Return to player
88.12%
Minimum bet
0.1
Slot category
Video Slots
Variance level
Low
Number of reels
5
Progressive jackpot
Yes
Popularity indicator
Maximum bet
6.25
Software provider
Microgaming
Bonus features
No
Number of paylines
25
Theme
Safari
Mega Moolah online slot review
Mega Moolah is set on an African safari, with a straightforward layout and fairly basic graphics. Created in 2006, it is often regarded as one of the original slot games, yet remains among the most played, partly because it can sometimes pay very large sums. In this Casino Ideal review, Evan Carrington looks at the game's historical features without suggesting that results are guaranteed.
Theme and storyline
Animals are central to Mega Moolah's safari theme. Giraffes, zebras, kudus and, of course, the lion appear during play. The presentation faintly recalls a crude version of The Lion King, while the lion is the symbol that grants access to rewards. Its role becomes clearer in the bonus features.
Graphics, sound and animation
The animation is quite limited, but the animals make familiar, repeated movements when they appear on a spin. Facial expressions and little wiggles give them some character, and the music has an appropriately safari-like feel, if that can be said of a soundtrack.
The visuals are basic overall, which is understandable given the game's age and staying power.
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Gameplay
Mega Moolah has 5 reels and 25 paylines, plus a jackpot round with a spinning wheel reminiscent of the old Wheel of Fortune game. The main game moves quickly: choose a bet, spin and hope for a win. Alongside the familiar 10, J, K, Q and A symbols are higher-value animal icons.
A separate jackpot screen features a spinning wheel that triggers automatically. Microgaming says its random algorithm is designed to distribute winning opportunities among all players. According to this explanation, wagering more increases the chance of reaching the highest-level jackpot game—mini, minor, major or mega. This describes the game's design, not a promised outcome; the wheel still comes down to chance.
Bonuses and free spins
Mega Moolah has several features to look out for. The lion, the wildest animal, is the wild symbol: it substitutes for every other symbol except scatter, can create additional win-lines and doubles the pay-out when a winning pay-line contains a lion.
The monkey is the scatter symbol. Landing 3 monkeys opens 15 free spins, with the wild lion tripling your winnings during the feature. If another 3 monkey symbols appear during free spins, you may receive extra spins, up to a maximum of 30.
The bonus round offers a chance to reach one of four progressive jackpots. The more you stake, the higher the jackpot level you can win. The four tiers, ordered by jackpot size, are mini, minor, major and mega. A typical mini payout is under £100, while the minor jackpot pays around ten times as much. The major jackpot is also said to multiply the minor jackpot's winning possibilities by ten, while the mega jackpot has helped make Mega Moolah famous over the years. It starts at £1 million; as recently as 2018, one user reportedly won 18 million Euros, a remarkable historical claim associated with the game.
Bet sizes, RTP and variance
Given the potential jackpot size, Mega Moolah's RTP is perhaps unsurprisingly low at 88.12%.
Mega Moolah is classed as a low-variance slot because the main game pays relatively often. Unlike many other low-variance titles, though, it also offers the possibility of a widely publicised, very large jackpot.
Conclusion
Mega Moolah is easy to understand, and its simple base game and low variance help explain its appeal to beginners and casual players. The gameplay, graphics and sounds are straightforward without feeling awkwardly dated beside other slots. The monkeys add a playful burst of excitement, while the random jackpot wheel creates suspense. Its enduring appeal rests on the possibility—not a guarantee—that a player could join the several millionaires reportedly awarded the mega jackpot over the years.
The prospect of a major win keeps players coming back, even with the low RTP.
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
