What is Progressive Jackpot?
A jackpot that grows continuously as a percentage of every bet placed across a network of linked games or casinos, until one player wins it. Progressive jackpots can reach millions of pounds.
In Depth: Progressive Jackpot
Progressive jackpots work by taking a small percentage (typically 1–3%) of every qualifying bet and adding it to a shared prize pool. They are either:
Standalone: The jackpot is fed only by that specific game at that specific casino. Local network: Linked across all players at one casino. Wide area/network: Linked across thousands of casinos worldwide — the largest jackpots.
Famous examples: Mega Moolah (Microgaming) — record payout £22 million; Mega Fortune (NetEnt); Age of the Gods (Playtech).
Important: The effective RTP of progressive jackpot slots is lower for regular play because a large portion of each bet feeds the jackpot rather than regular payouts. Most players will never win the jackpot.
Withdrawal terms: Always check the casino's jackpot payout policy. Some pay lump sums; others pay in instalments over months or years.
Related Terms
RNG (Random Number Generator)
The software algorithm that generates genuinely random outcomes for every spin, card draw, or dice roll at an online casino. All UKGC-licensed casinos must use independently certified RNGs to ensure games cannot be manipulated.
RTP (Return to Player)
The theoretical percentage of all wagered money a game pays back to players over an infinite number of rounds. A slot with 96% RTP returns £96 for every £100 wagered on average. The inverse of the house edge.
Variance (Volatility)
Describes how a slot distributes its payouts — the balance between win frequency and win size. Low variance means frequent small wins; high variance means rare but potentially large wins. Also called volatility.