Guide to Progressive Jackpots: How do they Work?

What is a Progressive Jackpot?

A progressive jackpot is a special prize pool feature in online casino games, especially slots, that takes a small portion of your wager and adds it to a separate prize pool (the jackpot). Unlike standard jackpots that feature fixed payouts, progressive jackpots have a jackpot payout amount that increases with every wager you or other players make.

To put it simply, every time you spin the reels of a specific progressive jackpot slot game, you contribute to a growing jackpot prize pool. The amount of the jackpot keeps growing until a lucky player triggers a winning combination. Usually, the progressive jackpot amount can increase to huge amounts since there could be tens of thousands of players from all over the world playing the same game and contributing to the jackpot.

What’s more, some progressive jackpot slots are often linked across multiple online casino sites. For instance, Mega Moolah, which is arguably the most popular progressive jackpot slot, can be played across hundreds of online casinos. This means that many players can be playing Mega Moolah at the same time and at different casinos. Normally, the more popular a progressive jackpot is, the faster its jackpot prize pool rises.

How do Progressive Jackpots Work?

Before playing a progressive jackpot game, you first need to understand how they work. Typically, every progressive jackpot slot has a built-in contribution mechanism that sets aside a percentage of your wager every time you spin the reels and then adds the portion to the jackpot pot.

Let’s take Age of the Gods slot by Playtech as an example. If you wager £2 on this progressive jackpot slot and the contribution percentage is 1%, then £0.02 goes towards the jackpot prize pool, while the rest goes towards the normal base game payout and house edge. The jackpot contribution might seem small, but when thousands of players play the game, the cumulative amount adds up quickly.

The odds of winning a progressive jackpot depend on the RTP (Return to Player) of the game. The RTP simply means the amount of money you can expect to get from a slot after you make a wager in the long run, expressed as a percentage. Usually, the higher the RTP percentage, the higher the odds of winning. Progressive jackpots often have low RTPs, and they pay out less frequently but with a bigger prize.

In addition, winning a progressive jackpot is determined by the RNG (Random Number Generator) of the game, which ensures fairness in gameplay. That means winning the jackpot is completely random, and it’s not something you can control or predict.

To win a progressive jackpot, you need to land a specific winning combination of symbols on designated paylines. Each progressive jackpot slot has its unique winning combination, and once a lucky player triggers the jackpot, it resets to a predetermined minimum amount (seed amount). From there, the jackpot pool starts to accumulate all over again as players make wagers.

Types of Progressive Jackpots

Progressive jackpots come in different varieties, each offering unique jackpot-building systems. We are going to break down the three main types of progressive jackpot slots that you might find at online casinos.

Standalone Jackpots

A standalone progressive jackpot is a jackpot linked to a single slot machine or game. Here, the contributions towards the prize pool come exclusively from wagers placed on that slot machine, thus the jackpot grows slowly. However, these progressive jackpots often offer better odds of winning compared to other progressive varieties. The prize might be a bit smaller than in other jackpots, though.

Some popular standalone progressive jackpot slots you can play include Mega Moolah Isis by Microgaming and Book of Ra Deluxe by Novomatic.

Local Jackpots

Also known as ‘in-house progressive jackpots,’ local jackpots are linked to several slot machines within the same online casino or gambling venue. At land-based casinos, local jackpots slot machines might be connected in one bank or spread across the casino floor.

While the jackpot amounts in local progressive jackpot slots are still relatively small, though higher than in standalone jackpots, the prize pools build up faster. This is because more players from linked slot games contribute to the pot.

Looking to try out this type of progressive jackpot? NetEnt’s Divine Fortune and Playtech’s Age of the Gods series are good examples of local progressive jackpots you can play.

Wide-Area/Networked Jackpots

Networked jackpot slots connect games across multiple casinos (sometimes even hundreds of casinos), regions, and even countries. As a branch of network progressives, these jackpots have the highest payouts, reaching up to six and seven figures. They are responsible for some of the biggest jackpot payouts in history, making them arguably some of the most popular and lucrative jackpot slots at online casinos.

Some famous progressive jackpot slots in the UK, such as Mega Fortune by NetEnt and Mega Moolah from Microgaming, fall under the networked jackpot category. Even though the odds of triggering a winning combination in these jackpots are pretty slim, the potential reward can be life-changing.

Pros and Cons of Playing Progressive Jackpots

Even with their huge potential payouts, progressive jackpots are not for every gamer. We will look at some pros and cons of playing these slots to help you make the right decisions.

Pros

Large payouts: The biggest appeal of progressive jackpots is the chance to win massive payouts. No other online casino games can turn a few cents or pounds into millions quite like progressive jackpot slots.

Exciting gameplay: When playing progressive jackpot slots, knowing that any spin could be the one to trigger the jackpot adds an extra thrill to the gameplay. The slots also come with innovative bonus features and engaging themes, which add to the game’s appeal.

Community element: Particularly in local and networked progressive jackpots, playing progressive jackpots feels like you are part of a community contributing to the prize pool.

Cons

Lower RTP: Progressive jackpot slots usually have low RTP percentages in the base game. This is because a portion of your wager goes towards funding the jackpot instead of being returned like in regular slots.

Rarer wins: Even though triggering the jackpot is completely random, your chances of hitting the winning combination symbols on the payline in progressive jackpots are exceptionally low.

Higher variance: Progressive jackpot slots have high volatility. That means these slots pay out less frequently, and you can experience fewer wins while chasing the jackpot.

Tips and Strategies for Playing Progressive Jackpots

While progressive jackpots are games of pure luck and chance, there are some strategies and tricks you can implement to improve your winning odds.

First, you must always check the minimum bet requirement to qualify for the jackpot. While it can be tempting to place small bets, the majority of progressive jackpots require you to wager the maximum bet limit when spinning the reels. So, if you can afford it, consider wagering the maximum amount to increase the chances of hitting the jackpot.

Before playing progressive jackpot slots, you should also decide on a budget and manage it carefully. This is the amount you are comfortable losing. The hopes and dreams of hitting the jackpot can tempt you into spending more money; hence, sticking to your limits is the key to enjoying the gambling experience.

Another crucial tip to help you improve your winning odds in progressive jackpot slots is to look out for slots with jackpot prize pools close to the record high. Compare the current jackpot amount for different progressive jackpot slots with their highest payouts ever paid. Those that are close to their record highs are more likely to trigger the jackpot soon.

Additionally, familiarise yourself with the rules and mechanics of specific progressive jackpot slots before placing a wager. Master the settings, understand the playtable, and pay attention to key symbols that can increase your chance of unlocking the jackpot. Knowing the jackpot rules also helps you choose a progressive slot that fits your play style.

Where to Play Progressive Jackpot Games

If you’re ready to play your favourite jackpot, there are hundreds of online casinos out there that offer the best and renowned jackpot games. Even so, we recommend that you only join legitimate and licensed casino sites by reputable regulatory authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This assures you the casino site is safe, enabling you to gamble with less worry about your security.

Some of the most popular online casinos where you can play progressive jackpots include Betfair, BetMGM, Stake.com, and Mr Vegas. These casinos offer progressive jackpots from renowned providers like Microgaming and NetEnt. The games also use certified RNG to ensure fairness in gameplay.

When you pick your ideal online casino for playing progressive jackpots, also keep an eye on the bonus offers and terms to ensure you’re getting the most out of the jackpot game.

Responsible Gambling

When playing progressive jackpots, we recommend that you play responsibly by focusing on having fun rather than obsessively chasing the jackpot. This enhances your gambling experience, making it more enjoyable and less stressful. The goal is to have fun; triggering the jackpot pool would just be an amazing bonus.

If you feel you may be developing problems with gambling, or need help or support, the best online casinos for progressing jackpots in the UK offer tools and resources that can help you gamble responsibly. Such tools include bet limits, deposit caps, and self-exclusion. They also conduct ID verifications to ensure all players are legit and of legal gambling age.

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