Megabucks Progressive Jackpot Slots

History of Megabucks Progressive Slots

When I was just a little child back in 1986, progressive jackpots were introduced in large casinos for the first time. International Game Technology (IGT) had developed this first progressive slot machine game and called it Megabucks.

Every time a slot player made a bet in the jackpot game but failed to win, part of the wager was funneled into the main jackpot, growing it without limit until a lucky player landed the progressive jackpot.

The first Megabucks progressive slot machine jackpot win came on February 1, 1987. On that day a player won a massive haul of $4,988,842.

To put that jackpot into context, the Megabucks winner won an amount equivalent to approximately $11.5 million in 2025 dollars when adjusted for inflation.

Early versions of Megabucks progressive slots were quite simple. They were basic three reel slot machines and they didn't have too many bells and whistles. You might find a Double Diamond game with wild symbols that doubled winnings, but there wasn't much beyond that, with the exception of the mega jackpot for landing three Megabucks symbols on the payline.

By the time I made it to Las Vegas in the late 1990s, there were more varieties available, such as Wheel of Fortune slots and Red, White and Blue slots, but they were still basic three reel games.

Since the turn of the century, Megabucks slots have modernized with the times. The jackpots have grown and they've made about seventy millionaires through the years. It's rare to see a three reel Megabucks progressive slot machine; now the norm is the five reel video slot games that dominate casino floors.

Megabucks Lottery Games

In addition to the world-renowned slot brand, there are some other gambling businesses that utilize the Megabucks branding. Six different states, primarily in the northeast, offer Megabucks branded lottery games. They are:

• Megabucks, operated by the Massachusetts Lottery
• Megabucks, operated by the Wisconsin Lottery
• Megabucks, operated by the Oregon Lottery
• Tri-State Megabucks (formerly knowns as Tri-State Megabucks Plus), operated by the Tri-State Lottery of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

Where Can I Play Megabucks Slots Online?

If you want to play a Megabucks progressive slot machine made by the land-based operator International Game Technology (IGT), I'm saddened to share with you that you won't be able to find that game online. However, there are some great, legal online sweepstakes casinos that offer insanely large progressive slot machine jackpots.

You don't have to go to Las Vegas to play for a life-changing win. Best of all, these sweepstakes casinos have "no purchase necessary" options that will allow you to play Megabucks-style progressive slot machine jackpots without risking any of your own money.

Best USA Online Casinos for Progressive Slots

McLuck Casino - If you want to hit a jackpot that can change your life (almost) like Megabucks progressive slots, this is one of my top picks. You can opt in to wager an extra $0.10 per spin on any game on the site and be playing for the casino-wide Grand, Major, Minor and Mini jackpots. The grand starts at $100,000. It was last won for $515,506 twenty-two hours before I wrote this article; at the time of writing, it was already up to almost $146,000. This progressive jackpot grows fast!

Crown Coins Casino - I recently checked their progressive jackpots to see if there was anything like Megabucks. I didn't see anything at that level, however I did see a game that can hit for over $15,000 (and growing) for just a $0.20 minimum bet. Additionally, if you're a higher roller, they offer games with maximum wagers in the hundreds of dollars per spin, so there's huge winning potential available.

Mega Bonanza Casino - The multi-game Mega Jackpot is over $57,000 at the time of writing. Like Crown Coins, Mega Bonanza also has some amazing high-limit non-progressive action, so there's some life-changing potential there, even if the grand progressive jackpot doesn't eclipse the six figure mark.

Spree Casino - At the precise time I was preparing this article, Spree was the site with the current jackpot size closest to a Megabucks size jackpot. Their "Jackpot Play" progressive jackpot was over $219,000 for the grand jackpot and $21,900 for the mega jackpot.

High 5 Casino - Their multi-game grand jackpot was at $59,244 at the time of writing. That's a solid size progressive jackpot, even though it isn't in Megabucks' league. Bets into that progressive jackpot pool also feature a minor and major jackpot that are forced out frequently.

Chanced Casino - The multi-game "Jackpot Play" grand jackpot was flying upwards as I was preparing this article on a Saturday night. It was rising by over $500 per minute and was nearly $75,000 at the time of writing. Again, not Megabucks progressive jackpot size, but clearly respectable.