A 20-Cent Spin Just Paid $22.4 Million — The Largest US Online Casino Jackpot Ever
A Michigan player turned $0.20 into $22,407,248.55 on DraftKings Casino on November 26, 2025. That's a 112-million-to-one payout — and the largest online casino jackpot in United States history.
The win came on Huff N' Even More Puff, a Light & Wonder progressive slot, on the eve of Thanksgiving. DraftKings' announcement post on X racked up 6.6 million views within days. The previous US record? $9.28 million, set just nine months earlier. Same platform. Same bet size. Same state.
How a $5.7 Million Seed Grew to $22.4 Million
This wasn't a random spike. The jackpot had been building since February 2025, when DraftKings paid out the previous $9.28 million record. After that win, the progressive reset to a $5.7 million seed value.
By July, industry trackers noted the pot had crossed $14 million. It kept climbing at roughly $15 per minute — over $20,000 daily — until November 26.
The mechanics matter here. DraftKings runs a proprietary Single Level Progressive Jackpot system that sits on top of individual game jackpots. Players opt in by contributing an extra $0.10 per spin, which feeds a shared pool across 20+ eligible games. This is separate from Huff N' Even More Puff's built-in jackpot tiers, which cap at just $15,000.
DraftKings pioneered this cross-game linked progressive model in North America back in October 2022, launching first in New Jersey. "Setting another record for the largest U.S. online casino jackpot is a major moment," said Christian Bogstrand, Executive Vice President of iGaming at DraftKings.
The US Jackpot Record Timeline
American iGaming is still young compared to European markets. But the record progression tells a story of rapid maturation:
Date | Amount | Game | Platform | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
August 2024 | $6.45M | Fruit Blaster | BetMGM | $200 |
February 2025 | $9.28M | Irish Pot Luck | DraftKings | $0.20 |
November 2025 | $22.4M | Huff N' Even More Puff | DraftKings | $0.20 |
Both DraftKings records came from 20-cent wagers. The February winner hit Irish Pot Luck with a 46.4-million-to-one multiplier. That jackpot had been building from a $1 million seed since February 2024.
For context, the $22.4 million surpasses the Guinness World Record for online slots — £13.2 million (~$20M) won on Mega Moolah in 2015. But it falls short of the $42.1 million WowPot hit in December 2023 and the all-time land-based record of $39.7 million on IGT Megabucks at the Excalibur in Las Vegas (March 2003).
About the Game: Huff N' Even More Puff
The winning slot is the third entry in Light & Wonder's popular Huff N' Puff series. It follows the original (2019) and Huff N' More Puff (2022). The game launched in land-based casinos in March 2024 and went live online in January 2025.
The Three Little Pigs theme drives the core mechanic. During bonus rounds, players build houses — straw, stick, or brick. When the bonus ends, the Big Bad Wolf tries to blow them down. Straw houses yield modest payouts. Brick "Mansions" unlock multipliers up to 250x and access to jackpot tiers.
Technical specs: 243 ways to win across five reels (three to six expanding rows), 96% RTP, high volatility. The native Grand jackpot resets at $7,500. The top-tier Super jackpot? $15,000. The $22.4 million came entirely from DraftKings' platform overlay.
Notably, Light & Wonder has issued no official statement about the record win.
Michigan: America's Jackpot Capital
Both of the two largest US online casino jackpots have now been won by Michigan players on DraftKings. That's not coincidence.
Michigan launched iGaming on January 22, 2021. The state's ~10 million residents have access to 15 licensed operators through commercial and tribal casino partnerships. Growth has been aggressive: 2024 iGaming revenue hit $2.44 billion (+26.9% year-over-year). October 2025 set a monthly record with $278.5 million.
DraftKings operates in Michigan through Bay Mills Indian Community and holds roughly 22.8% national iGaming market share — third behind BetMGM and FanDuel. But here's the strategic difference: DraftKings allows uncapped progressive growth in Michigan. BetMGM caps its progressives at $5 million in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
That decision to let jackpots run creates headline-grabbing moments like this one. For players seeking regulated platforms with serious jackpot potential, Michigan's licensed operators — and DraftKings specifically — have become legitimate destinations. Those interested in exploring trustworthy options can browse top rated casinos that meet strict licensing standards.
The Tax Reality: $22.4 Million Becomes ~$13.2 Million
The anonymous winner faces a significant tax bill. Federal law requires 24% automatic withholding on gambling wins exceeding $5,000 where the payout exceeds 300 times the wager. But a $22.4 million windfall pushes the winner into the top 37% federal tax bracket — meaning additional taxes at filing time.
Tax Component | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Federal (37% bracket) | 37% | ~$8.29M |
Michigan state tax | 4.25% | ~$952K |
Total taxes | ~41.25% | ~$9.24M |
Net after taxes | ~$13.16M |
Michigan applies a flat 4.25% state income tax on gambling winnings. DraftKings will issue a W-2G documenting the full amount. The jackpot pays as a lump sum — standard for online progressives.
Still, $13.2 million after taxes equals roughly 293 years of average American wages. Life-changing by any measure.
What This Means for DraftKings
The marketing value is obvious — 6.6 million views on a single post. But the financial hit is real.
The February 2025 $9.28 million jackpot caused DraftKings' Michigan revenue to drop 25.6% year-over-year that month. At more than double the size, the November payout could slash monthly Michigan winnings by approximately 50%. Industry analysts project only "marginal growth" for DraftKings' full-year Michigan revenue compared to 2024's $454.7 million.
Yet progressive jackpots remain strategically valuable. Data shows branded jackpots increase transactions per user by 22.16% on average. Network jackpots boost engagement by 27.91%. As one DraftKings spokesperson told PlayMichigan: "I'm not sure any other operators offer this to customers, so it's a differentiator."
The question for BetMGM and FanDuel: match the aggressive jackpot strategy, or continue capping progressives and ceding the marketing spotlight?
The Bottom Line
The $22.4 million DraftKings jackpot proves that regulated American online casinos can now deliver payouts rivaling Vegas legends. Michigan's regulatory framework works. DraftKings' uncapped progressive bet paid off — literally.
For the anonymous Michigan winner, a Thanksgiving eve spin transformed a spare quarter's worth of credits into generational wealth. Even after the IRS takes its cut.
The broader takeaway for players? Life-changing jackpots happen on licensed platforms. Understanding how progressive pools work — and which operators let them grow largest — matters if jackpot hunting is part of your strategy. Those exploring US casino regulations will find Michigan leading the pack in both market maturity and jackpot potential.
