If flashing lights and jackpots prize pools that grow larger by the second is your cup of tea then there is only one series of slots you should be playing – progressive jackpot slots!

With its mega jackpot status it is no surprise that progressive jackpot slots have been drawing crowds since their addition to early land based casinos, a trend which ensured that online casino software developers were sure to prioritise the development of online progressive slots as well.

While many progressive slots are well played and enjoyed by many players due to their creative themes and superb graphics the select few which have managed to dominate the market do so most often because of that one magic ingredient – they have absolutely astounding prize pools. Most progressives that make it onto the Must-Play lists of casino aficionados get there because they offer players a chance to win big six, seven or even eight figure windfalls, all while not having to break the bank for each spin.

As seen with the Jackpot Giant progressive the bigger the prize pool the greater the excitement and anticipation of being the one to get lucky. This naturally acts as a drawcard attracting more and more players to game, which in turn ramps up the speed and total potential prize pool. And on and on it goes until someone somewhere, due to no skill or ability but simply the luck of being at the right slot at the right time takes home a game changing jackpot!

The downside is that while there are hundreds perhaps thousands of players across the globe trying their luck there can be only one big winner – remember to gamble for entertainment and let any wins be the cherry on top.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Online gambling has come a long way since its very simplistic first steps back in 1998. Everything from the audio and visual excellence of the games, to the usability for the software, and definitely the numbers of bonus features and jackpot values has seen an exponential rise over the years. Even the venerable progressive jackpot slot has seen its own evolution.

A little known fact is that the without two very different men; one a Norwegian mathematician, the other an American businessman and philanthropist. William “Si” Redd was building his slot machine and video poker manufacturing and distribution empire when Inge Telnaes, a Norwegian mathematician and programmers, created the first virtual reel system that allowed slots to offer more than one payline and bigger pay-outs.

Thanks to this ground-breaking development Si Redd’s IGT had the opportunity to implement their idea of progressive slot games back in the 1980’s. The very first progressive slot machine series was on a game called Megabucks. With a chance to win a far bigger prize pool than ever before, a shiny new game feature and the nominal cost of only three coins per spin, Megabucks was a breakout hit.

Enough History, How Does It Work?

Progressive slot machines have a very simply premise – it works on the idea that everyone contributes a little bit to a growing prize pool each time they play. This means that at very little cost to the casino they are able to offer punters the lure of a truly staggering jackpot. This player funded prize pool system also means the casinos don’t have to make the cost per spin exorbitant, which opens up the games appeal to include rather than exclude players.

Progressive slots come in 3 formats! 

1) Standalone Progressive slot machines: These games have a jackpot ticker however only spins played on that specific machine add to the prize pool. As you can imagine this limits the jackpot value (usually less than $10,000) but at a few cents a game it’s still worth a spin.

2) Local Progressive slot machines: These games have a network of slot machines which add to a jackpot total, however these slots will usually all be in the same casino.

3) Wide Area Network Progressives: These are the real drawcards in any brick and mortar casino as slot machines from all over the country feed into one jackpot ticker.

This is where the world of online gaming really shines, far from the local restrictions applied to many physical progressives their digital cousins are all automatically linked ensuring you have only the biggest and the best prize pools.

Key Progressive Game Facts:

• Progressive jackpot games feature a pooled prize by cumulating cents off every non-winning game played
• Pooling cents per spins across multiple linked machines is the secret to massive low cost jackpot totals
• progressive jackpots are available on slots, video poker and even blackjack games
• Progressive prizes are paid out at predetermined points, these vary so that they cannot be tracked for advantage play.
• Once they payout progressive prize pools reset to their minimum levels. These minimum pre-set jackpots range from as low as $1000 up to $1 million!

Top 5 Market Leading Progressives

There are several of software developers competing daily to rise to the top of the ranks. For the newcomers it’s more difficult than for established game developer brands like Playtech, Microgaming, NetEnt and RTG. With years in the industry these power houses has had the opportunity to perfect their craft and launch the biggest and most exciting games especially when it comes to progressive jackpot games.

Here are the top 5 progressive jackpot games with the biggest pay-outs

1) Mega Moolah

Microgaming has had a much bigger advantage in growing their portfolio considering they were one of the first online gaming software companies to start. Their progressive 5 reels and 25 paylines Mega Moolah slot is considered to be the most popular jackpot in existence. There are numerous variations of the game but the original remains the preferred choice among players. The game has 4 different jackpots of which the Mega Jackpot is the biggest and most lucrative.

Did you know? Mega Moolah also holds the Guinness world record for the biggest jackpot pay-out ever recorded. One lucky player managed to walk away with a total of $12.7 million in wins while playing this slot.

2) Mega Fortune

This glamorous 5 reels and 25 paylines progressive jackpot slot enables you to indulge in a life of luxury with its theme of riches and all things money can buy. Mega Fortune has a free spins bonus feature that provides wins subject to a growing multiplier. The biggest reason for its popularity among players is the Mega jackpot it offers as well as the two smaller local jackpots.

Mega Record Holders! Mega Fortune used to hold the Guinness World record for the biggest pay-out before the title was passed on to Microgaming’s similarly titled Mega Moolah slot.

3) Jackpot Giant

There is a mighty giant that lives in a beautiful area where the land has not yet been covered in buildings. On his piece of land there are volcanos to keep him warm seeing as no fire is big enough to do the trick. Jackpot Giant is a 5 reels and 50 paylines progressive slot powered by Playtech. The game has become very popular over the past few years as it has a massive progressive jackpot waiting to be struck.

Why you should play? Jackpot Giant is currently standing on a massive 8 figure total and while it hasn’t paid out in quite some time players continue playing it hoping lady luck will give that extra push and provide them with the big pay-outs.

4) Age of the Gods

The Age of the Gods series is relatively new as it was created shortly after the marvel progressive jackpot slot series was removed from all Playtech casinos. While the series hasn’t been on the market that long, Playtech has done a wonderful job at promoting it and players are slowly but surely flocking more towards these games.

The slot series is based on Greek mythology and each of the games in the series is focused on one or a couple of the Greek Gods or Goddesses including Zeus, Poseidon and Athena. With four jackpot prize pools, a range of theme based features and plenty of in-game excitement the Age of the Gods series is definitely considered to become more and more popular among players.

Why you should play? Although the Age of the gods series doesn’t have a jackpot prize pool as big as other progressive such as Snow Business or Going Nuts but it does offer four different progressive jackpot prize pools and all games in the series are linked to them.

5) Aztec Millions

RTG’s Aztec Millions progressive slot has established itself as a player favourite years ago. This 5 reels and 25 payline game is themed around the Aztec culture and features symbols related to this kingdom. The game offers free spins and a random progressive jackpot that can only be triggered by landing five Aztec Million symbols on the reels.

Another RTG Gem: Players who enjoy Aztec Millions will love Aztec Gold, this game also comes with an Aztec theme but has a seven figure jackpot that nobody has been lucky enough to bag just yet.

There are heaps of progressive jackpot games from various software Game developers including Playtech’s Gladiator Jackpot, RTG’s Shopping Spree and NetEnt’s Hall of Gods. Like regular slot machines each of these games have a unique and carefully designed theme with rewarding features but what make them worthwhile is definitely the massive pay-outs they can provide.

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