Progressive Pokies
In the online casino realm, a few games are as popular as progressive jackpot slots. These games provide the exciting gameplay of online slots while also giving you the chance to win life-changing prizes. Because jackpots keep growing until someone wins, it's possible to win millions on progressive slots without spending too much money.
If you love online slots, there's no doubt you want to play the best progressive slots for a chance to win life-changing jackpots at a single spin. That's why our team of experts at Gambling.com has reviewed the top online casinos, from which we selected the most exciting progressive online slots for you to play. Our slots experts take a spin on every online progressive slot that is available in New Zealand. We look for the best bonus features, biggest prizes, and best odds to win a jackpot.
Read this complete guide to progressive slots, and discover everything you need to know about playing the most exciting type of online casino games. Although the odds may be slim, who knows, perhaps the next jackpot has your name on it? So read on and start playing the best progressive jackpot slots today!
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Progressive Slots Casino Tips
What are Progressive Slots and How do they Work?
While the core gameplay of progressive slots is the same as on a regular online slot, prizes are paid differently.
As the name suggests, progressive slots do not have a fixed prize but rather a jackpot prize that progresses and grows with every wager placed on the slot. Thus, unlike standard online slots that feature prizes based on each player's wager, progressive slots feature a jackpot which is a community prize that increases with every wager made on the game.
Jackpot Prize Components
The progressive slot developer, or in some instances the casino operator, fund the initial jackpot with a certain amount of prize money that is called the Jackpot Seed. Also, a certain amount from every wager a player makes on the progressive slot is added to the jackpot that will keep growing until a lucky player will land the winning combination of symbols and trigger the jackpot. Once won, new seed money is placed, and the jackpot will start growing/progressing again. So the longer a progressive slot goes without a win, the bigger the jackpot grows.
In many cases, progressive jackpots are not only linked to one slot game but run across a casino website, a network of sites, or series of slot games. By spreading the jackpot across many sites and games, developers and casinos can provide truly massive jackpots.
It's also worth noting that the game developer builds an insurance component into the jackpot. Specifically, a small portion of each bet goes towards maintaining the Jackpot Seed and prize liquidity. Doing so ensures that the developer is always able to pay out prizes once the jackpot is won.
Jackpot Superstitions
There's a lot of superstition around progressive slots. Some gamblers will never play a progressive slot game if the jackpot has just been won, believing it is impossible to trigger the jackpot again. That's a false assumption because there is no truth behind the online slots' pattern. Every progressive slot is regulated by an RNG (Radom Number Generator), which assures that every spin's outcome is random. Although, you should remember that it's always better to wait for the jackpot to build up before playing a progressive slot game that has recently reset.
Standalone Progressives
Standalone progressive slots are perhaps the simplest variant of progressive jackpot slots. These slot games are not connected to a network or other casinos. Instead, it's a traditional online slot that takes a fraction of each bet to increase the jackpot. Because of the more limited scope for increasing the jackpot, a standalone progressive slot game won't have prizes comparable to other progressive slots online.
With standalone progressive slots, each machine will feature its own jackpot, which can only be won at that machine. In contrast, a local progressive jackpot could be won playing any of the machines in a network as they are all connected.
Local Progressives
A local progressive is similar to a standalone progressive slot because it accumulates stakes from a single casino and not a network. Sometimes the progressive jackpot will increase from several slots hosted at the same casino instead of just a single game. Still, the idea is the same, as there is no network of games allowing jackpots to increase to astronomical levels.
For example, let's assume that casino A and casino B have the same progressive slot machine. Despite being the exact same game, the jackpot will vary from one to the other. That's because only bets made at casino A will count towards the progressive jackpot. Likewise, only bets made at casino B will count towards that jackpot.
Wide Area Network Progressives
Wide area network progressive jackpot slots take a cut from bets made from a slot game across several different casinos. For example, if casinos A, B, C, and D all offer the same progressive jackpot slot, then all stakes will go towards the same prize pool. This also means that players at casinos A, B, C, and D will compete for the same jackpot.
A network may be a group of casinos, all casinos hosting the progressive slot in a country, or even a global network. Playing wide area network progressive slots online means you could win a truly life-changing sum of money.
Most Popular Online Progressive Jackpot Slot Games
Progressive slots are amongst the most popular games in the online casino world, so developers reserve some of their best titles and features for progressive games. There's a lot of variety to choose from, with games providing different features, jackpot sizes, payment methods, and more.
Check out our jackpot tracker to monitor the prizes as they increase to unbelievable sums. It will tell you when the best time is to play a game. For example, you don't want to play progressive slots online if the jackpot has just been won. There will be no money accumulated, so it's better to wait a while. Equally, if a game has accumulated a massive prize fund, now could be the time to play.
There are many great progressive slots available to play online. But to get you started, we listed below 10 of our favourites:
Mega Moolah - Perhaps the most famous and popular progressive jackpot of them all and known for generating some of the biggest online casino wins of all time. The jackpot game is triggered randomly, with increased chances when placing the maximum bet. Players get the chance to spin a wheel, which will point to a sector. It can land on Mini, Minor, Major or the millionaire Mega jackpot. Naturally, Mega Moolah also has fixed winning combinations like any other regular slot. Due to its popularity, Mega Moolah's online progressive jackpot tends to grow rapidly.
Mega Fortune - This slot by NetEnt is also known for some of the biggest progressive jackpot wins online. Its bonus round is triggered by lining up three or more bonus symbols. Players get the chance to spin the Wheel of Fortune. This bonus game has three different circles. Landing on any number results in an instant win, but not the big progressive jackpot prize. To do that, you'll need to line up three arrows on the three circles.
Hall of Gods - Another popular progressive slot game by NetEnt, Hall of Gods draws inspiration from Nordic mythology. The prize round is triggered by lining up three Bonus symbols. Players need to break shields, lined up in a 5x3 format. Once three of the same symbols are matched, the bonus game ends. You must line up three Mega Jackpot symbols to scoop the big prize in the Hall of Gods.
Jackpot Giant - Unlike the other games in this list, Jackpot Giant by Playtech has a regular bonus round. It's a simple game in which players pick a volcano, which will then reveal the prize. How do you play (and win) this progressive slot? It's more basic than some other progressives, paying out the jackpot when five Wild symbols line up.
Arabian Nights - Another progressive jackpot online slot for NetEnt, Arabian Nights is one of the company's first progressive titles and has remained popular at the best online casinos. Thanks to its high RTP, Arabian Nights gives you plenty of chance to win its progressive jackpot, triggered by five Wild symbols from a maximum bet. You'll also find plenty of cool features, such as a free spins round.
Mega Fortune Dreams - NetEnt cemented its reputation for making amazing progressive online slots when it launched Mega Fortune Dreams back in 2014. Since then, the game has been popular with slot fans thanks to its 10x multiplier, re-spins round, and sticky wilds feature. Of course, the reasons players return to Mega Fortune Dreams is for its Mega Jackpot progressive prize, which you can win via the Bonus Wheel round.
Empire Fortune - Yggdrasil Gaming takes the progressive online slot concept to the next level with Empire Fortune, a game that features three progressive jackpots. Among the features is a Free Spins bonus that delivers 30 spins with a 10x multiplier. If you want the big prize, you'll need to trigger the Jackpot Wheel that could see you win a cash prize 500 times your initial wager. You can also trigger the Fireworks bonus to gain 12 rockets that could propel you to one of the progressive jackpots.
Beach Life - When you spin the reels of Beach Life, you get a breezy summer-themed slot that carries a massive progressive jackpot. Playtech's colourful online slot brings you 5-reels and 20 adjustable pay lines. It's worth noting this has a lower RTP than average, but you do get to play for a huge prize. In fact, the Beach Life jackpot routinely heads into six figures.
Major Millions - Microgaming is known for its huge progressive jackpot slots, and while Mega Moolah usually grabs the headlines, you should not ignore Major Millions. This comic military-themed 5-reel slot is relatively simple without many additional bonus features. However, it does have its massive progressive jackpot, which means you should always bet the maximum bet on Major Millions.
Joker Millions - Yggdrasil Gaming delivers plenty of fun and monster prizes with Joker Millions, one of the best progressive jackpot slots available. This basic 4-reel and 10 payline online slot uses a Joker as a sticky special symbol. Whenever you fill the pay lines with this Joker sticky, you get the progressive jackpot win.
Biggest Progressive Slot Wins
Mega Moolah holds the current record for the biggest progressive jackpot slot win, highlighting why it is one of the most popular online slots ever. Microgaming's game holds seven of the top ten highest-ever progressive jackpot wins, with NetEnt's Mega Fortune taking the other spots. Whichever of these games you choose, if you win, it will change your life.
The biggest online progressive jackpot ever paid went to an anonymous player on September 28, 2018. Grand Mondial Casino hosted the win, which was claimed on Mega Moolah. Because the player decided to remain anonymous, no information is known about their nationality or name. Their prize was a massive €18,915,721.
Mega Moolah also provided the second-largest progressive slot payout of all time, handing an anonymous New Zealand player CA$20,057,734 million at Zodiac Casino.
On October 6, 2015, a British player named Jon Heywood won a £13,312,882 progressive jackpot at Betway. The Guinness Book of Records recognized Heywood's record. His prize was the largest online jackpot payout in history at the time. Since then, Heywood's sizeable win has dropped to number 3 on the list. But we doubt that he is complaining.
In 2013, NetEnt's Mega Fortune delivered a massive prize of €17,860,868 to an anonymous Finnish gambler playing at Paf Casino. Despite being won over eight years ago, this remains the fourth biggest jackpot ever.
Progressive slots are the best way to win big prizes at online casinos. With constantly growing jackpots, prizes are often in the seven figures. And, as we can see here, they can even grow into eight-figure prizes that create multi-millionaires. It's fair to say that winning at a progressive slot can change your life.
Now that you know how to play progressive slots, don't you think it's time to try for yourself? Choose from our list of progressive slots and start spinning now!
Progressive Slots Game Developers
While there are many online slot developers, the best progressive jackpot slots still come from some of the online casino industry's most prominent software developers.
Below is a list of the top online slot developers in the world:
Microgaming – Arguably the biggest name in the online slot world, Microgaming is also the longest-standing developer of casino games. Since opening its doors in 1994, the company has been creating some of the most famous online gaming titles available. From cult classics to true blockbuster slots, Microgaming has done it all. Still, the Mega Moolah and Major Millions progressive jackpot slots are perhaps the most famous of all Microgaming's software.
NetEnt – Once a pretender to Microgaming's crown, NetEnt is now equal to its rival thanks to its innovative approach to online slots. Notable for its ambitions and unique games, NetEnt also has some of the best progressive jackpot online slots. Mega Fortune is the best known of the company's progressive slots online and was once famous for paying out some of the biggest jackpots.
Playtech – One of the leading online casino game developers globally, Playtech has an extensive catalogue of slots, including some of the best progressive slots online. Playtech slots are well-known for giving players a lot of control over paylines. Of course, in a progressive jackpot game, you'll want to be betting the maximum amount, but it's still nice to have the option to choose wagers more dynamically if needed.
Yggdrasil – Compared to its more established rivals, Yggdrasil is still a newcomer in the world of online slots. Since debuting in 2013, the Swedish company has wasted no time creating some all-time classic games. With its progressive jackpot slot titles, Yggdrasil has become known for leveraging the latest technology to deliver memorable game experiences. The result is fresh online slots that still provide massive prizes.
Mobile Progressive Slots and Games
One of the best things about online casinos is that you can play them on the move. The industry has moved with the mobile revolution, bringing casino games to smartphones and tablet on iOS and Android. That includes progressive jackpot online slot games that you can access on a mobile device.
However, there are some things you should consider when looking for a progressive slot game to play on mobile.
Make sure that the online casino or slot app you choose is reliable and works properly. This ensures the site you use is secure and does not have any performance problems. One way to guarantee the best mobile progressive slot game experience is to select one of our recommended mobile online casinos.
We highlight the best online casinos that have fully optimized mobile casino experiences that are available in one of two forms:
Mobile browser – If you want to play progressive jackpot slots on mobile, you can do it directly through the browser on your smartphone or tablet. It is very close to the desktop experience, although the site will be optimized for different mobile devices and screen sizes. You may also see some changes to the graphics, menus and features depending on the device you are using. Casinos available on mobile browsers can be accessed through Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices.
Apps – Many online casinos and slot developers have a dedicated mobile casino app. While this means you need to download the software to your mobile device, there are some great benefits to mobile slot apps. For example, with a dedicated app, you will get an online casino experience designed from the ground up for mobile devices. An app usually offers superb connectivity, ultimate mobile usability and device notifications. Mobile slots apps are available to download for iOS and Android devices, and can be found on casino websites and app stores.
Who Pays Progressive Slot Winnings?
One question we see often is: how can slot developers afford to pay the massive progressive jackpots? However, it's not really the developer who pays the winnings. Remember, a progressive jackpot is funded from a percentage of each bet made by players. In other words, it is you and other players who really pay the jackpot.
So, what about cashing out your prize if you win big? Let's not forget that some players have won millions playing progressive jackpot online slots.
If you win a smaller amount, the online casino you played at will usually handle the payout. However, online casinos have a maximum withdrawal amount, limiting how much of your winnings you can cash out. For example, your online casino may only allow you to take out $10,000 each month from your account. If you win significantly more, you will have to receive your winnings over months or even years.
For the biggest progressive jackpot wins, the software provider issues the payout. When this happens, the prize is usually given in a single lump sum. Sometimes the developer will offer a single lump sum and then annual instalments. Whether it's a payout from the casino or developer, it's always best to read the terms and conditions to understand a slot game's payment structure properly.
Progressive Slot Games – Betting Maximum and Checking T&C
While online slots vary significantly from game to game, you usually must wager the maximum bet to be able to win a progressive jackpot. "Bet Max" means you wager the highest possible coin value on each spin of the reels. That means playing progressive slots can be expensive, but the rewards can be huge.
If you don't want to bet the max amount, it's arguable you should avoid playing a progressive jackpot slot altogether. However, all progressive jackpot games provide base games with other prizes, which allows you to play them like a regular online slot game.
Mega Moolah is probably the most famous progressive jackpot game, but you don't always need to Bet Max to win big. That's because this game has some other monster prizes, such as other jackpots that can run as high as $1 million without needing to bet the maximum wager.
As always, you should read the Terms & Conditions for the progressive online slot you are going to play. By doing so, you'll learn about betting limits, withdrawal terms, and any casino bonuses. If you play progressive slots regularly, you will be spending a lot of money, so you need to protect your investment. Understanding the game rules means you know exactly where you stand and won't have any nasty surprises in the future.
Progressive Slots Fairness and RNG
Progressive jackpot slots are popular because they offer people the chance to win life-changing sums of money. The best developers and slot games will always give you a fair chance of success, and the leading online casinos will provide a secure environment to play. We recommend all the online casinos and slot games independently tested by independent regulators to ensure they provide fairness to gamblers.
We strictly review and then choose the leading casinos with the best progressive slots online. Every casino site we recommend is fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures that the games are always fair, you are always protected and you will always be paid your winnings.
Remember that like any form of gambling progressive online slots are meant for entertainment only, and winnings are based purely on luck. So always gamble responsibly, never try to chase your losses and keep a close eye on your bankroll. In case you feel things are getting out of control, take a break and seek help. Always make sure you gamble responsibly, so you can come back for your chance of a winning spin on a progressive slot.
FAQ
Are Progressive Slots Legal and Safe?
Yes they are. All the casino operators we feature on gambling.com are fully licensed by the UKGC. Therefore all the games they feature, including progressive slots are tested, certified, safe and 100% legal. Still, it is important to always gamble responsibly.
Can You Win a Progressive Slot with One Spin?
Yes you can. Many progressive slots will offer different wager thresholds to quality for winning jackpot prizes. Although most progressive slots will allow you to win with one spin, you may be required to place the maximum bet possible. It is recommended to check the casino and slot's Terms & Conditions to avoid disappointment.
Do progressive slots go to zero when someone wins the jackpot?
Not exactly. Although a progressive slot's prize will reset once the jackpot has been won, the casino or software developer will contribute every time a Jackpot Seed which is an initial prize sum. So even though the jackpot will be relatively lower soon after someone wins it, it will still not start from zero.
Do Progressive Slots have free spins?
Some of them do. But most progressive slots will not offer free spins, given that a free spin will not contribute to the jackpot prize pool, which means the casino or slot developer will need to cover that cost. Even in the unlikely case of a progressive slot offering free spins, these will usually not be qualified to win the jackpot.
What are the odds of winning the jackpot on a progressive slot?
Because the prizes may be worth millions, and the jackpot gets bigger as time goes by, frequent wins would not enable casinos and software providers to cover the costs, and they will not allow the jackpots to grow to significant sums. Therefore, the odds of winning a jackpot on progressive slots are not huge. However besides the jackpot, progressive slots also offer other prizes with better odds.
What is the RTP of progressive slots compared to regular slots?
The RTP (Return to Player) is the portion of wagers paid back to players as winnings over time. Although progressive slots feature significantly larger prizes, all jackpots are derived from the wagers placed. Therefore progressive slots RTPs vary and would not be categorically different from other online slots.
Can I play progressive slots for free?
Not very often, progressive slots are rarely offered for free as real money wagers must contribute to the jackpot prize pool.
What is the biggest ever jackpot won on progressive slots?
At the time of writing this page, the biggest ever online jackpot was paid in 2018 to an anonymous player. It was won on Microgaming's Mega Moolah, with the whopping sum of €18,915,721 (over £16 million) paid.
How are the jackpot winnings paid if I win on a progressive slot?
If you win a progressive jackpot slot, winnings will be paid by the casino operator in case it's a local or network jackpot, or by the software provider if it is a jackpot prize tied to a specific game or series of progressive slot titles. Usually, jackpots will be paid by a lump sum, however in some cases jackpots are paid in instalments. Check the game's Terms & Conditions for more information.
Are jackpot winnings of progressive slots taxed?
There is no tax on gambling winnings in New Zealand. However, if you win a jackpot or any other prize in another country, you may be liable to pay tax on your winnings, even if you are a New Zealand resident. It is therefore always strongly recommended to check the tax rules at your jurisdiction.
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Hi, I'm Lee James Gwilliam
"With over 10 years as a poker player and 5 in the casino industry I’m here to share my experience and passion."
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Reviewer since February 2016
