The world of online casino gaming was forever changed by the emergence of progressive jackpots. While jackpots existed in conventional brick-and-mortar establishments, they never achieved the popularity and size of progressive ones. Ambitious casino game developers started producing countless titles with progressive jackpot networks, whose kings were slots.
However, progressive jackpots are far more complex than just simple spins and wagers combined with a win statistic. Characteristics such as "must-win-by", linked progressive jackpots, the most popular progressive jackpot titles, the most beneficial bonuses, and more are something that every punter should be familiar with. This guide intends to teach you all of this and more, so stay tuned.
The age of progressive jackpot games began in the early 1980s when the idea of linking several slot machines came to Si Redd, the founder of International Game Technology (IGT). The company released the first progressive slot, called Megabucks, in 1986. It quickly became a sensation throughout the US, with rival game developers quickly trying to catch up. As the first online casinos came to the scene in the 1990s, so did the first online progressive jackpot titles. This new frontier gave access to countless new punters that compounded the size and allure of jackpots.
Progressive jackpots eventually transcended slots and appeared in video poker, table games, and even bingo. This new selection of game genres expanded the player base and gave game developers, such as Microgaming and NETENT, fun new sandboxes.
Everyone has seen a headline that talked about a lucky punter landing an enormous jackpot. Moreover, everyone has dreamed about hitting the jackpot and taking a long vacation in a tropical land. However, very few punters are familiar with the ins and outs of progressive jackpots. Check out the following key points and become one of the most informed punters around.
The online gaming industry is so popular because of its accessibility. Anyone with a stable internet connection, a solid banking method, and some time can place bets that can potentially land an enormous progressive jackpot. Things get even more amazing when you consider mobile gaming and the ability to place bets on your daily commute or while relaxing on your couch. However, placing bets that are too low, partaking in games with low-frequency jackpots, and other silly mistakes can prevent you from winning big. Check out the following recommendations and ensure that you compete for progressive jackpots the right way.
The most common mistake that punters make is trusting a fraudulent online casino. While it is easy to judge these individuals, we have to remember that modern online scammers make perfect phishing sites that are indistinguishable from their originals. What is more, if a new online venue does not have any reviews or customer feedback, it is practically impossible to know whether it is legitimate. However, the problems do not end there. Some casinos appear to be great until you start researching their payout processing and history.
All of these problems and other nuances are covered by our 12-step review process, which has been refined over the last 20+ years. Our industry experts rank and review the best online casinos with progressive jackpot games around. You can find these on this very site.
A large bonus does not necessarily mean that you are destined to win big. However, the more funds that you have, the longer you can play. What is more, you are less anxious to use bonus funds as they do not come directly from your wallet. However, bonuses and promotions do come with various restrictions, such as wagering requirements, game limitations, potential payout limitations, and more. Please refer to the terms and conditions of your chosen bonus to learn more.
You can generally expect your run-of-the-mill online casino bonuses such as welcome, deposit, free spin, cashback, reload, and loyalty bonuses. However, there are some unique ones such as jackpot boosters, which can increase the value of a progressive jackpot or even your odds of landing it. We also cannot forget tournament and leaderboard prizes, which come as a bonus prize for progressive jackpot games.
Just because you are competing for an enormous prize offered by a game provider or casino operator does not mean that you have to give up on your personal preferences. The best progressive jackpot games can be played on your favorite Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android device. You can play them on the move whenever you wish.
Some casinos will even offer dedicated launchers or apps, which you can download from Google Play, the App Store, or their official site. Note to always check whether a downloaded installer is safe to launch.
The bare minimum of online progressive jackpot games are Mega Moolah, Major Millions, Arabian Nights, Hall of Gods, Jackpot Giant, Beach Life, and Mega Fortune. If you cannot find any of these in a casino’s game library, it might not be worth attending.
However, you should always join casinos that offer titles that you enjoy. You should not base your choices on any outside pressure. While the biggest progressive jackpot games, such as Mega Moolah, can easily swell to 10 million USD, you need not partake in them. What is more, we recommend that you write a list of progressive jackpot games that you want and find a casino based on that.
Lastly, we advise that you explore the game library and have a gander at niche titles. These can occasionally surprise you with amazing gameplay and features. Some of these might even be available in free or demo mode.
Each online progressive jackpot game is slightly different. Some allow 1 USD or 2 USD spins to win the progressive jackpot, while others require 5 USD. The game that you choose be it high roller or not, greatly determines the type of wager you have to make in order to be eligible for a progressive jackpot win.
Some punters also forget about paytables. These set the value of various winning combinations, which is often overlooked when pursuing progressive jackpot wins. Note that a paytable can differ between the same game at two different gaming venues.
Remember that progressive jackpot games are just games. You should enjoy them for what they are and simply take in the gaming action that is unfolding before you. Do not chase wins or losses. Moreover, if you start feeling anxious, simply take a break and come back later. If you, however, start developing gambling problems, please seek help. You can find resources in our problematic gambling guide or in the customer support section of your chosen casino.
What makes a progressive jackpot game one of the best around is hard to say since it is highly subjective. However, most punters agree that large jackpot prizes, fair odds of winning, a wide range of betting options, clear rules, exciting gameplay, networked progressives, mobile compatibility, and leading safety solutions are required. Based on those criteria, the best progressive jackpot games around are:
The biggest progressive jackpot wins usually belong to networked progressives, which are jackpots that swell thanks to the contribution of punters at multiple venues. When jackpots reset, they amount to the seed value, which is often set around a million US dollars for larger pots, and in the hundreds or tens of thousands of US dollars for smaller ones. Check out the following biggest progressive jackpot wins in iGaming history and see the potential of online progressive jackpots.
The magnitude of progressive jackpots often overshadows the fact that they fall into various categories. It is paramount that you are familiar with the jackpot variants that modern online casinos boast, which is why we have prepared the following breakdown:
Classic Progressive Jackpot
This is the most common progressive jackpot type, whose prize pool increases with every wager. The progressive jackpot is eventually paid out to a lucky winner. Note that this classic progressive jackpot often accompanies slots and video poker, which require a specific winning combination.
Random Progressive Jackpot
The main difference between random and classic progressive jackpots is that you do not have to land a specific combination to claim them. Any spin or wager can trigger a random progressive jackpot regardless of the landed symbols.
Linked Progressive Jackpots
One of the cleverest ways of quickly increasing the size of a game's progressive jackpot is by linking titles hosted in various casinos. These networks of progressive casino games can produce incredible jackpots.
Fixed Jackpot Slots
While these non-progressive jackpots do not quite fit the theme of this guide, we believe that you should hear about one of the most popular jackpot variants around. Despite the jackpot not increasing with each wager, its payout can still be life-changing.
Without a doubt, the most famous name in online jackpot slots is the Mega Moolah progressive. Not only has it paid out many jackpots worth multiple millions it is also the highest paying online slot ever to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. We have dedicated this section of our progressive jackpot resource to listing and tracking the most prominent online casino progressive jackpot wins.
| Progressive Jackpot | Date | Amount | |
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Mega Moolah Absolootly Mad | 27.04.2021 | $23.6M |
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Mega Moolah | 28.09.2018 | $23.5M |
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Mega Fortune | 20.01.2013 | $21M |
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Mega Moolah | 06.10.2015 | $17.2M |
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Mega Moolah | 27.04.2021 | $16.9M |
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Mega Moolah | 28.09.2018 | $16.8M |
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Mega Moolah | 20.08.2020 | $16.7M |
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Mega Fortune | 24.09.2011 | $13M |
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Mega Moolah | 17.08.2020 | $12.9M |
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Jackpot Giant | 20.10.2018 | $12.2M |
Any casino game is highly dependent on luck, which is usually provided by random number generators. Live progressive jackpot casino games replace random number generators with good old decks of cards or mechanics. While you cannot seduce Lady Luck, you can impact everything around her with the following handy progressive jackpot tips.
Stay updated with the most popular progressive jackpot status. Use our free jackpot tickers tracker to learn about each jackpot's status and when it's best to play it.
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The Jackpot amount is not available
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The Jackpot amount is below average
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Yes, there are plenty! Modern online casino operators love offering mobile games, including those with progressive jackpots. You can access these with dedicated casino apps or simply by visiting their optimized site.
No, there is not. Progressive jackpots swell until they eventually dish out a massive payout to one lucky punter. There is, however, a minimum value for progressive jackpots. The latter is called the seed and is provided by an operator, gaming network, or software developer.
Yes, there definitely are! Some of the best options include deposit matching bonuses, welcome bonuses, and reload bonuses. Note that free spin bonuses usually prevent you from competing for a progressive jackpot. Read your bonus’s terms and conditions and double-check your jackpot accessibility.
That depends on what you deem to be the best. Some jackpot games have smaller but more frequent payouts, while others have massive payouts that rarely trigger. Check out our recommended online progressive jackpot game sites and find the best of both worlds.
Not necessarily. While certain casino games require maximum bets to unlock all of the bonus functions and nice gameplay mechanics, maximum bets are not required to pursue progressive jackpots. Read the rules of your chosen title and see how much you need to be in order to compete for a progressive jackpot.
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