Online Slots Jackpot Guide - How Jackpots Work In Slots (2024)

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We’re here to give you the lowdown on slot machine jackpots. This guide explains how jackpots work, the different jackpot types, and the biggest jackpots up for grabs this year.

What are Jackpot Slots?

A jackpot slot is exactly what it says - a slot machine with a jackpot prize, which is the biggest potential payout. There are several types of jackpot slots, including:

Local jackpots

Local jackpots have a prize pool that is formed exclusively by bets made by players at a particular casino. These are usually on the smaller side due to the smaller number of players contributing to the total and can only be won by players registered with the casino in question.


Progressive jackpots

Progressive jackpots offer prizes millions - but they are hard to win. These types of jackpots cover vast networks and grow each time a player bets. Each bet contributes a small percentage to the top prize. We recommend you check out Microgaming's The Dark Knight Rises.

Network or pooled jackpots

Network or pooled jackpots offer the biggest prizes of all. Each bet made on a specific pooled jackpot game, across multiple casinos, contributes to the top prize. The real money payouts are staggering. Give Mega Fortune by NetEnt a spin today!

Fixed jackpots

Fixed jackpots, also known as cash pot jackpots, don't change. They are a feature of the slot game that isn't influenced by players' bets. Our favorite fixed jackpot slot game at the moment is Golden Egypt by IGT.

Slots with multiple jackpots

Slots with multiple jackpots are just that. These additional jackpots are usually triggered during bonus games, but some are triggered randomly. A popular multiple jackpot slot is Mega Moolah by Microgaming, which has a total of four jackpots!

How Jackpots Work

There a number of factors that influence how jackpots work. Firstly, the number of reels can influence how likely you are to hit the jackpot. The more reels, the harder it is to hit it, so to boost your chances, play classic slots, which only have between 3-7 reels.

Another factor is the minimum and maximum coin size. If a slot machine’s minimum is $0.01 and the maximum is $0.10, it will pay less than a machine that has a minimum bet of $0.05 and a maximum of $0.25.

Often, slots with more reels have high maximums but standard minimums, such as $0.01 or $0.05. Playing the maximum number of lines increases your chances of winning, but it’s more costly than just playing one line. Some machines offer up to 80 or more paylines!

You should also take into consideration whether the slot game offers more than one jackpot because the base jackpot isn't always the biggest payout on offer. For example, the base jackpot may be worth 4,000 coins, but the bonus games may include another worth 6,000.

The BIGGEST ever jackpot wins!

1. $20,062,600 | Mega Moolah | Betway Casino | UK | 2015

2. $21,137,582 | Mega Fortune | Paf Casino | Finland | 2013

3. $13,889,002 | Mega Fortune | Betsson Casino | Norway | 2011

4. $10,141,866 | Mega Fortune | Folkeautomaten | Sweden | 2015

5. $9,200,000 | Mega Moolah | Tipico Mobile Casino | US | 2017

Best Jackpot Slots of the Year

By now you're probably itching to get the reels spinning to see if you can scoop the jackpot, but where to start? We suggest the following 10 jackpot slots which have proved a real hit this year...

1. Goldfish by IGT

2. Monopoly Megaways by Big Time Gaming

3. Quick Hit by Bally

4. Buffalo by Aristocrat

5. Game of Thrones by Microgaming

6. Cleopatra by IGT

7. Double Bubble by Gamesys

8. Rainbow Riches by Barcrest

9. Bonanza by Big Time Gaming

10. Book of Ra by Nowomatic

How To Win Jackpot Slots

Now to the all-important stuff: how to win jackpots on slot machines. You might already know that that the outcome of a slot game will always be random. Yes, slots really are just games of chance. However, there are a number of tips to boost your chances of landing a real money win:

  • To win the maximum jackpot you must make the maximum bet.
  • Progressive jackpots pay very little if you hit and don’t play the maximum.
  • Find a machine that offers a range of prizes.
  • Play machines that include a decent number of payouts in the moderate range.
  • Play machines that fit your budget and will allow you a maximum number of spins.
  • Only play online slots with an RTP of 95% or higher.
  • Play the machine in free mode first to understand it fully before risking real money.
  • Read the payout table and all instructions.
  • Try to play a little every day rather than hours at a time.

Jackpot Slots FAQ

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell when a slot machine will hit because all slots use random number generators (RNGs) to provide random results. You can boost your chances of hitting the jackpot by choosing a game based on its volatility (the lower, the more chance of winning but the smaller the wins).

Editor’s Top Picks

Play Gonzo's Quest
Play Monopoly
Play Buffalo
Play Quick Hit Plati...
Play Cleopatra
Play Starburst
Play Avalon
Play Book of Ra
Play Crown Gems
Play Alaskan Fishing
Play Mermaids Millions
Play Playboy
Play Hot Shot
Play Bonanza
Play Lobstermania

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Online Slots Jackpot Guide - How Jackpots Work In Slots (2024)

FAQs

How do jackpots work on slots? ›

The jackpot increases by a small predetermined amount each time the game is played. Often multiple machines are pooled or linked together to form a larger progressive jackpot which grows more quickly because more non-winning plays can be counted toward it. Many lotteries feature progressive jackpots.

How to win jackpot on online slots? ›

Tips to Win At Slots
  1. 1️⃣ Focus on Slots With Higher RTP. Every slot has a theoretical Return to Player percentage (RTP%). ...
  2. 2️⃣ Choose Slots with Smaller Jackpots. Why are small jackpots good? ...
  3. 3️⃣ Spread Out Your Investment. ...
  4. 4️⃣ Stick to Your Budget. ...
  5. 5️⃣ Take Advantage of Welcome Offers. ...
  6. 6️⃣ Take Advantage of Bonus Spins.

How do you trigger jackpot slots? ›

Playing progressive jackpot slots is no different from standard slot machines: insert your bet and spin the reels. If you hit a winning combination, your wager will pay out. Progressive jackpots usually trigger randomly, meaning you don't need a specific combination to win.

What triggers a jackpot on a slot machine? ›

You trigger a jackpot by hitting special symbols. Alternatively, you may activate a bonus game by landing scatter symbols on the reels. Progressive slot machines can be classified as 'local area' or 'wide area'.

How does the jackpot work? ›

It's all in the draw: Each Powerball drawing picks five white, numbered balls and one red ball. In order to win the grand prize, a player must match all five white numbers and the red number. Mega Millions, another national-level lottery, is similar.

What is the trick to online slots? ›

What is the trick to winning online slots? You just have to play the right games that provide a high RTP and the volatility that fits your style. Moreover, you can implement a betting strategy and increase the size of the bet after one or several losses in a row so that when you win, you receive a higher payout.

What is the luckiest online slot game? ›

Top 5 Online Slots with the Best Payout Rates
RankGameRTP %
1.Blood Suckers98%
2.Starmania97.86%
3.White Rabbit97.72%
4.Himalayas: Roof of the World97.75%
1 more row
Aug 6, 2024

What is the 5 spin slot method? ›

The 5-Spin Slot Machine Strategy is a straightforward concept: a player chooses a slot machine and plays it for exactly five spins. After these five spins, they assess their results. If they've won a significant amount or hit a jackpot, they might continue playing.

How are online slots programmed? ›

Every new game on a slot sees the computer generate 100 numbers at random, with the RNG software determining which reel icons show up after each spin using a precise mathematical formula. Hacking into RNG software is close to impossible so it ensures honest gaming for slots players.

Is there a trick to slots? ›

It's all a matter of chance. There are no blackjack- or video poker-like strategies that can cut into the house's mathematical edge. Odds on slot machines are unchanging. There's nothing you can do legally that will change the outcome, though scam artists sometimes have succeeded until caught, arrested and imprisoned.

How to outsmart slot machines? ›

Tips on How to Play, and Win, at Video Slot Machines
  1. 1 - Maximize Your Money. ...
  2. 2 - Split Your Bankroll. ...
  3. 3 - Bet the Maximum Coin Size. ...
  4. 4 - Find the Lowest Edge. ...
  5. 5 - Play the Maximum Pay Line. ...
  6. 6 - Limit Your Time. ...
  7. 7 - Set Win Limits. ...
  8. 8 - Have Fun.

How to spot a winning slot machine? ›

Payback Percentage:

The payback percentage of a slot machine is a crucial indicator of its potential payout. It refers to the amount of money that the machine is programmed to return to players over the long run. Slot machines with high payback percentages offer better odds of winning.

What is the best way to hit a jackpot on a slot machine? ›

Seek out slots with an RTP of 95% or higher for improved chances of success. Players should also consider the variance of a slot, with lower variance games offering more frequent, but smaller wins, and higher variance games offering the potential for larger payouts but less often.

What is the best time to play the slot machines? ›

Playing during late night or early morning hours when fewer players are online could translate to less competition for machines and potentially higher payouts.

How are slot jackpots paid out? ›

Casinos typically pay winnings of less than $25,000 by cash or check. They may disburse larger winnings either as a lump sum or as an annuity. Some casinos won't allow you to choose how to receive winnings.

What is considered a jackpot on a slot machine? ›

A jackpot is a large sum of money won by a lucky person in a game of chance, such as a lottery or slot machine. It is typically a large prize that is awarded to a player who gets a certain combination of symbols or numbers.

How likely to win jackpot on slots? ›

Slot machine odds are some of the worst, ranging from a one-in-5,000 to one-in-about-34-million chance of winning the top prize when using the maximum coin play.

Are slot jackpots predetermined? ›

For example, some slots have predetermined outcomes, meaning that the prizes behind each option are already decided before the player makes their selection. This is often the case in games where the other options are not shown, leaving players unaware of what they missed out on.

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