Mega Moolah: the progressive jackpot pokie explained

What is Mega Moolah?

Mega Moolah is an online progressive jackpot pokie first released in 2006 by Microgaming, whose games are now supplied by Games Global. It has an African safari theme, a 5-reel layout and four progressive jackpots that can be won through a randomly triggered wheel. It is best known for paying some of the largest online pokie jackpots ever recorded.

How does the jackpot wheel work?

The jackpot wheel can trigger at random at the end of any spin, regardless of what the reels show. When it does, the game opens a wheel split into segments for the four jackpots. You spin it, and whatever segment it stops on is the jackpot you win. Every wheel spin pays one of the four.

The segments are not equal in value or likelihood. Most wheel spins land on the Mini or Minor jackpots; the Mega segment is small. Reaching the wheel is already rare, and landing the Mega on it is rarer still.

How do progressive jackpots grow?

Each of the four jackpots starts from a seed amount and grows by a small share of every qualifying bet placed on the game, often across many casinos linked to the same jackpot pool. When a jackpot is won, it resets to its seed amount and starts growing again. Our guide to jackpot pokies explains linked and networked jackpots in more detail.

What do the jackpots do to your return?

The jackpots reduce the base game's return. Because part of every bet funds the jackpot pools, less is left to pay normal wins on the reels. Much of the game's total return sits in a jackpot that almost nobody wins. For a typical player, that means a lower return per session than on a non-jackpot pokie with a similar headline RTP. Our guide to best payout pokies explains how to compare returns.

How should you think about the odds?

Think of the Mega jackpot like a large lottery prize: life-changing for the winner, and very unlikely for anyone else. Playing Mega Moolah is a choice to accept a lower everyday return in exchange for a tiny chance at a huge prize. If you choose it, set a fixed budget for it and keep to your normal stake. Our guide on how to win on pokies explains what you can and cannot control.

Which pokies are similar to Mega Moolah?

Games Global has released several games linked to the same jackpot network, with different themes. Other jackpot pokies use fixed jackpots instead, such as Wolf Gold, or hold and spin style jackpots, such as Dragon Link in venues.

How do you keep jackpot play under control?

A growing jackpot meter is designed to pull you back. Decide your budget before you start and treat any money spent on jackpot pokies as the cost of a ticket. Never increase your stake to chase a jackpot. Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.

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