What Is a Progressive Jackpot?

For adults 18+.

A progressive jackpot is a prize that grows over time. A small slice of every qualifying bet is added to the pot, which keeps rising until someone wins it, then resets to a starting amount. The headline figures can be huge — which is exactly why it helps to understand how they work.

Types of progressive

• Standalone: the jackpot is fed by a single machine or game.
• Local: several machines in one venue share the same pot.
• Networked (wide-area): many machines or online games across different venues or sites contribute, which is how the biggest jackpots are built.

Where the money comes from

The jackpot isn’t a gift from the casino; it is funded by players’ stakes. Because part of each bet goes into the pot, the regular base game often pays back less than a comparable non-progressive game. Our explainer on RTP, volatility and progressives covers how this shows up in the numbers.

Qualifying bets

Some games only give a chance at the top jackpot on the maximum bet or with a side bet. Always check the rules before playing, so you know what you are — and aren’t — eligible for.

The odds

Winning a large progressive is extremely unlikely on any single spin. As with every slot, the result is decided by a random number generator — see how slot machines work. A growing jackpot doesn’t mean a win is “due”.

A sensible way to look at it

If you enjoy the excitement of a big jackpot, treat it like a lottery ticket: a small, fixed amount for entertainment, never money you need. Set your deposit and time limits before you start.