Microgaming has kicked off 2022 with a bang after its world-renowned Mega Moolah online progressive jackpot, which is the largest in the industry, produced its first multi-millionaire of the new year, paying out a humongous €7,296,286.88 prize.

The winner was playing the classic Mega Moolah online slot on February 6, 2022, when they hit the top jackpot, becoming the 70th instant Euro millionaire of the progressive jackpot. The individual will receive their massive, seven-figure prize in one lump sum.

Microgaming designed the original African-themed Mega Moolah in 2006, launching the four-tiered progressive jackpot slot in November that year, with a €1 million top starting seed. Now an industry icon, it has paid out over 18.4 million jackpots across all tiers and games for a total that exceeds €919 million.

Over its 15-year history, the original version of the online slot has produced a number of life-changing payouts and record-breaking wins, including in 2018 when a lucky Grand Mondial Casino player won €18,915,872.81 on September 28, 2018, setting a new Guinness World Record for the ‘largest jackpot payout in an online slot machine game.’

That record stood until April 2021 when a player in Belgium at Napoleon Sports & Casino hit an incredible €19,430,723.60 win on Absolootly Mad: Mega Moolah, developed by Microgaming partner Triple Edge Studios.

Since the launch of the original Mega Moolah online slot 16 years ago, partner studios, including independent developer Aurum Signature Studios, with Mega Moolah The Witch’s Moon (Aurum’s 2nd to date), have built a total of seven versions to plug into the network. And according to Microgaming, additional titles are in the “progressive jackpot pipeline for this year.”

First 2022 winner:

Commenting on the massive jackpot, Andrew Clucas, Chief Executive Officer for Microgaming, said…

“Fantastic to see the first Mega Moolah win of the year, particularly as it’s another sizeable seven-figure sum – huge congratulations to the winner! An amazing 15 years after taking its first bet, the mighty Mega Moolah slot continues to be extremely popular and pay out massive wins such as this Mega €7.3 million* reward. Long may that continue!”

New slot release:

The jackpot news coincides with the release of the new branded slot Jurassic Park: Gold, developed by Microgaming partner Stormcraft Studios in collaboration with Universal Games and Digital Platforms.

Launched on February 22, 2022, the new game builds on the original 2014 branded slot and welcomes players back to the world-renowned dinosaur theme park made famous in the 1993 American science fiction action film directed by Steven Spielberg.

Feature-packed gameplay:

The stars of the feature-packed 5×4 reel, 40 payline online slot are recognizable characters along with mighty dinosaurs and innovative new mechanics. Players will also find collection challenges, extra spins features, multipliers and massive jackpots worth as much as 8,000x the bet.

During base game play, the Jurassic Park logo serves as the high volatility game’s Wild symbol and is able to award a 2x or 5x multiplier to increase win potential, while landing at least three amber scatters takes players to the feature selection screen where four unlockable extra spin destinations ramp up the excitement even further. Also waiting to be sprung, the WildStorm feature turns as many as five reels wild on just one spins and awards a max 5,000x the stake.

In the base game, players can activate the Link&Win bonus feature by collecting at least six Powerball symbols. When activated, the grid grows to 5×8, with an increasing number of Powerballs unlocking more rows. If you manage to fill the entire grid with 40 of the Powerball symbols, players can earn the huge 8,000x jackpot prize.

What they’re saying:

Commenting on the game that is loaded with T-Rex-sized win potential and a ton of big-screen action, David Reynolds Head of Games Strategy and Partner Management for Microgaming, said…

“In true Stormcraft Studios style, the team behind Jurassic Park: Gold have done an amazing job of delivering an immense blockbuster game that lives up to its namesake. Building on the classic dinosaur-themed slot with some exciting new additions such as the Link&Win™ mechanic, this latest instalment is sure to draw the same appeal as the epic original.”

In his statement, Terence Igesund Founder and Executive Producer for Stormcraft Studios, said they are “hugely excited to have embarked on the next Jurassic Park adventure, bringing this incredible world to life for slot fans once again.”

He further explains that…

…Jurassic Park: Gold “combines the enormity of a great global brand with the power of the popular Link&Win™ mechanic, while immersing players in amazing audio-visuals. And, back bigger than ever is the free spins selection, inviting park visitors to explore four dinosaur-themed free spins features, with the Tyrannosaurus rex rounding things off with the colossal win potential of WildStorm.