How to Win at Progressive Jackpots – Our Experts’ 2024 Guide to Winning Big

Progressive jackpot games offer incredible payouts, increasing every time a bet is placed. Until a lucky player comes along, they continue to grow, making them an attractive option. But how do they work, and what do you need to do to win? Our guide on how to win at progressive jackpots answers all these questions and more.

What Are Progressive Jackpots and How Do They Work?

Progressive jackpots are pooled prizes where a small slice of each player’s bet is added to a sum of money. So, unlike fixed jackpots, where the prize amount is predetermined, the size of a progressive jackpot will continue to grow until it’s won. The potential to win a life-changing sum is the main draw of these games.

Jackpots can be won through specific triggers, like landing on a highly specific and unlikely combination on the machine, randomly, or through a special bonus game. The rarity of these triggers means that the jackpot significantly increases over time, sometimes reaching multi-million figures.

Typically, about 1% to 5% of each wager goes toward the jackpot, but this can vary depending on the game and casino. In practical terms what this means is that if the contribution rate is 3% and you place a bet of $1, then $0.03 will be added to the jackpot. The idea is to take enough to steadily increase it without heavily affecting the RTP. After a jackpot is won, it resets to the ‘seed’ amount set by the casino or the developer.

Winning a progressive jackpot is challenging because the odds are designed to be intentionally long. The odds result from the game’s design, based on factors like the variance, RTP, and number of reels and symbols on each reel. For instance, for a 5-reel online slot with 10 symbols per reel, your chances of hitting a jackpot are around one in 100,000. That said, you can improve your chances in certain ways, which is something we explore later on in this article.

Finally, it’s good to keep in mind that while real-money slots are the most popular type of progressive jackpot game, you can also find progressive jackpots in video poker, table games, and other less traditional ones.

Discover the Best Progressive Jackpot Slots

We’ve created a list of the best progressive jackpot slots for you to explore. Offering unbeatable prizes at online casinos, these games are thrilling top choices that are definitely worth a try!

The Three Types of Progressive Jackpots (+ Which One’s Easier to Win)

There are three main types of progressive jackpots out there in the wild, with each functioning differently in how funds are accumulated. Each of these also offers varying odds of winning and payout sizes. Let’s see how understanding each type helps us get to the answer for how to win big at progressive jackpots.

Standalone Progressive Jackpots

Standalone progressive jackpots are exclusive to a single game. Each time a bet is made, a specific percentage contributes to the game’s jackpot pool, increasing the prize with each play. NetEnt is particularly well-known for its standalone progressive jackpot slots with classic games like Mega Joker, Cosmic Fortune, and Divine Fortune.

Since it’s not linked to any other machine, the jackpot amount is smaller. However, the upside is that you have better odds of winning since fewer players and bets are involved; for that reason, it is considered the easiest jackpot to win. We’d recommend it to low-stakes players.

Local Progressive Jackpots

Local progressive jackpots connect multiple games from within the same online casino. Bets placed on any of the connected games contribute to the collective jackpot, which can rapidly grow as they’re played. A popular example is Jackpot Play by Pragmatic Play, which is a type of local progressive system it supplies to online casinos.

Since it involves several games, the potential jackpot is larger than that of standalone progressives, and it is easier to win than a network progressive jackpot. However, you’re limited to using a single online casino, although that may preferred for players loyal to a certain site.  It’s a good-in-between option that offers decent payouts and odds.

Network Progressive Jackpots

Network progressive jackpots are the biggest kind, connecting games across various online casinos worldwide. The jackpot pool swells from contributions made by players to the specific game or series of games, regardless of which platform you’re using. As bets are placed through an interconnected network, the potential winnings can soar to incredible sums. Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, Playtech’s Jackpot Giant, and Real Time Gaming’s Aztech Millions are some of the biggest network progressive jackpots in the world.

However, since a vast network of games is linked together, it does mean there is greater competition for the jackpot. While the rewards can be immense, the odds of winning are much more difficult than local or standalone progressive jackpots. As such, it’s best suited to high-stakes players with the bankroll to sustain the gameplay for longer periods.

How to Win Progressive Jackpots – Practical Tips for Players

Winning a progressive jackpot can be life-changing, offering a payout like no other casino game. Since winning is purely down to luck, there is no specific  casino strategy involved, but we do have a few tips for you to follow to potentially increase your chances.

Progressive Jackpots are Random

Progressive jackpots operate using an RNG, meaning the outcome of every spin is entirely random and unbiased. In other words, it’s impossible to cheat or change the odds.

#1. Place the Highest Bet You Can Afford

Placing the highest bet possible maximises your potential winnings from a progressive jackpot. If you land the winning combination, you’ll be able to claim the entire jackpot. However, keep in mind that higher jackpots often come with high betting requirements, which can quickly drain your funds. If the maximum bet is more than you can afford or are comfortable spending, look for smaller progressive jackpot games instead.

#2. Play When the Jackpot Is Large

Every bet of the same amount has an equal chance of hitting the jackpot; that is mathematically true. From a statistical perspective, the probability of winning remains fixed as time goes on. However, what changes is the inevitable outcome has to occur at some point.

Theoretically, the larger the jackpot, the more appealing it will be to players, so the probability of hitting is higher because of its popularity. However, playing when the jackpot is large doesn’t necessarily increase your chances of winning (although there is a higher potential for a larger payout). So, it is better for players looking to win big.

#3. Keep Track of When It Was Last Won

A common tactic often suggested for winning progressive jackpots involves picking games that will pay out soon. Some progressives are programmed to award their jackpots when they reach a certain amount. While it is impossible to pinpoint the exact number, you can look at the history of jackpot wins for the game. You might notice that the jackpots can hit around a consistent sum varying from a few thousand to tens of thousands. Based on the previous wins, you can make a rough estimate of when to play, but this isn’t a sure strategy as, ultimately, jackpot timing is random.

#4. Play Regularly

Naturally, the more you play, the higher your chances of hitting a jackpot will be; that’s simply how probability works. Hitting the jackpot takes patience, as it is incredibly unlikely that it’ll happen straight away. If you are playing regularly, ensure that you’re doing so in a responsible manner where you feel in control of gaming and spending. The best thing to do is to set a budget and not exceed it. You can put all this advice into action by checking out our best online casino sites, where you can play progressive jackpot slots.

How To Win Progressive Jackpots – Our Verdict

There’s no absolute way of winning progressive jackpots, as these games are purely based on random luck. But if you understand how progressive jackpots work and follow our essential tips, you’ll be setting yourself up for a better chance of success.

Our Sources

1. Technology in Gaming – A 2024 article by Sara Partida that looks at how progressive jackpots are linked.
2. Beat the Slots – A 2002 book by Martin Jensen that provides a detailed chapter on how progressive jackpots work and how they can be won.