Best progressive jackpot slots for 2025
We’ve put together a list of the best progressive slots together with a guide on how progressive jackpots work.
Then, we also listed a few tips and tricks on how to make the most of your progressive jackpot experience.
Top progressive jackpot slots
I’ve put together a list of some of the best progressive jackpot slot machines out there – this includes games that have had some of the biggest progressive jackpot slot wins in recent years and where they happened.
Divine Fortune Megaways
Take a trip to ancient Greece with the Divine Fortune Megaways slot by NetEnt. Spin the reels with medium to high volatility, 96.09% RTP, and features that include falling wilds, free spins, bonus wins, and the ultimate jackpot prize. Golden Nugget casino boasts some of the highest Divine Fortune wins between 2017 and 2019 ranging between $220,000 and $305,000.
Mercy of the Gods
Another NetEnt slot known for its progressive jackpot, this 5 reel slot with 20 paylines is sent in ancient Egypt. It is also rich of in-game features such as the Gift of Life re-spins and wild reels. But it’s the Gift of Wealth jackpot feature that players look for as filling 3 rows with the bonus symbols will award the coveted prize. A top win of just over $200,000 dollars was recorded at a European online casino.
Mega Jackpots Cleopatra
IGT’s Cleopatra gets a jackpot of a makeover in this Egyptian stunner. The MegaJackpots Cleopatra slot has an average RTP of 92.48%, and the series’ jackpot has climbed to well over $1,000,000 before!
Mega Jackpots Wheel of Fortune
Yet another IGT Mega Jackpots slots makes our top 10 because not only does it go up to massive amounts, it’s also a fun slot to play. Mega Jackpots Wheel of Fortune is played of 5 reels over 20 paylines. When the Mega Jackpots feature is triggered you get a spin at the Bonus Wheel that has 3 entries to the Mega Jackpots token, meaning there are three chances of landing on it to win the prize money.
Imperial Riches
Imperial Riches provides a relaxing and calming experience with the added excitement of a progressive jackpot. Played over 5 reels and 15 paylines with cascading tiles, you can sit back and enjoy the zen setting of the slot. When the jackpot bonus feature is triggered you’ll have a chance to win one of the five jackpots available – three are fixed, the other 2 are progressive.
Wild Wild 7s
This slot mixes a progressive jackpot with some retro designs and mechanics. The game is simple and lacks any extra bonus features. To win the progressive jackpot you’ll have to land three double wild sevens on any one of the five paylines.
Mega Jackpots Golden Goddess
Another progressive slot from the IGT Mega Jackpots family, Golden Goddess is based on the original Golden Goddess slot. It has the same dreamy feel, enchanting music and fantasy symbols. With a 96% RTP and 40 paylines it features stacked symbols that can create some pretty good wins in both the base and bonus games. Cover the reels with the Mega Jackpots symbols and you win the progressive jackpot.
My top 3 recommended progressive slot sites
Now let’s have a look at progressive slot sites that I’ve tested and that you can start playing at today, with real money.
- Hard Rock Bet – Currently available for players located in New Jersey, the casino made it to the list for offering over 40 progressive slots from some of the biggest jackpot providers out there, including NetEnt and IGT, with titles such as Wheel of Fortune Megaways, Mercy of the Gods, or Divine Fortune Megaways.
- BetMGM – One of the best known casinos in US, this was my choice for bringing together over 300 progressive jackpots, including the Colossal Cash series, and the Mega Jackpots. Now to make it very clear, these two jackpots are offered by the casino, unique, compared to the other choices on this list, where the jackpot comes from the game providers.
- Sugar House – The casino comes with an in-house jackpot as well, called the Rush Jackpots. You’ll get to spin for this progressive jackpot if you are randomly selected while you’re spinning in your usual slots. The goal is to collect Gold Coins and progress through the levels. Level 3 or more will win you one of the jackpots.
What are progressive jackpot slots?
Progressive jackpots are, in essence, regular slots, but with an extra reward enhancement, where players can randomly win a large (jackpot) amount of money that’s been accumulating in the game throughout a longer period of time.
The reward amount can be different every time it’s won, the difference typically coming from how long it has been since the last one was won.
Benefits of progressive jackpot slots
If you’re wondering why you should play online progressive jackpots, you’ve got the answers right here. While they might seem like regular slot machines at face value, you’ll find that they offer much more than a regular wild or multiplier. Here are six of my favorite reasons to play progressive jackpot slots online:
Bigger prizes
The biggest reason to play progressive jackpots is definitely the bigger prizes. While even the most lucrative slot machines may offer high multipliers on five-of-a-kind combinations, nothing comes close to the multipliers offered by online jackpot slots.
Bonus games
Some slot machines will require you to enter and play a bonus game to win the jackpot. This could also come in the form of a respin feature. These bonus games tend to add an extra layer of excitement when playing a slot.
Community feeling
If you’re playing at an online casino that offers a community progressive jackpot, you’ll be competing alongside other real players, which could create a sense of community or competition.
Easy to play
Playing jackpot games is the same as playing a regular slot machine – the only difference is the added feature that could come as a random trigger, as part of a bonus game, or as part of a network promotion.
Variety
There’s plenty of variety when it comes to progressive slots. Whether you’re into Egyptian-themed games, adventure, jungle, or classic fruit slots, you’re sure to find a jackpot game you like.
Unlimited
If you’re choosing to play a progressive jackpot slot instead of a fixed one, you’re playing a game that has an unlimited jackpot pool. This is because each bet a player places on that game contributes to the slot’s prize.
How do progressive jackpot slots work?
Progressive jackpots work by pooling a small percentage of every bet made by players into a gradually increasing prize pool. Here’s how the process generally unfolds:
Contribution mechanism: Whenever a player places a bet on a progressive slot, a small portion (often 1-5%) of that bet is added to the jackpot pool. Even players who don’t win contribute to growing the jackpot.
Seed amount: Each progressive jackpot starts at a base or “seed” amount, set by the casino or developer, ensuring the jackpot is appealing right from the start.
Linked machines or Networks: Many progressive jackpots are shared across multiple machines or even various casinos, causing the jackpot to grow faster because wagers from all linked games feed into the same prize pool.
Triggering the jackpot: The jackpot is won when a player hits a specific winning combination, trigger symbol, or bonus event, often randomly determined by a secure Random Number Generator (RNG).
Jackpot reset: After a jackpot is won, it resets to the base seed amount, and the process begins again as bets continue to contribute.
Fairness and randomness: RNG software ensures each spin is independent and unpredictable, meaning jackpot wins are random and cannot be timed or influenced by player actions.
How to play progressive slot machines
While each online jackpot slot is different by design, they mostly follow the same mechanics. These are universal steps that you can follow to understand how progressive jackpot slots work:
- Choose a real money casino to play at: you can go to any of the suggested entries on this page.
- Sign up and/or verify your account: this step will enable you to deposit funds safely and legally.
- Deposit money: make sure you make deposits with available payment methods that belong to you, not family members, not friends.
- Locate the progressive jackpot you want to play: to do so, you can use the filtering options and simply click on Jackpots.
- Read the game rules: Here, you want to make sure you follow the rules of the game in order to qualify for jackpot drops. Be mindful of language such as, minimum paylines or minimum bets.
- Start playing: Place your bets in accordance with your budget limitations.
Different types of progressive jackpot slots
Whether you should try a localized progressive jackpot or a network one, or what’s the difference between a progressive or a fixed jackpot, I’ve broken down the different kinds of jackpot games and comparisons to help you decide what you prefer to play:
- Progressive jackpots: progressive jackpot slot machines are those that take a percentage of each bet players make on the game as a contribution to the jackpot pool. Once won, the jackpot amount resets to its lowest value. You’ll find the jackpot RTP contribution percentage in the progressive slot’s paytable.
- Fixed jackpots: fixed jackpot slot games come with prizes set at a specific amount. These are usually stipulated within the game’s paytable as a multiplier value. For example, if you hit the jackpot of a slot with a grand jackpot of 1,000x, you’ll win $1,000 when betting $1.00, and $10,000 if you stake $10.00.
- Network jackpots: You’ll notice that some jackpots are shared over a few games by the same provider. These are called network jackpots – some are progressive and some are fixed. The jackpot works separately from the other features of the slot machine and anyone playing one of the participating games can trigger it.
- Local jackpots: The majority of online jackpot slots have their own prize pool. This means that in order to win a local jackpot, you need to play the game it belongs to. Other jackpot games from the same provider do not contribute to the prize of a local jackpot.
- House jackpots: House jackpots are those that belong to a particular online casino. Only players staking on that particular site will be able to win the prize, which is also why these are usually smaller than network or local jackpot slots. What’s more, you’ll have a chance to win these progressive jackpots regardless of the game you play, meaning each bet you place contributes to the prize pool. You’ll find house jackpots at online casinos like BetMGM and Party
I’ve seen numerous other types of jackpots out there that don’t really have a name. Sweepstakes casinos are more creative in that regard: WOW Vegas, for example, has a type that’s a hybrid between a house jackpot and a Drop and Win. I am talking about what they call Wowzer, complemented by their Wake Up and Win morning drop.
Progressive jackpot slot comparisons
Let’s make some comparisons and help you decide what’s more important to you before choosing a jackpot game. Do you prefer fixed or progressive jackpots? What’s the advantage of a house jackpot? What if you want to play at real-life instead of online jackpots, are there any advantages? Let’s tackle all these questions right now:
Jackpot types compared by trigger and frequency
| Jackpot type | Jackpot trigger | Jackpot size and frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive jackpot | Random event, specific symbol combos or feature | Can reach millions, less frequent |
| Fixed jackpot | Symbol combo or feature | Smaller, fairly frequent |
| Network jackpot | Independent from game features | Larger, moderate frequency |
| Local jackpot | Specific to the game: random or feature | Smaller, frequent |
| House jackpot | Random or feature triggered | Smaller, more frequent |
Progressive slots vs. regular slots
Dive a little deeper to further understand the differences between fixed and progressive jackpots, by comparing progressive slots vs regular slots:
| Feature | Progressive slots | Regular slots |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot size | Huge, life-changing jackpots that grow with each bet | Fixed maximum payout, usually smaller jackpots |
| Payout frequency | Very rare | More frequent |
| RTP and volatility | Generally lower, due to jackpot funding (88% – 94%) High volatility with rare and big wins | Higher (96% – 98%) Low to medium volatility, with consistent payouts |
| Bet requirements | Often require max bets to qualify for the progressive jackpot pooling | Bet sizes can be minimal |
| Best for | Risk tolerant players, chasing big wins | Calculated and low-risk, looking for frequent wins |
Progressive jackpots vs fixed jackpots
Understanding the mechanics behind progressive and fixed jackpots could help you make an informed choice based on risk, reward, and gameplay style.
| Feature | Progressive Jackpots | Fixed Jackpots |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot size | Grows continuously with each bet, can reach life-changing sums | Predetermined, constant prize amount set by the game |
| Jackpot growth | Funded by a percentage (typically 1–5%) of all qualifying bets | No growth; fixed prize does not change with wagers |
| Jackpot pool | Can be standalone (single machine), local (single casino), or wide area (multiple casinos) | Single game only |
| RTP | Generally lower (88–94%) due to jackpot contributions | Typically higher (96–98%) due to fixed prize and no deductions |
| Volatility | High volatility: rare but huge wins | Low to medium volatility: more frequent smaller wins |
| Jackpot trigger | RNG-based random events, specific symbol combos, or bonus rounds | Specific symbol combinations or fixed payline jackpots |
| Betting requirements | Often require max bets or minimum qualifiers to be eligible | Typically no special bet requirement beyond standard play |
| Payout frequency | Rare jackpot wins; long periods between big payouts | More frequent and predictable payouts |
| Player experience | High-risk, high-reward, adrenaline-inducing | Steady gameplay with consistent small/medium wins |
| Network dependency | May be linked across multiple casinos or operators to aggregate prize pools | Independent, no network linkage |
| Jackpot reset | Resets to base seed amount after payout | Jackpot remains constant |
Low progressive jackpots vs high progressive jackpots
You might hear these terms further in this article, so for the sake of clarifying, I will quickly explain the difference between the two:
- Low progressive jackpots come from standalone or even in-house slots, and they have frequent, smaller wins.
- High progressive jackpots are linked across multiple casinos or networks, growing much bigger but winning them is much rarer.
Expert advice on how to win progressive jackpots
There is no magic spell that creates a formula of how to win progressive jackpots (although we did come up with some tips on how to win at slots), but there are some things you can keep in mind to push the odds in your favor. We’ve put together a list of tips of things to consider when selecting a progressive slot.
1. Know the rules
Read the rules: the slot may require you to stake above a certain amount to qualify for the jackpot, or to collect certain symbols.
2. Check for exclusivity
Online casinos sometimes partner with providers to offer network-wide progressive jackpots. The benefit is that you have more games that share the same jackpot.
3. Do your research
There are ways to “guess” when a jackpot will likely drop, by checking the previous wins of the slot. Some drop more frequently.
4. Try the demo mode first
Before staking real money on an online jackpot slot, see if you like it by playing the game for free.
5. Pick titles with a higher RTP
A higher RTP means that the potential of a drop is higher, although much less frequent.
6. Bonus terms and conditions
If you’re playing with bonus cash, remember to check the terms and conditions of the bonus before. Some jackpots don’t trigger when bonus cash is involved.
7. Stick to a budget and play responsible
Make sure that you maintain your budget-spending limits by using all and any necessary tool that the casino makes available for you.
I find that trying the demo mode first always helps. Playing a progressive slot for free lets me get a feel of the volatility and bonus rounds without risking real money. It’s a simple step, but it can boost your confidence and help you decide if the game’s right for your style before staking any cash.
Where to play progressive jackpot slots
| Casino Logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-casino button | Show more | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
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100/100
Games rating
by Sophie P.
85%
Playscore
based on
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Up to $1,000 Lossback in Casino Bonus after your first 24 hours
|
Play now players accepted |
|
Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC. All Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credits. 24-hour Lossback period starts when player makes first cash wager on slots only. Up to $1,000 back in casino bonus if player has net loss on slots after first 24 hours. Casino Bonus credit has a 1x wager requirement and expires after 14 days. NJ Only. Bet with your head not over it. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER |
2
|
95/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
91%
Playscore
based on
|
100% up to $1,000 + $25 On The House
|
Play now players accepted |
|
Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. MI, NJ, PA or WV only. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV). |
3
|
91/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
92%
Playscore
based on
|
100% match bonus up to $250
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
4
|
90/100
Games rating
by Dasha G.
80%
Playscore
based on
|
100% up to $100 + 100 free spins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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5
|
89/100
Games rating
by Denise M.
84%
Playscore
based on
|
100% bonus back up to $1,000
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
6
|
88/100
Games rating
by Dasha G.
86%
Playscore
based on
|
100% up to $1,000 and 2,500 Reward Credits on a $25+ wager
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
7
|
88/100
Games rating
by Vule P.
85%
Playscore
based on
|
Bonus Money reload up to $500
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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8
|
87/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
92%
Playscore
based on
|
$20 Bonus Dollars + 100% up to $1,000
|
Play now players accepted |
|
Visit Borgata.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. NJ only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER. |
9
|
85/100
Games rating
by Dasha G.
87%
Playscore
based on
|
Deposit $10, get 500 Bonus Spins + $40 Casino Bonus
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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10
|
85/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
86%
Playscore
based on
|
$25 bonus bet + up to $500 in deposit bonuses
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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1
|
98/100
Games rating
by Denise M.
76%
Playscore
based on
|
Get 35,000 GC + 35 SC for $9.99
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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2
|
98/100
Games rating
by Sophie P.
79%
Playscore
based on
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50,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
|
Play now players accepted |
|
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3
|
96/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
87%
Playscore
based on
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Up to 120,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
4
|
95/100
Games rating
by Vule P.
80%
Playscore
based on
|
35,000 Gold Coins + 5 Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
5
|
95/100
Games rating
by Sophie P.
81%
Playscore
based on
|
50,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
6
|
94/100
Games rating
by Denise M.
66%
Playscore
based on
|
15,000 Gold Coins + 15 Crystals
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
7
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
89%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 650,000 Gold Coins + 1,400 Sweeps Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
8
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
81%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 400,000 Gold Coins + 40 free Sweepstakes Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
9
|
92/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
83%
Playscore
based on
|
Up to 5000 Gold Coins + 0.6 Sweepstake Cash and 3 Treasure Chests
|
Play now players accepted |
|
|
10
|
91/100
Games rating
by Paul P.
79%
Playscore
based on
|
25,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 Spree Coins
|
Play now players accepted |
|
These casinos come on top when it comes to progressive jackpot slots, not just in terms of quantity but also in quality. You’ll find progressive slots by top providers like NetEnt, IGT, and other big names.
Top progressive jackpot slot providers
You’ll find quite a few progressive jackpot providers on the market, but the ones most trustworthy, are the ones with a strong global footing and a large network. In 2025, not having a large network can erase you from this competitive market. The following 3 progressive jackpot providers have consistently delivered, let’s see what they excel at:
NetEnt
NetEnt is one of the most popular software providers at online casinos in the US. The operator has developed over 200 videoslots, some of which include progressive jackpots and Megaways games. You’re spoiled for choice with game themes, features, and RTP percentages.
| Slot | Largest win (at time of writing) | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Fortune | $96,125 | High |
| Mercy of the Gods | $79,588 | High |
| Grand Spinn | $66,140 | High |
| Imperial Riches | $35,932 | Low |
IGT
With over 50 years of experience, IGT is well-known in both online casinos and in brick-and-mortar ones. The software provider has developed over 1,000 slots, with over 100 available online. IGT casinos offer one progressive jackpot sum across their Mega Jackpots slots so the amount is always a lot larger than the individual progressive slots. The RTP for these slots is also very low compared to other providers but this is because 3.5% of it goes straight to the progressive jackpot.
| Slot | Largest (at time of writing) | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| MegaJackpots Ocean Belles | $504,922 | Low |
| MegaJackpots Golden Goddess | $504,922 | Low |
| MegaJackpots Wheel of Fortune | $504,922 | Low to Medium |
| MegaJackpots Siberian Storm | $504,922 | Medium |
| MegaJackpots Cleopatra | $504,922 | Medium |
Konami
Konami is a popular software provider known for its unique slot designs. The operator offers a catalog of over 30 slots, some of which are progressive jackpots. You’ll find some of Konami’s more popular jackpot slots are the Must-hit slot machines in the table I’ve put together for you.
| Slot | Must hit varience | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Gypsy Fire Quick Strike Online | not disclosed | Low |
| China Mystery with Quick Strike | Random, must-win by | Medium |
| Lotus Land with Quick Strike | ||
| China Shores Quick Strike Online | not disclosed | High |
Why I like a good must-hit progressive slot:
I like the must hit machines the most because these are the only jackpots most likely to predict when you win.
Progressive slot machines with a “must-hit by” or a “must win by” jackpot, are slots with a secret jackpot amount, chosen from a min – max (or “must-hit by”) range.
If, for example, you see a current jackpot amount of $400 from a $500 must-hit limit, you have more chances to win the secret jackpot, in front of a slot with a jackpot played until $200 from $500 max-must hit limit.
Progressive jackpot winner stories
Here we explore some of the stories of past progressive jackpot winners. These three are possibly the most exciting stories worldwide not only because of the huge jackpot win but also because of the story behind them.
1) World War II veteran hits the jackpot – twice!
Elmer Sherwin, a WWII veteran won $4.6 million on the Megabucks slot at the age of 80. He returned to the same casino and played the same slot machine twelve years later. To his (and everyone else’s) surprise, he left with a whopping $21 million jackpot on the same game. He donated a large portion of his winnings to Hurricane Katrina victims.
2) Mega Moolah and mobile jackpot.
A young lady sat down to play a round of Mega Moolah on her mobile phone when she won an incredible $11.6 million. This remains one of the biggest jackpot hits on a mobile device.
3) $22.6 million in the blink of an eye.
Johanna Heundl casually passed by the casino on her way to breakfast and sat down at the Megabucks slot machine. She got distracted and looked away for a second only to return her vision to the screen that has just hit a jackpot worth $22.6 million prize.
Biggest jackpots won worldwide
These are some of the biggest jackpot wins that keep bringing players back, hammering the machines for their shot at winning big.
| Game | Biggest jackpot won worldwide | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphinx | $43 million | 2016 | Resort World Casino |
| Megabucks | $39 million | 2000 | Las Vegas Casino |
| Mega Fortune | $23.6 million | 2013 | PAF |
| Mega Moolah | $20.8 million | 2012 | Betway |
| WowPot Mega | 19.6 million | 2021 | RedCasino |
| Arabian Nights | $17.3 million | 2011 | Betsson |
| Dollar Streak | $9.3 million | 2022 | Del Lago Resort Casino |
| Millionaires Island | $3.9 million | 2017 | Poker Starts Casino |
| A Night with Cleo | $532,801 | 2022 | Bovada |
| Divine Fortune Megaways | $493,253 | 2022 | NeoGames |
Progressive jackpot slot FAQs
How often do progressive jackpots hit?
How often progressive jackpots hit depends on the slot machine and the RTP of the game. You also need to consider how many players are contributing to the prize pool. Smaller progressive jackpots tend to drop hit more frequently. Ones that go into the six figures will take longer but then of course the prize money would be substantial. Check out the best progressive jackpot casinos to see who has the best progressive slots.
How are progressive jackpots paid?
All progressive jackpot slots pay in the same way as a normal combination win would. Progressive jackpot games credit your account with the win for you to withdraw. Check the online casino’s terms and conditions to see if you can cashout your jackpot prize in one go or if you’ll need to split it over a few months.
What triggers a progressive jackpot?
Different online progressive jackpot slots work in different ways. Some games drop jackpots randomly, others trigger a jackpot game with a losing spin, whereas others may require you to spin a wheel or enter a bonus round. Check the game’s paytable to see how its progressive jackpot works.
Are progressive jackpot slots fair?
Yes, they are. Like all other slot machines, progressive jackpots work with a Random Number Generator (RNG). This ensures fairness and randomness with the outcome of the game. Make sure you’re signed up to a secure online casino in the US.
What is a progressive slot machine?
A progressive slot machine is an online casino game that gives you the chance to win a jackpot prize. A percentage of each bet players make on the game is put into the jackpot pool. The player who triggers the progressive jackpot receives the entire pot and the value resets to its base amount. Check out our top progressive slots and see if you can pick your favorite.
What is a must-hit progressive slot?
Progressive slot machines with a “must-hit by” or a “must win by” jackpot, are slots with a randomly set jackpot amount, set from a ranged sum, that can drop randomly, before the upper limit is hit. So, whichever the jackpot amount, it “must hit” by the pre-set range on the game. Examples of such jackpots are China Mystery with Quick Strike, China Shores with Quick Strike and Lotus Land with Quick Strike jackpots from Kaomi.
