Best Progressive Slots
When gamers Play the best free progressive slots, the jackpot amount keeps on increasing at a particular rate as gamer continues to spin the reels until the jackpot is won. Slot games online that have progressive jackpots take a fraction of the bets of players and deposit them into a pool until a player claims the prize. Best Progressive Slots. Yes, you read that right. There are indeed jackpot slot machines out there that can help you walk away with a six-figure sum. It all comes down to the magic of the progressive slot machine. While slot jackpots will vary enormously, some have been known to pay out those million-pound sums. It’s just a case of knowing. The first progressive jackpot slot launched in March 1986 and was created by International Game Technology is known as IGT.Megabucks video slot featured a progressive jackpot that differed from other jackpots in the sense that instead of offering a fixed jackpot prize, its jackpot was linked and contributed to by a percentage of players wager.
Home > Online Casinos > Casino Articles > 7 Best Progressive Slot Machines
Progressive slot machines were introduced to the gaming market in 1986 by American slot machine manufacturer, International Gaming Technology (IGT). Until then, a slot machine payout would be limited to the amount set by the casino.
The progressive angle allowed the total available jackpot to increase with every bet contributed by a player, minus the amount taken by the casino to preserve the house edge.
But because the original progressive slots were still limited to one machine at a time, payouts remained modest compared to what they would become.
What revolutionized progressive slot play and the gaming industry as a whole was the networking of progressive machines. There are two types of progressive networks – local and wide-area.
Local area progressives provide larger potential jackpots than the original stand-alone machine because the contributions of all machines on the network add to the payout potential of one machine. However, because the local-area network may only contain up to a hundred machines, payouts usually do not exceed $100 000.
Big slot play these days requires wide-area progressive networks. As you have guessed, wide-area progressive machines are linked to a much greater number of machines, which include machines from other casinos across the state and sometimes across the country. For gamblers playing in states with a rich gaming culture, like Nevada or Pennsylvania, this means high jackpot potential, indeed!
To date, the largest progressive jackpot payout (and therefore the largest payout in slots history) took place at the Las Vegas Excalibur, on March 21, 2003. The largest in Las Vegas history, a software engineer spent $100 on IGT's Megabucks and won a total of $39 710 896.36, beating odds of 16.7 million against.
The following is a list of 7 of the best progressive slot machines in the world today.
1. Megabucks
First on the list is IGT Interactive's Megabucks. The first wide-area progressive machine to become available, Megabucks is still in very wide use. The Megabucks is a dollar slot game, with $3 bets required to qualify for the maximum jackpot. The jackpot base amount is $10 million, and once the progressive payout is made the machine is reset to the base.
The Megabucks has been the machine on record for some of the largest payouts in slot gaming history, including the aforementioned, number one ranked $39 million. As of this date, the latest Megabucks jackpot was hit on March 22, 2016 at the Gold Dust West Casino in Elko, Nevada, paying over $12.5 million. Between 1994 through 2009, Megabucks paid out a total of $1,239,830,000 in winnings, an annual average of $77 489 375. Winners have a choice between taking the entire payout in one sum or having it distributed over a 25-year period in annual installments.
Be aware that Megabucks gaming is available solely in Nevada. However, visitors to Nevada will have no problem finding a Megabucks machine to try their luck on. There are many dozens of casinos in and around the Las Vegas and Reno areas that employ Megabucks machines. According to a2zlasvegas website, Megabucks jackpot hits have been averaging 1 a year for the past few years, with the most number of jackpots topping 3 per year. However, with winnings consistently worth well over $10 million, Megabucks continues to attract the crowds.
2. Wheel of Fortune Slots
Fans of the famous game show will feel at home with the Wheel of Fortune. Atop the machine is the iconic 'Wheel' which is spun with every press of the button, accompanied with the game show theme music.
Produced by IGT, Wheel of Fortune games come with options of 25c, $1 and $5 betting levels. Wheel of Fortune Quarter requires 3 coins, or 75c bets, to qualify for jackpot hits. After a hit, the jackpot level is reset to $200 000. Of the Wheel of Fortune variations, the 25c version pays out smallest but more often, averaging the past several years at least one jackpot payout per month. A few of which paying over $1 million.
The Wheel of Fortune Dollar is a dollar slot that requires a $2 bet to qualify for the jackpot. Winners may also choose to receive payouts in 25 annual installments. The base is set at $1 million and the machine is reset to the base upon a jackpot hit. As of this date, the latest Wheel of Fortune $1 jackpot was hit on June 9, 2016 at the upscale Red Rock Casino and Spa in Las Vegas for $ 1,240,398.97.
Though these jackpots are considerably smaller than its Megabucks cousin, Wheel of Fortune Dollar does pay out more often. According to a2zlasvegas website, over the past two years there have been 17 jackpot payouts, all worth well over $1 million. Still enough jackpot to have made it worthwhile!
Wheel of Fortune Five Dollar is a $5 slot machine that requires two coins, or $10 bets, to qualify for the jackpot. After a jackpot hit the base is reset to $1 million. Winners have the option to receive payouts in annual installments.
Of the Wheel of Fortune slot franchise, and not unsurprisingly, the Five Dollar pays out least often, with jackpots ranging from one to no more than a handful per year, over the past 15 years. However, payouts are typically well over $1 million, while a few have exceeded $3 million.
3. Saturday Night Live Slots
Saturday Night Live by Bally Gaming is one of the Bally's more popular slots, due largely to the variations between versions of the game and the potential for high bonuses and networked progressive jackpots. Typically, the jackpot will start at $10 000 on individual machines and proceed. However, some machines are linked to local or wide-area networks increasing the payout potential considerably.
Examples on variations include The Church Lady, which offers a Canned Ham and Church Hat bonus play. Another version is Wayne's World that has a Guitar feature that provides up to 15 times the bet's value and an Offer feature that can multiply your bet's value by 1000. Thus, the potential for huge jackpot payouts.
4. Sex and the City Slots
IGT's Sex and the City slots have been a big hit in Vegas, perhaps partly due to the popular TV show from which it derives its name and brand. These slots have acquired a reputation for attracting single women, perhaps because of the show's audience and identity. It will help to be a big fan of the show to get most enjoyment from the play experience. Because of this, Sex and the City's manufacturer – IGT – went all out to create a very visually appealing machine with all the show's themes and icons a fan would expect.
Another reason may be the fact they are technically penny slots, and so a play can cost much less than the other progressive slot games mentioned in this list. Sex and the City slots are also 4 in 1 games, offering a lot of variation in play. However, for maximum play experience, it is required to play all four screens at once. Since each play per screen is 50c a maximum play is $2, which is getting up into maximum progressive wide-area slot play.
The game offers nine bonus rounds where a player may enhance winnings. Each round is represented by a particular character from the show with show-themed scenarios, like Mr. Big or shopping for shoes. Fans of the series won't want to miss this one.
5. Millionaire 777s
Millionaire 777s have the reputation for providing more frequent payouts, with a chance to win $1 million every 107 spins. The base jackpot is $1 million and is returned to that after a jackpot hit. The most recent jackpot hit occurred April 8, 2015 at the California Hotel and Casino, for $1,168,555.17.
6. Powerbucks
Powerbucks is a wide-area linked progressive slot game that links machines in Nevada with machines in South Dakota and New Jersey.
As of this date, the most recent Powerbucks jackpot was hit June 2, 2015, at Orleans Hotel and Casino, for just over $1.35 million.
7. Quartermania
Quartermania is a progressive slot game that is linked within a wide-area system to casinos in Nevada and New Jersey. It can be found within a few dozen casinos in and around Las Vegas. Quartermania is a game that allows for more frequent play due to lower required bets but can still provide a whopping payout. The highest payout is over $178 000 and the most recent was on April 4, 2016 at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.
Conclusion
Wide-area progressive slots have gained the reputation of providing life-changing payouts and are typically well over $1 million. For this reason, the area around linked progressive machines tends to be one of the busiest in a casino, electric with the lights and sounds of the bells and the anticipation of extravagant winnings. If you decide to play a progressive slot you will notice the winnings potential increase in large, brightly lit numbers on the front. This adds to the excitement of progressive slot machine play.
Of course, also adding to the excitement is the knowledge that you, as the player, are not only competing against the odds set by the random number generator that exists inside each machine, but also against other players. Since there can be many thousands of machines connected to a wide-area network, including systems that extend both through-out and across state lines, you could be playing simultaneously with many thousands of players – all going for the same jackpot. In odds terms, the mathematical probability of hitting the jackpot is roughly 1 in 49 836 032, calculated in 1999 by Jack Robison.
One thing however, to be aware of is the minimum required bet. Most progressive machines require a minimum bet for each play in order for the player to qualify for the maximum jackpot. For example, if the minimum bet is a $2 coin and you play a $1 coin, and win, your bet did not qualify you for the available progressive jackpot. The result is you may still have a nice payout – say, $5000 – even if the potential payout was in the millions.
Progressive Slots Free
As you can imagine this could be quite a shock if you thought you were playing for the maximum jackpot. Don't worry though. Each machine should clearly state what the minimum bet is in order to qualify for the progressive jackpot. If you cannot find the information on the front of the machine, check the machine's 'Help' menu. Failing that, ask an attendant to show you where the minimum bet is located in writing. I do not recommend asking a fellow player as they may also be misled.
Progressive slots over wide-area networks offer the responsible gambler yet another thrill in his or her casino gameplay. As ever, budget aside a reasonable and affordable bankroll, monitor the time spent and you can spend an enjoyable hour or so always one bet away from making gaming history and going home truly rich.
The first progressive jackpot slot launched in March 1986 and was created by International Game Technology is known as IGT. Megabucks video slot featured a progressive jackpot that differed from other jackpots in the sense that instead of offering a fixed jackpot prize, its jackpot was linked and contributed to by a percentage of players wager.
The major fascination with the progressive jackpot was due to IGT’s announcement, the developer would fund the first million dollars to set the jackpot into motion, and by February 1987, the first jackpot winner, Reno cashed in a jackpot prize worth $4,988,842.17.
Being named the “biggest progressive jackpot” in the world is a title, many online software developers compete for, and currently, the two main contenders are Microgaming and NetEnt.
Microgaming launched its signature progressive jackpot slot titled Mega Moolah in December 2006, and during its steady climb from one million to five and a half without any winnings along the way, the first lucky winner was awarded $5.5 million in April 2008.
Progressive Slots Game
NetEnt released Mega Fortune in January 2009, the first winner of the mega jackpot bagged an extraordinary win worth €4.3 million, while the second winner won €3.9 million, yet the progressive jackpot first to astonish the world & enter the Guinness World Record was in January 2013 when a student from Finland claimed €17.8 million!
Best Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive Jackpots the Millionaire Makers
There are several types of progressive jackpots including standalone progressives, in-house progressive jackpots known online as local progressives and wide area progressive jackpots also referred to as linked progressive jackpots.
Progressive jackpots wins are something every player have fantasized about, its life-altering and a single spin can transform a casual player into a multi-millionaire. The difference between a jackpot and a progressive jackpot is major, fixed jackpots offer players the prize indicated in the paytable while progressive jackpots increase every time the slot is played, should the progressive jackpot be won the minimum jackpot prize instantly re-sets to its minimum guaranteed predetermined value.
Every online and land-based slot machine operates via a computerised algorithm called a random number generator referred to as the RNG, which determines the result of every spin and at the same time guarantees that every result is completely random. Playing a progressive jackpot very much depends on the progressive jackpot rules indicated in the paytable section. Most progressive jackpots state that the main jackpot prize can only be triggered via a maximum bet, but at the same time this hugely differs from one slot to the next. The first step towards winning a progressive jackpot is to ensure you are familiarised with the requirements, since should you be lucky enough to spin in the required combination it would be dramatic to only win a part of the jackpot should your selected bet not adhere to the conditions.
Types of Progressive Jackpots
The two main types of progressive jackpots offered at online casinos are local and pooled jackpots. Local progressive jackpots are exclusive to players at the casino, only wagers made by members contribute to the always increasing jackpot, and it can only be won at that casino. Local progressive increase slower than linked progressive jackpot and often don’t reach the same massive payouts in the same time-period.
Linked progressive jackpots are shared amongst several online casinos and players at all the participating casinos contributes to the same jackpot/s, while the progressive prize can be won by a member of any one of the participating casinos. The benefit of selecting to wager on a linked progressive jackpot is that the contributions from thousands of online players ensure that the top prize increase much quicker and that it always reaches multi-millions.
Video Slots Featuring Multiple Progressive Jackpots
One of the best-known progressive jackpots is Mega Moolah, which offers players the change to win three progressive jackpots linked to five different slots. The jackpots include the major offering the highest payout, the minor which is in the middle and the mini jackpot rewarding a lesser jackpot prize than the minor and the major.
Mega Fortune created by NetEnt also features three different progressive jackpots with the highest payout offered by the mega, a lesser payout by the major and the smallest of the three is the rapid progressive jackpot.
Unique Progressive Jackpots
NetEnt created, Cosmic Fortune slot is quite unique in that it offers avalanche style play with a total of five jackpots, consisting of a mixture of fixed and progressive jackpots.
Playtech’s progressive jackpot titled Everybody’s Jackpot is an eight payline slot and in remaining true to its name the winner of the progressive jackpot shares a percentage of the prize with players who wagered in the past 24 hours. The winner receives 70% of the progressive jackpot prize, while the remaining 30% is distributed to the most recent participants.
Top Progressive Jackpots by Award-Winning Software Developers
Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune are the best known for their frequent multi-million payouts, although online players have an enormous variety to choose from, and therefore we list some of the most popular jackpots created by premier online software providers.
Best Progressive Jackpot Slots
NetEnt: Mega Fortune, Arabian Nights, Hall of Gods, Mega Fortune Dreams, Cosmic Fortune
Microgaming: Major Millions, Mega Moolah, King Cashalot, Tunzamunni, Major Millions
Playtech: Jackpot Giant, Gold Rally, Beach Life, Gladiator, Age of the Gods, Funky Fruits
Yggdrasil: Joker Millions, Empire Fortune, Holmes & the Stolen Stones
Biggest Progressive Jackpot Payouts by NetEnt
The biggest progressive payouts awarded by NetEnt’s progressive jackpots include €7,820,888 awarded by Hall of Gods on the 18th of April 2015, €8,835,872 won on Arabian Nights in November 2012, and Mega Fortune’s mega jackpot has awarded a lucky player with €8,577,104 in November 2015, €11,735,446 in September 2011 and its biggest payout yet was €17,860,868 on the 20th of January 2013.
Biggest Progressive Jackpot Payouts by Microgaming
Mega Moolah is not only the biggest progressive jackpot part of the Microgaming platform it has also recently surpassed its biggest competitor when it awarded the biggest progressive payout on a slot on the 28th of September 2018 when the luckiest player in the world won €18,915,721. Other massive payouts by Mega Moolah also includes £13,212,882 in October 2015, $11,633,898 in November 2016 and $10,423,223 in April 2016.
Biggest Progressive Jackpot Payouts by Playtech Slots
Playtech’s signature progressive jackpot is Beach Life which awarded its biggest payout to date in February 2012 when an anonymous winning cash in a prize worth $5,219,723, other high payouts also includes £3,780,736 in July 2015 as well as $4,248,570 in December 2009. Other high payouts awarded by Playtech slots include £3,917,927 in January 2016 via Jackpot Giant, and Gold Rally awarded £3,917,927 in November 2013.
Biggest Progressive Jackpot Payouts by Yggdrasil Gaming Slots
Yggdrasil Gaming is a newcomer in the world of progressive jackpots games, although the developer has accumulated quite a list of big winners in recent years. The highest rewarding jackpot is Joker Millions, which have rewarded a €5,196,319 on the 4th of July 2017, €3,475,894 in October 2017, €3,201,285 in December 2016, and €2,881,257 in July 2016.
Mega Moolah vs Mega Fortune Progressive Jackpots
Mega Fortune is inspired by a wealthy theme. It represents the flamboyant lifestyle that awaits the winner of its mega jackpot across twenty-five paylines and five reels. While the background displays an evening-sky enjoyed on an island, lounge music sets the mood. The theme related symbols all drenched in gold and diamonds includes golden rings, silver and gold cufflinks, designer watches, cognac & cigars, limousines and a stack of cash kept orderly via a gold dollar designed money clip.
Ten different bet levels are available to select from, while the coin value starts from a minimum of $0.01 up to $0.50. Packed with bonus features, Mega Fortune enhances winning chances via wild yachts paying maximums worth up to 10,000 coins, champagne scatters releasing free spins and bonus wheels unlocking the door to the jackpot bonus round. The main attraction is the three progressive jackpots displayed directly above the reels, which includes the rapid, major and the mega jackpots.
Mega Moolah is inspired by the freedom of nature, it’s twenty-five paylines transport players to the wild where a purple monkey throws the bonus, and for the lucky winner, he predicts a life of riches. Apart from four progressive jackpots, Mega Moolah also features an array of fantastic bonus boosters including the wild lion replacing all symbols to increase combination winnings. The monkey represents the scatter, and during the free spins bonus round all payouts are tripled.
Once the jackpot bonus round activated a window appears over the main game, and the player gets the chance to spin the wheel. The colour the bonus wheel halts on determines which of the progressive jackpots are won, the mini activates on red, the minor jackpot triggers on orange, the major n yellow and the mega jackpot pays out should the wheel land on the paw prints on the grey area.