Jackpot slots are a popular category of slot machines, attracting players with the opportunity to win additional prizes that exceed the initial bet by hundreds or thousands of times. Many providers are involved in the development of such machines, which are usually featured in separate categories on online casino sites. However, these sections do not always categorize by types of prize pools, although jackpots can vary: progressive and fixed, random and activatable, local and global.
Accumulative and Fixed Prize Pools
The amount of a fixed jackpot is set by the operator at a certain level and cannot exceed the limit set by the online casino. This type of jackpot is usually divided into several levels with different activation conditions determined by the operator. The chances of winning vary, but typically the probability of winning the smallest jackpot is 90-95%, the middle one is up to 5%, and the largest one is up to 1%.
Progressive jackpots, on the other hand, have no limitations on the maximum amount. The prize pool is constantly replenished by players' bets, and its size depends on players' activity. A small percentage of each bet goes towards increasing the prize pool. This process continues until someone wins the jackpot.
The percentage that goes into the prize pool is already included in the initial bet. The user does not pay anything extra.
There are also combined jackpots, where the first two levels are fixed, and the main prize is accumulative.
Jackpots with Random Activation and Specific Conditions
The activation of the main prize is random, as its probability depends on the random number generator. Nevertheless, there are several activation options:
- Random. The jackpot is activated when a certain number of special symbols, similar to scatters that trigger bonus games, appear on the slot reels. When the required number of such images appears, the player receives a payout.
- With conditions. As mentioned earlier, the activation rules for the jackpot are a formality. However, in some slot machines, certain conditions must be met to claim the prize. In some machines, this involves spinning a wheel of fortune and advancing towards the center of the circle, while in others, it involves accumulating special symbols. Since the player knows what is needed to activate the jackpot, they play with greater interest.
The winning rules are usually listed in the slot's help section or on the developer's website.
Local and Global Jackpots
While a fixed prize pool is nice, its size usually does not exceed several hundred initial bets. Much more attractive are accumulative jackpots, which can bring players million-dollar payouts. They are most often featured in slots participating in a global jackpot program.
If the prize pool is formed at the level of a specific machine or online casino, it is a local jackpot. The pool is replenished only by bets placed on that platform.
Global jackpots are appealing because they involve an entire network of online casinos, including several dozen operators.
The amount of the global prize pool is often displayed on the main page of the online casino site. By clicking on the amount, the player is taken to a list of slots participating in the draw.
When someone wins the jackpot, the pool is reset, and the process starts again. This typically happens once every few months.
Popular Slots with Accumulative Jackpots
Many slots support the progressive prize pool function, but they are usually not grouped into a separate category in the entertainment catalog. To find them, you can use the search bar by name. Several popular releases with accumulative jackpots are listed below.
- Mega Moolah RTP 88.12%
- Arabian Nights RTP 96.25%
- Mega Fortune RTP 96%
- Cosmic Fortune RTP 96.9%
These machines participate in the global jackpot draw. This means that the last prize pool is not formed within one online casino but within a whole network. Thanks to this, the potential payout amount often exceeds $10,000,000.
What Else You Need to Know About Jackpots
The possibility of winning prizes that can ensure a comfortable life for many years is what motivates millions of players around the world to play slots daily. However, before making a deposit and opening a jackpot slot, it is worth clarifying a few more points:
- The chance of winning is very low. Speaking of progressive prize pools, the likelihood of winning them is comparable to winning the lottery. Such large wins in online casinos happen once in a million.
- The results of spins are not related to each other. Many players mistakenly believe that the longer their losing streak lasts, the higher the chance of winning the jackpot. In fact, this is not the case. In slots, everything is determined by a random number generator, and the results of individual spins are independent of each other.
- The jackpot is already included in the RTP. The casino always has the edge. This rule is also inherent in the mechanics of jackpot slots. The machine's payout rate remains fixed, even with a progressive prize pool. Therefore, in the long run, the jackpot can reduce the profitability of regular spins.
- Large prize pools should be perceived solely as an additional way to get intense emotions and pleasure from the game.
You shouldn't count on the jackpot or wait for its activation. The only exception to this rule is fixed multi-level amounts, the chances of winning which are much higher than those of accumulative prize pools.
