It doesn’t matter if you are new to online casinos or if you are a regular player, you probably have heard of the term ‘Progressive Jackpots’. But do you know what it actually means and why they are different from regular slots?
Regular slots or ‘non-progressive jackpot slots’ as some casinos call them, have fixed winnings. Which means that no matter how many people play or how many times they are won, the jackpot never changes. It will always be set to a fixed amount and you will find these jackpots usually of a low amount.
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Progressive Jackpots however, are pretty much the opposite. The jackpots for these games can increase to life changing amounts which makes playing them all the more exciting.
In this article, we will delve into the fascinating realm of progressive jackpots, exploring their key characteristics, differences from regular slots, and the science behind their allure.
How Do Progressive Jackpot Games Work?
If you have ever wondered how progressive jackpot games work, it is a simple process that is easy to explain. When you play, a small part of the money you gamble gets added to the jackpot and the jackpot will keep increasing until someone wins, when at that point, everything resets and it all starts again. Because of the number of people playing progressive jackpot games, the prize pots can reach huge amounts.
The process of how a progressive jackpot works can be broken down into several elements.
Information
Details
The Contribution
A small portion of each bet in a progressive jackpot game is allocated to the jackpot pool.The exact percentage varies depending on the game and casino.
The Seed
Progressive jackpots start from a specific initial amount known as the “seed.”The seed is guaranteed by the casino or game supplier.
The Prize
Progressive jackpots constantly increase as the game is played.Various sizes of progressive jackpots are available.Some games feature smaller progressive jackpots, often less than €1,000.Historically, these jackpots are won, on average, every 10 weeks, adding excitement to the gameplay.
The Contribution
Every time you place a bet while playing a progressive jackpot game, a small portion of your wager is allocated to a separate fund dedicated to fueling the jackpot or jackpots. The exact percentage varies depending on the game and the casino hosting it.
The Seed
Every progressive jackpot has to originate from a specific starting point, as no player would find a jackpot of €0 or €10 enticing. This initial amount is known as the “seed” and is guaranteed by the casino or game supplier.
The Prize
A progressive jackpot is a constantly increasing sum that grows as the game is played. While the million euro progressive jackpots attract the most attention, it’s important to note that progressive slots come in various sizes and shapes, with some even featuring their own smaller progressive jackpots, often less than €1,000 in value. Historically, these jackpots have been won, on average, every 10 weeks, adding an element of excitement and anticipation to the gameplay.
How Can You Win A Progressive Jackpot?
If you’re already familiar with playing online slots, then you already possess the necessary skills to win a progressive jackpot. It all comes down to luck! Simply choose your stake, spin the reels, and let fate take its course!
But how does the game determine when to award the jackpot? Let’s delve into the technical aspects and explore how these special slots distribute their grandest prizes.
Progressive jackpot games have been captivating players since the 1980s. The jackpot win is just another element in the mathematical model that powers the slot, controlled randomly in much the same way as other slot prizes.
Inside the jackpot there there is a condition regarding when the jackpot will be dropped. It’s a maths equation that works out the probable odds, for example, it could a 1 in 5 million chance of happening. The jackpot is triggered to drop randomly based on factors such as time, the total amount staked across all slots, or the current jackpot size.
It’s important to remember that the chances of you winning a progressive jackpot game are very low but your chances are exactly the same as everyone else playing the game.
You will find that the odds of winning a progressive jackpot will range from 50 to 100 million to one. The chance of winning also depends on the game itself and also the Return to Player rate.
Now, let’s explore the different ways you can win a progressive jackpot.
Method
Details
Play the Maximum Stake
Some online progressive slots require the maximum stake for jackpot eligibility.Progressive games with multiple jackpot levels cater to players with lower stakes.
Winning a Jackpot at Random
Certain progressive jackpots can be won randomly without special bonus games or specific symbols.Maximum stake may be necessary for qualifying for random jackpot wins.
Hitting Symbol Combinations
Align specific symbols on a designated pay line to win a progressive jackpot.
Playing a Bonus Game
Bonus rounds in progressive slots can be triggered during the base game.Bonus games often involve spinning a prize wheel or selecting cards for jackpot prizes.
Must-Drop Jackpots
Some progressive slots have must-drop jackpots programmed to trigger within a set timeframe.As the deadline approaches, participation increases, leading to larger jackpot amounts.
Random Number Generators (RNGs)
Progressive jackpot slots use random number generators (RNGs) for fair gameplay.RNGs determine when a jackpot or bonus game is likely to be triggered.Unclaimed jackpots may not suddenly drop unless there is a specific must-drop deadline.
Types Of Progressive Jackpots
In online casinos, you will find that there are usually three different types of progressive jackpots to choose from. All three are slightly different and they all offer the opportunity to win big cash prizes.
Let’s take a look at the three different types of progressive jackpots available.
Standalone Jackpots
A standalone jackpot is exclusive to a single machine in the casino. It is not connected to other slot machines or part of a wider network. Standalone jackpots tend to be smaller compared to other types but still offer a chance to win a significant prize.
Local Jackpots
Local jackpots, also known as “in-house” jackpots, are shared among multiple machines within one land-based casino or a group of online games in an online casino. In a land-based setting, these machines may be grouped together in one section or spread across the casino floor. Online casinos may link several games to form a local jackpot. Local jackpots generally offer larger prizes than standalone jackpots since more players contribute to the pool.
Network Progressive Slots
Network progressive slots offer the largest jackpots and are also referred to as “wide-area” progressives. These jackpots are linked across multiple casinos or different brands of slots. The bets placed on all the linked machines contribute to the shared jackpot. As a result, network progressive slots often offer life-changing prizes.
What Types Of Games Have Progressive Jackpots?
There are a huge amount of progressive jackpots available at online casinos and some of them have gone down in the history books for for their popularity and huge payouts.
Here are some of the best progressive jackpot slots of all time.
Mega Moolah by Microgaming
Considered an iconic progressive jackpot slot, Mega Moolah offers record-breaking multimillion jackpots. The game features five reels, three rows, and 25 pay lines, with an RTP of 88.12%. Alongside the progressive jackpots, players can enjoy a Wild symbol that substitutes for others and a Free Spins feature with a 3x Win Multiplier.
Mega Fortune by NetEnt
Mega Fortune is a luxurious-themed progressive jackpot slot by NetEnt. With an RTP of 96.6% and a potential max win of 2,162x your bet (excluding jackpots), it offers a high chance of winning. The game includes a Wild symbol, a Bonus Wheel for triggering the Bonus Game, and a Free Spins feature activated by landing Scatter symbols.
Arabian Nights by NetEnt
Arabian Nights is a NetEnt progressive jackpot slot with a Middle Eastern theme. It offers five reels, three rows, and ten pay lines, with an RTP of 95.62%. The game includes a Wild symbol (Genie) and a Scatter symbol (Magic Lamp) that triggers the Free Spins feature. The jackpot feature is randomly triggered, offering the potential for significant wins.
Juicy Joker Mega Moolah by Just for the Win
Juicy Joker Mega Moolah, a collaboration between Just for the Win and Microgaming, features five reels, three rows, and 20 pay lines, with an RTP of 92.03%. This game offers four progressive jackpot prizes, which can be triggered by landing Jackpot symbols and spinning the Mega Moolah Progressive Jackpot Wheel. Additionally, it includes various Wild symbols for exciting gameplay.
FAQ’s on Progressive Jackpots
Q: What are progressive jackpots?
A: Progressive jackpots are casino games where the jackpot keeps building and building until it is won. They work by adding a small percent of every bet to the jackpot fund every time someone plays the game. When the jackpot is won, it resets and the whole process begins again. Mostly, progressive jackets are slot games with the chance to win big money.
Q: Are all progressive jackpot games the same?
A: In short, no. The variety of progressive jackpot games is a varied as how many online casinos there are. Plus, like normal slot games, they all work differently too. The game mechanics, graphics, gameplay, RTP and rules are different for every game.
Q: Is it safe to play progressive Jackpot games?
A: Yes it is as safe to play these games but as always when it comes to gambling online, there are risks involved. Always play within your budget, never spend more than you can afford and gamble responsibly.
Q: How do progressive jackpot games work?
A: Every time you play a progressive jackpot, a very small percent of the money you gamble is added to the jackpot and this is the same for every player. The jackpot keeps on building until it is eventually won and then the whole procress starts over again.
Q: How can you win a progressive jackpot?
A: I wish we had the winning formula but sadly, there isn’t one. Winning at progressive jackpots basically comes down to luck and it is very difficult to win because the odds are so low. But obviously, to be in with a chance of winning the big one, you need to play it in the first place.
Q: What types of progressive jackpots exist?
A: There are three main types of progressive jackpots: standalone jackpots, local jackpots, and network progressive slots. Standalone jackpots are exclusive to a single machine and have smaller prize amounts. Local jackpots are shared among multiple machines within a casino or a group of games in an online casino. These jackpots tend to offer larger prizes due to the increased number of players contributing to the pool. Network progressive slots, also known as wide-area progressives, link machines or casinos together, resulting in the largest jackpots. These jackpots often reach life-changing sums but are harder to win due to the larger player pool.
Q: What types of games have progressive jackpots?
A: Progressive jackpots are found in slot games. In fact, they usually work the same as slots but the jackpot is huge and builds every time the game is played. Some of the more popular progressive jackpot games include Mega Moolah by Microgaming, Mega Fortune by NetEnt, Sisters of Oz WowPot by Microgaming, Arabian Nights by NetEnt and Juicy Joker Mega Moolah by Just for the Win. These games are all different from each other and they offer different themes, gameplay features and jackpot sizes.
