Progressive jackpot
A jackpot that grows each time the game is played, because a small part of every stake goes into it. When someone wins, it resets to a starting amount.
Where the money comes from
Every bet on a progressive game feeds a slice into the jackpot pool. That slice is part of the game's RTP, so a progressive slot's base game often returns less than a similar game without a jackpot. Some of your expected return is sitting in a prize you'll very probably never win.
Kinds of progressive
- Standalone: grows only from bets on one game at one casino.
- Local or in-house: shared across several games at the same casino or group.
- Networked (wide-area): shared across many casinos running the same game, which is how the biggest prizes build up. Mega Moolah is one well-known example; the Baytree casinos we checked in October 2026 showed its jackpot on their home pages.
- Tiered: several pots, often called mini, minor, major and mega, with the smaller ones paying out often.
How a jackpot is triggered
Some games pay the top prize for a specific symbol combination. Others start a separate bonus wheel at random. The game's info screen should explain which. Some older games only pay the full jackpot at maximum stake, so check before you play smaller bets.
What the odds look like
Game providers rarely publish the exact odds of the top prize, but they're extremely long. Think of a mega jackpot as a lottery ticket attached to a slot. That can be fun with money you've set aside for fun, but a large displayed jackpot doesn't make the game a good bet.
Winning a big one
Large wins are commonly checked before payment, and the casino may need to verify your identity in full. Read the terms on how big wins are paid; some operators pay in instalments or apply monthly withdrawal caps that also cover jackpot wins unless the terms say otherwise.
Related
18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Set limits before you play, and see our responsible gambling guide if it stops being fun.