THE BASICS

Progressive slots have game features such as featured wilds, respins, free spins bonuses, bonus games and a diverse array of themes. In fact, when you play progressive slots, you will spend most of your time landing base game combination wins as well as feature wins from bonus rounds. Moreover, whether you win or lose is entirely random, thanks to the random number generator (RNG).

However, there is a key feature that separates progressive slots into their own niche. That is, they come with a jackpot(s) feature separate from the rest of the game. These jackpots grow bigger in size each time a player places real money bets, and with every bet, there is an equal chance as the last that a spin could produce a jackpot win.

In reality, the chances of landing the main jackpot on progressive slots are pretty low. That said, with millions of Euros or Dollars at stake, they are worthwhile because there is always the possibility that you could strike it rich. Think of it like playing the lottery. Although, you have a better chance of winning a life-changing win playing at an online casino.

HOW THEY WORK

On progressive slots online, you will see a counter, or multiple counters, displaying the current value of the jackpot(s). You will see these counters continuously rise in size. They do this by taking a small percentage of every bet made to increase in size progressively. This small percentage is then spread across multiple or single jackpots, which can reach from £-€-$ 50 up to tens of millions. Even after they pay, they will reset and continue their mission to increase in size.

As for how the progressive jackpots trigger, game developers use a variety of triggers. Some will drop in the win when a player hits the right combination of symbols on the right pay line; others pay via a bonus feature and some dish out the win at random. As a result, the player wins the total amount displayed on the counter.

To create a random jackpot win, progressive slots use an RNG that randomly decides it is time to drop in the win on an active player. Consequently, the player wins merely for spinning the reels. In short, it is pure luck and simply a case of being in the right place at the right time.

STANDARD VS. PROGRESSIVE SLOTS

When it comes to looks, themes, graphics, animations and gameplay, progressive jackpot slots online have many of the same gameplay traits. However, there are a few key differences between the two which have been outlined below.

Higher Win Potential: Naturally, progressive slots have a higher win potential due to their high online casino jackpot payouts. Although they do have a max win applied to their standard gameplay, it does not apply to the progressive jackpot feature.

No Progressive Feature: Progressive slots are the host to 1 or multiple progressive online jackpots. Although, you may hear some players refer to the max win on standard game titles as winning the jackpot. However, this is not strictly correct in the world of iGaming terminology. It is simply maxing out the win potential.

Lower Theoretical RTP: The theoretical return to player (RTP) when you play progressive jackpot games online is often lower. This is because a portion of each bet feeds the progressive jackpot meter.

TIPS TO WIN PROGRESSIVE SLOT MACHINES

The best way to give yourself a chance at winning is to only play progressive slots. However, this also means you cannot play using bonus money because most casinos exclude these games from bonus money bets. Aside from this, here are three suggestions to increase your chance of a life-changing win!

Knowing when to play: Playing progressive jackpot slot machines immediately after the jackpot drops, in general, is not the best time to play. The number of times progressive slots pay out the highest jackpot win twice in a short space of time is extremely rare. That said, last year, there were 2 WowPot progressive jackpot wins at two different online casino brands in the space of a week.

Play progressive slots networks: Some people prefer to play on progressive slots that are part of a pooled network. Why? Because the network pools together multiple game titles. The more money being pumped into the jackpot, the theory is the faster it will pay and the higher the jackpot pays will be. Red Tiger Gaming’s hourly, daily and big jackpot slots, Mega Moolah (Microgaming), WowPot (Microgaming), Jackpot King (Blueprint) and Age of the Gods (Playtech) record the most jackpot wins online, and that’s because each network has ten and up to 25 games.

Play on multi-jackpot games: Some of the best progressive slot machines, for example, Mega Moolah, have four jackpots. On average, its ‘Mega’, ‘Major’, ‘Minor’ and ‘Mini’ progressive jackpots drop every 40 days, 20 hours, 1 minute and 20 seconds with an average win of €4.7 million, €114,000, €844 and €110, respectively. That means every 1 minute, there is a chance you could win the ‘Mini’ progressive slots feature.

THE BIGGEST JACKPOT WINS

Microgaming’s Mega Moolah is the long-time reigning champion of progressive online jackpots. It is in the Guinness Records for the highest progressive slots payouts in online casino history. In the past two years, Mega Moolah titles have paid out close to €100 million. And within those wins are a €19,430,723.60 Absolootly Mad Mega Moolah win in April 2021 and an €18,915,872.81 win on the Mega Moolah (original) progressive slots network. Before that, the ling time Guinness Book records win was a Mega Moolah payout of €17,886,199.18 windfall paid to a mobile player in October 2015.

The only progressive jackpot slots online to come close to Mega Moolah is the WowPot network’s Book of Atem. In April 2021, it paid out €17,529,047.11 to a lucky winner. The same network has also dropped 3 other million Euro wins since it came online in February 2021. Outside of Microgaming’s jackpot networks, the Age of the Gods progressive jackpot is extremely popular, paying €500,000+ wins at an average rate of around 35 days.

As for the highest-paying stand-alone progressive slots, Jackpot Giant by Playtech dished out €10,710,470 in 2018. As for its average payout, it pays around €6+ million 2 to 3 times per year.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF JACKPOTS

Progressive Jackpots: Progressive slots jackpots never stop growing. Each time a casino player places a bet on the game title, a percentage of the bet contributes towards the progressive jackpot(s). A good example is every bet placed on the Age of the Gods network contributes 0.99%. On Mega Moolah and WowPot networks, the percentage is 5.30%. When the jackpots pay, they reset to a seed amount. The Ultimate Power Jackpot on Age of the Gods seeds at € 100,000, while Mega Moolah resets at € 2 million.

Non-Progressive (Fixed) Jackpots: Playson Hold and Wins as well as Microgaming Link & Wins ‘or’ Amazing Links are perhaps the most popular fixed jackpot series. To win, you’ll need to trigger a feature, usually respins via collecting coins. For example, Playson’s popular Wolf Power Hold & Win title has ‘Grand’, ‘Major’, ‘Minor’ and ‘Mini’ fixed jackpots that pay 500x, 150x, 50x or 20x your spin bet, respectively. You can win the prized spin bet multipliers by landing ‘Grand’, ‘Major’, ‘Minor’ and ‘Mini’ symbols during a respins feature.

Win via a Trigger: Triggered wins come with many different types of jackpot triggers. Some online slots require a spin to line up a symbol combination win on a certain pay line. Others will trigger the win via collecting symbols, via respins or through a bonus round. Also, you will find certain software providers stick to a certain bonus game. For instance, Microgaming progressive slots generally use a wheel of fortune or trial map.

Random Wins: The Red Tiger Gaming casino brand is the perfect example of random progressive slot jackpot wins. As long as you are playing a game within the pooled network, the progressive jackpot could drop in on any spin out of the blue with no trigger required.

HOW ARE PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS PAID?

If you land a million Euro/Dollar win playing progressive slots, the software provider will pay you your win. You can choose a lump sum payment, which could incur taxes, or you can set up a payment plan. The payment plan option delivers winnings in monthly, quarterly, six monthly or yearly installments. The choice is down to your personal preference. Consequently, jackpot wins bypass the casino’s maximum withdrawal limits.

As for lower wins, whether the game developer or the casino pays you is down to the size of your win. Generally speaking, if you win €-£-$10,000 or above, you can request the software provider to pay. For any amount below this, the casino will credit your balance. Most online casinos’ maximum monthly withdrawal limit is above €-£-$10,000.

To clarify, progressive jackpot slots online do not pay out in bonus money. Therefore, there are never wagering requirements attached, nor should there be. The money is yours to keep, withdraw or play more games at the casino as you see fit.

PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about progressive slots: