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There is a new record for the largest online progressive jackpot win in United States history, which is now nearly $9.3 million, held by a player in Michigan who claimed that prize on DraftKings Casino this Wednesday. This new record has one significant thing in common with the previous largest jackpot hit; a game mechanic that pools wagers across multiple games into a single progressive jackpot.
While that element creates the potential for epic jackpots, it also means that there is more competition for those payouts. The new record-holder might enjoy more of that $9.3 million pot than the previous record-holder because of differences in tax structures, too.
Player sets new jackpot record on DraftKings Casino
According to a press release from DraftKings, Feb. 26, 2025, was a life-changing day for one Michigan online casino player. DraftKings has not disclosed the identity of the winner, only that they placed a $0.20 bet on the Irish Pot Luck game in Michigan.
The statement adds that the pot of almost $9.3 million had been growing since February 2024 when it began at an even million dollars. The jackpot sures the previous record for the largest online progressive jackpot win by almost $3 million.
Winning over $9.2 million on a 20-cent wager is the stuff gambling dreams are made of. Many players contributed to that record with their wagers over the course of a year.
Multi-game format pays off again
The new record jackpot came as a result of Irish Pot Luck’s inclusion in DraftKings’ Single Level Progressive Jackpot offering. That game mechanic gives players the option to place a separate wager as they play games like Irish Pot Luck that give them a chance to win the jackpot building from similar wagers in multiple games available at DraftKings.
The previous record-holder was a person in New Jersey who won over $6.4 million playing the Fruit Blaster on BetMGM Casino in August 2024. That slot is part of BetMGM’s Big One Progressive Jackpot Network, which functions similarly to DraftKings’ Single Level Progressive Jackpot.
Putting wagers from multiple games hastens the speed at which these jackpots can grow. At the same time, it also means that more players are vying for the same prizes and, in theory, such pots could be claimed more often than progressive jackpots that involve bets from a single game.
This is just another example of the reward vs. risk evaluation that gamblers always make. The lucky player in Michigan might get more use out of their reward.
New record-holder might have a more favorable tax situation
Although both of the past two record-setting jackpots are subject to federal withholding taxes subject to the winners’ individual tax situations, the differences in state tax laws between Michigan and New Jersey suggest the new winner might be better off. Michigan’s flat tax rate of 4.25% is significantly lower than the top end of New Jersey’s graduated tax at 10.75%.
The threshold for that top tier for New Jersey online casino players is a million dollars, so that $6.4 million jackpot alone would have gotten the old record-holder to that level. For the player in Michigan, however, that lower flat rate means they could pay about half the amount of taxes the player in New Jersey was likely assessed.
Regardless of the tax liability, setting a record for the most valuable online progressive jackpot hit in US history is remarkable. The multi-game format offers both an advantage and a disadvantage for players hoping to set the next record.
