Progressive Jackpot Slots Explained: What Are They & How Do They Work?
Talk to any slot aficionado, and they will tell you that the best slot option at online casinos is playing progressive jackpot slots. They have the potential for big payouts because of the way that they work, with every losing wager adding to the collective jackpot.
But how do these games work, and how do they pay out? Here, we explain everything you need to know to play progressive jackpot games at Stake. We will also introduce you to some handy tips to help you get started at Stake Casino.
What is a Progressive Jackpot Slot?
A progressive jackpot is a kind of prize that can be won when you play a slot game. Unlike standard slot types where the jackpot is predefined, a progressive jackpot is always building.
A progressive slot game will have a prize pot that keeps being added to every time a player spins the reels without winning the jackpot. These progressive prizes can be as high as millions and have made some players millionaires.
How do Progressive Jackpot Slots Work?
The beauty of progressive jackpot games is that they don’t come with a maximum prize attached – the jackpot pool keeps growing as people bet on and play the game.
Now, every time someone places a bet on one of the progressive slot machines, a percentage of that bet is set aside to contribute to the growing progressive jackpot prize pool. The jackpot increases until one lucky winner lands the top prize money.
Popular Jackpot Slot Games on Stake Casino
There are plenty of different jackpot slot games for you to get started with here at Stake, so we’ve taken a look and picked out some of our favourites for you here:
Sleeping Dragon: Pragmatic Play brings you Sleeping Dragon, a slot chock full of bonus features like respins and a potential 15,000x max win.
Brick House Bonanza: Another classic from Pragmatic Play, Brick House Bonanza gives you a stunning fairytale theme and 243 ways to win.
10 Pharaohs: Everyone loves Egyptian slots, and Push Gaming knows that. 10 Pharaohs is a jackpot slot with amazing graphics and the potential for big prizes.
Types of Progressive Jackpot Slots & How to Play Them
There are a few different types of progressive jackpots that slot players should be aware of:
Standalone progressives: A standalone progressive jackpot refers to the prize offered by a video slot machine at a venue like a land-based casino. As a result, only wagers made on the machine contribute to the progressive jackpot, meaning that the max prize isn’t as high as in other games.
Local progressive jackpots: Local progressive jackpots are those offered by land-based and online casinos and pool bets from several machines. Therefore, the payouts are higher than standalone progressives.
Global progressive jackpots: These games are not limited to one online or brick-and-mortar casino and can be won by players worldwide. Mega Moolah is an excellent example of this type of jackpot slot.
Progressive Jackpots vs. Non Progressive Jackpot Slots
The only real difference between progressive jackpot slots and non-progressive jackpot slots is the prize pools on offer. Both types of game include all the special symbols and bonus features you would expect, like scatters and multipliers, but only progressive games offer the building jackpots.
This means that there tends to be a greater potential for big prizes in jackpot slots compared to non-jackpot games. However, it doesn’t mean that you’re more likely to win or that you will claim the main jackpot.
How are Progressive Jackpots Paid Out, Chances, & Odds?
Progressive jackpot slot games have the potential to pay out massive prizes as the jackpot sizes are based on how much has been paid into the pot before the huge jackpot is claimed. This is a similar concept to how typical offline slots would function in a land-based casino, and you can even find some connected jackpot slots in physical venues.
The jackpots will usually be triggered as part of a bonus feature, where landing specific symbol combinations, such as a number of wilds, will trigger a jackpot payout. Some games will have multiple prize pots as well as the main progressive jackpot, and these can be triggered similarly.
The largest jackpot payout in history occurred in 2023, with one lucky winner claiming more than 42 million Euros. The second-highest is nearly 20 million Euros paid out at Napoleon Casino. These are eye-watering sums and show the potential for big wins.
Given the huge prizes up for grabs, it won’t surprise you to hear that the odds of landing a progressive jackpot are slim, typically 50 million to 1. Although it might seem like a long shot, these are shorter odds than winning the national lottery, so it’s certainly possible.
How to Win Progressive Jackpot Slots – Tips, Tricks & Strategies
Now that you understand what progressive jackpot games are, it’s time to think about spinning the reels on these special slots. Here are some top tips that will help you get started with these popular games:
Before spinning the reels, consider the bet amount required to play progressive jackpot slots. While some games require high stakes, others have low betting amounts, so consider the best type of game for your budget.
Read our how-to guides for helpful information to help you play slots and other casino games at Stake Casino.
Make sure you understand how slots work and how they pay out, so you have a good idea of what to expect when playing a progressive jackpot title.
Consider playing progressive jackpot slots from different providers to keep things interesting.
The most important thing for us is player safety, which is why we’re so happy to offer responsible gambling resources, including our Stake Smart guide, to help you find the right balance when playing.
Types of Progressive Jackpot Slots & How to Play Them
There are a few different types of progressive jackpots that slot players should be aware of:
Standalone progressives: A standalone progressive jackpot refers to the prize offered by a video slot machine at a venue like a land-based casino. As a result, only wagers made on the machine contribute to the progressive jackpot, meaning that the max prize isn’t as high as in other games.
Local progressive jackpots: Local progressive jackpots are those offered by land-based and online casinos and pool bets from several machines. Therefore, the payouts are higher than standalone progressives.
Global progressive jackpots: These games are not limited to one online or brick-and-mortar casino and can be won by players worldwide. Mega Moolah is an excellent example of this type of jackpot slot.
Progressive Jackpots vs. Non Progressive Jackpot Slots
The only real difference between progressive jackpot slots and non-progressive jackpot slots is the prize pools on offer. Both types of game include all the special symbols and bonus features you would expect, like scatters and multipliers, but only progressive games offer the building jackpots.
This means that there tends to be a greater potential for big prizes in jackpot slots compared to non-jackpot games. However, it doesn’t mean that you’re more likely to win or that you will claim the main jackpot.
How are Progressive Jackpots Paid Out, Chances, & Odds?
Progressive jackpot slot games have the potential to pay out massive prizes as the jackpot sizes are based on how much has been paid into the pot before the huge jackpot is claimed. This is a similar concept to how typical offline slots would function in a land-based casino, and you can even find some connected jackpot slots in physical venues.
The jackpots will usually be triggered as part of a bonus feature, where landing specific symbol combinations, such as a number of wilds, will trigger a jackpot payout. Some games will have multiple prize pots as well as the main progressive jackpot, and these can be triggered similarly.
The largest jackpot payout in history occurred in 2023, with one lucky winner claiming more than 42 million Euros. The second-highest is nearly 20 million Euros paid out at Napoleon Casino. These are eye-watering sums and show the potential for big wins.
Given the huge prizes up for grabs, it won’t surprise you to hear that the odds of landing a progressive jackpot are slim, typically 50 million to 1. Although it might seem like a long shot, these are shorter odds than winning the national lottery, so it’s certainly possible.
How to Win Progressive Jackpot Slots – Tips, Tricks & Strategies
Now that you understand what progressive jackpot games are, it’s time to think about spinning the reels on these special slots. Here are some top tips that will help you get started with these popular games:
Before spinning the reels, consider the bet amount required to play progressive jackpot slots. While some games require high stakes, others have low betting amounts, so consider the best type of game for your budget.
Read our how-to guides for helpful information to help you play slots and other casino games at Stake Casino.
Make sure you understand how slots work and how they pay out, so you have a good idea of what to expect when playing a progressive jackpot title.
Consider playing progressive jackpot slots from different providers to keep things interesting.
The most important thing for us is player safety, which is why we’re so happy to offer responsible gambling resources, including our Stake Smart guide, to help you find the right balance when playing.