How do progressive jackpots differ from regular slots?

While regular slots might offer a fixed jackpot, progressive slots provide a jackpot that increases with every spin. If a player doesn’t win the jackpot, it grows until triggered randomly or via bonus games. A progressive jackpot game may offer multiple jackpots as well.

How big can progressive jackpots get?

Depending on the seed amount set by the casino and whether or not a particular slot game links to other games, progressive jackpots can reach six or seven figures.

What triggers a progressive jackpot?

Slot machines contain random number generators (RNGs) representing a game’s theoretical return-to-player (RTP) average. Players can trigger a jackpot via an independent RNG either randomly or through bonus rounds, max bets, or predetermined "Must Hit By" jackpot amounts.

How does progressive jackpot work?

Progressive slots work the same way regular slots do. However, seed amounts set by the casino ensure a jackpot win doesn’t revert a prize pot to $0. Also, players contribute a small percentage of every wager until a jackpot gets triggered randomly or through in-game bonuses.

How do you win a progressive jackpot?

A progressive slot machine contains various features unique to any game supplier. While a jackpot win may get triggered randomly, other factors like activating symbols on a particular payline, betting the maximum amount, or wagering past a designated amount may come into play.

How are progressive jackpots paid out?

The ways that progressive jackpots pay depend on the casino. While smaller jackpots might come as a check for the total amount, more enormous jackpots might get paid out in installments. Players may also have the choice of lump sums or getting paid in full.

Are some slot machines luckier than others for winning progressive jackpots?

Some slot machines may feel “luckier” than others. However, any progressive jackpot slot has a random number generator (RNG) that determines return-to-player (RTP) averages and volatility. Higher RTP games pay out more often in small amounts, while low RTP games pay out less frequently in higher amounts.

What Are Progressive Jackpots?

ByBryan Myers

Last Updated: December 10, 2024

Fact Checked ByLogan Martinez

In 1986, the worldwide gaming software provider IGT released the first progressive jackpot slot, Megabucks. By 1987, a lucky player had won the first-ever progressive jackpot for nearly $5 million (which would be worth about $13.8 million today, adjusted for inflation).

A progressive jackpot is an accumulative prize pool that increases each time there’s no winner for casino games and lotteries. While fixed jackpots don’t change, progressive jackpots grow in size until there’s a winner.

In this article, I'll examine how progressive jackpot slots work, the odds of winning them, the various types of progressive games, and where to play them at our favorite online casinos.

Casinos and software providers collaborate to create entertaining and exciting progressive jackpot slots. Some progressive games offer one progressive jackpot, while others provide multiple jackpots.

Progressive jackpot slots use an internal random number generator (RNG) that players must trigger via a winning combination. Also, casinos set a “seed amount” for their progressive games to ensure that a player wins a designated jackpot amount even after a previous payout of a progressive jackpot.

Chances & Odds

The chances of winning a progressive jackpot depend on the casino and software provider. Like other casino games, progressive slots get tested for accuracy and fairness. Return-to-player (RTP) averages generally reflect the odds of winning a progressive jackpot.

For example, games with high RTPs might payout more often, with medium or high volatility. Games with lower RTPs may pay out less frequently but with a better prize. Other factors for winning progressives may include bet amounts, bonus games, free spins, and "Must Hit By" amounts.

How to Win Progressive Jackpot Slots

Triggering a jackpot prize at progressive jackpots is often a random occurrence. Some may claim that particular games showing five- or six-figure jackpots might be on the verge of paying out. However, that’s not the case — software providers test RNGs for RTP averages, determining the odds of winning a progressive jackpot.

Some progressive slots may require players to wager a max bet to be eligible for a top prize. Usually, when that happens, the game offers a significant progressive jackpot since a small percentage of each wager contributes to it.

Other progressives require players to trigger a bonus game first or activate symbol combinations on specific paylines.

The chances of winning a progressive jackpot remain the same on every spin due to an RNG tested over tens of millions of spins. For better odds of winning progressives, you can play eligible games with lower jackpot amounts (and thus fewer players) or try a "Must Drop By" game for an added way to win, other than an RNG.

Types of Progressive Jackpot Games

Casinos offer various games to players to keep things exciting and fun. Providing different progressive slots, with standalone jackpots or a prize pool network linked across multiple casinos and games, helps create a satisfying user experience and encourages players to return.

Local Progressive Jackpots

Local progressives offer in-house prize pools. However, online casinos from top providers can offer a “local” jackpot across their subsidiary sites. Before, gamblers in Las Vegas could walk into one land-based casino for a local progressive jackpot that was only available at that casino. Now, players can try their luck at the same progressive jackpot available at multiple casinos.

Network Jackpots

Network jackpots work similarly to local progressives. The only difference is that network jackpots are available at casino brands like BetMGM and BetRivers Casino. MGM’s "Big Series" offers a jackpot network across their casino brands (including Borgata Casino, PartyCasino, and the Wheel of Fortune Casino), while other casinos might provide a more expansive network like MegaJackpots.

Standalone Progressive Jackpots

Standalone progressive slots provide the lowest payouts from the smallest prize pools. While not connected to other in-house slots or a network progressive, these games generally offer five-figure jackpots.

Wide Area Progressive Jackpots

IGT created the gaming industry’s first wide-area network jackpot across multiple slot machines available at various casinos. As a branch of network progressives, these slots offer the highest payouts, reaching up to six and seven figures. However, the chances of winning a main jackpot from a wide-area progressive remain extremely low — almost one in 100 million or more.

Hot Drop Jackpots

Online casinos may offer "Hot Drop" jackpots in categories like Must Hit By or Must Go Jackpots. While random number generators may trigger a jackpot, there’s also a designated amount or time limit for an added layer of fun and better chances of winning a jackpot prize. Examples include daily jackpots or a $20,000 prize pool that players can trigger once the progressive jackpot slot reaches that threshold.

Progressive Jackpot RTP (Return to Player)

Software providers and third-party companies routinely test slots and online casino games for theoretical RTP averages. After testing games over millions of spins, casinos choose games based on RTPs to balance revenue generation with player favorability.

Understanding RTPs can help players select progressive slots suitable for their bankrolls. For example, with a smaller bankroll, you should play a progressive slot with an RTP of around 95% or above. You can check the in-game settings for the RTP of a jackpot payout.

Players with larger bankrolls can endure more risk by playing progressive slot machines with RTP percentages in the low 90s. While achieving a winning combination at standalone progressive slots is more feasible, a big jackpot offers the same odds on every spin. Players with larger bankrolls can afford the long-shot chances of becoming a lucky winner.

Popular Progressive Slots

We recommend finding a progressive slot game with a minimum wager to win a progressive jackpot that suits your bankroll. Here are some of the most popular progressive slot games:

88 Fortunes Jackpot Festival
Blood Suckers Megaways
Cleopatra
Divine Fortune
Double Jackpot Gems
Mega Moolah Slot
Mercy of the Gods
MGM Grand Millions
Wheel of Fortune Triple Gold Gold Spin
Wolf Run

Where to Play Progressive Jackpot Slots

With RTPs in the base game from the low-to-mid 90s, progressive slots generally offer small percentages for their jackpots. As you search for your favorite progressive slot game, remember that online casinos offer various jackpots from exclusives or share a progressive prize for the same game across multiple machines at other sites.

To sign up at our recommended online casinos, use one of our links and follow the on-screen instructions. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android users via the App Store and Google Play.

Check out our recommendations for casinos for beginners before diving into the list of top options.

bet365 Online Casino

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The bet365 online casino is currently available to eligible New Jersey and Pennsylvania players. With limited in-house options, only three slots are under their Jackpots category. Jackpot Bells offers "Very High" volatility and a 96.03% RTP, likewise for Land of Gold, which has a 95.15% RTP and 576 paylines. Registration required.

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BetMGM paid out more than $138 million in progressive jackpots in 2023. Their online casino is available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. MI and NJ players get access to thousands of slots at BetMGM, including the "Big Series" of network progressive slots with top payouts reaching six figures and above. BetMGM also offers smaller prizes and has one of the most extensive rosters of progressive slot games.

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Available States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan

Caesars Palace Online Casino is well-known for offering hundreds of slot games, including a category for progressive jackpots. While the casino is available in MI, PA, and WV, players in NJ can choose from five Diamond Cash titles, six MegaJackpots with six-figure payouts, and two Wheel of Fortune-themed slots with seven-figure payouts.

DraftKings Online Casino

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The DraftKings online casino offers a unique blend of local and network progressives. Progressive jackpots are available for various casino games like baccarat, blackjack, roulette, sic bo, and dozens of slots. Payouts include four-figure Mini and Minor jackpots, a five-figure Major jackpot, and a seven-figure Mega jackpot payout. Must Hit By options include 6 Wild Sharks, Gold Bust LuckyTap, and Royal Spins.

FanDuel Online Casino

Read our FanDuel Casino Promo Code & Review
Available States: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

The FanDuel online casino offers various progressive slots, including dozens of MegaJackpots, LuckyTap, and Diamond Cash titles with large jackpots. Players can also choose from daily jackpots for smaller prize pools with fewer players.

Progressive Jackpot Tips & Strategy

When choosing a progressive jackpot slot, you can learn about its RTP by checking the in-game settings or information tab. The game supplier also offers information about how to trigger a jackpot. Choose games with high RTPs while paying attention to the betting requirements.

We recommend playing jackpot games on limited-number networks (standalone jackpot slots) for the best chances of winning an ultimate prize. While some players may incorrectly assume that a significant jackpot amount means better chances of winning, smaller jackpots offer better odds.

Pros & Cons of Progressive Jackpot Slots

The pros and cons of playing progressive slots and other casino games with progressive prizes generally depend on your bankroll. Players at progressive slot machines contribute to jackpots not available at regular slots. However, triggering any jackpot amount comes with significantly low RTP odds, especially for the biggest jackpot.

While timed jackpots or those with a predetermined value for a jackpot size ($20,000) may offer better chances, the lucky winner truly depends on randomness more than the size of your bankroll.

Pros

Online progressive slots are often more accessible and entertaining than games at land-based casinos.
The prize pot of the largest jackpot payout from progressive slots often reaches six and seven figures, even from a relatively small stake.
Games are available from home 24/7.
Plenty of options exist for small bankrolls or high-rollers.

Cons

Chasing losses or expecting wins can lead to problem gambling.
Betting the maximum amount could be too costly for most players.
Competing for the same jackpot against other players may reduce your chances of winning.
The odds of winning the largest jackpot payout (or any jackpot) remain extremely low.

Gambling Responsibly

Most online casinos strictly enforce Responsible Gaming (RG) protocols to ensure players gamble responsibly. The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers a 24/7 hotline (1-800-GAMBLER) for players who feel they may have a gambling problem and need help or support. Limits on deposits, spending, and gaming time can also be set via your account dashboard.

To learn more about gambling online, you can read our reviews and how-to-play tutorials or visit the RG section at online casinos. Proper bankroll management includes only gambling with what you can afford to lose and placing 1% to 5% bets relative to your bankroll (i.e., $1 to $5 wagers with a $100 bankroll).

To learn more, read our responsible gambling resources.

Online Slots is a game of chance, but we've compiled a list of resources to help you become a successful and informed player:

Also, to learn more about online casinos, please refer to our addition casino education content below.

If you'd like to learn more about online gambling, specifically the best online casino brands and the best virtual games to play, check out The Best Real Money Online Casinos in the U.S.

Bettors in Pennsylvania can learn more by reading our Pennsylvania Online Casino page.
Connecticut bettors can check out our Connecticut Online Casino review.
Gamblers in Delaware can read our Delaware Online Casino review.