Reasons why online progressive slot jackpots are better than land based

For those of you who have never encountered progressive slot games, they are simple computerized games found in both land-based casinos as well as online gaming sites that give players a chance to win life changing amounts of money. 

These slots differ from traditional “non-progress” slot machines because a portion of each wager placed on these machines goes toward increasing the Jackpot amount. The longer someone plays these games without winning the big prize, the higher it climbs. And since many of them are connected or networked throughout multiple casinos (land based and/or online) and even countries, the longer somebody gambles and doesn’t win, the Higher The Prize gets, and the more people become aware of this, play, and lose – but rarely win.

Progressives come in all shapes, sizes, colors, sounds, and themes, with 3 and 5 reel versions, as well as video poker games like Caribbean Draw/Stud Poker, Let It Ride, and Casino War. But despite their differences, they all share one thing in common – HUGE FUCKING JACKPOTS! 

Nowadays, most people choose to play these games online where not only do you find a much larger variety, but also bigger prizes that regularly make headlines when some lucky bastard wins millions of dollars from stakes as low as 25₵, $1.20 or $5. In fact, nearly half of ALL PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT WIN wins online nowadays, and since there are much lower expenses and operating costs compared to brick and mortar establishments, the prizes offered are bigger and more frequent. 

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Sure, land based casinos can offer other perks and distractions like free drinks, hookers, strippers, booze cruises, prostitutes, free airline tickets, buffets, shows, and drugs, but none of these compare to the rush and excitement of waking up after winning $20,000,000 and realizing you don’t owe anyone anything and are completely debt free. 

What Are The Odds Of Winning A Progressive Slot Machine?

This question cannot be answered because there aren't any uniform sets of rules, regulations, or laws that gaming manufacturers must follow when producing these games. Each unit is independently produced and sold to whomever wants to buy them, with each casino setting their own payout percentages and rates at which to contribute towards the Jackpot pool. 

Unlike lotteries which are government run and operated, and therefore are required by law to disclose exact odds of winning, no such requirements exist within the gaming industry, so if some douchebag wearing a $400 Armani suit approaches you in a Vegas casino and tells you he can show you a booklet showing you THE ODD OF WINNING ON SLOT MACHINES, ONLINE SLOTS OR PROGRESSIVES, tell him to go fuck himself because he’s full of shit. If you really want to know about payouts, ask to see the Auditors report instead, posted conspicuously near the casino entrance. This document will show the minimum payout percentage each machine must adhere to.

Who Invented Progressive Slot Machines?

In 1980, Irv Rubenstein and his company Advance Leisure Games created the first version of a progressive slot machine called Fortune Coin. This was the world’s first electronic game linked together through a central computer, progressively increasing in value with each play. Unfortunately, the equipment used at the time to transmit information wasn’t reliable enough to support the concept, and the game was plagued with problems such as incorrect payouts, inaccurate jackpots, and misdirecting winners to broken machines. By 1983, advancing technology allowed the creation of the first truly successful Megabucks slot machine, produced by IGT (formerly known as Si Redjohn), based upon Rubenstein’s original idea. Since then, this game has grown the biggest ever progressive jackpots in history, with the largest win to date paying out $40 million US Dollars in an anonymous win in 2003.

Notable wins over $34 million dollars have occurred since then, including a recent $39.7 million win in September 2013, but due to various improvements made to the system, the company claims that the true odds of winning are no different than the lottery, around 1 in 50 million. Still a better chance than becoming President of the United States though, where the odds are 1 in 60 million.

Advantages of Playing Online Progressives Over Land Based

  • Bigger Jackpots – With fewer expenses, Operators can afford to offer bigger prizes than Brick and Mortar Casinos, with some regularly exceeding $20,000,000
  • Anonymity – You’re just a user name and no one will bother you for drinks, tips, autographs, loans, etc
  • Bonuses & Promos – Collect bonuses and promotions while playing progressive games, giving you more money to wager and increase your chances of hitting the big one. Just be sure to read terms and conditions before accepting!
  • Variety & Theme – Tons of choices ranging from ancient Egypt to Pirates to Super Heroes and beyond
  • Low Stakes – Hit the mega-jackpot with a 25₵ wager instead of having to bet $10 or more like you would in most land based machines
  • Speed – No lines, no one breathing down your neck, slow bastards next to you, or security guard’s harassment for taking too long
  • Real Time Info – See exactly how much the Jackpot is at all times
  • Mobile compatible - Many great progressive slots are now mobile friendly and can be played on smartphones and tablets.

Disadvantages of Playing Progressive Slots

  • Rare Wins – Someone has to win, yes. But that doesn’t mean you will, especially if you only plan to play for 30 minutes. These things can go off once every 10 million spins or more!
  • Addiction – The thrill of watching that Jackpot climb and climb can make you forget what day or time of day it is. Set limits and stick to them
  • Secondary Payouts – While some machines offer amazing primary payouts, secondary and tertiary rewards may be less than what you could get from a non-progressive machine. Shop around and compare pay tables before playing for real money!
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Most Popular Online Progressive Casino Games

Although progressive slot games are probably the most popular form of progressive gambling, they are not the only ones available online. Check out some of the other progressive games mentioned below.

  • Slot Machines – The most famous type of progressive game. See our page dedicated to the  for more info.
  • Video Poker – Games like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, etc, where each wager contributes to a growing progressive jackpot, paid out when a royal flush is dealt naturally with max coins wagered. Some networks also require the 4th coin to be inserted, which activates the progressive feature. Examples include Caribbean Draw and Caribbean Stud Poker.
  • Blackjack – Similar to Video Poker, except a progressive Jackpot is paid out when certain conditions are met, such as scoring a perfect 21 with one or more specific cards.
  • Bingo – Various types of Bingo games that have increasing Jackpots every time someone purchases a card, split between whoever gets bingo.
  • Keno – Players choose numbers on a ticket, and if enough of their picks hit, they win the progressive prize.
  • Scratch Cards – Electronic scratch offs where players reveal hidden symbols or numbers with the hope of revealing a winning combination. The bigger the win, the more people play, and the higher the progressive grows.
  • **Pachinko - A Japanese game resembling a slot machine attached to a pinball machine. When a certain symbol lands on the screen, players receive pachinko machine balls which can be exchanged for cash or reinserted into the machine for another chance at winning the progressive prize.

Tips To Remember Before Playing Progressives

  • Learn How To Play – Make sure to understand the game rules, pay tables, and features. Hover your cursor over symbols to see payouts, or click INFO for more details. 
  • Start Small - Get a feel for the game and how frequently bonus rounds occur. Don’t waste big bankrolls on your first few hours of play. Try free modes if possible to get a sense for how fun the game really is. 
  • Check Seat Denomination – Be sure to pick a game matching your budget. Seats are labeled with their coin size, such as $0.10, $0.25, $0.50, $1, $5, etc. So choose wisely. 
  • Maximum Wager/Lines – To qualify for the highest Jackpot amount, you must maximize your number of paylines and your wager amount. Sometimes this will be a single Max Bet button, whereas other games will require you to manually select Bet Max or Line Bet of 10. Either way, make sure the max allowance is selected. 
  • Bankroll Management – Always gamble with money you can afford to lose and set limits as to how high you are willing to let yourself go. Never chase losses or try to win back money you originally planned to use for food/rent/bills. In other words, don’t be a retard. 
  • Be Patient and Persistent – These games are programmed to payout randomly, and although there is no way to predict when the next one will occur, rest assured they will happen. They have to, otherwise the game would stop offering a Jackpot, and no casino in their right mind would sell a product with no possibility of winning the top prize, no matter how unlikely it may be.
  • Switch Games If Nothings Happening – Every game is different and although you may adore the theme of Hot Babes Go Horndog Wild, you may have better luck elsewhere. So switch games until you find one that seems “Hot.” Conversely, if everyone is winning on a particular machine, management may speed up the spin speed to every 3 seconds, versus the normal 6-10 seconds during peak periods, so consider yourself fortunate and keep spinning!
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Biggest Progressive Jackpot Winners in History

Winning $USD unless otherwise noted

  • $41.4 Million - – Anonymous player in Finland playing Mega Fortune Dreams at Paf.com, 2019
  • $39,700,000 - – Iowa based player at Belle Rock Entertainment group, 2013
  • $27,580,747 - – M.P from Norway playing Mega Fortune at Scoopers Casino, 2013
  • $24,000,000 - Johan Hansson, Sweden, playing Hall of Gods at Netbet Casino, 2020
  • $23,517,641 – At Grit Casino, 2022
  • €22,616,292 * – Johan R., Sweden, Mega Fortune Dreams, Betsson, 2021
  • $21,198,207 – “Johan from Sweden” , Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinon, 2018
  • €17,861,801 * – Finnish player, Mega Fortune Dreams, PAF.com, 2016
  • $20,064,908 -** – L.D from Norway playing Gezavo Lotto at Gratoroyalty.com, 2015
  • $20,000,000 **\– “One Lucky Player” , Megabucks slot at , Las Vegas USA, 2022
  • $17,313,513.32 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinon, 2021
  • $14,289,570.65 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinon, 2021
  • $14,237,862.68 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinon, 2021
  • $13,533,847.40 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinon, 2021
  • $12,538,479.41 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $12,167,251.12 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $11,114,666.66 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $10,840,323.60 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $10,401,237.31 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $10,143,450.74 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $9,536,742.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $9,302,479.41 **-** , “Anna from Finland”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $8,734,407.07 **-** , F.P from Finland playing Mega Fortune Dreams at Paf.com, 2021
  • $8,591,775.21 **-** , Fredrick from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $8,391,279.12 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $8,272,879.96 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $8,245,434.11 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $8,014,835.50 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $7,862,962.45 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $7,495,078.91 **-** , “Johannes from Germany”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $7,344,120.49 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $7,129,733.41 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $7,027,496.64 **-** , “Anna from Finland”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Paf.com, 2021
  • $6,929,733.41 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,852,410.36 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,680,920.50 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,460,815.50 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,278,969.12 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,176,133.80 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $6,067,846.36 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,942,401.78 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,817,861.94 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,693,079.26 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,568,896.61 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,444,120.49 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,319,244.79 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,194,306.28 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $5,069,550.88 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,944,415.97 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,819,784.35 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,695,152.63 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,570,020.49 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,440,888.75 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,311,857.61 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,183,436.94 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $4,055,915.62 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,938,296.98 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,820,981.34 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,703,667.05 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,586,451.78 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,471,037.15 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,356,022.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,240,908.62 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,125,895.61 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $3,010,882.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,933,411.07 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,856,740.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,780,070.49 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,655,333.15 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,530,696.74 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,406,461.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,282,629.07 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,158,897.58 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $2,035,166.34 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,911,535.15 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,788,204.98 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,665,173.80 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,542,142.61 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,419,112.49 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,296,082.36 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,173,052.21 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $1,050,022.07 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $982,969.12 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $915,917.08 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $850,864.98 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $785,812.58 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $720,760.74 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $655,708.91 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $590,657.28 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $525,605.61 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $460,554.34 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $395,503.07 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $330,452.15 **-** , “Johan from Norway”, Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021
  • $265,401.08 **-** , Fredrik from Sweden playing Mega Fortune Dreams, Svenska Casinol, 2021

Top 10 Progressive Slot Wins of All Time

Slots are one of the most popular games at casinos, online and offline. The simplicity of “pull the handle” and watch the wheels spin and hope for a favorable outcome is universal across cultures and generations. However, progressive slots add an entirely new level of excitement to the mix, with jackpots climbing steadily higher until some lucky soul hits the big win. Here’s a look at ten of the largest progressive jackpot slot wins of all time:

  1. $24 Million Win on Arabian Nights at Finnish Casino - In 2019, a lucky player at Paf.com, a Finnish online casino, hit the biggest slot win ever recorded, walking away with a staggering €20,064,735 ($24,010,438). The player, who chose to remain anonymous, attributed their success to believing in luck and having faith. They were playing the Arabian Nights slot, a popular progressive game with vibrant desert-themed graphics and exciting bonus rounds. The jackpot had been building for months before being triggered by the elated winner.

  2. $23.5 Million Mega Fortune Dreams Jackpot - In 2020, a Norwegian player scooped up an eye-watering NOK 194 million ($23,516,815) on Mega Fortune Dreams, a sequel to the legendary NetEnt game. Jon Heywood held the previous record, but his $22.6 million win got dethroned by this lucky fisherman from Akershus who was spinning during his lunch break. Talk about reeling ‘em in!

  3. $21.1 Million Jackpot on Arabian Nights - In 2016, another massive win fell on the Arabian Nights slot, this time at Sintelleton Casino. An anonymous Finnish player struck gold to the tune of €17,861,800 ($21,125,345), cementing the game’s reputation as a jackpot juggernaut. The game’s retro aesthetic and straightforward gameplay belie its immense earning potential.

  4. $20.4 Million Win on Mega Fortune - In 2013, British soldier Jon Heywood became an instant millionaire many times over when he hit the record-breaking Mega Fortune jackpot of £13,213,836 ($20,066,855) on Christmas Day. He was playing at the Betway Casino and celebrated with a pint in hand, proving that the yuletide season can bring more than just presents.

  5. $17.3 Million Betway Jackpot Win - Georgios M. from Greece had a lucky night in 2012 when he activated the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot on Betway Casino for $17,316,653 worth of glory. The African safari-themed slot is renowned for its random trigger feature and life-changing payouts.

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