Your guide to progressive jackpot slots
You’ve seen it on TV and in movies and you’ve probably even heard of it happening online too. Lucky players taking a spin on a progressive slot and hitting massive six-figure jackpots! It’s the stuff that dreams are made of and the thrill that keeps us returning to progressive games repeatedly.
That’s because while other games are just as exciting, progressive jackpots are where the multi-millions lie. Just waiting to be won with a single bet. And if you’re the one placing that bet, it could be you making your jackpot fantasies a reality!
Want to find out more about what makes progressive jackpot slots tick, and how you can start seeing value from them yourself? Read on for our handy guide, and let’s begin your journey to fame and fortune today!
What are progressive jackpot slots?
First let’s start with the basics. What actually are progressive jackpot slots, and how do they differ from regular slot games?
The key lies in the name – ‘progressive’. With these types of games, every time a player places a bet, a small percentage of that wager goes towards the jackpot pool. So the jackpot amount progresses with every single bet placed.
The more players who bet, the bigger the jackpot becomes until one lucky player hits the big one – which could ultimately be to the tune of millions of dollars. If the jackpot has increased enough!
Progressive jackpots are most often categorized into three main types:
Standalone progressives: In these slots, the jackpot is exclusive to a single machine or game. So it’s contained to the player base of one specific online casino. Because these types of progressives aren’t linked to other machines. The jackpots tend to be smaller. However the odds of winning are greater. As the jackpot is reservesfor one machine only. So it’s definitely worth taking a chance!
Local area progressives: These types of progressives involve a network of machines within a single casino or online platform. All of the linked machines contribute to the same jackpot pool, so the ultimate payout will be larger than those of standalone progressives. These are somewhere in between the payouts of standalone games and wide area progressives, offering a fun middle ground with relatively high jackpots and reasonably good odds.
Wide area progressives: If you’re looking for those multi-million jackpots, here’s where you’ll find them – the wide area progressive games! These are the big guns – the colossal jackpots that you’ve no doubt had multiple daydreams about. With wide area progressives, the machines are linked across a range of casinos and online platforms, reaching a global player base, which is how the jackpots are able to rise so exponentially.
Here you won’t only be going up against players from your own online casino
You’ll be taking on players across an entire worldwide network! While the jackpots are infinitely higher with these types of games, the odds of winning are lower too, simply due to the sheer volume of players competing for the same jackpot. So by all means play to win – just keep your finances and your bankroll in mind at all times!
How do progressive jackpots work?
As we touched on previously, the key to understanding how progressive jackpots work lies in the name ‘progressive’, and how it relates to the pooling mechanism in place. Here’s how it works:
Contribution percentage: Every time you place a bet on a progressive jackpot slot, from standalones to wide area progressives, a small percentage of that bet will be added to the jackpot pool. So you can literally see the jackpot increase in real time, with every bet placed. It’s a heady feeling, and the thought that your contribution makes a difference can be a powerful gaming motivator!
Seed amount: What happens when the progressive jackpot finally gets won? (And hopefully by you!) It’ll then reset back to its ‘seed amount’ – a predetermined minimum amount that acts as a base for other players bets to build on. While the seed amount might be the game minimum, it’s still hugely enticing on its own, so don’t be discouraged – a win is a win!
Hitting the jackpot: So how do you actually WIN a progressive jackpot? Typically you’ll need to land a specific combination of symbols or trigger a certain bonus game in order to hit the big one. Most of the time you’ll also need to bet the maximum amount in order to win the max jackpot too, so bear this in mind when setting your gambling budget. If you can play and win and stay within your predetermined boundaries, that’s some god tier gambling happening right there!
Top tips for playing progressive jackpot slots
Ok, so there’s no actual tried and trusted way of guaranteeing a win on a progressive jackpot slot, as, like regular slots and video slots, progressives are purely games of chance. However there are some tips you can take on board to help enhance your gambling experience and improve your chances of winning at the same time:
Understand the rules: These aren’t your ordinary slots, so don’t approach them in the same way. Each progressive jackpot slot comes with its own set of rules and winning conditions, and you’ll need to know what these are before you start placing your bets. Give yourself the best chance of success and make sure you’re familiar with the game’s paytable and jackpot requirements before you hit that bet button. You can thank us later!
Bet max (if you can): As we mentioned previously, some progressive jackpot slots will only award the top payout to those players who place the maximum bet allowed. Make sure to check whether or not this is a condition of winning on the progressive slot you choose. And place your bets accordingly. Keep your budget in mind and manage your bankroll responsibly at all times. The golden rules of gambling still apply!
Choose your games wisely: Are the games fun, are they easy to play, do they keep you engaged. And do they offer jackpots higher than their average payout? All of these factor into your gambling experience. And all will help you take more value from your progressive slot, while hopefully increasing your potential returns at the same time.
Set a budget
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again. Responsible financial management is the key to success with any online casino game. But particularly with progressive jackpot slots. That’s because with games as completely immersive and engaging as progressives. You’ll need to keep your wits about you and manage your finances tightly at all times. Set yourself a budget, stick to it. And look at the ultimate jackpot as a bonus, rather than a guarantee. You’ll be able to enjoy your gambling and protect your bankroll too. As any good player should.
Only play at reputable casinos: Make sure your game play is fair, your payouts are secure and your winnings are paid. Make sure you play at a casino that’s trusted and reputable. That puts your player experience first, and that’s as excited about your progressive jackpot wins as you are!
Popular progressive jackpot slots
While theoretically you have just as much chance of hitting the jackpot on one progressive slot as another. There are some titles that have reached legendary status in the industry due to the size and frequency of their payouts. These include:
Mega Moolah: It’s not just a clever name – this slot really does pay out Mega Moolah! In fact it’s iconic for the size of its payouts and the number of millionaires made from a single spin. Known informally as the ‘millionaire maker’, Mega Moolah is famed within online gambling circles for its instantly recognizable safari theme and massive jackpots. With a seed amount starting at $2 million and multiple winners of over $10 million. Including a $20 million payout in 2018, Mega Moolah truly is the slot that makes dreams come true.
Hall of Gods: If you’re a fan of Norse mythology, then Hall of Gods needs to be on your must-play list. This famed slot from NetEnt is a favourite of slots fans around the world thanks to its multiple jackpot tiers and progressive jackpot that reaches epic multi-million heights! Spin the reels along with Thor and Odin and receive jackpots fit for the gods!
Mega Fortune
Start living that luxe lifestyle right away with Mega Fortune. The slot has a lavish theme of yachts, champagne, diamonds and more. It’s five-star all the way here, with even a Guinness World Record to boast about too – the largest online slot payout (at the time) of €17.8 million in 2013. Riches and rewards, fame and fortune – it’s all waiting for you in Mega Fortune!
Age of the Gods series: More mythology, more ways to win! This time it’s a focus on Greek mythology in the Age of Gods series from Playtech – a collection of games featuring interconnected jackpots and breathtaking graphics. Each game in the series contributes to a shared progressive prize pool so no matter which one you play, you’re helping to bump that jackpot total up to its six-figure max. Turn those myths of winning into a reality today!
Common myths about progressive jackpot slots
Speaking of myths, there are even more of those to go around, particularly where progressive jackpots slots themselves are concerned. Take a look at some of the misconceptions surrounding these games so that you don’t fall prey to unrealistic expectations or unnecessary hesitation. Let’s get our slots energy on!
Myth: “You’re more likely to win if the jackpot is overdue.”
Truth: This is a prime example of the gambler’s fallacy at work – the belief that previous events somehow influence future outcomes. The simple truth is that progressive jackpots have always been and will always be completely random – all thanks to the RNG algorithm governing every outcome. Just because a jackpot hasn’t been won in a while doesn’t mean it’s necessarily ‘due’ to drop soon. Don’t buy into this myth – it could end up being an expensive lesson for you.
Another Myth
Myth: “Casinos manipulate jackpots to avoid payouts.”
Truth: Absolutely not. No reputable online casino would be able to keep its doors open if it rigged games and failed to pay players the winnings due to them. In fact, licensed casinos regulate, and employ stringent Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure that the outcome of each and every game is always fair and random.
Myth: “You need to play for hours to win.”
Truth: Hard no. As we’ve stated more than once, progressive jackpot wins are only ever determined by chance. And as a result, could strike at any time. You could be playing for a minute or an hour before the big one hits. There’s no minimum or maximum time you need to spend gambling to influence the outcome in your favour. Every time you log on is another chance for you to win – make the most of it!
Why play progressive jackpot slots?
As a final thought, let’s look at what keeps fans of progressive slots coming back for more. It’s clear that while multi-million jackpots are obviously the main motivator, there’s more to progressive jackpot play than huge payouts. And that’s what makes them so endlessly entertaining.
They’re not just rewarding, they’re thrilling as well, with every bet adding to that ever-increasing total. They have a strong community feel thanks to every player’s wagers contributing to the ultimate jackpot pool. And while many only pay out on a max bet. They’re still accessible to all players and all bankrolls with a wide range of bets available. Giving them a universal appeal.
So if that’s the kind of energy you want to inject into your gaming, you know what to do. Set yourself a budget. Find one or two games that suit you best, and go after that top jackpot you’ve always dreamed of. Life-changing payouts are just a click away!