Megabucks Celebrates 20 Years, Jackpot Now Over $20 Million

LAS VEGAS -- Nevada Megabucks has reached two impressive milestones. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary as the progressive system that's produced the world's largest slot jackpots, Nevada Megabucks®
Megabucks is the most popular wide-area progressive played today.  has just surpassed the $20 million mark. The current jackpot of $20.2 million makes it the 7th largest slot jackpot ever.

In under two weeks, the MegaJackpot progressive has added over $1 million to its top prize due to the volume of players hoping to become the next Megabucks multi-millionaire.

Two-time Megabucks winner, 93-year-old Elmer Sherwin, who made a recent appearance at a 20th anniversary celebration at the Rampart Casino, said he's noticed more people playing Megabucks recently. Sherwin, who won over $21 million at the Cannery last September, said there's really no secret to winning Megabucks. "I always tell people, you've gotta play to win. And always play the full amount or don't play at all."

A $3 maximum bet is required to win the Megabucks progressive prize. More than 600 Megabucks games in 164 casinos throughout Nevada provide players with plenty of chances to select a lucky machine.

The last Megabucks winner, at the Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, won $11.9 million on October 16, 2005. Since then, the jackpot has been building from a reset amount of $10 million and is now statistically overdue to be won.

Video Megabucks, a recent addition to the MegaJackpots family, is also statistically overdue. With a jackpot of over $14.6 million, Video Megabucks will set a world record for the largest penny jackpot of all time. It was introduced in spring 2005, and a maximum bet of 300 coins is required to win the top progressive jackpot.

All IGT MegaJackpots top awards are paid in annual installments upon verification, except MegaJackpots Instant Winners Jackpots and Rapid Riches MegaJackpots awards, which are paid in their entirety upon verification.

All jackpot amounts reported reflect totals as of noon June 2, 2006.

For more information on MegaJackpots locations, themes and current jackpot amounts, visit www.megajackpots.com.