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Written by: Filip Gromovic Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala

Read time: 13 minutes

Don’t be surprised that some long-time betters still don’t know what is a progressive slot machine. But, will you blame them? There are different types of progressive slots, and it takes serious learning to get familiar with all of them. The choice of which type is included in any title is made by the game providers—sometimes in collaboration with casinos.

Some games offer one jackpot while others have multiple. To become eligible to partake in a progressive jackpot, some titles may require players to wager the maximum bet. Sit back with your box of popcorn as we dissect this topic for easy assimilation.

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Introduction to Progressive Slot Machines

These are machines where the mega prize increases with each new bet. Every time a player spins the reels, a small portion of the player’s bet is added to the pool. The total payout will continue to swell until a lucky player wins the mega prize. The counter will reset afterward and start growing again.

The first recorded progressive slot introduced to traditional casinos was Megabucks by IGT in 1986. Since then, they have become a staple in brick-and-mortar gambling houses and recently made their way to online casinos. The lure of progressive prize is that they can grow to six figures, a potentially life-changing amount.

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How Progressive Jackpot Slots Work

The working mechanism of progressive slot machine is not too different from the regular machines. However, to accommodate the growing jackpot(s), the software developers introduced new variables. Unlike in traditional gambling houses, progressive slots are often linked across different online casinos.

Also, instead of one, multiple games can be chained together into one prize pool network. The most popular example in this regard is MegaJackpot series developed by IGT which chained three games together, namely Cluedo, Monopoly and Cleopatra. This is why the mega prizes can grow astronomically within a short time frame.

Jackpot Accumulation Mechanism

The accumulation mechanism of mega prize pools of slot machines is contributory. Every player who bets on linked titles contributes to the overall payout growth. Progressive jackpots have evolved in recent years from what they used to be when they were first introduced. Today, titles incorporate real-time data synchronization and advanced algorithms to ensure smooth gameplay and make sure the jackpot accumulation is properly tracked across interconnected systems. How quickly the mega prize will grow depends on the size of the percentage of player bets that feed the system. This decision is made by the software developer—sometimes in collaboration with the casinos.

Contribution Process

As we mentioned earlier, the biggest progressive prize pools usually involve a chain of games or a network of casinos, or both. The larger the network, the faster the Mega Moolah will grow. Another factor that determines how fast the pot will grow is the size of the percentage of player’s bet that feeds the pool.

For example, IGT’s MegaJackpots is fed by 2.3% of the player’s bet while Red Tiger slots’ Daily Jackpots take around 3% of player bets. Therefore, Red Tiger jackpots will grow faster than that of IGT if they both receive the same number of players. If a punter wagers $50 on MegaJackpots, $1.15 feeds the grand prize while if the same amount is wagered on Red Tiger, $1.5 goes to the prize pool.

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Types of Progressive Jackpots

Now that you know what are progressive slots, let’s talk about the types, shall we? If you are used to playing progressive machines, there is a huge chance that you have encountered more than one type of it. Whether you are aware or not is a topic for another day. Each of the different types of progressive jackpot offers gamblers the unique chance to win—as well as unique challenges. Let’s look at them closely.

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How to Identify Progressive Slot Machines

Now we have answered the question, «what does progressive slots mean», the next question that would likely be in the mind of young punters—especially those who have just discovered the possibility of making six to seven figures with just a spin—is how to identify progressive slot machines at a glance.

The truth is that some titles don’t make it obvious enough that they are progressive, while others do. For machines that don’t make it obvious, the hint can be found in different areas. Here are the three key ways to determine if a casino game is progressive or not.

Game Title Indicators

Virtually all major software developers now create progressive slots including Red Tiger and Blueprint. The best progressive payouts are usually reserved for long-time creators like IGT and NetEnt. Regardless of the developer, two details that can easily be deciphered from the name is the type of game it is and the theme. Whenever you see a title with the word «Mega» or «Pot» in it, suspect that it is a progressive slot. Examples include Mega Moolah by Microgaming, Mega Fortune NetEnt and Jackpot Giant by Playtech.

Casino Lobby Filters

Online casino subscribers have the extra advantage of being able to search through games based on category, theme or other presets. Where the presets are not available on the homepage, there is usually an option available through the search feature that makes it possible for players to narrow their search using specific criteria like betting limit, game type, provider or features. With this tool, punters can easily sift through thousands of free slots to find those with rolling payouts.

Game Description Features

Navigating to the game’s description is another way to determine if it offers a progressive jackpot feature. Every casino machine comes with a description and guide which is accessible through the settings, help button or «i» button. You will find every detail about the machine including how to play, the paytable and how to win. If the title has a rolling pot, you should find details on how to play progressive slots too including the eligibility criteria.

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Strategies for Playing Progressive Slots

While it is impossible to predict when a progressive jackpot will hit, understanding the game’s mechanics can help you to know what it takes to be eligible for a chance to win. Endeavor to pay attention to the following factors:

• Understand how the jackpot is triggered: the conditions for activating the mega bonus vary. In most standalone progressive it is initiated through bonus games, while in linked models it is usually by playing the maximum bet.
• Volatility: this tells you how frequently you should expect wins and whether the payouts will be significant or not.
• Know the type of jackpot: this information will help you to set your expectations on the potential payout of the machine. Linked progressive machines always trump standalone in payout size.
• Time of day to play: it is impossible to predict when a pot will hit. However, paying attention to previous win patterns can help you decide the best time to play to improve your chances.
• Demo practice: it pays to get familiar with any title you want to invest your time and resources into over a long period. The best way to know if the machine is worth it is by playing the demo.

Bankroll Management

Arguably the most important strategy when it comes to playing slots is knowing how to manage your bankroll. Some gamblers divide their bankroll into sessions and stop spinning as soon as they exhaust the allocation for that session. Playing the minimum bet can give you the opportunity to build your bankroll. However, when targeting a timed jackpot, you must balance this with placing the maximum bet which in most cases is what qualifies you to partake in the loot.

Understanding Minimum Bet Requirements

Every game has its minimum bet requirement, which is the coin size multiplied by the number of paylines. Penny slots allow a minimum of $0.01 per spin, which makes them attractive to new gamblers and those with a low appetite for risks. However, to be part of many progressive titles, you must play the maximum bet.

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Biggest Progressive Jackpot Wins

Since the introduction of mega prizes, several lucky players have won life-changing sums on different machines. One of the largest in-person wins on record happened in 2003 when a lucky player won nearly $40 million on IGT’s Megabucks.

Casinos have paid out larger sums to lucky online players who cracked how progressive jackpot slots work. Two titles have been at the center of huge online payouts namely Mega Moolah and WowPot Mega.

It is not surprising that online casinos record larger mega prizes because of how easy it is to network games across different gambling houses. While some smaller wins often go unnoticed, there are those that cannot be ignored because of the massive size of their payouts. See some of the largest payouts recorded to date in the table below.

Title of Slot	Jackpot Size	Year
Mega Moolah	€18,915,721	2018
Mega Moolah	$20,057,734	2019
WowPot Mega	£15,183,085	2021
Mega Moolah	€19,429,358	2021
WowPot Mega	£42,149,180	2023

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Casinos Where You Can Try Progressive Slot

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Tips for Maximizing Your Chances

The tips to maximizing your chances start before your first spin. It starts with choosing the right casino and choosing the right game. Firstly, let us talk about the appropriate casino. Before signing up with an online casino, ensure that they offer bonuses for new and existing members. Deposit bonuses credited to the account of players when they make a minimum deposit designated by the online casino, for example, can help punters extend their playtime. Some gambling houses even allow players to withdraw the bonus money once they meet their wagering requirements.

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Responsible Gambling Practices

It is always important to keep your gambling activities in check so that it doesn’t negatively impact your lifestyle. Some machines have tools that help you to monitor your activities or control your deposits or spending. Whenever these tools are available, maximize them to prevent excessive gambling. Most importantly, it is crucial that you set a budget when gambling as this is yet another hurdle that helps to keep your activities in check. Another practice is to take frequent breaks. Playing online comes with the freedom of playing at convenience but also the danger of overindulging. Timers can come in handy in this regard.

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FAQ

What is a progressive slot machine?

This is a type of machine where the jackpot swells as more punters play because a portion of their bet (1 to 3%) on each spin is added to the pot. The grand prize will continue to grow until it is won by a lucky player.

How can I win the progressive jackpot?

The way to win depends on the slot. In some, the lucky player must land specific symbol combinations on the reels to win while in others, the gambler must place the maximum bet on the machine and trigger the bonus game.

How often is progressive slot payout?

The jackpot payout rate depends on the machine. The payout rate is not cast in stone. Rather, the games depend on the random number generator (RNG) system to offer rewards, and this system is configured by the software developer.

Who pays for jackpot winnings?

For smaller standalone jackpots, the casino usually makes the payment. However, for mega prizes involving linked games or casino networks, who pays will depend on the arrangement between the developer and the gambling house.

Will the mega prize payment be in one lump sum?

It depends on the type of progressive jackpot and the parties involved. The exact rule governing payment should be available in the rules. So, take your time to check the rules to know if winnings will be paid out in installments or in lump sum.

Can I use bonus credits to play progressive slots?

The answer is most likely no. When casinos offer bonus credits, they are usually subjected to wagering requirements which means you can neither withdraw them nor use them for real money spins. The bonus credits will only become accessible when you have met the wagering requirement.

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Conclusion

There is so much to unpack when it comes to progressive slots. If you have read to this point, congrats because you have acquired more than the basic knowledge you need to compete and increase your winning odds. If you are a newbie, why not put the knowledge you have acquired to the test by registering with an online casino and trying out the demo of a few titles? Remember, practice makes perfect!

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