The simplest explanation is progressive slots or a progressive jackpot slot game is 1 that does not have a fixed jackpot amount. Nor is the jackpot influenced by the amount of spins, bets, or time it takes to hit a winning combination.
How do Progressive Jackpots Slots work, and get so big ?
Every time someone makes a bet on a progressive jackpot slots game, like Beachlife. A small percentage of the total bet goes into the pot, which is approximately 7%. Games with a single progressive jackpot will add money simply to that one jackpot, while games with multiple or linked progressive jackpots will distribute accordingly. Examples of linked progressive jackpots are Mega Moolah Isis & Mega Fortune.
This money is often divided into two parts:. One that covers the jackpot start value and one that makes the jackpot amount grow, and grow.
Types of Progressive Jackpots Slots
It’s important to note that all progressive slot games come from the most reputable software providers. This is important because their reputation is important to themselves. So all of their games are controlled by (Random Number Generators or RNG), and audited independently.
It should also be mentioned that because of the RNG, you have the same chance of winning the progressive jackpot every time you spin the reels. Regardless of how large the jackpot is! So, whether the jackpot has just been won, or whether it has reached over a million, you’ll always have the same chance to win it
How many types of progressive jackpots are there?
What are Stand Alone Progressive Jackpots Slots?
The stand alone progressive jackpot, also known as an independent progressive, is not linked to other slot machines. However because it does not have a fixed jackpot amount, it takes a percentage of the bets played and puts it into the pot for the highest winning combination.
It has a meter on the front and shows you the jackpot. The progressive jackpots for the stand-alone machines are much lower than the ones from machines that are linked together.
What are In House or Proprietary Progressives?
These are a group of slot games linked together and owned and operated by a single or collaborating casinos. The jackpots are not as big as linked progressive jackpots but they generally have a higher win ratio.
What is a Wide Area Progressive?
Wide area Progressive Jackpot games are the most sought after, and most common types of progressive jackpot slot games.
These are slot machines that have been linked together in a group, to offer massive jackpots. This is done by software providers such as Microgaming. Linking the same slot game such as Mega Moolah across its’ multiple casino properties and partners. So that all bets made on the slot game from all participating partners are contributing to the jackpot total. The same is true with NetEnt’s Hall of Gods or Playtech’s popular Progressive Jackpot (Beach Life).
As thousands of people are playing the popular casino slot games, the number of bets x percentage, over time leads to enormous jackpot prizes, often in excess of a million dollars/euros/pounds.
When a progressive jackpot is won, it is then restarted, and each progressive jackpot has its own minimum amount.
What is a Rollover jackpot?
A Roll over jackpot is where the top prize grows in batches. If there is no winner by the set date, the total sum of jackpot contribution gets moved onto the next draw or games, and normally continues growing.
What to understand about Progressive Jackpot Slots?
Its important to understand that the only difference between normal slot games and progressives. Progressive jackpot slot games are essentialy a video slot game with the progressive jackpot twist. So they have all the inherit attributes of Video Slots; Themes, Symbols, Free Spins, Wilds & Scatters. All explained in the important Pay Table, they even include a standard Jackpot bonus.
So essentially, the player can chose how many paylines to play. And how many coins per spin. However, in order to be eligible for the progressive jackpot, players must bet on all lines. Most online slots come with fixed lines, which means that you cannot deselect any lines. And it is often the case that you have to bet a certain amount on each spin. So this can have an impact on a players account.
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n some games you must play for the maximum amount. The theoretical chances of winning that online jackpot might vary, depending on the bet amount.
There are plenty of methods that the creators of progressive jackpot slots use in order to make you bet more on slots. Sometimes you will have to collect a certain number of symbols within the game before you get the opportunity to play for the jackpot. This is the case with Mega Fortune, where the jackpot bonus wheel gets activated in a special bonus round.
What are Fixed Jackpot Slot Games?
Although the biggest and most impressive amounts won are from progressive jackpots. A fixed Jackpot is a good win by any standards. Although smaller they tend to be more frequent.
Progressive Jackpot Payouts
In theory, progressive jackpots can reach an unlimited amount of money. The size of a progressive jackpot really depends on the number of people who play the slot. Mega Moolah by Microgaming,
is so popular that the jackpot builds up very fast. However some progressive slots from smaller producers, are not as well known, or widely distributed. With the result that they do not increase as fast.
The largest progressive jackpot ever won was €17,861,800 when playing (Mega Fortune), from NetEnt. Mega Moolah from Microgaming has the second largest jackpot at just over 13 Million.
Who are the Providers of Progressive Jackpots ?
The 3 main providers of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games are with out question the Traditional software houses of NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech. There are others of course but they as mentioned before are smaller and not as well known.
These 3, have the advantage of being well known in the market. They have a large number of Casino’s that use their software. And having been some of the first software providers in the market. Below are some of the better known Progressive Jackpot Slot Games and a brief description of each.
7 Most Popular Progressive Jackpot Slot Games
Mega Moolah
Mega Moolah is a progressive slot from Microgaming, and it is arguably the most popular game of this type in the world. Released in 2006, with an RTP of 88.12% and 15 Free Spins.
It has a cartoon style jungle theme with some nice bonus features. There are four different progressive jackpots on this game, with the largest being the Mega Jackpot. The progressive jackpots can be won by playing any stakes, however the odds increase when playing at higher stakes.
The bonus game that leads to the progressive jackpot is triggered randomly, and it will see you spin a wheel. If you land on the section with a paw print, you’ll win the Mega progressive jackpot. You are guaranteed to win at least one of the jackpots when the bonus game is triggered.
There is also Absolootely Mad Mega Moolah & Mega Moolah Isis
Mega Fortune
Mega Fortune is a progressive slot from NetEnt, increasingly played, it was launched in 2009, with and RTP of 96.4% and has wild scatter free spins.
The theme is a little old, as it has been used many times in the past, but the game play is excellent. To start the progressive jackpot feature, you’ll need to get three Bonus symbols on consecutive reels. You’ll then see a wheel with multiple levels. If you can advance to the centre of the wheel, you’ll win the Mega Jackpot. There are also two other smaller jackpots that can be won when playing this progressive online slot.
Hall of Gods
Hall of Gods progressive jackpot is also from NetEnt. It was launched in 2017, has and an RTP 95.5%, with up to 20 free spins & 3x Multipliers.
It has a Norse theme and twenty fixed paylines, with the progressive jackpot available regardless of the bet amount. As with most progressive slots, the higher the bet, the greater the chances of winning the progressive prize. There are four different progressive Jackpots on this game.
To start the progressive jackpot bonus game, simply get three scatter symbols anywhere on the reels. You’ll then be able to win one of three progressive prizes, with the largest being the Mega Jackpot.
Mega Fortune Dreams
This is a sequel to the original mega Fortune, and is proving to be just as popular, both slots share many similarities including an RTP of 96.4% with wild scatters and free spins. It was realeased in 2014.
This progressive Jackpot slot game shares the same jackpot as the original game, so players playing either version will contribute towards the massive jackpot prize. Whilst the theme is similar to the original version, it has more of a Caribbean feel. The progressive jackpot is won in exactly the same way as Mega Fortune.
Age of the Gods
Age of the Gods is a progressive jackpot from Playtech. It has an RTP of 94.03%, Free spins, Scatters and bonus rounds.
The theme is based on four Greek mythological characters, namely Zeus, Poseidon, Athena and Hercules. The jackpot can be won by all players regardles of the bet size, however bigger bets will have a greater chance of winning. There are four Jackpots to win from. Any main game can trigger the Age of the Gods Mystery Jackpot. Age of the Gods jackpots are pooled between other Age of the Gods games for even bigger payouts.
Major Millions
Major Millions is a progressive jackpot slot from Microgaming. It was released in 2002, has an RTP of 89.37%.
It comes in two different forms. There is a classic 3-wheel slot, as well as a video slot with five reels. Both share the same progressive jackpot. If you like classic slots games, then this is the best progressive slot around. While Mega Moolah is Microgaming’s flagship slot, Major Millions is enormously popular.
Beach Life
Beach Life is a progressive slot game from Playtech. First launched in 2006, it is one of the oldest progressive jackpot slot games around. It has an RTP of 93.25%, with free spins.
The theme is a little simplistic for today, but its as it sounds holiday based.! To win the progressive jackpot, you won’t have to play a bonus game – simply spin in five sun symbols on the 20th payline and you’ll be a winner. Because the progressive jackpot can only be won on the 20th payline, you’ll have to play all the paylines in order to win it.