Progressive Jackpots Explained: What They Are, How They Work and Types

Whether the progressive jackpot is brand new to you, or you have been in the online pokie arena for a while; this guide will tell you everything you need to know to increase the odds of getting your next jackpot prize.

The first thing you need to know is progressive jackpot slots give out the biggest wins you can find anywhere online — they are the kingpin of all pokies, providing a chance to win millions. A progressive jackpot grows bigger with every play, snowballing until one lucky winner gets the pot.

So if winning a progressive jackpot and getting your hands on your next monster jackpot payout is something you are ready for, this guide is for you!

What are Progressive Jackpots?

Progressive jackpots aren’t your run-of-the-mill slot machines – They’re the rockstars of the casino world and among the most popular casino games.

What’s the secret sauce that makes these online pokies so enticing? Well, imagine the thrill of having the chance to win millions without breaking the bank. Progressive jackpots offer pokie enthusiasts chances to win big for relatively low investment in jackpot slots.

Progressive jackpots can’t keep growing indefinitely. At some point, one lucky player hits the jackpot, and it could very well be you!

Why Are They Called ‘Progressive’ Jackpots?

But why the ‘progressive’ in progressive jackpots?

Well, it’s all about that jackpot, the heart and soul of the game. Unlike ordinary jackpot slots, progressive jackpots keep building.

In plain language, a progressive jackpot works like this: when players bet, a small percentage of every wager made on a progressive jackpot game is set aside, gradually building up to a larger jackpot. This is why it’s called “progressive” – the jackpot steadily grows with each bet until one lucky player wins.

This massive pot of gold grows over time. It’s like a snowball rolling down a hill, picking up more snow as it goes until it’s colossal. There is no predetermined value to trigger the jackpot, but rather a random number generator to ensure the jackpot is triggered completely at random.

Types of Progressive Pokies

Now you may be wondering, are all progressive jackpots created equal?

Not exactly – there are many different flavours of progressive pokies out there for you to try and sample for yourself.

Standalone Progressive Jackpots

Standalone progressive jackpots are the solo acts of casino games.

These jackpot slots are tied to the machine you’re playing. This individual focus can slightly improve your chances of winning, as fewer players contribute to the jackpot.

However, the downside is that standalone jackpots tend to be smaller in size compared to their wide-area counterparts.

Local Progressive Jackpots

Local progressive jackpots, sometimes called “in-house jackpots,” are exclusive to a group of pokie machines within a single casino. These machines may be situated next to each other or scattered throughout the entire casino, but are linked.

The local jackpot can even span across various types of pokies, often increasing the jackpot’s size.

So, if you spot a sizable jackpot that’s linked to multiple machines of different types within a single casino, you’re likely looking at a local progressive jackpot.

Wide-Area Progressive Jackpots Games

Wide Area Progressive Slots are the heavy hitters of the progressive slot machine world. With these networked jackpots comprising a huge range of machines, games, and players, they brew the most colossal jackpots.

Think of progressive network games like a giant lottery – more players mean slimmer individual odds, but the potential jackpot is astronomical. Does Mega Moolah slot ring a bell? The “millionaire maker” game where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye?

These progressive slots are where you’ll find the real big bucks, and the thrill of chasing those elusive jackpots with your mates is an adventure worth taking.

How to Play Progressive Jackpot Slots

The thrill of spinning the reels is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Whether you are playing a Mega Moolah slot or traditional pokies, the game mechanics are much the same. Beware though, these games are so fun and easy to play, that you can burn through your cash quickly. So if you are new to the progressive slot game and want to finish your play with the shirt on your back intact, listen up…

In this section, we’ll walk you through how to play these progressive slots with the best odds of winning a mega jackpot.

If you think you’re ready to test your luck for the jackpot prize and massively increase your odds of winning first you have got to know the fundamentals.

Basic Game Play

• Select Your Progressive Slot Machine. After browsing the progressive slots your favourite casinos are offering, pick a slot game that catches your eye. Some even offer free play for practice (which we highly encourage).
• Simply insert the desired number of coins, hit the spin button, and wait to see if you are the lucky winner of a jackpot payout.
• For you to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot, remember to bet the maximum number of coins on each spin. Use the game’s ‘autoplay’ option or the ‘Max Bet’ button after enabling Max Bet. This keeps you in the running for the massive jackpot.

Pro Tips For Winning A Progressive Jackpot

Cashing in big with progressive slots might seem like luck of the draw, but we have compiled some expert strategies to enhance your chances of landing that elusive progressive jackpot.

Free Play

Take advantage of online progressive slots offering free practice play.

Never hurts to get in a bit of a warm-up and get the vibe for the game, and plus it’s a way to decide exactly what fits your fancy and what doesn’t.

Peek at the Paytable

Before you start spinning those slot machine reels, always check out the paytable that online casinos offer for their online slots.

Slot machines with progressive jackpots will all have a unique chart that shows a pokie’s symbols, bonuses, and special features needed to maximise your wins. It’s like your treasure map for casino games and winning a progressive jackpot.

And that’s not all – the payout table also spills the beans on how much you’ll pocket with each spin for progressive jackpot slots.

Bet Max

Playing progressive slot machines is simple enough, but there’s a key rule to remember: betting the maximum amount is often essential for chasing those life-changing progressive jackpots. ”

Bet Max” means wagering the highest coin value with each spin in order to be eligible for the big win.

Pro Tip: Not feelin’ the “Bet Max” requirements on most progressive jackpot slots? Have no fear! The Mega Moolah is super famous for its big jackpots, and here’s the cool part: you don’t have to bet the max every time to win big.

Know the Paylines

In simple terms, when you play progressive slot games with more paylines, your odds of winning a jackpot prize increase.

To have a shot at the jackpot prize, try to play as many paylines as your budget allows.

Mind the RTP (Return to Player)

Here’s the Deal – when you are choosing a progressive jackpot slot that could increase your odds of winning, we recommend looking for an RTP of 94-96%.

RTP, which stands for “Return to Player,” is like a friend in slot games. It tells you, in percentage form, how much money you can expect to get back over time. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, it means that, on average, you might get $95 back for every $100 you bet.

Now, remember, this isn’t a guarantee for every spin, but it helps you choose slots that are more likely to give you some wins over time. The higher the RTP, the better your chances of winning something while you’re having fun with your favourite slot games.

The Odds – Your Chances of Winning

What you have read so far might seem too good to be true. Let’s dive into the actual odds of hitting the progressive jackpots.

You may think winning progressive jackpots is like trying to win the lottery. A bit from every qualifying bet adds to the jackpot in progressive slots. It’s a game of chance, and the prizes can be mind-blowing, much like lottery jackpots.

Now, here’s the scoop: your odds of scoring a progressive jackpot are way better than hitting the lottery. Lottery chances are 1 in 300 million, but in a progressive slot, it’s about 50 million to one. Not bad, eh?

Progressive Jackpot Wins With Mega Moolah

Looking for a boost of confidence? Nothing compares to the insane backstory behind the largest-ever Mega Moolah payout.

Back in 2018, an anonymous player achieved the unimaginable by snagging the largest Mega Moolah jackpot ever recorded— a jaw-dropping AUD 31,677,806.97. This win earned the game a legendary nickname, “The Millionaire Maker.”

Here’s the jaw-dropping twist: this mysterious player staked a mere $0.75 after just 50 spins. And to add to the intrigue, they weren’t on a fancy gaming setup; they clinched the life-changing prize playing Mega Moolah on an Android smartphone.

If you start playing Mega Moolah, you might just end the next lucky winner… Queue the private island!

Best Online Casinos for Progressive Pokies

We know the hunt for reputable online pokies can be daunting, and the struggle is real!

We’ve done the homework, expertly testing and vetting online casinos in Australia for credibility. Take a peek at our expertly ranked online pokies Australia has available.

We’ve scrutinised these games and ranked them based on a range of features to enhance our player’s experience from beginning to end.

Here are just a few to consider when choosing progressive jackpot slots –

Bonus Features: The Cherry on Top

Free spins, mini-games, wilds, and scatters. These are like the VIP perks at a high-roller table. The more features, the more fun, and—let’s be honest—the more chances to win.

Jackpot Size: Go Big or Go Home

Let’s get real. You’re not playing progressives for chump change. You want that life-changing jackpot, right? The bigger, the better. Always check the maximum payout. If it’s less than impressive, maybe it’s time to scroll down the list.

Paylines: More Ways to Win

It’s simple math. The more paylines, the more chances to win. You wouldn’t fish in a pond with one hook, so why limit yourself to a pokie?

Volatility: The Rollercoaster of Luck

Ever gone bungee jumping? The thrill is in the highs and the lows. Volatility is kinda the same. High volatility means fewer wins, but bigger prizes when you hit. Low volatility? Frequent but smaller wins. Know your style and choose accordingly.

Now it’s your turn to set your budget and start spinning those reels at online casinos. Who knows?

You could be the next big winner, pocketing a multi-million-dollar jackpot!