I'm searching for results…

Menu
Home News Slot jackpots: How do they work, what myths surround them, and can you win?

Slot jackpots: How do they work, what myths surround them, and can you win?

Author:
Editorial Office Bonusmenu.co.uk
Published:
Slots

For quite some time now, the chance to win massive, fairytale-like jackpots has been an integral part of slot machines. Players can land significant payouts during regular gameplay- even with a minimum bet. Learn everything there is to know about jackpots: how they work, the risks involved, the different types, and their history.

Slot Jackpot Banner

Slot Jackpot Banner

All about slot jackpots

How do jackpots work?
Winning probability

What are slot jackpots?

rich-win (1)

Jackpots are undoubtedly among the most tempting features in both online and land-based casinos. After all, who wouldn’t be drawn to the chance of winning hundreds of thousands for just a few quid? But what exactly is a jackpot?

It’s a special type of win that far exceeds all other possible payouts. As a player, you can win a jackpot at any time – because it’s 100% random.

Types of jackpots

  • Fixed jackpot

    It always has the same payout amount, which is set in advance. It doesn’t increase over time and it doesn’t drop after it’s won. However, that doesn’t change the probability of winning.

  • Progressive jackpot

    The opposite of a fixed jackpot. With every bet placed by all players, the jackpot increases and the win can reach hundreds of thousands. After it randomly hits for any player, its value resets to the original, pre-set amount.

    Jackpots can be shared, for example, across all (or only a few selected) games from one provider.

Multiple jackpot tiers

With modern slots, you’ll also quite commonly come across multiple jackpot tiers. In some cases, they may be split, for example, into:

  • Mini, Minor, Major, Grand
  • Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond

Jackpot banner

 

How do slot jackpots work?

Jackpots work in essentially the same way as all slot wins. They’re controlled by an RNG (random number generator). That means a jackpot is 100% random and can be triggered by any player’s spin, even if it’s only for the minimum stake.

With progressive jackpots, even the minimum stake counts. That’s because a small percentage of every bet placed is added to the total jackpot pot.

How do jackpots grow?

The jackpot amount is influenced by several factors that ensure it stays attractive to players.

Player contributions

From every player bet, a small percentage (e.g. 1%) is always continuously contributed to the overall jackpot pot. This ensures the jackpot keeps growing.

Starting amount

For each jackpot, the game developer or the casino itself sets a base amount. After every win, it starts increasing from that point, so the jackpot doesn’t start from zero and remains appealing.

Linked slots

Most jackpots are linked across slots from a single provider, or even across different casinos. This means the jackpot can grow faster thanks to more players and their bets.

Jackpot winning probability

The chances of winning a jackpot vary depending on the slot game, but the odds can be as low as 1 in 10,000,000 or even less favourable. Your chances also depend on the jackpot tier. For example, a Bronze jackpot is generally easier to hit than a Diamond jackpot, although the exact probabilities vary between games.

🎰 Some online slots only award jackpots through special bonus features. One example is the popular Hold and Win feature, where filling the entire screen with special symbols can unlock the top jackpot prize.

πŸ’° Certain slots also require you to play at a specific minimum stake to qualify for a jackpot, such as Β£1 or Β£2 per spin. Always check the game’s paytable and jackpot rules before playing, as higher stakes do not necessarily improve your chances of winning.

How to play for a jackpot safely

A huge jackpot win is of course tempting for everyone, but keep in mind a healthy approach to gambling. You need to set your limits β€” not just in the casino, but in your own head too.

Set your limits

In the settings, decide how much you’re willing to lose at most, how much you want to deposit, or how long you want to spend playing. The casino will then help you stick to them, in case, for example, the urge to play gets the better of you.

A jackpot isn’t the goal

Always remember that a jackpot shouldn’t be the main goal of your play. Think of it more as a nice bonus on top of an entertaining game, not as planned profit. A jackpot win is an exceptional event, not a regular part of gameplay.

Read more about responsible gambling

Read also
How to play responsibly: Proper prevention comes first
How to play responsibly: Proper prevention comes first

The impact of RTP and volatility on jackpots

You’ll definitely know the two most well-known terms you look at when choosing slots. The question is whether they affect not only in-game wins, but also jackpots themselves.

  • The answer is no. RTP and volatility have no direct impact on jackpot wins. Jackpots are a separate, independent system that is 100% random.

RTP and jackpots

RTP has no direct impact on jackpots. Even a higher RTP doesn’t mean a higher chance of winning – the odds are fixed. With fixed jackpots, the jackpot may be included in the RTP, but it’s often only a small part of the RTP.

Volatility and jackpots

Here there is a slight connection. High volatility is typical for slots with large jackpots. Low volatility may, in turn, mean a lower probability of hitting a jackpot. However, these links don’t mean the jackpot is influenced β€” it’s still an independent system.

RTP in Slot Machines
More
Slot Volatility
More

Myths and misconceptions about jackpots

Even though jackpots have been around for a long time – and not just on slots – people still have misconceptions and believe false information. What are the most common ones, and what’s the truth?

  • Big jackpot = it’ll hit soon

    Jackpots are driven by random number generators, so they can hit literally at any time. It doesn’t matter whether it’s already close to the maximum amount or not – that doesn’t affect the probability.

  • Jackpots hit at weekends and in the evening

    Of course, that’s a myth too. Jackpot payouts are not influenced by the time or the day of the week. What may have fuelled this idea is the players themselves, who most often play in the evenings and at weekends.

  • A jackpot just hit = it won’t hit again for ages

    Because jackpot wins are determined 100% at random, it’s possible for a jackpot to hit several times in a row. The random number generator doesn’t β€œremember” history, so every spin is completely independent of the previous ones.

Pros and cons of slot jackpots

  • The chance of a huge win - jackpots can reach amounts that would instantly change many players’ lives.
  • Fun and adrenaline - feel-good hormones and adrenaline are very easy to trigger when watching a jackpot keep climbing.
  • A big win for a small stake - usually you have to bet big amounts to reach big wins. A jackpot can hit even on the minimum.
  • Low probability of winning - jackpots are extremely rare, especially the six-figure ones, where the probability is around 1 in millions.
  • False expectations - a big jackpot or long-term play can give players the feeling that it’s β€œbound to hit soon”, pushing them to keep playing.

FAQ – Most common questions and answers

  • 1️⃣ How often do jackpots hit?

    Jackpot wins don’t have any set frequency or regularity. They’re controlled by a random number generator (RNG), so they’re 100% random.

  • 2️⃣ Can I win a jackpot on the minimum stake?

    Yes! 🎰 You could potentially win a jackpot even when playing with a stake as low as 1p (Β£0.01), provided the game allows it. However, keep in mind that some jackpots require a higher minimum stake, such as 50p (Β£0.50), Β£1 or more, to qualify. Always check the game’s jackpot rules and eligibility requirements before you spin, as not every jackpot is available at every stake level.

  • 3️⃣ What’s the difference between a fixed and a progressive jackpot?

    The amount of a fixed jackpot stays the same, and when it hits, the subsequent amount doesn’t change. With a progressive jackpot, the amount gradually increases and after it hits, its value resets to the original.

Did you like this article?
100%

Content author

Editorial Office Bonusmenu.co.uk
Editorial Office Bonusmenu.co.uk

Within this profile, we publish articles, reviews, and evaluate games and casinos on behalf of our main team of specialists. The most important texts and reviews are not the work of individuals but are created through the collaboration of the entire editorial team. For this reason, all these contributions and evaluations are presented under a common profile.


You can find the whole editorial team here.

More about the author

Similiar articles

Add comment

By submitting, you agree to the processing of personal data and discussion rules.
No comments have been added yet

Casino reviews

Show all reviews
Warning: Play and gamble responsibly | Gambling may be addictive 18+ | Underage gambling is an offence | When the fun stops, stop.