What is a casino jackpot?

A casino jackpot is the maximum win available on a specific casino game, paid out to the player who meets the game's winning criteria.

Casino jackpots come in different shapes and sizes at UK online casino sites; they can appear across slots, Megaways titles and poker for example, not just one game type like slot games.

What does jackpot mean in casino games?

The casino or specific jackpot is the top prize a game can pay, separate from regular paytable wins or bonus features like multipliers or free spins. A jackpot is typically the standout figure advertised in a game's marketing, but the odds of landing it are the lowest of any prize or win on the paytable.

For example, a fixed jackpot at an independent online casino might have a top prize jackpot payout of £10,000 for a specific slot title powered by a software provider like NetEnt or NoLimit City.

Fixed jackpots vs progressive jackpots

A fixed jackpot amount is the top prize a slot title or other game will pay out on casino apps or sites. This doesn’t change and when a player hits it, it just resets and starts over again.

Progressive jackpots are typically much larger jackpots that keep rising every time a player spins the reels on the slot title. This can be at an exclusive online casino or across a network. The jackpot then drops back down to a seed value after it is triggered.

Progressive jackpots played across a network are typically backed by software providers like Pragmatic Play, who also offer a Drops and Wins feature.

These progressive jackpots have the ability to grow very high into life-changing amounts of money given the sheer volume of players from different sites playing the game. A small percentage of each stake from every spin gets added to the prize pool that keeps growing until it is won.

Independent or new casinos can also have progressive jackpots but they won’t be as high as progressive jackpots accumulated across a network.

Jackpots in slots and Megaways games

Random wins can be picked up by slot players in the form of daily prize drops and various drops and wins features. This feature is totally random and can be won by players playing any stake level on specific slot games throughout the day.

More typically, a jackpot is triggered by a specific combo of symbols landing on the reels. On certain slot games like Megaways titles, players have the option to play more paylines giving them a higher chance of triggering a jackpot or bigger wins.

Triggering the bonus and feature rounds tends to be where the real money is for the every day or casual slot game players, as hitting a jackpot proves elusive.

Multipliers, bonus rounds and free spins features are triggered depending on the slot game mechanic, whether it’s a combination of symbols on the reels or a bonus round feature being triggered by filling a bag of coins in the virtual graphics. This is a way to show players the feature is near and it gets closer when specific symbols like the ‘Scatter’ symbol populate the reels.

Megaways titles often layer a jackpot feature on top of the variable reel mechanic, so the jackpot sits alongside the game's usual volatility. Always check the paytable at slot sites if you are hoping to hit a big progressive jackpot as sometimes higher qualifying stakes are needed to count towards the chance to win the big one.

Jackpots in poker and table games

Poker jackpots such as Bad Beat or High-hand jackpots are prizes awarded either to individual players or split among players at the table. Typically, money from each pot or game (in the form or rake or an extra subsidy paid by players who want to take part) goes into a kitty that keeps progressing until is it won.

An example of this is the 2-7 hand in poker where a player gets a pre-agreed bonus from all the other players at the table should they win a hand showing down seven-deuce.

Alternatively, side-bet jackpots can also crop up in blackjack, roulette or video poker, and these are tied to specific outcomes rather than the main game itself.

Tips for playing jackpot games

The house edge on jackpot casino games can be higher than on a standard slot or table game, while the RTP (Return to Player) percentage is lower and the volatility higher. This adds up to fewer wins and punters are warned to prepare for longer winless runs when chasing a jackpot.

Bettors are advised to check the RTP and volatility of a game before playing and, where jackpot amounts are the same, opt for the game with the highest RTP.

Punters should set a budget and stick to it. Jackpot wins are very rare and users should be realistic over their chances of claiming a top prize.

Responsible gambling

The Standard readers are reminded that jackpots at online casinos are rare and the odds to hit one are long, so only gamble what you can afford to lose. Bet for entertainment purposes only.

Here is a list of some gambling support resources if required:

• GamCare (0808 8020 133),
• BeGambleAware.org
• GAMSTOP (Free 24/7 support.)

FAQs

Do you have to bet the maximum to win a jackpot?

This depends on the slot title or game players choose to play. Some games pay out jackpots or top prizes at any stake, while others need a minimum qualifying bet to potentially trigger the jackpot. Always check the paytable.

How often do casino jackpots pay out?

Jackpot payouts aren’t that common, but it can vary. For example, fixed jackpots pay out more often but for much smaller amounts, while the big money is at network-wide (like Pragmatic Play) progressive jackpots. These jackpots will be very elusive. Always check the volatility and RTP% at slot and casino games.