But while many are happy to spin the reels of progressive jackpot slots, they don’t actually know what they are or how they work. So, that’s what we’ll look at on this page. And we’ll also do something else: we’ll let you know how to win on progressive slot machines, so you’ve got the best possible chance of scooping a six- or even seven-figure prize.

What is a Progressive Slot Machine?

Progressive slot machines usually play in the same way as a standard slot. Pay your money, spin the reels, and hope a winning combination spins into view. So, what’s the difference? Well, it comes with the jackpot. At standard slots, the jackpot remains constant. For example, a standard slot might have a jackpot worth 5,000x your bet, and it remains this size forever. But at slots with progressive jackpots, the jackpot increases as more and more people play. A small percentage of every bet is taken and added to the jackpot, meaning it’s always rising. The result? The most popular progressive slots have jackpots that can rise to be worth tens of millions of dollars. The jackpot is eventually won – the way this is done differs from slot to slot – and the progressive prize resets back to its base level. It then starts building up again, bet by bet.

How Do Progressive Prizes Get So Large?

Progressive slots can have huge jackpots because they’re often linked across multiple slots. For example, the same jackpot might be offered at Slot A, Slot B, and Slot C. Whenever anyone plays one of these three slots, the jackpot increases, and anyone playing any of the three slots can also win the prize. What’s more, jackpots are often shared across multiple online casinos. For example, the Mega Moolah slot – perhaps the most famous online progressive slot in the world – can be played at most online casinos using Microgaming software, which means it can be played across hundreds of sites. So, this means that many people can be playing many slots at the same time, all at different casinos. And this means the jackpot goes up very quickly. The more popular the slot, the faster the jackpot rises.

How to Win on Progressive Slot Machines

So, how do you win a progressive jackpot? Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee the jackpot spins into view when you’re playing. This is because all progressive slots – in fact, all slots in general – are operated by random number generators. These random number generators are highly complex algorithms embedded into every slot. Every time you spin the reels, this algorithm generates a number randomly, and this number corresponds with what happens on the spin. If the right number is generated, you’ll win the progressive jackpot prize. However, the chances of winning a progressive jackpot are extremely low. It can take millions of spins for the jackpot to pay out, which is why the prize can grow so large. But are there any tips to improve your chances of winning? Well, there’s just one: at some progressive slots, your chances of winning the progressive jackpot increase the more you wager per spin. And at others, only those betting the maximum can win the progressive prize. So, check the rules before you play, to ensure your bet size is giving you the best chance of winning.

Pros and Cons of Progressive Slot Machines

Despite their huge prizes, progressive jackpot slots aren’t for everyone, and they have their pros and cons. We’ve summarized them below, so you can make an educated decision on whether progressive slots are right for you.

Pros	Cons
Progressive jackpots can be enormous, sometimes worth millions.	Progressive slots often have lower RTPs than standard slot machines.
Trying to win a progressive jackpot is exceptionally exciting.	Some progressive slots require large bets to have a chance of winning the top prizes.
Progressive slots often have innovative and enjoyable bonus features.	The chances of winning a progressive jackpot are exceptionally low.

Progressive Slot Machine Tips

Looking for some progressive jackpot tips? Check out our top five recommendations below.

• Choose the Biggest Jackpots. Contrary to popular opinion, slots that haven’t paid out for a while aren’t more likely to provide a win. But it still makes sense to play the games with the biggest jackpots, to maximise the potential returns.
• Make Sure You Qualify. We said it earlier, but we’ll say it again: double check the rules to make sure your bet qualifies for the progressive jackpot. Some slots only allow those betting the maximum amount to win the progressive prize – others can just win a standard jackpot.
• Choose High RTP Slots. Pick the slots with the highest RTPs. The higher the RTP, the more money the average player wins back. Progressive slots typically have a lower RTP than standard slots, but you should still shop around to maximise your chances of winning.
• Use Bankroll Management. Only play with a small percentage – we’d recommend about 5% – of your overall bankroll. If you lose this, walk away. This will allow you to play again another day, without having to top up your account again.
• Avoid Strategies. Some people online will claim to have slot strategies, which guarantee you’ll win when you play. Ignore these people and certainly don’t give them any money, as they’re either misinformed or simply lying. Slots are completely random and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that.

Summary: How to Play Progressive Slots

As you can see, playing progressive slots is almost identical to playing standard slots, meaning you simply place a bet and spin the reels. But to be eligible for the progressive prize, you must ensure you fulfil any criteria, such as betting the maximum amount. Also like standard slots, there’s no way to guarantee you win when playing progressive slots – it’s completely down to luck. But if you do get lucky and land the top prize, you could find yourself winning a jackpot worth millions. The sheer size of progressive jackpots adds significantly to the excitement of playing. Why not experience the thrill of progressive jackpot slots by playing one today?

Progressive Jackpot FAQs

What are progressive slots?

Progressive slots are very similar to standard slots. The only major difference is the jackpot. Instead of being fixed, it increases as more and more people play the game. When won, the jackpot drops back down to its base amount and starts building again.

How do I know how much a progressive jackpot is worth?

You’ll usually find the size of the progressive jackpot displayed alongside the slot icon in a casino’s games lobby. You should also find the progressive jackpot displayed prominently when you load the slot.

Do progressive slots have better or worse odds than regular slots?

The odds of winning at an online slot are measured by the RTP, which shows what percentage of money a player can expect to win back when playing a game. In general, progressive jackpot slots have lower RTPs than standard slots. Players must decide if the large potential jackpots make playing a lower RTP game worth it.

Are progressive jackpot slots fair?

Yes, progressive jackpot slots at reputable casinos are completely fair. This is because they all use random number generators, which determine the result of every spin and can’t be influenced or predicted. These random number generators are regularly checked by external auditing houses to ensure their fairness.

Can I win a progressive jackpot on any spin?

Yes, you can win on any spin, providing you are meeting the requirements to win the jackpot. For example, some slots only allow the progressive jackpot to be won when betting the maximum. Note that some slots allow everyone to win the progressive prize regardless of bet size, but those betting higher amounts have a better chance of winning.