Jackpots in casinos differ from the bonuses we’ve discussed earlier. The key distinction lies in the uncertainty of winning a jackpot, as it is not tied to making a deposit, playing a specific number of times, or placing higher bets.
A casino jackpot represents the highest potential win achievable from a single spin on a particular slot machine. These games offer players the opportunity to win the maximum amount with minimal effort, as a single spin can trigger the jackpot, regardless of the bet size.
The total jackpot amounts vary based on several factors, including the casino, the type of game, and the specific jackpot format offered by the game.
On this page, you can delve into more information about different types of jackpots before selecting a game to play. Additionally, you can explore details about the most popular jackpot slots currently available.
How the jackpots work?
Below, you’ll find various types of jackpots, but regardless of the game you’re playing, they all share one common factor – luck! Any of these jackpots can be won randomly after any spin, all thanks to the Random Number Generator employed by casinos. Due to this, predicting or strategizing to win jackpots is futile. The only strategy you can employ is deciding how much to bet and which slots to play.
Certain jackpots have fixed amounts, so your bet size doesn’t affect the prize. The crucial factor here is to ensure you meet the minimum bet requirement to be eligible for the big win. On the other hand, progressive jackpots increase with each bet made, as a portion of each bet contributes to the jackpot pool.
Additionally, you’ll encounter games with either a single or multiple jackpots. Opting for games that offer other bonus prizes, such as bonus spins or wild cards, is highly recommended.
Types of Jackpots
The diverse range of jackpots available in online casinos ensures that players have access to a variety of exciting and potentially lucrative gaming experiences. Whether one seeks the thrill of ever-increasing progressive jackpots or the stability of fixed jackpots, the world of online gambling offers a plethora of choices to cater to every player’s preferences and desires.
The assortment of jackpots provided by online casinos can vary significantly, influenced by the specific casino platform and the diverse range of games they offer. At the heart of the jackpot landscape are two primary categories: progressive and fixed jackpots. However, beyond these two well-known variants, there exists a realm of other intriguing jackpot types that await exploration.
Progressive Jackpots
The progressive jackpots are currently the most popular. The reason for that is because one progressive jackpot can be life-changing. This is because some progressive jackpots reach even 10.000.000 euros.
The progressive jackpots are not fixed, i.e. the amounts of the jackpot are not fixed. Instead, the game with a progressive jackpot has its own pool that increases as each player spins the reels. A percentage of every bet placed goes for that pool. So, the more people play that game, and the more they bet, the higher the pool becomes.
There are no rules when the progressive jackpot might hit and it is usually hard to win. This is the reason why some jackpots reach those enormous amounts because it can take months until someone hits the jackpot. As there are no rules, it also might happen that one player hits it two times in a row, or two players to win one after another. What is different is the amount. If you hit the big jackpot, then the pool starts to fill from the start, so the second time you might only win the minimum amount. Players have the same chances of winning a progressive jackpot every time they spin the reels, regardless of the jackpot’s size.
Ways to Win a Progressive Jackpot
There are different ways to win a progressive jackpot. Before playing you will need to get familiar with the ways of winning, as well as the random number generator. The progressive slots work on Random Number Generator and ensure fair play. Their main function is to determine when a jackpot or bonus game is going to be triggered.
One of the ways to win a jackpot can be hitting a certain winning combination. To win, you must line up certain symbols on a designated payline.
Another way is by betting the top stakes possible. The more you bet the more tickets you get. And if one of your tickets matches the algorithm after a spin, you win the jackpot.
Random progressive jackpot games are those where any spin can trigger the jackpot, without the need to hit a certain combination or play bonus spins.
Playing a bonus game is another way to hit the jackpot. Some games feature a special bonus round that can be triggered during the game. The bonus round can be spinning a wheel, or choosing cards that can determine your prize.
Must-drop jackpots are games that are designed to trigger jackpots by a strict deadline.
Types of Progressive Jackpots
There are three different types of progressive jackpots. Depending on the amount of the pool, the games that contribute to the pool, and the number of people playing at one time, they are divided between Standalone Progressive Jackpots, Proprietary Progressive Jackpots and Wide Progressive Jackpots.
Standalone Progressive Jackpot applies only to one game at one casino. This means the jackpot pool consists of bets made only on that particular game in the particular casino.
Proprietary Progressive Jackpot is the type where more games are linked together to form the jackpot pool. This means that the bets made on those games at one particular casino all feed into the same pool.
Wide Progressive Jackpot is the type of jackpot linked across multiple casinos. This means that each casino that offers a particular game, contributes to the same jackpot pool. The pool is for a particular game and all players playing that game, regardless of which casino they use, contribute to the same pool.
Fixed Jackpots
Unlike the progressive jackpots, the fixed jackpots, as the name implies, have a fixed amount that is paid out. The amount of the jackpot is not related in any way to the amount invested in the game. Regardless of how many players bet, or how big their bets are, the amount is not changing because is built into the actual game. The player can hit the jackpot two times in a row, and the amount will be the same, the fixed amount.
All fixed jackpot games use random number generators, so it is all down to chance. This provides fair play and equal chances. Plus, it adds more to the excitement since you might hit the jackpot without expecting it.
Players often choose these types of jackpots because the chances to win are bigger. These jackpots tend to be more steady with fewer fluctuations. However, there is no guarantee that you will win the jackpot by playing the fixed jackpot games, but when you do, you can win a lot of money.
Mystery Jackpot
Mystery jackpots, also known as Must-Hit-By jackpots, are a specific type of jackpot that comes with a guaranteed time of payout. These jackpots begin with a predetermined starting value and are required to be won before reaching a set maximum amount. As a result, these jackpots can be triggered at any point between these two limits, adding an element of suspense and excitement to the gaming experience.
These games can easily be identified by a prominent jackpot meter displayed at the top or side of the screen. The meter will indicate a “Must Hit By” (or “Must Win By”) value, along with the maximum amount the jackpot can reach. When you play these games, a portion of your wager contributes to filling up the jackpot meter, and the intriguing aspect is that the triggering moment remains uncertain. As the jackpot meter gets closer to the “must hit by” amount, your chances of winning increase, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement during gameplay.
Multiple Jackpot
Multiple Jackpots means that the game has more than one jackpot attached to it. These jackpots are always progressive, which means that a portion of every wager goes towards the pool and it keeps increasing until the jackpot is hit. If let’s say the game has four jackpots, a portion of each bet goes to all four jackpots. Once one of the jackpots is hit, the players receive the payout of that particular jackpot, and the rest remain the same i.e. keep on going up.
Types of Jackpot Games
The most common games that have jackpots are the slots. However, there are variants of the classic table games that offer jackpots as well, and usually, it is a progressive jackpot.
Slot Machines
Slot machines are the most popular casino game, and as such, they have different types of jackpots attached. There are slots that offer fixed jackpots. All you need to do is play and hit the winning combination to win the jackpot. The winning combination is different for different slots, so before you start playing check the winning combinations. The progressive jackpots can be won in various ways, as explained in the progressive slots section.
Progressive Video Poker
Progressive video poker stands as the prevailing format of video poker, offering an enticing twist with an added progressive jackpot feature. As players participate in the game, the jackpot pool steadily grows, fueled by contributions from each player’s bets. The chance to claim the progressive jackpot arises when a player achieves a specific winning five-card hand, typically in the form of a royal flush. This thrilling aspect adds an extra layer of excitement to the classic video poker experience, making it even more captivating and potentially rewarding.
Progressive Poker
Apart from progressive video poker, online casinos offer progressive poker games as well. Along with the standard bet, the player can also wager on the progressive jackpot. The variants of the game have some winning combination set that if the player gets, wins the jackpot. The winning combinations are different for the different progressive poker versions, so that is something you should check before playing. Most importantly, you can still play your favourite standard game but with the opportunity to get the perfect winning hand.
Progressive Blackjack
The progressive jackpot version of blackjack is part of many online casinos. It gives you the opportunity to win a jackpot along with your normal game of blackjack. The progressive blackjack is almost the same as the standard blackjack game, where in addition to your normal wager you place a side bet that goes towards the progressive jackpot pool. That way, the pool will keep increasing with each hand played at the table. In order to win, you will need a winning combination of cards and that combination varies from casino to casino. Usually, the winning combination of cards is four aces of the same colour.
Progressive Roulette
The progressive roulette game is much like a regular roulette game. The main difference is that alongside your standard bets, you add a side bet that goes towards the pool. In progressive roulette the side bet is a must, so make sure you understand the rules before playing. All the bets made go towards the progressive jackpot pool on a certain table. The winning rules are different in each casino, but usually have something to do with hitting the same number multiple times in a row.
Useful Tips
Although the slots are just games of chance and their outcome will always be random, here are some tips that can help boost your chances of winning a jackpot.
- Read all the instructions for the game you decided to play. Check all the winning combinations and rules
- Use the free play option of the game to get familiar with it before betting money
- Choose a slot with Return to Player (RTP) of 95% and higher
- Choose a slot that offers other prizes as well
- Always play within your budget
- Choose the smaller jackpots. The reason why those progressive slots’ amount is huge, is because they’re very hard to hit. Games with smaller jackpots tend to pay out more frequently
- Bet the maximum amount in order to increase the chances to hit the jackpot
Games With Biggest Jackpots
Amidst the wide array of jackpot slots available, presented below are the most popular ones currently capturing players’ attention. These slots have been witnessing a surge in popularity due to their remarkable ability to reach the highest progressive jackpots, adding to the excitement and allure of the gaming experience.
Mega Moolah
Mega Moolah is a progressive jackpot slot provided by Microgaming, one of the best software providers. It has an interesting jungle theme, combined with jackpots, free spins, scatter symbols, and wild symbols. In the year 2020, the Mega Moolah jackpot was hit 7 times, with a total amount of 70 million paid out to players.
The Mega Moolah slot has 4 different progressive jackpots, Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega which is the biggest one. The progressive jackpots can be won by spinning the Jackpot Bonus game.
A variant of the Mega Moolah slot that is one of the most played now is underwater-themed Atlantean Treasures Mega Moolah. Apart from the theme, the difference is that there are no free spins but respins and there is no Scatter Symbol. However, it has the same number of progressive jackpots, which are four, mini, minor, major, and mega.
In order to win one of the progressive jackpots, you need to hit a small pearl Progressive Trigger Symbol that triggers a spin on the bonus wheel leading to the prize. At the moment of writing this, the biggest jackpot for this slot is over 14 million euros, available at King Billy Casino.
Jackpot Giant
Jackpot Giant is a progressive jackpot slot provided by Playtech and it is one of the most played slots. It has a cartoonish-like style with a volcanic island theme. The slot is a 5 reel, 50 payline video slot that features free spins, wild symbols, a scatter symbol, and a bonus symbol which is the volcano. When hitting the volcano symbol anywhere on reels 1 and 5, it unlocks a bonus game called Giant Bonus. The bonus game consists of 6 volcanos out of which the player has to choose three to get a cash prize.
You can win when five of the Gold Wild Symbols are hit on the first payline. At the moment, Bet365 Casino has the highest jackpot for this slot, of around 5 million euros.
Hall of Gods
Hall of Gods is another slot that is one of the most played featuring a progressive jackpot. It is created by NetEnt and is based on Norwegian mythology. The Hall of Gods slot has 5 reels and 20 paylines. Features bonus game, free spins, scatter, and wild symbols as an addition to the three progressive jackpots the Mini, Midi, and Mega.
To win any of the progressive jackpots you need to hit 3 Thor’s Hammer symbols anywhere across the reels. Break the shields to match 3 amounts and reveal the prize. The Bet365 Casino has the highest jackpot for Hall of Gods at the moment, around 5 million euros.
