Progressive Jackpot Slots

What Is a Progressive Jackpot?

Most online slots have some kind of jackpot feature. But unlike a fixed jackpot, a progressive one keeps growing each time someone plays. This prize pool connects many casinos or machines. Every bet a player makes adds a small portion to the total. When a lucky winner hits the right symbol combination, they can walk away with millions!

A progressive jackpot does not reset to zero after it’s won. It returns to a set base amount, such as R100,000, and then starts growing again. As players keep betting, the total climbs until the next big winner emerges.

Types of Progressive Jackpots

We’ve seen that the size of these jackpots depends on how many players and machines are involved. Some common types include:

Standalone Progressive Slots

These connect to only one machine. The pot grows as players use that single game. Standalone jackpots tend to be smaller, but they’re simpler and easier to track.

Local Progressive Slots

These involve several machines within one casino, or a small group of online slot games from the same provider. Since more players contribute, these pools are bigger than standalone ones.

Network Progressive Slots

These are linked across many casinos. Because so many players join in, these jackpots can become enormous. For example, Mega Moolah has paid out record-breaking amounts. Another example is the Casino Rewards Group network, which connects dozens of casinos, ensuring the prize often reaches massive figures.

Games With a Progressive Jackpot

South African online casinos feature a wide range of games with growing prize pools. These include top slot titles, scratch cards like Winners Club Scratch Platinum, and even special darts games.

Playtech’s partnership with Marvel once offered popular superhero-themed slots. They linked them together to feed one giant prize pool. Although the Marvel slots are no longer available, other well-known progressive games include Beach Life, Dollar Ball, and Gold Rally. Because these games are so popular, the shared prize often reaches huge amounts.

Popular Progressive Jackpots

Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah, from Microgaming, is famous for producing life-changing wins. Its African safari theme and huge prize pool attract many players. We’ve seen it pay out many times over the years, often setting records.

Mega Fortune

Mega Fortune is another top title known for its luxury theme and massive payouts. It even held a Guinness World Record for the largest online jackpot at one point.

Hall of Gods

Hall of Gods, from NetEnt, is based on Norse myths. It features three jackpot tiers (mini, midi, and mega) and can reach enormous amounts.

Age of Gods

Playtech’s Age of Gods series taps into Greek mythology. It has four different prize tiers that trigger at random. Other popular progressive titles include Divine Fortune and Arabian Nights, both known for frequent and sizeable wins.

Where to Play Progressive Jackpot Slots

We’ve noticed that many South African casinos now carry at least a handful of these big-prize slots. Some have even seen local players win millions. In 2013, a South African player won $3,217,894 playing Gladiator Jackpot at Winner Casino. The next month, another player took home $6,346,118 on Gold Rally. Beach Life has also created millionaires, such as the $8,211,861 win in 2012.

The Biggest Progressive Jackpot Wins

Mega Moolah has recorded some of the largest payouts. Here are a few:

• €18,915,721 at Grand Mondial on 28 September 2018
• $20,057,734 at Zodiac Casino on 30 January 2019
• $16,496,060 at Jackpot City Casino on 5 April 2020
• $13,615,861 at Luxury Casino on 8 May 2020
• £13,212,882 at Betway on 6 October 2015
• $12,945,603 at Luxury Casino on 5 March 2019

Outside of slots, global lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions have reached astonishing figures. For example, a single ticket from California won $2.04 billion on November 8, 2022.

Past Mega Millions prizes include:

• $1.58 billion on August 8, 2022
• $1.537 billion on Oct. 23, 2018
• $1.35 billion on Jan. 13, 2023
• $1.337 billion on July 29, 2022
• $1.05 billion on Jan 22, 2021

How to Play Progressive Jackpots

Before we play, we like to do some research. We look into which titles pay the most and how often they pay out. Some offer giant prizes every few months, while others give smaller but more frequent wins. To be eligible for the top prize, remember to bet the maximum stake on all paylines.

Top Strategies

We suggest careful budgeting. Only play with money you can afford to lose. Set a limit and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses. If you hit a good streak, consider withdrawing your winnings.

Choose the Right Game

Each game has unique odds, themes, and payouts. We like to review a title’s payout history and return-to-player percentage before risking our own cash.

Play the Max Stake

Some prize pools require you to bet max to qualify for the jackpot. Do this only if your bankroll allows. You can also practice on free versions to get comfortable with the game.

Peak Times and Bonuses

More active players mean faster-growing prize pools. We prefer playing during peak hours for a better shot at a big win. Also, use bonuses or free spins to extend your playtime. Check the terms and conditions, and always gamble responsibly. Remember, this should be fun, not a way to earn a living.

Frequently Asked Questions About Progressive Jackpots