Progressive Jackpot Slots Online
If you love jackpots that could reach prize pools for thousands of dollars, I have you covered. After playing over 30 games from different software developers at several online casinos, here are my top picks for the year so far.
The best part? All my recommended games are available for US players.
I’ll also dig into how the pots grow, the types of progressive slots available, and what to do when playing these games.
Table of Contents
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The Best Online Slots With Progressive Jackpots
There are hundreds of options online, from Reels and Wheels XL to Aztec’s Millions.
So, where to start? Based on my quest and research, the following games are from reliable game makers and tend to be the most generous in 2024.
SLOT GAME | AVAILABLE AT | AVERAGE JACKPOT | Play For REAL MONEY |
---|---|---|---|
Jackpot Piñatas Deluxe |
Las Atlantis 280% up to $14,000 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $1,800,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Aztecs Millions |
El Royale Casino 250% up to $12,500 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $1,000,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Megasaur |
Lupin Casino $8,888 Welcome Package |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $1,000,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Reels of Wealth |
DuckyLuck Casino 500% up to $7,500 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $700,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Reels & Wheels XL |
Bovada Casino 125% up to $3,750 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $400,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Shopping Spree II |
Las Atlantis 280% up to $14,000 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $450,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold Deluxe |
El Royale Casino 250% up to $12,500 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $400,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Spirit of the Inca |
Slots Empire 220% Welcome Bonus |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $250,000+ | PLAY NOW |
5 Times Wins |
DuckyLuck Casino 500% up to $7,500 |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $200,000+ | PLAY NOW |
Shopping Spree |
SlotsLV 100% up to $2,000 + 20 Free Spins |
AVERAGE JACKPOT $150,000+ | PLAY NOW |
My Top 3 Picks
- Jackpot Pinatas Deluxe: This Latin-theme slot from Real Time Gaming is excellent if you want to win big. The prize pot will pay you a massive jackpot, with a minimum bet of $5 and the chance to unlock up to 25 free spins.
- Aztec Millions: An ancient theme slot with an RTP of 95% might be the chance to win a life-changing amount. The pool is constantly changing, but it might be over $1 million.
- Megasaur: It’s a pre-historic progressive slot by Real Time Gaming with unique features. Besides the massive pot, you can unlock free spins and bonus prizes.
How I Picked The Best Progressive Slots?
I played hundreds of games this year with various themes and styles from almost every software developer. While I have yet to win a jackpot, I have had some entertaining gaming sessions.
Here’s how I picked the top ten games that I think are worth your time and money.
Monthly Winners Research
We track, review, and rank over 500 progressive jackpot games across our recommended online casinos every month.
Experts Opinion
This ranking also includes the opinions of casino critics and editors from the OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com team.
They have played and picked all the progressive slots based on payout rate, RTP, design, pot amount, and other aspects.
First-Hand Experience
To find our favorite progressive slots online for US players, I personally spent more than 40 hours researching and testing games recommended by other gamblers, mentors, and Internet forums.
Licensed Casinos
I know the chances of actually winning are quite remote, but imagine hitting a Jackpot and never getting paid. That would really piss me off.
That’s why I only picked online casinos with good reputations and strict security protocols.
For the love of all that is holy, play only at licensed sites.
What Are Progressive Slots & How They Work?
The answer is simple: progressive slots are games where a small portion of all wagers go into a growing pool and increase the max Jackpot.
When someone hits the grand prize, the pot will shrink to its initial minimum starting size before growing again.
To win the jackpot, you usually have to hit some special symbols on a particular line.
This varies from game to game, but say you need five shiny symbols on line 10. If you land that combination, you will get a big bag of cash!
Progressive slots usually have a higher house edge than the average games. However, many players ignore the slightly lower return-to-player (RTP) for a chance at a life-changing payout.
Despite the contribution pot, progressive Jackpot and standard online slot machines work similarly.
They use random number generators (RNGs), so every time you spin the reel, the random number generator decides whether you win or lose based on chance.
This slot variant is convenient for online and land-based casinos because players help fund most of the Jackpot with each spin.
Types of Progressive Slots
Whether you want to play for a giant prize or a local jackpot, finding what you want among the 1000+ games online can feel overwhelming.
Now, let’s dive into the various categories you can find.
Basic Jackpot
This prize is your basic accumulated or “progressive” Jackpot. A fraction of the bet from every spin on the game feeds the ever-growing pot.
Random Pools
These jackpots are not tied to a winning combination on a payline. They can happen on any spin and are usually smaller than other prize pools.
Multi-Level Prizes
Some software companies offer multiple jackpots on one machine. A five-level game might have Mini, Minor, Major, Maxi, and Grand prizes.
Linked Progressives
These machines have linked jackpots, which increase the prize pool faster. Multiple games could be tied together at different casinos.
Local Pools
These progressive jackpots link several machines inside the same land-based casino, often in the same bank of machines.
Wide Area Jackpot
This progressive Jackpot style links machines from many different casinos. They might cover all the gaming machines in a state or company.
Tips to Improve Your Odds of Winning a Jackpot
I’ll be honest here. You need to play and get lucky to win at a progressive slot machine. Since the outcomes are always random, there is no specific advice for hitting the Jackpot more often.
However, there are some details you should know before playing progressive slots.
Bet the Max Amount
I know these games are not for everyone. Playing can be risky, but it can make you win a life-changing prize.
Most slots with progressiveness require you to bet the max to be eligible for the Jackpot.
If you can’t hit the big win, there’s no point in playing these games.Use Free Play to Your Advantage
Before making a bet, free demos are great for getting the hang of the games. You’ll be ready to play for real money once you gain confidence. It’s also helpful to watch gameplay videos and read casino reviews.Don’t Play Slots That Recently Hit
As explained above, progressive games operate randomly. However, choosing a slot that just paid out might not be the best idea.
Instead, many people choose to play when the Jackpot reaches a massive tipping point, assuming it will hit sooner than later.
Based on RTP, you will have more chances to win.
Top Software Providers With Online Progressive Games
The best online casino software providers make slot machines with progressive jackpots. That means you can shop around at different sites for a game you enjoy and still hit a massive grand prize.
BetSoft Gaming
Betsoft is known for slots with 3D animated graphics. Among their progressive online slots, you’ll see that 2¢, 5¢, 10¢, 50¢, and $1 machines have different jackpots.
Some of their titles, like Reels of Wealth and Faerie Spells, regularly reach over $700,000!
RealTime Gaming
RealTime Gaming has the largest number of progressive online slots for US gamblers. Their massive jackpots snowball quickly since many games are linked across numerous casinos.
Their games include some heavy hitters in the table above, like Jackpot Piñatas Deluxe, Aztec’s Millions, and Megasaur.
Woohoo Gaming
I really enjoy Woohoo Gaming’s library of progressive slots. They have over 30 games available, many with popular themes and features.
Their games include Gold Rush Gus,10 Times Vegas, Reels & Wheels XL, and more.
How Often Do Progressive Jackpots Hit?
According to compiled data, a progressive jackpot is won roughly every 55 million spins. As explained, this is an estimate, and the probability will vary depending on the game, RTP, and other factors.
Hot Drop Jackpots, however, must be paid out within a particular time or when the contribution pot reaches a specific amount.
Although you still cannot precisely determine jackpot wins, you can better predict when a big payout is coming.
Top 3 Biggest US Jackpot Winners Ever
Here is a look at the top 3 largest progressive slot jackpots that have been won and the amounts each player spent to win:
- $39.7 million in Megabucks slot at Excalibur Casino Las Vegas. (A young engineer spent only $100 before hitting the big prize).
- $35 million in Megabucks slot at Desert Inn, Las Vegas (Cynthia Jay-Brennan only needed five spins of $21 to win).
- $24 million in Mega Fortune online slot in a regional online casino. (An anonymous Finnish player had a balance of only $20 and played $0.25 to hit the Mega Jackpot).
Take Your Shot
Despite the fact that I couldn’t win a Jackpot to retire early and buy my dream house, I had fun testing these games and learned a lot while doing this article.
While I probably won’t be playing progressive slots every day, I stumbled upon some amazing casinos and enjoyable games that I plan to explore occasionally.
You never know. Maybe one of us will be next in line to enter the jackpot winners list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few of the most common questions regarding progressive jackpot slot machines.
How do progressive slots work?
Progressive slots work by building their jackpots with a small portion of all spins. As players wager money on a machine or group of machines, the grand prize pool builds until it is finally triggered.
Are there progressive slots in Las Vegas?
Yes, there are progressive slots in Las Vegas. Some affiliated casinos have linked machines, and others have local or random pots.
Each establishment is slightly different, but you can usually spot the large display board with a massive growing prize pool.
Do progressive slots start from zero when someone wins?
Progressive jackpots have a minimum amount called “seed amount.” Once someone wins the pot, the jackpot pool returns to its initial seed and grows again.
Who pays the progressive Jackpots?
The formal process dictates the slot maker would be the one who pays for it.
However, these companies often have insurance to mitigate the impact of a massive jackpot hit. Due to the verification process, getting paid can take hours or even days.
Do I have to pay taxes on jackpot winnings?
When a player wins a progressive jackpot over $5,000, paying taxes to the US government is required.
Typically, casinos deduct taxes from the prize amount before paying it out, so lucky winners do not have to worry about this.