A progressive jackpot is a special prize or payout on a slot machine that grows over time. Unlike standard jackpots, which offer a fixed maximum payout, a progressive jackpot will continue to increase in value until it is won. This means that the longer the jackpot goes unclaimed, the larger it becomes, often reaching massive amounts rivalling lottery payouts. The concept of a progressive jackpot is not limited to online slots; they can also be found on certain table games and even in land-based casinos. Online progressive jackpots are the most popular due to the broad reach of online casinos and the ability for multiple players across different casinos to contribute to the jackpot pool.
The way a progressive jackpot works varies slightly depending on the game and the casino, but the basic principle remains the same. Typical steps are as follows:
- Base jackpot – The progressive jackpot starts with a base amount, known as the “seed” value. The casino or game provider sets the minimum amount, which is worth it. For example, a slot might have a base jackpot of $10,000.
- Wager contribution – Each time a player places a wager on the slot game, a small percentage of their bet contributes to the progressive jackpot pool. This might be, for instance, 1% of every wager. So, if a player bets $1, $0.01 would go towards the jackpot.
- Multiple sources – A single progressive jackpot can be linked to multiple slot machines in many cases. This is especially true for “networked” jackpots, where the same jackpot is shared across various online casinos. In this case, wagers from players at all participating casinos contribute to the growing jackpot.
- Random or bonus triggered – There are two main ways that a progressive jackpot can be won. The jackpot is awarded randomly in some slots, requiring no specific combination of symbols. In other cases, players must trigger a bonus game or feature and then hit a particular outcome to win the jackpot.
Types of progressive jackpots
There are several different types of progressive jackpots, each with slightly different rules and payout structures:
- The jackpot on a standalone progressive slot machine is specific to that machine. Only wagers on that particular machine contribute to the jackpot, which can only be won by playing that specific game. Standalone jackpots tend to have smaller payouts but are won more frequently.
- A local or in-house progressive jackpot is linked to multiple slot machines within a single casino. All the machines usually have a similar theme and are often located close together. A small percentage of each wager on any of the linked machines contributes to the jackpot, and it can only be won by players within that casino.
- Big money is won at a networked progressive jackpot. These jackpots are linked across multiple online casinos, sometimes even across different countries. With many players contributing, these jackpots grow vast, often reaching millions. Well-known examples include the Mega Moolah and Age of the Gods slot series.
- Some progressive slots offer not just one but multiple jackpots. For example, the game might have Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand jackpots, each with its seed value and growth rate. These multi-tiered jackpots allow players to win more minor, frequently triggered prizes and the main progressive jackpot.
Progressive Jackpots
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