What Are Progressive Jackpot Slots?

If you’re familiar with casino games, then you’ve heard the term jackpots (probably even if you’re not familiar with casino games). Jackpots come in almost as many shapes and sizes as slot machines do. One of the most popular ones is, without a doubt, a progressive pot. But what exactly are progressive jackpots?

Progressive jackpot slots are video slot games that feature an epic pot prize which grows over time. How does it grow? Well, the pot takes a little piece of each player’s bet and adds it to the prize pool, which causes it to grow further and further until one lucky player wins! Below, we’ll go through some of the ins and outs of progressive slots.

Fixed Jackpot vs. PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

A fixed jackpot, also known as a flat jackpot, standalone jackpot or non-progressive jackpot, is simply a massive cash prize that does not change in value. Some of these jackpots are either: based on the amount of your wager or a permanently fixed prize amount. Generally speaking, they always stay the same.

On the other hand, when we say a jackpot is progressive, this implies that the prize pool is growing due to a variety of factors, including how many players are contributing, how much they’re contributing and, of course, how long it’s been growing.Fundamentally, however, a progressive jackpot continues to grow in size until its hit, whereas a fixed jackpot does not change in value.

THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT GAMES

There are tonnes of benefits to playing these types of jackpot slots online! Every player has their own reasons for playing one particular slot instead of the other, but, many players seek out jackpot slot games over regular slots for a whole host of reasons, including:

• Players have the chance to win big.
• The jackpot can span over a network of casinos all over the world, reaching astronomical heights.
• While the jackpot grows as more players spin the reels, only one single player gets to win it.
• There is no limit to how much money can be won with progressive slots.
• Progressive jackpot wins are often among some of the biggest worldwide wins in video slot games due to their massive size.
• Many players enjoy the added level of excitement and unpredictability that comes with slot games featuring progressive jackpots; you never know when and if that winning sequence of symbols will strike and just how much you’ll win when it does!

HOW DO THESE SLOTS WORK?

Progressive jackpots work similarly to fixed jackpots, with the main difference being the former continue to grow their worth every time a player places a wager. With each bet made, the jackpot grows a little larger. Eventually, either a lucky player scores that winning combination and empties the jackpot, or the jackpot’s coffers are filled via automatic triggers. It’s impossible to know precisely when a progressive slot will pay out, but it is known to pay out vast sums of money, especially if it is a popular slot game played by tens of thousands around the world.

WHICH CASINO GAMES HAVE PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS?

As we’ve mentioned, jackpot video slots are casino games that feature massive prize pools, be that fixed or progressive. These games can be played at a large number of online casinos, and can also form part of a jackpot network. However, you may find slots that are entirely exclusive to one casino, which is common with land casinos. Here’s a sample of some of the most popular progressive games at our online casino:

• Mega Fortune — A renowned slot by mainstay provider NetEnt which features four jackpots that are all progressive! The gameplay casts images of luxury as its centrepiece, which only helps to add to its dreamy reputation of having some of the biggest jackpots in the world.
• Mega Moolah — Perhaps the most famous of the progressive slots on this list, this Microgaming monster is sometimes referred to as the ‘Million Maker’ due to having some of the highest jackpots ever paid. Set in the African Savannah, Mega Moolah is an online staple, so much so that there are countless editions utilising the Mega Moolah blueprint to be played, and each one is connected to the same jackpot network fed by players round the globe!
• Major Millions — Yet another slot that forms part of the Mega Moolah network. This progressive slot is army-themed and is based on a wildly popular brick-and-mortar slot. Major Millions also serves as an example of an online progressive slot that requires players to place maximum bets for the chance to win that jackpot prize.

TYPES OF PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS

So, we’ve covered how progressive slot machines work, but there are also different methods progressive jackpot slots grow their pot! Being able to distinguish one from the other can help you be more informed when choosing which progressive slot games to play. There are three types: standalone, local and global progressive pot.

STANDALONE PROGRESSIVE

A standalone progressive jackpot is a jackpot that only continues growing when players use that same machine. This means that they are usually smaller jackpots, and while they won’t generally reach the heights of other types of progressive jackpots, they can still be pretty impressive! These pots are often found in land casinos, although this is not necessarily the case.

LOCAL PROGRESSIVE

These progressive jackpots are always linked to a server or network within the same casino. This link can be anything from an established network such as the Mega Moolah network or a local network of different games within an online casino site or even a land-based casino network. They are not limited to one machine. Since local progressive jackpots tend to have a larger network linking a wider range of jackpot slots, the prize pool can grow very rapidly, especially in casinos with an established name and brand.

GLOBAL PROGRESSIVE

This is the most well-known iteration of a progressive jackpot. If standalone jackpots are linked to one machine, and local jackpots are linked to a local server such as a network on a land-based casino’s premises, global jackpots are linked to multiple casinos in all sorts of locations. They are often the hardest to hit and can take a couple of years to do so. However, they are known for offering some of the biggest prizes in the world, hence their popularity.

HOW TO PLAY A PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT SLOT

We’ve covered the basics of progressive slots, but with so many jackpot slots available at so many online casinos, there’s a lot to consider. Players who want to try progressive jackpot games at an online casino should be up to date with any eligibility rules for a jackpot win. Other than that, however, playing these games is actually super easy! All you have to do is place your wager, spin the reels, and you’re good to go.

HOW DO YOU WIN A PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT?

There is no surefire way to win a progressive jackpot, unfortunately.Some online gambling sites state that a higher wager may increase your odds of winning; however, this has no concrete basis of proof. It all comes down to one thing – hitting the jackpot requires a large dose of luck, as all progressive jackpot winners will tell you!

Other than some basic differences, you don’t have to be a slot scientist to play progressive jackpot games!

10 TIPS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PLAYING PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT SLOTS

Like we’ve established, it is virtually impossible to guarantee a win, but there are some simple and smart ways to ensure you enjoy what the slot has to offer safely. You’ll find that many of these tips can be applied not only to progressive slots, but other casino games too.

1. CREATE A BUDGET AND STICK WITH IT

It’s extremely important to set a budget before playing any casino game to safeguard your funds and ensure responsible gambling at all times.

2. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR METERS

The more time the jackpot pool has been growing, the larger the win. Jackpot meters indicate where the progressive jackpot stands at any given moment in time. The reality is that many progressive jackpots pay out huge amounts at any unexpected moment, often sooner when they’ve had their time to grow.

3. USE PROMOTIONS

Promotions are often put in place to boost a player’s chances and differ according to the casinos that offer them. Keep up to date with promotions and you may find ones that will benefit you. EnergyCasino promos include anything from a Free Spins Bonus to a Deposit Bonus, promotions that award only bonus funds or bonus spins, and many more exclusive bonuses.

4. HOT DROP JACKPOTS

Probably the best way to maximise your odds of winning is to try your luck in a hot drop jackpot slot. Hot Drops have a time interval that is set to trigger the payout regardless of the jackpot amount. They may be smaller than your average headline-grabbing jackpot amount, but a hot drop jackpot slot will pay out more frequently.

5. LOOK FOR FREQUENT PAYOUTS

It’s true that a progressive jackpot resets after it has been won, but some jackpot games offer relatively frequent wins, especially if it is a hot drop jackpot. In that case, the more a slot game pays out, the more likely it is to win something.

6. BONUS ROUNDS

Many jackpot slots feature some form of bonus round that has the potential to embellish your winnings (not to mention a slot’s entertainment value). Bonus games are generally activated through a particular combination of symbols and come with unique features specific to that jackpot slot. They can offer anything from multipliers to special symbols like Scatters and Wilds, and even a helping of bonus spins!

7. DON’T FORGET TO WATCH OUT FOR THE RNG

The Random Number Generator (RNG) is the mechanism that a slot uses to set its odds. It is a fixed sequence on a specific set of conditions. Because of this, casinos and providers have regulations in place to remove any house edge. Generally speaking, progressive slots which benefit from being certified are ones you can count on to give you a fair chance of winning.

8. FIND A RELIABLE CASINO

There are myriad casinos in the world, including online or land based casinos. Finding one which has a good reputation greatly increases not only your chances but helps for peace of mind too!

9. UNDERSTAND THE GAME

This is crucial to ensure you make the most of what progressive games have to offer. Being aware of the rules of a casino game, like how Wild symbols come into play or how bonus rounds are triggered, may help you decide which slot to try.

10. READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Terms and Conditions for each game are vital as they list the criteria needed for a player to make the most of their time playing. Whether there are any issues of eligibility that might come into play, or wagering requirements for these progressive slots, it’s always a good idea to have a look through to see if there are any terms that might impact your chances of winning.

THE JACKPOT METER

Jackpot meters are indicators of how large a jackpot is at any given moment in time. The value of the jackpot is shown on corresponding meters in the game. When a player is contributing to the jackpot prize, you can see the meter grow every time cash stakes are placed. When a jackpot is won, the meter resets back to zero and begins to climb once again. Meters are updated in real-time, so you will always know the value of the  jackpot as you play.

HOW MUCH IS A PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT?

The size of a progressive jackpot varies from game to game and even within a single game! Some fixed jackpot games have a set time interval when they pay out, meaning the size of the prize never reaches more than a certain amount. Other jackpots do the opposite, continuing to grow ever larger until that fateful combination unlocks it.

A brick-and-mortar slot machine in Las Vegas, for example, waited around 22 years before it paid out! Even then, you may find more than one jackpot in a progressive jackpot game, with each one usually having its own predetermined value. Remember, the lower the hit frequency, the larger the win.

WHICH PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT IS THE BIGGEST?

Progressive jackpots tend to be quite hefty, especially when they’re global jackpots. In fact, when taking a look at the largest progressive jackpot wins of all time, you’ll find many familiar names that are the kings (and kingmakers) of the progressive jackpot game. The maximum amount so far sits at €18,915,721 that was paid out by Mega Moolah. Additionally, it’s common to find an online progressive slot that incorporates more than one jackpot to make the game more interesting — like the Major, Minor and Mega jackpot in Mega Moolah, for example.

POPULAR PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT GAMES AT ENERGYCASINO

As one of the best online casinos around, EnergyCasino has a dizzying array of games on offer, from progressive jackpot slots to other jackpot games or even non-jackpot slots, and many other casino games.

Some of the most iconic titles in the Energy collection, include Immortal Romance, Mega Moolah, Starburst™, Book of Dead and Mega Fortune.That said, you can explore tonnes of casino games by big league developers like NetEnt, Relax Gaming, BF Games, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and Microgaming!

Here’s a small list of the best progressive jackpot games available at EnergyCasino:

• Mega Moolah — Mega Moolah is an animal-themed progressive slot game with five reels and 25 paylines. While it may look simple, it is one of the most-loved games in the world due to its FOUR progresisve pots!
• Mercy of the Gods — A popular slot drawing upon the ancient Egyptian theme but with a unique twist. This slot offers a tomb-load of features, keeping players engaged. The best part is, unlike other progressive online slots that require a minimum bet to play, Mercy of the Gods is a jackpot game that is accessible to players with a variety of budgets.
• Mega Moolah Absoolutely Mad — One of the more popular variations of the Mega Moolah franchise, set with an Alice in Wonderland theme. With the blueprint of the original still present, this jackpot slot features headline-grabbing jackpot wins like in the original Mega Moolah.
• Sisters of Oz Wow Pot — This game forms part of the Book of Oz series by Microgaming and Triple Edge Studios. This jackpot game features four progressive jackpots, dazzling graphics and engaging gameplay that breathes life into its huge jackpot.

HOW DO PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS PAY OUT?

There are different ways providers and casinos go about paying the pot. Some progressive slots are paid out in a fixed lump sum to the winner, while others are handed out at intervals with the rest credited over a period of time until the full amount is paid off.

PROGRESSIVE VS FLAT: WHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The choice is yours; both progressive and non-progressive jackpots have unique benefits and drawbacks that make the world of slot games so rich with choices.

Ultimately, it is up to the player to decide whether or not they want to try their luck at a slot machine, depending on several factors at the individual player’s discretion. One thing for sure is that popular progressive jackpot games attract players from every corner of the world, vying for that lucky spin that could be the one to win millions.

THE ENERGYCASINO WAY

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The cherry on top? We’ve got multiple machines and Live Casino games that have an in-built bonus game feature like a jackpot wheel or a bonus wheel that awards bonus spins — but, that’s not the end of it, though. Beyond the bonus game, you can check out our in-house promotions for a chance to snatch up even bigger prizes like free spins and other goodies.

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While our promotions are aimed at letting players spin with flare, no matter whether you claim bonus spins or bonus funds, there will always be a set of Terms and Conditions that come with them. Bonus funds expire unless used by a specific time or date, and bonus spins may be awarded on particular casino games. Additionally, bonus spins and bonus funds contribute toward wagering requirements and may also come with jurisdictional limitations. Be sure to give these terms a proper run-through before hitting that ‘CLAIM’ button.