How Do Progressive Slots Work?

1. How Are Slot Progressive Jackpots Determined​?

The casino or the developer of the progressive slot will decide how much of each wager is added to the jackpot prize pool. Its rate of growth will depend on the number of people playing the slot and the number of games sharing the jackpot.

2. How to Tell if a Slot Machine is Progressive​

Most progressive slots will display the jackpot amount in-game for players to see. If the prize increases after your spin and is unaffected by your stake amount, it is likely a progressive jackpot.

You can also check the rules of the slot to see if there are any jackpots, what type they are, and how to qualify for a prize.

Online games often advertise their progressive prizes on the game’s title card to attract players. Some sites will also have special tabs dedicated to their jackpot games.

3. Are Progressive Slots Linked Across State Lines​?

Yes, progressive jackpots in land-based casinos are linked across state lines. Some progressives appear across multiple games. This increases the rate at which the jackpot grows but also intensifies the competition for the prize itself.

The pool of players is even bigger for online slots with a progressive jackpot. They often combine different countries and even continents.

4. How Much Do You Need to Bet to Win a Progressive Jackpot?

For many progressive slots, you need to bet the maximum stakes to qualify for the progressive jackpot. However, some online slots allow you to compete for progressive prizes at less any stake.

Be sure to read the rules for the jackpot carefully to ensure you are betting the right amount to be jackpot eligible.

1. Taxes Are Taken Before You Get the Prize

One of the most important acts to remember about large progressive prizes is that taxes will be taken out of your prize before you receive it.

The casino will pay you the jackpot amount minus any taxes you owe to the government for receiving the prize money. While the specific amount will vary from one country or state to another, you will generally lose approximately one-third of the prize amount to taxes.

2. How High Does a Progressive Jackpot Go on a Slot Machine​?

In theory, there’s no upper limit for the jackpot of progressive slots. As long as people keep playing and no one wins, the prize will continue to rise.

Certain progressive slots come with time limits, but they are the exception, not the rule.

3. How Often Do Progressive Slot Machines Hit?​

There is no set rate for most progressives to hit. However, as a rule of thumb, standalone progressives that are linked to one machine tend to hit more often than networked jackpots that connect multiple games or across state lines.

The downside of jackpots that hit frequently is they have smaller prize pools. Jackpots that rarely hit, on the other hand, give players more time to build up the prize pool.

4. How Do You Know When a Progressive Slot Machine Is Going to Hit?

There is no way to know if most progressives are going to hit soon, as the jackpot is awarded randomly. The prize is tied to a random number generator (RNG) that is impossible to predict.

The exception to this rule is must-win prizes, such as Hot Drop Jackpots. These prizes must be awarded by a specified deadline, so you know someone will win the jackpot before time expires.

5. Do Progressive Slots Have Lower Payouts?

Yes, many progressive slots have lower payout rates. Casinos increase their house edge on progressive games as they know the high jackpot prizes will draw more players in.

However, this does not mean you should avoid progressives. Instead, simply research the slot’s RTP and hit rates beforehand to make sure they are player-friendly. Ideally, you want games that have a high RTP even without the jackpot prize factored into the expected return.