The slot machine has dominated the gambling world. From the moment it was first invented in the late 1800s, the fruit machine quickly became a smash hit.
Throughout the 20th century, casinos accumulated more and more slots as demand grew. Today, slot games are the undisputed kings of the gambling industry, drawing in more players than any other game.
A big part of why slots became so popular was the advent of the progressive slot. In the mid-80s, Megabucks first hit the casinos. A year later, a player had already won the first progressive jackpot. But just what is a progressive jackpot? As the name suggests, a progressive jackpot is a slot prize that grows every time the game doesn’t pay out the jackpot. Each time a player fails to get the grand prize, they can win a more fabulous prize on the next spin.
Online slots first appeared in the mid-90s. And while the first games were quite rudimentary, slots with jackpots quickly became widespread. In this article, we want to examine progressive slots and why one might want to play them over regular jackpots.
Progressive Jackpots vs. Normal Jackpots
Even non-gamblers will undoubtedly know what a jackpot is. The word refers to the grand prize (or the “jackpot”) that slots payout. Average jackpots are usually a high amount of cash gamblers can win when placing bets on slot machines. Jackpots are an intrinsic aspect of gambling. A man once won a jackpot in Vegas and didn’t notice. The ultimate goal of any slot player is to win a jackpot.
The main difference between a classic and a progressive jackpot is that the standard jackpot is usually static. The developers have selected a specific, high amount, maximum number of players who can win. In progressive jackpots, that amount grows each time players fail to win. Of course, there is a limit to how high it can grow. But progressive jackpots tend to be much higher than classics.
Remembering that progressive jackpots return to their original sum once somebody wins them. It is also essential to understand that progressive jackpots don’t mean your chances of winning increase the more you play. It is just as possible to have a losing streak playing progressive jackpot slots as any other slot.
Other Types of Jackpots
Apart from progressive, most gamblers separate jackpots into three distinct categories. The categories are based on the payout of the jackpot. The three categories are the following:
- Big: big jackpots, as you can imagine, are high-value ones that can reach millions of dollars.
- Medium: the point between big and minor jackpots. Medium jackpots depend entirely on the game. They can reach millions of dollars. However, they can also be much lower.
- Small: minor jackpots are low-value (and usually low-risk) games. They are perfect for newbie players or anyone looking for a low-risk/low-reward game.
Terms and Conditions of Jackpots
As with every online gambling industry, jackpots have specific terms and conditions. These terms vary from website to website. So, we encourage anyone to thoroughly examine their online casino’s terms and conditions before wagering a cent.
Another thing to note is that online gambling is a relatively new phenomenon, which might be illegal in your country. So, before you opt to gamble online, make sure you thoroughly study any laws regarding the subject.
For example, gambling online in the USA is only legal in six states. However, most states have banned owning and operating online casinos. Meaning it is still perfectly legal to play at offshore casinos. If you want to go this route, ensure the casino has been licensed by a notable commission from European or Caribbean countries, as these regions take online gambling most seriously.
How to Claim a Jackpot Prize?
When gambling online, you will need to register for a website. Once you’ve done so, find the progressive jackpot slot you want to play, and test your luck. If you eventually win the progressive jackpot, all that is left is to claim your prize.
The first thing you will need to do is make a withdrawal. Withdrawal times take a couple of hours or even a few days. So, be patient and wait for your prize to reach you. Once that is done, you can make the withdrawal without issue.
Best Progressive Jackpot Slots
The gambling industry is growing vast, especially online. As more and more people are exhausted by work, many seek to blow off steam by spinning the reels. So, it is unsurprising that progressive jackpot slots have become so popular. The following is a list of excellent, top-tier casinos that offer progressive jackpots:
- Betway
- JackpotCity
- 888Casino