on winning amounts, slot machines and their winning opportunities may be designed in a way that is contrary to the objectives of GlüStV.
As stated in the objectives of the Gambling Law, it is necessary to prevent the development of gambling addiction and create conditions for its effective prevention. High maximum winnings, such as those offered in progressive jackpot slots, may conflict with these objectives.
