A British Army soldier has shocked the online gambling world after claiming Betway Casino’s highest jackpot ever recorded — an unbelievable 13,213,838.68 won from a 25p spin. The winner, 26-year-old Jon Heywood, has served multiple years in the Army, including deployment in Afghanistan. A resident of Crewe, Cheshire, Jon says the win came during one of the toughest periods of his life.
His grandfather had died earlier in the year, and his father urgently requires a heart and lung transplant. For Jon, the win wasn’t just a stroke of luck — it became a lifeline. He immediately stated that the first thing he plans to do is pay for top-quality medical treatment for his father, saying he would hand the money back if it meant saving his dad’s health.
A Jackpot Hit With a 25p Spin
The most remarkable part of this story is the wager amount. Jon placed a single 25p bet when the Mega Moolah jackpot dropped. Even he admits the moment hasn’t fully sunk in. Considering players often spin thousands of times trying to hit progressive prizes, this victory stands out as pure fortune meeting perfect timing.
Many players chase progressive jackpots for years without success, so Jon’s win shows that even the smallest bet can trigger the win of a lifetime.
Where and How the Win Happened
Playing the Famous Mega Moolah Slot
Jon was playing his favourite progressive slot — Mega Moolah — one of the world’s most famous jackpot machines. Known as the “Millionaire Maker”, Mega Moolah regularly pays out life-changing prizes and is the cornerstone of Betway’s jackpot lineup.
Quiet Reaction and Going to Work the Next Day
Jon didn’t rush to share the news. Instead, he kept the win secret for three days, trying to process what had happened. Shockingly, he reported for work the very next morning, carrying on as if nothing had changed. Most people would never step into work again after becoming a multimillionaire, yet Jon stayed grounded.
Understanding Mega Moolah’s Jackpot System
Mega Moolah is built on a multi-tiered progressive prize network:
- Mini Jackpot
- Minor Jackpot
- Major Jackpot
- Mega Jackpot — the top prize
The Mega Jackpot constantly grows with every player bet placed across hundreds of online casinos. It’s this prize — the global top-tier pool — that Jon hit.
The Record-Breaking Online Casino Jackpot
Previous Records Surpassed
Mega Moolah has been breaking payout records for years. It was one of the first online jackpots to exceed £7 million, when a Canadian player hit £7.5 million. Later, it climbed past £10 million and kept growing.
Jon’s win becomes the largest online slot win ever recorded, thanks partly to currency exchange values at the time. The pound converted at €1.3531, making his payout equal €17,879,645.12 — narrowly beating the previous record €17,861,813 won in Finland in 2013. That record stood for three years.
Availability of Mega Moolah at Betway Casino
Mega Moolah is available across all Betway Casino platforms, including:
- Desktop
- Mobile
- Tablet
- Betway mobile app
Players can join the jackpot pool 24/7, and after Jon’s win, the prize has now reset to the minimum £1 million, waiting to grow until the next millionaire is made.
Betway Congratulates the Soldier
Betway spokesman Alan Alger publicly congratulated Jon, saying the company is thrilled for him and hopes his family can benefit from the life-changing win. Jon confirmed he will use part of the prize to help extended family and treat them to a Mediterranean cruise.
What Jon Plans to Do With the Money
Aside from medical support for his father, Jon is a passionate Formula 1 fan and plans to purchase his dream car — a yellow Bentley Continental GT. It will finally replace his old Fiat Punto, which he has driven for years. Outside of these purchases, he hasn’t yet decided how to spend the remaining millions, which is understandable. Most players dream of a big jackpot but rarely imagine their plans realistically.
The Jackpot Resets – Who’s Next?
With Jon’s win finalized, the Mega jackpot has reset to £1 million, beginning its climb toward the next lucky winner. Thousands of players are already testing their luck, hoping they might repeat the unbelievable moment where a soldier on a tight budget changed his life with a 25p click.
Final Thoughts
This win proves that life-changing results can come from the smallest wager. Whether players see it as luck, destiny, or timing, Jon Heywood’s story will go down as the most iconic win in online gambling to date. His grounded response — going to work the next morning, prioritizing family, and giving credit to fate — adds a human element that resonates beyond casino headlines.
Congratulations go to Jon Heywood, the soldier who became a world-record millionaire when he needed it most.
Where to Play Mega Moolah?
You can play at Betway or follow this link for more casinos offering the Mega Moolah game.
