Playing Progressive Jackpot Slots Online

Progressive Jackpots and How They Work

Basically, the way that you play progressive jackpot games is exactly the same as how you would play a standard online slot. However, the way that the prize is created and the distribution of the money is where it differs.

While standard slots have a fixed prize for hitting certain lines, jackpot slots don’t… the jackpot prize gets bigger every time someone plays on the slot. So, unlike the basic online slot, which pays out based on the size of your wager, a progressive slot has a jackpot that is a ‘community prize’, that gets bigger every time someone plays on that game – across all different online casinos.

Jackpot Prize Components

The jackpot prize won’t start out at zero… so, the slot developer (or sometimes the casino operator) will fund the beginning of the jackpot with prize money that they name the jackpot seed. From this seed, the jackpot grows. A set amount of money from every wager that a player makes on the slot will then be added to the jackpot fund. This will keep on growing right up until the point where the lucky player hits the winning combination that triggers the jackpot. As soon as the jackpot is won the seed money will then be replaced and the jackpot once again starts to grow from that seed. The longer the pot goes unwon, the bigger that win will eventually be.

Generally, progressive jackpots are linked to multiple casinos. This means that the one jackpot is available to players on all different sites. Not only does this mean that more players have the opportunity to win, but because more players play the game, the developers can offer up some huge jackpots!

The game developer does build an insurance component into the game as well. This helps the game to keep on running as a small amount of every wager is put towards maintaining the jackpot seed and the prize liquidity. This is very important as it makes sure that the slot provider can always pay out the jackpot prize once it’s won – and immediately replace the seed.

Jackpot Slot Machines – The Myths

Because of the nature of jackpot slots, there are many myths and superstitions that surround the games. One of the most common ones is that players often avoid playing a jackpot slot soon after the prize has been won, thinking that it won’t be triggered again until the prize is bigger. However, this is completely untrue – as there are no patterns behind online slot wins. This is because, just like standard slots, progressive slots are regulated by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This means that every spin is random… so you have just as much chance of triggering the jackpot one week after the win as you do one year after a win. However, it’s always good to wait for the jackpot to build up…

Different Types of Progressive Jackpots

Standalone Progressive Games

Most of the biggest prizes come from progressive slots that are run across a network of casinos or games. However, there are some standalone progressive jackpot slots. These are standard online slot games that take a small part of every wager and put it towards the jackpot prize. However, because there is less scope for growing the jackpot prize, you will often find that the amount you win on the game isn’t comparable to network-based progressive slots.

A standalone progressive slot will feature its own jackpot that a player can only win playing on that single machine at one single casino. However, a local progressive jackpot can be won by playing at a number of machines in the network that are all connected to the big jackpot.

Local Progressive Jackpots

This type of progressive game works in a similar way to a standalone progressive jackpot slot because it will only accumulate the wagers from one casino and not a network of different casinos. However, the jackpot will increase based on players betting on a few different slots and not just the one slot game. All these slots will be at one casino. Although this might increase the jackpot a certain amount, it still won’t ever hit the same heights as jackpots that are run across many different casinos.

So, if two different casinos both offer the same progressive slot machine, although the game is exactly the same, the jackpot would be different at both casinos. Only bets made at the first casino would count towards the slot jackpot at that site… and only the bets made at the second casino would count towards that casino’s jackpot. So, whichever casino had the most players that bet on that slot would offer the biggest win.

Wide Area Network Progressives

This is where the really big wins are found! The wide area network progressive slots are those that take a cut of all the wagers made on one slot game across all different casinos on the network. So, for example, there are five casinos – A, B, C, D and E that all offer the same progressive jackpot machine. Every time a player at any of these casinos plays on that particular game, the wagers will all go into the one jackpot pool. This makes the jackpot prize huge… and it also means that the players at all of these casinos will all be playing for the same progressive jackpot slot prize pool.

A network can be all different sizes. It could be a small network of casinos, every casino that has that progressive slot in one country, or even a global network of casinos. The bigger the network, the bigger the win. It is by playing wide area network progressive slots that you are able to win those life-changing prizes.

Most Popular Online Progressive Jackpot Slot Games

As a regular casino player, you will know that there are lots of different progressive slots out there, but here are the games that we think are the best!

Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah by Microgaming… no list could ever be complete without the most famous, popular and record-breaking progressive jackpot game of all time. This game is known for paying out some of the biggest online casino prizes ever. The game’s jackpot round can be triggered randomly – and you increase your chances of a winning on the pokie by placing the max coin bet. When you trigger the round, you will get the opportunity to spin a wheel. This will then land on a sector that could be either: Mini, Minor, Major or Millionaire Mega Jackpot. However, it’s not all or nothing. There are other winning combinations to enjoy, so you might still win money even if it isn’t the jackpot.

Because of its fame and popularity, lots of people play Mega Moolah, which means it has a jackpot that grows quickly – and very, very high.

Mega Fortune

Another record-breaking progressive jackpot slot is Mega Fortune by NetEnt. Players can trigger the jackpot round by lining up three or more of the bonus symbols. They will then be given the chance to win the Wheel of Fortune bonus round. The wheel has three circles. If you land on a number, you will get an instant prize win – but not the jackpot. The only way to win the jackpot is by lining up the three arrows on the three different circles.

Hall of Gods

Hall of Gods is another progressive slot by NetEnt. The game is based on Nordic Mythology and is another one that offers huge prizes. You can hit the jackpot prize round by lining up three of the bonus symbols. You will then need to break the shields that are lined up in a 5 by 3 format. As soon as you match three of the same symbols then the bonus game finishes. In order to win the big prize, you will need to match up three Mega Jackpot symbols.

Mega Fortunes Dreams

Because of the success of Mega Fortunes, NetEnt brought out a follow up progressive jackpot slot, Mega Fortunes Dream. Another big hit. This game has become popular with its fans in its own right thanks to its jackpot, re-spin round, sticky wilds feature and 10-times multiplier. In order to hit the mega jackpot progressive prize, you need to trigger the bonus wheel round.

Major Millions

Here we have another Microgaming slot – and although it’s normally Mega Moolah that gets the most attention, Major Millions should never be overlooked. This is a comic military-themed slot that has 5-reels and works in a very simplistic way. It doesn’t have lots of bonus features but what it does have is a huge jackpot – which makes it worthwhile making the max bet on Major Millions.

Jackpot Giant

This is a Playtech slot game that, unlike many of the other games, has a regular bonus round. The bonus game is simple in which you need to pick a volcano. This will then reveal what prize you have won. Winning the progressive slot is also pretty simple – just line up the five wild symbols and the jackpot is yours.

Arabian Nights

Here we have another NetEnt progressive jackpot online slot. This game was one of the developer’s first progressive games but has remained popular. Because it is one of the rare progressive slots that have a high RTP, it also gives players lots of chances to win. Players hit the progressive jackpot by landing 5 wild symbols from a maximum bet. The game also has a lot of other fun features including a free spins round.

Empire Fortune

This game is one from the Yggdrasil Gaming studio and it takes the progressive online slot concept to a whole new level – because this game offers three progressive jackpots. One of the popular features is the free spins bonus round. This offers up players not just 30 free spins but also a 10-times multiplier. However, if you want to win the main prize then you have to hit the jackpot wheel. This will pay up a cash prize that is 500 times your wager. You can then also trigger the Fireworks bonus where you will get 12 rockets that will fire you up to one of the progressive jackpot wins.

Beach Life

What’s more appealing than a hot summer’s day? Well, maybe a jackpot win. This beach-themed slot offers up a huge progressive jackpot. This is a Playtech game that has 5-reels and 20 paylines. It also has a lower than average RTP… however, it’s the chance of winning the big prize that makes up for it. The jackpot up for grabs is usually six figures.

Joker Millions

Joker Millions is a game by Yggdrasil that offers fun – and plenty of big prizes, making it one of the most popular progressive jackpot slots out there. The game offers 4-reels and 10 paylines and the Joker symbol is the sticky special symbol. If you manage to fill the paylines with the Joker sticky then you hit the progressive jackpot win.

Biggest Progressive Slot Jackpot Prizes

When it comes to record breakers, it is Mega Moolah that is the current record-holder for the biggest progressive jackpot slot win, which is why this is always one of the most popular games in history. In fact, Microgaming is the company that is responsible for seven of the top ten biggest ever jackpot wins… with Mega Fortune by NetEnt pinching the other three places. So, picking Mega Moolah or Mega Fortune is always a good choice if you’re looking for a life-changing prize.

The highest online progressive jackpot win ever won was courtesy of the Mega Moolah game at the Grand Mondial casino in September 2018, where an anonymous player won €18,915,721. The same game was also responsible for the second-largest progressive slot win of all time, when a player from Ireland, playing at Zodiac Casino won CA€20,057,734.

Another big win came from Britain, in October 2015, when a man named Jon Heywood played at Betway and won £13,312,882. At the time, this was the largest ever jackpot prize of all time. However, it has now dropped to third place.

NetEnt’s Mega Fortune was also responsible for a huge win when it dished out €17,860,868 in 2013 to an anonymous player from Finland at Paf Casino. This win was eight years ago but has managed to hold on to fourth place.

The Best Progressive Slots Game Developers

Here are the best progressive slot game developers in the industry:

Microgaming

It’s hardly surprising that this is top of the lost, being responsible for seven of the ten biggest progressive wins in history. Not only is it one of the biggest names in the industry, but it is also one of the most well-established. It has been around since 1994 and has created some of the most well-known slot games in the industry. However, they also create popular video poker games, blackjack games, roulette games – and progressive jackpot games. It is Mega Moolah and Major Millions that stand out amongst the rest.

NetEnt

This is a close second in terms of progressive slots – but is equal to its rival in terms of quality and quantity of Games overall. NetEnt offers up ambitious and unique titles – including excellent progressive slots. Leading the way is Mega Fortune which is responsible for paying out some of the industry’s biggest jackpot wins.

Playtech

This is one of the biggest software providers in the world, offering up a huge catalogue of games, including some excellent progressive games, including Jackpot Giant. The Playtech games are flexible and fun, but remember, it pays to make the max bet.

Yggdrasil

In comparison to the top three, this is one of the newer providers out there. It opened its doors in 2013 and has managed to create some all-time greats. In this time, Yggdrasil is a game provider that uses the most up-to-date technology to create a memorable and unique experience.

Playing Mobile Progressive Slots

The advent of mobile casinos means that you can win life-changing sums on the move. It can’t be denied that the casino industry has embraced the mobile revolution, which means you can play all the best games on your smartphone or tablet – and that includes progressive jackpot online slot games.

Here are some things you need to consider when choosing your progressive slot game on mobile:

Reliability

You need to be sure that the online casino app works properly and is reliable. You don’t want to play in a casino where you aren’t sure about buffering or snags. You don’t want to hit the jackpot and get kicked out of the app… or have a ‘can’t connect’ message! We recommend using one of our recommended mobile casinos for this – but should you play on a browser or app?

Playing via App

Nowadays, most online casinos come with a dedicated app. This means you will need to download the software to play. However, there are benefits to mobile slot apps. Firstly, the app is designed with mobile experience in mind. It also usually offers the best connectivity and is more useable on mobile. They are also quick and easy to download on iOS and Android devices.

Playing on Mobile Browser

If you don’t want to download software, you can play directly onto your smartphone or tablet browser. This works in much the same way as a desktop site but will be fully optimised for the screen size you play on.

Progressive Slot Wins

How can a slot developer afford to pay out such huge progressive jackpots? Well, firstly, it’s not the developer that coughs up for the win. The jackpot is created from a percentage of every wager that is made by its players. This means that apart from the original jackpot seed, it is the player that really pays out, not the developer.

But how do you cash out such big wins? Remember, players can win millions on a progressive jackpot slot…

If you don’t win millions then the online casino you won at will normally deal with the winnings. However, most casinos have a max withdrawal, which means you can only withdraw a certain amount of money at one time. You may only be able to withdraw €15,000 per month from your account, so if you win a lot more, it may take months… or even years to get your winnings out.

If you hit a huge payout then usually the software provider deals with the payout. This will then usually be given in one lump sum. They might also offer a lump sum plus yearly instalments. However, we would always recommend reading terms and conditions first so you know what to expect.

Betting the Max and Understanding the Terms

Although this isn’t true for all, usually if you want to win the progressive jackpot, you will need to bet the maximum amount. To ‘Bet Max’ means that you have to wager the highest coin value possible on your spins. This means that playing for the win can be a little more expensive, but can be highly rewarding.

If you don’t feel comfortable betting the max, then you’re probably not best playing progressive jackpot slots. That being said, there are still lots of other prizes and bonuses you can win, just as with a standard slot game – just not the progressive win.

One game worth a look at is Mega Moolah, as you don’t always have to bet the max to win a large sum. There are lots of big prizes you can win – and players can even win up to €1 million without placing a maximum bet.

As with anything, it’s always worth reading the T&Cs carefully for a progressive online slot. This allows you to understand the withdrawal terms and conditions, betting limits and Bonuses. If you do play progressive slots a lot, then you will probably spend a fair bit of money doing so, so you will need to fully understand the game rules to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Progressive Slots Fairness and Safety

All progressive slots offer players the chance to win big – and the very best slot game providers will give you a fair chance of winning on a safe, secure and fair online casino website. We only ever recommend casinos that are fair, secure and have been tested by independent regulators to be fair and true.

This means that we thoroughly review and recommend the best and safest progressive slots online casino sites. Each one that we recommend will be fully licensed by either the UK Gambling Commission, MGA or another regulatory body. This means that you are fully protected as a gambler and you will always be paid out.

We also recommend casinos that promote responsible gambling. Ultimately, playing at online casinos should always be fun – and it’s simply a matter of luck. Always stay within your bank limits, don’t chase your losses and stay in control. Only register at an online casino that offers tools to help you stay safe and offers features such as time out and deposit limits.

Progressive Jackpot FAQs

Are Progressive Slots Safe and Fair?

Yes, as long as the casino you are playing at is fair and safe, then all the games you can play on that website are safe and fair as well.

Can You Win a Progressive Jackpot with One Spin?

Yes, the biggest progressive jackpots can be won with only one spin but remember you will probably need to play max coins on that spin.

Do Progressive Slots go to Zero when the Jackpot is Won?

Yes and no. Although the progressive jackpot resets, the casino or developer will replace it with a sum of money known as the jackpot seed, so the jackpot is never zero. Playing on a progressive jackpot available at multiple casinos will also mean that the cash reward grows more quickly as well.

Do Progressive Slots have Free Spins Rounds?

It depends on the progressive slot machine games in question. Some progressive slot machines have different bonus feature rounds including free spins.

What Are The Odds Of Winning the Jackpot?

Again, this depends on the slot machine. The most popular casino games are those with huge jackpots. Unfortunately, the odds of winning millions aren’t in your favour.

Do Progressive Jackpot Slots have Lower RTPs than Regular Slots?

Yes. Because of the way progressive jackpots work, they usually have a slightly lower than average RTP.