Big Wins at Online Casinos – Are They Common?
You might have seen headlines about someone winning millions from a spin that cost less than a cup of tea. It sounds unbelievable—but does it actually happen?
This blog takes a clear, realistic look at big wins at online casinos in the UK. It explores how those wins come about, what types of games offer jackpot potential, how rare these events are, and what usually happens after a win.
It doesn’t offer any hype or promises—just a straightforward explanation of how these games of chance work, what real-world examples show, and how any potential payouts and limits are handled under UK regulation.
Stories from Real Winners
There have been several confirmed examples of UK players winning significant sums from very small stakes. These cases are rare, but documented.
In October 2024, a north London accountant won £4.3 million from a £2 spin on the “Deal or No Deal Bankers Boost Jackpot King” slot at Betfred. They reportedly used some of their winnings to buy a new car and help the family with their mortgages. Despite the win, they chose to carry on working.
Another example occurred in August 2024 when a 54-year-old woman from Manchester won £2.4 million from a £1 bet while playing a “Jackpot King” slot at Grosvenorcasinos.com.
Earlier, in January 2023, Michael Clark, a father of three from Newcastle, won £5.4 million from a £1.40 spin on a mobile slot game. This marked one of the largest ever wins reported by Betfred at the time.
In February 2025, a man at Grosvenor Casino’s Victoria location in London placed £1 on an electronic roulette game called “Going for Gold” and won £300,000. This game features a progressive jackpot.
One of the most well-known cases remains Jon Heywood, who in October 2015 won £13,213,838.68 with a 25p spin on a Mega Moolah slot at Betway. He continued his routine for several days before making any big purchases.
Going further back, in December 2012, John Orchard from Lincolnshire won nearly £5.9 million on the Dark Knight slot at Butlers Bingo after placing a 30p spin. And in March 2008, Soraya Lowell from Lanarkshire became the UK’s biggest in-person bingo winner, landing over £1.1 million on the National Game at Club 3000 in Coatbridge.
Many of these stories involve progressive jackpots or feature jackpots that increase as more people play. Although rare, they are real, and each involved a relatively small initial bet.
Which Games Offer Big Jackpots?
Some casino games include features that allow their top potential prizes to grow over time. These are known as progressive jackpots.
In a progressive jackpot slot, a small portion of each bet placed by players is added to the jackpot total. This means the prize pool increases until one player triggers the jackpot, which then resets to a base amount. Examples of such games include Mega Moolah, Jackpot King, and Age of the Gods.
Not all slots are progressive. Many offer a fixed maximum payout potential, which is typically expressed as a multiple of the stake. For example, a game might offer a maximum win of 10,000x your bet. That would mean a £1 spin could lead to a maximum payout of £10,000.
Some electronic table games also feature progressive jackpots. “Going for Gold” is an example of this in the roulette category. This is different from traditional roulette, where payouts are based on fixed odds.
Games like blackjack, baccarat or standard roulette do not usually include jackpot features. Online poker tournaments can sometimes offer large payouts, but these are determined by the total number of entries and the buy-in amount, not by a random jackpot feature.
It can be useful to read the paytable or information section of any game before playing. This should explain whether a jackpot is available and how it can be won.
How Withdrawals Work After a Win
If you win a large amount, you will usually need to go through a few checks before you can withdraw your money.
UK-licensed casinos are required by the Gambling Commission to verify your identity before you can play. This often involves providing a copy of your ID, such as a passport or driving licence, and proof of address. For any potentially larger wins, casinos may also ask for evidence of how you funded your account.
Withdrawals are generally sent back to the same payment method used to deposit. E-wallets like PayPal tend to be quicker, with funds arriving within a few hours. Debit cards and bank transfers may take two to five working days. However, these time frames may change depending on the casino and win amount.
Very large wins may be subject to internal review, which can delay the payout slightly. Some casinos have policies that allow them to pay jackpots in instalments, particularly if the amount is over a certain threshold. These details should be outlined in the site’s withdrawal policy.
Weekends, bank holidays or any unusual payment requests can also slow things down, so it may be a good idea to check the casino’s terms before playing.
Casino Limits on Winnings
UK casinos must clearly state the maximum amount you can potentially win from each game. These limits are usually set by the game provider and may vary depending on the type of game being played.
Progressive jackpot slots usually display the current jackpot total on the game screen. Titles like Mega Moolah and Jackpot King slots have produced single spin wins of over £13 million, making them some of the highest recorded payouts in UK gambling history.
For non-progressive slots, the maximum potential win is typically a fixed multiplier of your stake. For example, if a slot has a 5,000x maximum payout, a £1 spin could potentially result in a £5,000 win. This maximum is capped within the game design itself.
UK gambling law does not impose fixed limits on how much you can withdraw daily, weekly or monthly. However, some casinos may choose to pay very large wins in instalments, depending on their individual policies. These cases are more common with exceptionally large payouts and should be clearly outlined in the casino’s terms and conditions.
When using bonus funds, restrictions may apply. For example, casinos might place a cap on the amount you can withdraw if the win was made with bonus money. Be sure to read the bonus terms in advance to understand any specific conditions.
Keeping Your Experience Safe
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of big wins, but gambling involves risk, and outcomes are determined by chance. There is no way to predict or influence the result.
If you choose to gamble, only use money you can afford to lose. Set spending limits and take breaks. Never gamble with money meant for bills or essentials.
Licensed UK casinos offer safer gambling tools. These include deposit limits, time-out features and self-exclusion schemes. You can usually find these in your account settings.
If you ever feel unsure or uncomfortable about your gambling, confidential help is available. Organisations like BeGambleAware and GamCare offer free advice and support to anyone affected by gambling.
Gambling is not a way to make money. It is a form of paid entertainment that involves chance. Big wins can happen, but they are extremely rare and never guaranteed.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.