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Progressive Slot Jackpots
A lot of slots enthusiasts are content to play for the bonuses and multipliers based upon each game’s pay table. Others want a chance to win the big prize: progressive slot machine jackpots.
Progressive slot games have been responsible for turning ordinary gamblers into millionaires. As a result, these staggering jackpots have become one of the most seductive attractions for many online casinos.
| Online Casino | Slot Name | Est. Jackpot Amount | Click To Play | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushmore |  |
Jackpot Pinatas | $1,617,182.05 | Click To Play Now |
| CherryRed |  |
Aztec’s Millions | $1,130,732.17 | Click To Play Now |
| SlotsOasis |  |
Shopping Spree | $1,020,235.73 | Click To Play Now |
| SuperSlots |  |
Red White & Win | $990,851.13 | Click To Play Now |
| English Harbour |  |
Treasure Trail | $392,942.64 | Click To Play Now |
Below, we’ll explain how progressive slot jackpots grow and describe the different types of progressives that are available. We’ll also explore the odds of winning a huge jackpot as well as where you can enjoy playing progressive slots.
How Progressive Slot Jackpots Build
You likely already know how conventional slots work. Each game comes with its respective pay table and pays out based upon symbols that match various paylines. Progressive slot machines also have pay tables that work in the same manner. However, the reason they lure slots fans is due to a progressive slots jackpot that continues to grow until a player wins it.
Before we explain how progressive jackpots grow, it’s important to understand the different types that exist. In land-based casinos, there are three main types of progressive slot machine jackpots:
- individual machines
- linked banks of machines
- multi-location networks
An individual progressive slot has a jackpot that grows exclusive of every other game. A linked bank of machines has a jackpot that is based upon bets wagered on every game within that bank. The progressive jackpots for multi-location networks can be shared across multiple casinos.
That’s how you can get the huge progressive slot jackpots you see advertised across casinos in Vegas (and online). Each time a player bets on a spin, a portion of that bet goes directly into the progressive slot machine jackpot pool.
For example, a slot game that has a maximum $5 spin might contribute $.25 of each player’s maximum bet to the pool. When a player finally hits the right symbols on the right paylines, he or she is awarded the entire jackpot. When that happens, the jackpot resets to an established minimum from which it begins to build again.
How Online Progressive Slots Work
Online progressive slots work in the same manner as those in land-based casinos. There’s no physical bank or network of machines, obviously; everything occurs online.
In some cases, an online casino will have a perpetually-growing progressive jackpot that is only available to those who play a specific slot. Other times, the jackpot may be available to players across a dozen or more slot games at that particular casino. Sometimes, a gambling site may use software that is used by several other online casinos to pool the progressive slots together to have some really huge jackpots. Just look at the chart above for some of the million dollar plus jackpots available online.
In that case, a progressive slots jackpot may be made available to players across several casinos that use the same software.
Understanding The Odds Of Progressives
First, let’s clarify a common misunderstanding about slots odds. A lot of slots fans believe that a slot machine is “due” to pay out simply because it hasn’t paid out in a long time.
However, that’s not true.
A random number generator is used to ensure that the odds of hitting the progressive jackpot (or anything on the pay table) are the same for each spin of the reels. The chance that you’ll hit the progressive jackpot depends upon the number of symbols per reel and number of reels; in effect, it’s based entirely on math.
That being said, every slot machine has a given return. It’s a number that represents the ratio of how much money is paid out compared to how much is wagered.
For example, a slot game with a 98.5% return keeps $1.50 for every $100 that is wagered.
While it’s seldom easy to identify a slot game’s individual return, the most dependable online casinos hire accounting firms to audit their numbers.
Where To Find Progressive Slot Jackpots
We’ve enjoyed playing the progressive slots at Rushmore Casino and This Is Vegas.
Rushmore is currently offering a $888 Welcome Bonus for new players. It’s a non-cashable bonus that you can use when playing their progressives. This Is Vegas has a 400% match bonus up to $2,400. They have 3 progressive slots (their website only lists 2 of them) that you can play.
The jackpots for the progressive slots at Rushmore and This Is Vegas are climbing quickly, but they can change at any time. Remember, as soon as a player hits them, they will revert back to their “floor” from which they start building again. If you enjoy slots, visit both Rushmore and This Is Vegas today in order to claim your bonuses and start playing for a life-changing jackpot.
You can learn more about how slots work or different ways to play slots like in slot machine tournaments.
