In recent times, progressive jackpot slots have hit the New Zealand scene, forcing players to play with the hope of winning huge prizes from one single spin. Unlike regular slots, these casino games have jackpots that grow bigger every time someone places a bet.
The bigger the number of players that gamble, the bigger the jackpot becomes before one lucky enthusiast hits the winning combination. This guide covers everything you need to know about progressive games and how they operate.
What Are Progressive Jackpots?
All progressive jackpots stand out from traditional slots primarily because their jackpots keep climbing up every time gamblers make their stakes. Unlike fixed-payout slot machines, progressive prizes can soar into the millions of NZD. To stop the process, a lucky player should catch a specific chain of symbols or win in bonus rounds. Then, the jackpot resets.
The fact that progressive jackpots are so often linked across many casinos makes them even more thrilling. The jackpot can grow much faster. No matter if you are playing at a land-based casino or online, your bet plays a part in the same colossal prize pool as many other players.
Overall, winning a progressive jackpot is the main goal here. Nevertheless, progressive slots also offer smaller and frequent payouts in the base game, keeping the excitement alive.
How Progressive Jackpot Slots Work
Knowing what progressive slots are, then it is important to know how they actually work. Below, you will find all the basic mechanics of a typical jackpot game:
- Regarding winning progressive jackpots, most games require users to place the maximum stakes. Each time you make the biggest bet, you receive a virtual “ticket.” The more you continue betting at this level, the more tickets you accumulate. If one of your tickets matches the spin algorithm, you’ll hit the jackpot and trigger the grand prize.
- Unlike other casino games, progressive jackpot slots don’t necessarily rely on specific symbol combinations to trigger a win. Instead, you can access the prize pool after a random spin. Yet, you should still check the specific game’s rules to know how to win.
- Some jackpot slots involve a bonus game that gives gamblers another chance to line up their pockets. It can be a card-matching challenge where you need to reveal four identical cards to claim the reward. Free spins are available as well.
- The odds of winning a progressive reward are lower than hitting a regular jackpot, but the potential prize is more giantic.
- Any progressive jackpot works on a random number generator (RNG). The technology ensures that each spin’s outcome and any potential bonus wins are entirely random.
- Last but not least, some progressive slot games come with a “must-drop” feature. It means that one of the players is guaranteed to get the prize before a set deadline. These slots tend to attract more users since there is a sense of urgency and a guaranteed payout within a specific time frame.
These are the main details to keep in mind if you want to understand how different progressive slots work and what to expect from them.
Types of Progressive Jackpot Games
When playing progressive jackpot slots, users can notice that they come in different forms and types. Each involves unique algorithms and mechanics that determine how the prize pool grows and how participants can trigger it.
Knowing the differences between these types can help you pick the best options. Here’s an overview of four main types of progressive jackpot slots.
| Type | Description |
| Standalone progressive slots | These prizes only increase when enthusiasts place their bets in a specific online game. While the jackpot size tends to be smaller and grows at a slower pace, the chances of winning are generally higher. |
| Local progressive jackpot games | A local jackpot is linked across several games within a single online casino or a group of them. Because plenty of people gamble simultaneously, rewards accumulate faster than standalone versions. |
| Network jackpots | These games offer the biggest jackpot, since it is available on multiple websites. Although the odds of winning network jackpots are slim, the payout is immense when it does occur, making it a rare but highly rewarding experience. |
| Wide-area progressive online games | These progressive jackpots are pretty lucrative, and they are linked across multiple online casinos. Therefore, they have produced some of the most massive wins in iGaming history. The chances of winning are pretty low. But, the potential prize is life-changing, making these slots ideal for users who are comfortable taking significant risks. |
When the time of picking online progressive jackpots comes, you will know which options suit you best. Yet, there are some more things to discuss.
Playing Progressive Jackpot Slots
You are almost ready to jump into the action and reach a significant cash prize in progressive jackpots. The only question is how to do it, and the answer is available right here.
Choose a Game a Place a Bet
The first step in playing progressive games is to choose which slot you want to start with. There are dozens of options available, each with unique storylines, bonus options, and payout structures. Check various progressive slots and focus on the themes, paylines, bonus features, and frequency of payouts.
Having picked any of progressive jackpot slots, head to the online casino in New Zealand. Create a new account and make an initial deposit. Finally, you are ready to place the first bet and catch a huge prize.
Bet Amount and Eligibility for the Jackpot
Remember that the sum of your stake place a crucial role in your eligibility for the progressive jackpot win. In most cases, you don’t access the largest jackpot payout unless you’re betting at the highest level. This is because a portion of each wager goes into the total prize, and the bigger the stake, the more you contribute to the growing jackpot.
Simply put, online gamblers who place a max bet have better chances of winning in these online games.
Increase Your Odds of Winning
To ensure you have better chances of hitting progressive jackpots, consider playing multiple machines with progressive payouts. This strategy helps you cover more opportunities and gives you more chances to hit the big win.
Betting the maximum sum in the same game is among other options that boost your chances of winning. But in this case, you should control a bankroll wisely.
Additionally, take advantage of special symbols and bonus rounds the game offers. Free spins and dedicated rounds can help you earn more rewards and even reach a significant jackpot without spending funds.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Before playing, set a bankroll sum that you are comfortable with and make sure to stick to it. Slots with online progressive jackpots can be expensive to play, especially when making max stakes. Responsible budgeting helps you avoid overspending. Additionally, it ensures your gaming session remains fun rather than stressful. It’s also helpful to establish limits on the number of spins you’ll play in progressive jackpots.
Popular Progressive Slots
The gambling scene in New Zealand boasts a variety of progressive slots that let gamblers reach giant cash prizes. You can find fortune themed slots, those with bonus features, or games with multiple jackpots. Yes, some slot machines are more sought-after in New Zealand. Below, you can familiarize yourself with four popular progressive slots and their competitive features.
Mega Moolah
The gambling game takes online users to an African safari where they encounter wild animals on a 5×3 grid. When developing Mega Moolah, Microgaming has added 25 active lines along with four jackpot prizes.
Players with minimum stakes can access smaller jackpots, such as Mini, Minor, and Major. But those playing with a max bet can grab a Mega jackpot that reaches millions of NZ dollars.
Other features of Mega Moolah include 88.12% RTP (ranges), medium volatility, wild symbols, and additional multipliers. Besides, gamblers can win more funds within a round with free spins.
The biggest prize this progressive slot machine has ever paid out reached $39.7 million!
Major Millions
The Games Global provider released the slot in 2009. It involves 5 standard reels with 3 rows of symbols on each, plus 15 winning lines. The progressive slot machine involves a single jackpot, and to activate it, enthusiasts have to land five logos while betting the maximum sum.
The provider has also offered a low volatility and an average RTP of 89.37%. When playing with a minimum wager, you can still count on scatters, wilds, and multipliers. The good news is that this progressive jackpot slot is available in a demo mode for free practice.
Beach Life
This game belongs to Playtech, and it is available in New Zealand since 2006. Sunny beach, palms, and cocktails are the main theme here. The grid of this online casino slot contains 5 reels and 20 winning lines set at the center. Above, you will see a jackpot prize window.
To ensure users have fun, the provider has added scatters with their own payouts. Chest pictures trigger a bonus features. But the sun is the main symbol here. It acts as a joker (wild) character, meaning it can replace regular symbols to create additional combinations. Besides, five of these characters on the 20th payline allow you to catch a massive jackpot, provided you are playing with a maximum wager.
Nowadays, Beach Life is available in multiple casinos NZ where you can check it out for free with an RTP of 93.25%.
Divine Fortune
This is one of the most popular progressive slots in the library of NetEnt. Available since 2017, it offers 3D graphics, animations, and a themed soundtrack. But the main attraction lies in a 96.5% RTP and symbols that land on 5 reels with 20 active lines.
During the betting session, enthusiasts can trigger the Wild on Wild feature and up to 12 free spins. But the bonus game requires special attention, since this is where you can grab the main prize.
Divine Fortune boasts as many as 3 prize options, and the big one is a progressive local jackpot. In the bonus game, you receive three spins, during which, you can fill in a full row of identical symbols:
- Minor Jackpot – 1 row filled with bonus symbols;
- Major Jackpot – 2 rows filled with bonus symbols;
- Mega Jackpot – 3 rows filled with bonus symbols.
Simply place a bet and wait for the bonus game to start so that you have a chance to catch a jackpot pool.
RTP and Volatility in Progressive Jackpot Slots
When it comes to winning progressive jackpots, some things always require consideration. They typically include Return to the Player (RTP) and volatility. Understanding them is crucial to making informed decisions about your gameplay.
- RTP refers to the percentage of all wagered money that a slot machine is programmed to pay back to players over time. For instance, if a progressive jackpot game has an RTP of 95%, it means that, on average, players will get 96% of their total wagers back as winnings.
- For progressive slots, the RTP is typically lower compared to regular casino games. This is because a portion of each bet goes to the total prize.
- Volatility always refers to a level of risk associated with progressive games, specifically how often and how much a specific slot pays out. In high-volatility slots, rewards tend to be less frequent but larger when they do occur. Conversely, low-volatility slot machines offer more frequent but smaller jackpots.
- Progressive jackpots typically feature higher volatility. This is because the jackpot itself is the primary source of potential winnings, and players must wait for it to hit.
Overall, RTP and volatility are essential when hunting for progressive prize pools. While these online games do provide the potential for enormous rewards, they also come with a lower RTP and higher volatility. Understanding these elements helps you make more informed choices on online gambling websites.
Biggest Jackpot Wins
Standalone jackpot slots and other progressive games attract thousands of gamblers. Each is dreaming about winning a progressive jackpot that can change the life. But, some lucky punters have already claimed the biggest prizes in gambling history:
- The largest progressive jackpot win in history occurred in the United States, where a lucky player hit a staggering $39.7 million while playing the Mega Moolah game.
- In the UK, one of the biggest jackpot payouts took place when a user hit a massive £33 million (approximately $33 million NZD) on the Mega Fortune slot.
- Australia also saw a significant jackpot amount win, with a gambler claiming an extraordinary $27.6 million on the Hall of Gods progressive slot.
There are plenty of examples among enthusiasts who reached smaller prizes. The main thing is to pick a suitable video slot and follow the progressive jackpot tips.
Responsible Gambling and Progressive Jackpot Slots
Although the idea of winning a progressive jackpot can be very attractive, it’s essential to approach these slots responsibly. Foremost, gamblers should set clear limits on both time and funds they are willing to spend.
Today, most gambling online sites offer additional tools for responsible betting. They include reality checks, limits on daily/weekly deposits, and even self-exclusion.
If you see the first signs of problems (losing control over habits or wagering more funds), feel free to ask for help. Online casino sites often share contacts of dedicated organizations on their responsible gambling pages.
Why Play Progressive Jackpot Slots at Online Casinos
Although many progressive slots appear in land-based casinos, users keep playing them on gambling sites. This is not surprising, since online operators offer more competitive advantages:
- Online lobbies include a bigger variety of progressive slot games, including the biggest hits like Mega Moolah and Major Millions;
- Gamblers can make stakes in progressive jackpots regardless of their location as most online casinos are mobile-friendly, and some of them even have dedicated apps (Android/iOS);
- Multiple casinos add welcome and ongoing promotions with extra cash, free spins, and other boosters available in various progressive slots;
- When playing online, users can win the same prize pool as in a land-based casino or even bigger because of a wider jackpot network.
A visit to an online casino brings you may more advantages. Plus, these sites are absolutely legit in New Zealand.
Jackpot Games and Casino Games
Thanks to this guide, you know that progressive slots are casino games that don’t offer a fixed jackpot. Instead, they pamper gamblers with always-growing prizes that can be available through a specific combination of symbols or bonus rounds.
Depending on the online casino website, you can find dozens of these slot machines. Additionally, you will be able to try your luck in roulettes, table games, poker machines, and other types of slots. Simply pick a suitable place for online gambling and make the first stake!
Progressive Jackpot Slots FAQ
What is a progressive jackpot?
It’s a prize pool that increases with every stake users make. Nowadays, you can encounter standalone, wide-area, local, or timed jackpots with life-changing sums.
How do progressive jackpot slots work?
Progressive jackpots operate by collecting a small portion of each bet to build up the final prize. As you and other players continue to wager, the jackpot grows larger and one of you can trigger it randomly.
What are the odds of winning a progressive jackpot?
The chances of winning are lower than those of getting paid on regular slots. Besides, it is important to consider the number of players participating, RTP, and volatility. To boost the chances of winning, use casino bonuses and gamble with a max bet.
Can I win a progressive jackpot on a mobile device?
When playing progressive jackpots on a smartphone or tablet, you can reach the same jackpot as the one available in a desktop slot’s version.
How do I know if a progressive jackpot slot game is fair?
Outcomes in jackpot slots depend solely on a random number generator. It ensures transparent and fair gameplay with absolutely random outcomes.
