Authority guide explaining exactly what are Progressive Slot Machines. How they work and where to play to try to hit one of the Progressive Jackpots.

Progressive Slot Machines

What are Progressive Slot Machines

If you have dreams of winning big, then you should consider the progressive slot machines. While you can have fun and even win with games such as blackjack or roulette, they do not offer payouts that run into hundreds of thousands.

In this guide, we are going to help you learn what progressive slot machines are, and why they might be just what you have been looking for. Overall, if you are looking for online casino games that will change your life if you get lucky, then you should read on.

Huge Jackpots

You may have noted that in most games, the jackpot seems to be fixed, and quite modest. Other times, you may have spotted games with jackpots that seem to be astronomical and keep increasing as players place more wagers.

The jackpots that increase with each play, irrespective of whether there was a small win or not, are the progressive jackpots. In slots games, each coin played “feeds” the jackpot, allowing it to grow steadily. This is what makes these games some of the most popular among players who dream of hitting the jackpot with progressive slot machines.

The rate of the growth of the jackpot varies depending on the type of the progressive slot machine. In that regard, there are three types of slot machines.

Progressive Slot Machines Megabucks

Standalone Progressive Jackpot Machine

This is the simplest form of a progressive jackpot slot. It has a jackpot ticker but the jackpot is fed by bets placed on that specific machine. The standalone jackpot is the oldest design of progressive slot machine jackpot.

However, the introduction of networked slot machines linked together led to the development of mega jackpots. You will still be able to find the standalone slot jackpots around the world because so many of the standalone machines were manufactured. In most cases, the jackpot is usually less than $10,000.

Local Progressive Slots

The local progressive jackpots are limited to a single casino. The jackpot is fed by two to a dozen slots machine within a single casino. The local progressive slots were the successors of the standalone slot jackpots, and the first to offer players an opportunity to win a slot mega jackpot. The jackpots in the local progressive slots range from $100,000 to $1,000,000.

Wide Network Progressive Slots

These are probably the reason you got interested in progressive slot machine machines. The wide area network progressive consists of interlinked slot machines from different casinos, but within the same state. The large number of connected slots allows the jackpots to rise to astronomical sums quickly. It is common to see jackpots ranging between $1 million and up to $15 million plus. You can win these jackpots by placing an ordinary bet in any of the slots belonging to that network.

How to Win a Jackpot on a Slot Machine

Well, there are no tricks or strategies when it comes to winning a progressive slot jackpot. Mathematically, the odds are similar to those of the lottery, with the exception being you get a chance to place numerous bets.

A common casino myth is that a jackpot is due after a certain period during that no one has won it. However, the fact is the odds of winning a jackpot are astronomical no matter how big or small it is. The myth came about because as the jackpot rises to millions of dollars, it attracts gamblers.

The more bets are placed, the higher the chances that someone will win the jackpot. Hence, when it happens, it appears that the jackpot was due! However, if the odds of winning a mega jackpot are 1 in a million, those odds will remain the same whether the jackpot is at $1 million or $10 million.

Progressive Slot Machines Online

Online Progressive Slot Jackpots

Just like land-based progressive jackpots, the rise of online casinos has also spurred the growth of online real money progressive slots. Micro gaming and RTG are among the leading providers of online progressive slots. The online progressive video slots work in much the same way as the brick and mortar casinos.

Each game you place from your computer feeds a tiny amount to the progressive jackpot. And just like the real-life casinos, the large number of online players quickly feed the jackpot, making it reach astronomical numbers quite fast.

In fact, one of the most sought after progressive jackpots is the Mega Moolah Online Progressive Slot. As of writing this post, this jackpot has reached a cool $18 Million US!

Changing Numbers

Playing progressive slots is exciting because the numbers keeping changing as time goes by. For example, if you play and win today, the jackpot could be millions more than, if you had won it 3 months ago. The jackpot could also be millions less is if you win it tomorrow, and it happens someone else won the jackpot on that machine, a short while before your win.

With that in mind, you will always want to check put all other progressive slots in your casino of choice before you place your bet. That will allow you to win big if you get lucky. And remember, it does not matter whether the jackpot is just a few thousand dollars or a million dollars, the odds of winning a progressive jackpot in a particular casino network are the same all the time.

Online Progressive Slots

Where Can You Find Progressive Slots?

In the past, if you wanted to place a wager, you had to take a walk out of your home or office and head to the closest brick and mortar casino. That is no longer the case; today you can easily place multiple wagers from literally anywhere, and all you need is a networked device such as a laptop or smartphone.

Thanks to cyber technology, you can practically play any game that was previously only accessible from a traditional casino, online. Apart from progressive jackpots, you will also be able to enjoy primary jackpots, secondary jackpots, and live online casino games.

How to Safely Play Progressive Slot Machines

When playing any gambling game, you need to remember that the house has a mathematical edge. If you played all the possible combinations, you will get more losses than wins. That guarantees the casino that it will be able to remain profitable without cheating.

House Edge and Payback Percentage

To get a clear picture of a house edge, think of a game of rolling a dice, where the winning number is 5. In that case, there are six possible outcomes, but only one winning outcome. If you were to play against the house, the house would win 5-times, while you would win just once, for every six rolls. Those statistics guarantee that the more rolls you make, the more wins the house or casino will get.

We can transfer that knowledge to the progressive slot machine. If you were to disassemble a physical slot, you will find that each reel has a number of symbols. The number of symbols on each reel will depend on the slot’s paytable and the house edge. Generally, casinos are required by law to have a maximum house edge of around 15%.

The house or casino can vary its edge by altering the number of symbols of each reel. For example, having a symbol appear more than once on a reel lowers the house edge. That also increases the chances of a player landing a winning combination of symbols.

You may think of it as having a 5 appear on two sides of the dice instead of just one. It would mean that for every six rolls of the dice, the chances of getting a 5 would be 2, instead of one. The probability of rolling a 5 would then be 2/6, or simply 1/3.

Example

If the player wagers $1, we can determine the house edge based on the expected value, EV.

Where:

x1 = −1 (loss of $1),

p1 = loss probability 2/3,

x2 = +1 (payout of $1),

p2 = 1/3 win probability 1/3

EV = x1p1 + x2p2

EV = (-1)x(2/3) + (+1)x(1/3) = -0.6667+0.3333

EV = -0.3334 = -33.34%

This negative Expected Value of 33.34% on the part of the player is also the house edge. It predicts the long-term profit the house or casino will get from the single $1 bets using the dice with a 5 on two of its sides.

In that regard, you should never try to chase the wagers you lost, and you should never wager any funds that you are not comfortable losing. Ideally, you should only bet with disposable cash that you would for example have used to entertain yourself. Such funds include money you planned to use to buy a ticket for a football match or movie.

Conclusion

Overall, since the chances of winning a mega jackpot are in the orders of 1 in a million, it is best to wager responsibly. You should also never try to conceal your bets because that can lead you into a gambling addiction. The rule of thumb is not to chase luck, but to let luck find you. We hope that this guide on what are progressive slot machines has been informative, and you will have fun playing online slots.

Casinos offering the best progressive slot games

200% NO Wagering & NO Max Cashout
Minimum deposit: $20

9.3/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

Minimum deposit: $20 Wagering: 1x Deposit Max cashout: None Allowed games: NP Slots, Keno & Video Poker Max bet per hand: $10 General Terms apply

500% Low Wager Bonus + 500 Spins
Bonus percentage 250% (+250% on Crypto).

9.0/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

Bonus percentage per deposit: $20-$99.99 get 500% $100-$149.99 get 650% $150-$199.99 get 800% $200+ get 1000% First deposit bonus Code: THEBIGONE Minimum deposit: $20 Wagering: 27x D+B Max cashout: 10xD Maximum bonus amount: $5000 Only NP Slots allowed Max bet per hand: $10

Up to 100% Match Bonus
Minimum deposit: $30 or Crypto-equivalent

8.8/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

- Wagering: 50x Bonus - Minimum deposit: $30 or Crypto-equivalent - Max cash out: None - Games contribution: 100% Slots, 20% Video Poker, 0% All other games bets toward wagering - Sticky Bonus - Other general and bonus terms apply

Up To $6,000 Welcome Bonus
split over 6 deposits.

8.5/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

Players can claim the SS250 bonus code on their first deposit only. A minimum deposit of $20 is required to qualify for SS250 and SS100 bonus codes. The maximum bonus amount per deposit is $1,000. The correct bonus code needs to be entered to claim the correct match bonus with your deposit. I.e. SS250 on your first deposit and SS100 on subsequent deposits. This bonus is only valid on select Slots, Table games and Video Poker games. This bonus is not valid in the Live Dealer Casino. The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 35X rollover requirement before any winnings can be withdrawn. Terms and Conditions apply.

$5,000 Welcome Bonus Package
over first 5 deposits.

8.5/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

Players can claim the WILD250 bonus code on their first deposit only. A minimum deposit of $20 is required to qualify for WILD250 and WILD100 bonus codes. The maximum bonus amount per deposit is $1,000. This bonus is not valid in the Live Dealer Casino. The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 35X rollover requirement before any winnings can be withdrawn.

100% Match Bonus up to $3000
over your first 3 deposits.

8.3/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

This bonus is only available on your first three deposits. Minimum deposit to receive this bonus is $25. Maximum bonus per deposit is $1,000. Players are required to use the related bonus code in order to receive this bonus. The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 30X play through requirement before the deposit, bonus amount and any winnings can be withdrawn. All bonus amounts are subject to wagering requirements before any winnings can be issued or withdrawn. Please see our General Rules for additional Terms and Conditions, which apply to any and all promotions.

100% Match Bonus up to $3000
over your first 3 deposits.

8.3/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

This bonus is only available on your first three deposits. Minimum deposit to receive this bonus is $25. Maximum bonus per deposit is $1,000. Players are required to use the related bonus code in order to receive this bonus. The deposit plus bonus amount is subject to a 30X play through requirement before the deposit, bonus amount and any winnings can be withdrawn. Forfeiting this bonus will result in the bonus and any subsequent winnings associated with it to be removed from players accounts. In cases where rollover or other criteria as set out in individual bonus Terms and Conditions are not met within 30 days of the initial bonus redemption, any remaining bonus funds and associated winnings will be forfeited. Bonus fund will only be available on our Betsoft games. Any action on Baccarat, Roulette and Craps will not count towards the rollover. Play through requirements must be met before future, additional bonuses can be granted. Standard Terms and Conditions apply. Please see BetOnline's General Rules for additional Terms and Conditions, which apply to any and all promotions.

500% up to $3000 + 25 Free Spins
Use promo code TOPDOG500 in order to redeem the sign-up bonus.

8.3/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

This offer is available to NEW BIGSPIN Casino accounts and will only apply once per person/account. All eligible clients will receive five hundred percent (500%) sign-up bonus for the first deposit and will receive up to $3,000. Use promo code TOPDOG500 in order to redeem the sign-up bonus. Only deposits of $45 or more will qualify to receive the sign-up bonus. Wagering requirement: The amount of your deposit plus your bonus, multiplied by the rollover (40x) General Bonus Terms and Conditions apply.

200% up to $1000 + $30 Free Chip!
Minimum deposit $45. Redeem the bonus code TOPDOG30.

8.0/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

This offer is available to NEW MYBCasino accounts and will only apply once per person/account. All eligible clients will receive two hundred percent (200%) sign-up bonus for the first deposit and will receive up to $1000. Use promo code MYBC200 in order to redeem the sign-up bonus. Only deposits of $45 or more will qualify to receive the sign-up bonus. Example: deposit $45; get a $90 bonus, giving you $135 to play with. Wagering requirements: 40 times the bonus money + 1x the original deposit amount. General Bonus Terms and Conditions apply.

Get a 280% Slots Bonus of up to $14k
over your first 5 deposits.

8.0/10
T&Cs Apply
New customers only

The minimum deposit is $10 for Neosurf, $20 for BTC, $20 for LTC, $20 for ETH, $20 for Flexepin, $20 for USDT and $30 for Credit Card. The code is valid once for new players only. The maximum bet allowed is $10, maximum payout x30 the deposit amount. The Wagering Requirements for the offer are 35xBonus+Deposit. The games included: Slots, Real-Series Video Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards, Board games.