Progressive Jackpot Slots in the US

Check out the best progressive jackpot slots in the US market. Play jackpot slots for free or real money at legit US online casinos, pre-approved by our team of experts.

Scroll down to learn how progressive slots work, track record winners, check the availability of jackpot slot bonuses, and our picks for the most popular jackpot games.

 

Best Jackpot Casinos Online in December 2024

How to Play Progressive Slots Online

Follow our step-by-step instructions to get on your way to playing online progressive jackpot slots today.

Don’t forget to check for bonus codes! Many casinos offer bonuses that must be claimed with a promo code – which we always include in our online casino reviews.

 

How do Progressive Jackpots Work?

While there aren’t too many mechanical differences between progressive jackpot slots and regular video slot machines.

Aside from jackpot triggers, there aren’t too many mechanical differences between regular and progressive slot machines online.

Sure, there are differences in RTP and a few other areas but the jackpot element plays the biggest key role.

If you are interested in more details on progressive casino slots, click the links in the table or scroll down to view all the points.

 

How are Progressive Jackpot Prizes Calculated?

Every jackpot slot has a base prize pool, and the base jackpot varies from slot to slot. In games such as Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune, the Mega Jackpot can be as high as $1,000,000!

Betting on the game increases the base value. As more players place bets on that progressive jackpot slot, the jackpot grows. This is because a small portion of each bet goes towards the grand prize.

With progressive games like Mega Moolah, approximately 1% of each bet contributes to the game’s jackpots; Mini, Minor, Major, and 3.5% of each bet goes to the Mega jackpot.

In most cases, if there is a Mega jackpot on the slot, most of the player contributions will be directed towards it.

This should give you a general idea of how the jackpot prize pool works. We will touch on this again in our next point – an explanation of why RTP tends to be lower at jackpot slots.

 

Progressive Jackpot Slots and Bonuses

Most types of casino bonuses can be used for progressive jackpots. US casinos treat IGT progressive jackpots like Divine Fortune and IGT’s MegaJackpots series as regular slots.

In other words, you can expect to have a wagering requirement of 100% on jackpot slots.

That’s why we’ve listed the top 3 casino bonuses that you will run into when playing jackpot slots.

However, not all progressive jackpot casinos offer the same bonuses, and some offer better terms than their rivals.

 

RTP of Progressive Jackpot Slots

By default, having your bets contribute to the prize pool results in a lower RTP, since you’re technically investing less than your bet by keeping the jackpot fresh.

For example, Mega Moolah’s RTP is about 92% when you account for the jackpot, and around 88% without it. This is way below the average of online casino slots in the US.

For reference, have a look at our RTP comparison table of popular video and progressive jackpot slot games.

Divine Fortune stands out from other games due to its differences. RTPs for video slots tend to average about 96%. However, some video slots, such as Blood Suckers, have high return-to-player percentages (RTP) of over 98%.

 

How is a Jackpot Win Activated?

There is an activator on every progressive jackpot slot that triggers the jackpot.

The jackpot trigger is usually a bonus round in itself.

In Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, activating the jackpot bonus takes you to a wheel you need to spin, which in turn decides which jackpot you’re going to win (Mini, Minor, Major, or Mega). Typically, jackpot bonus rounds are activated through 3 or more of the same specific symbol.

A jackpot trigger may also result in a jackpot win even without bonus rounds or any other hurdles. This could occur when symbols appear in order, a trigger unrelated to symbol formation, or in another way.

 

Your Odds of Winning a Progressive Jackpot

The odds of winning one of the huge online casino jackpots are astronomically low. It’s the online casino version of winning the lottery. With that said, we can estimate how long it takes for a jackpot to drop based on a few factors.

Typically, higher jackpots tend to last months until a winner is found. For smaller jackpots, especially fixed jackpots, the “win frequency” is slightly higher.

The hit rate (also known as the hit frequency) indicates how likely you will win at least one prize on a particular spin.

How are Progressive Jackpots Paid Out?

Have a look at key things to know about progressive jackpot payouts at US online casinos.

 

Jackpot Slots vs Regular Slots

Before moving on, let’s summarize the key differences and benefits between jackpot slots and regular slots.

Jackpot slots offer life-changing cash prizes, along with smaller, more frequent prizes with daily jackpots. Ultimately, both have their benefits, and it all comes down to your taste, budget, and expectations.

The RTP of progressive slots is significantly lower than that of traditional slots, so we can easily conclude that jackpot slots aren’t for everyone.

 

Different Types of Casino Jackpot Games

Jackpot slots and progressive slots can mean the same thing, but a progressive slot jackpot is just a type of jackpot slot. In fact, there are 3 main jackpot slot types you need to know.

Here’s an outline of their key differences, followed by a deeper explanation for each type.

Progressive Slots

Progressive jackpot slots have a prize pool that increases until someone wins it. As players bet, a percentage of the jackpot grows. Due to this, progressive jackpots are the most profitable.

After a player wins a progressive jackpot, the prize is reset to the base value, and the process starts over.

 

Fixed Jackpot Slots

Progressive slots offer a better chance of winning than fixed jackpot slots. This is because fixed jackpot slots always have the same amount – the jackpot amount is determined by the casino or software provider of the slot. 

Although these jackpots are less likely to be hit, the prize is lower, and as a result, they are less popular.

Daily Jackpots – Must Fall Jackpots

A popular feature of Red Tiger Gaming, Daily Jackpots have a high win frequency, and they are referred to as “Must-Drop” or “Must-Fall” jackpots.

As the name implies, each jackpot from this slot type will be won by a lucky player at the end of each day – regardless of what happens. A new jackpot will be available the next day, and the cycle will continue.

There is one caveat: the Daily Jackpots are only worth a couple hundred or thousand dollars, not the millionaires-making Mega Fortunes.

 

Local and Network Jackpot Slots

• Local jackpot = bets are pooled from players from one casino
• Network jackpot = bets are pooled from players from multiple casinos, on the same game.

Network progressive slots are transforming the gambling industry. They support record-breaking jackpots like Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune’s $15 + million prize pool. However, if you play a network progressive jackpot slot, then you are competing against a much larger number of players.

For now, the US online casino market only offers local jackpots.

Therefore, players from the US still have to wait for the appropriate legal framework to participate.

Best Online Progressive Slots

All of these slots have fixed progressive jackpots, but the jackpots can reach over a million at certain online casinos.

Besides, the availability varies by state, but players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania should have no issues finding these games.

Keep reading to have a look at the top 3 online jackpot slot machines currently available in the US.

MegaJackpots: Cleopatra

Originally based on the slot Cleopatra, MegaJackpots: Cleopatra isn’t very different from the original. No change has been made to the graphics, animations, or audio quality. However, MegaJackpots: Cleopatra lives up to its predecessor.

With the game’s rewarding mechanics, you’re guaranteed a rewarding experience on your quest for the jackpot. Every win containing a Wild symbol gets multiplied by 2. Furthermore, the Cleopatra Bonus feature gives you 15 free spins with a 3x multiplier.

Even though the jackpot is the main prize, you can still win up to 9,950 times your stake on every free spin during the bonus round.

Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune can be seen as a sequel to the original Mega Fortune game. Due to its widespread popularity, Divine Fortune was released as a standalone game at US online casinos.

The RTP of Divine Fortune is the highest among all progressive slots, which means that it is extremely rewarding outside of the jackpot round.

Along with the Free Spins feature, the Divine Fortune’s Wild symbol triggers additional respins.

Above all, Divine Fortune proves that NetEnt progressive jackpot games provide plenty of fun and winning potential.

MegaJackpots: Wheel of Fortune On Air

Progressive slot machines like Wheel of Fortune On Air are extremely popular in the US, and IGT’s MegaJackpots take on this theme does not disappoint. Along with the lucrative jackpot shared by all MegaJackpot games, this one offers a lot in terms of additional features.

Specifically, you can take advantage of 4 bonus features! These include full Wild Reels, Sticky Wild Re-spins, Mystery Symbols, and the MegaJackpot Bonus.

Still, be aware that this slot has high volatility. Together with its low RTP, you should go into this slot with a slightly larger budget.

Free Progressive Slots

The best casino jackpot games are available at real money casinos, but you can also play them online for free!

Keep in mind that while some social casinos have online jackpot slots, the games and the casino coins will vary drastically from a real online casino site. Regardless, players can find the previously mentioned jackpot game titles at some of the most popular and fun social casinos.

Here are a few social casinos where you can play the best online progressive slots with free coins – without sacrificing your bankroll.

 

Tips for Playing Jackpot Slot Games

When it comes to slots – progressive or not – there are no strategies that can provide a guaranteed advantage.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which jackpot you had hit most recently or how much you bet. No matter what, lady luck is your guide.

With that said, let’s take a look at some general gaming tips relevant to online casinos and playing jackpot slots.

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  Bet on all paylines

  When hunting for a progressive jackpot, you must bet on all paylines. Your chances of triggering this bonus game will be much lower if you bet less than the maximum number of paylines. For example, a typical jackpot slot has 25 paylines. With a minimum bet of $0.01 per payline, you’re looking at a minimum bet of $0.20 on max paylines.

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  Mind your budget

  The most important thing for playing a progressive jackpot slot is knowing that a serious time investment is needed. A relatively low budget is not suited for this game type. The somewhat dry base game and low RTP can be quite harsh.

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  Diversify your games

  Don’t focus on one jackpot slot. The biggest jackpots are the most exciting, but plenty of Fixed and Daily jackpot slots have plenty to offer as well. Not only in payouts and mechanics, but visual qualities also.

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  Understand the jackpot triggers

  While this may not have an effect on the outcome, knowing the slot and its mechanics can’t hurt before you sit down to play. You can try almost any game for free without limits in demo mode.

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  Consider the game outside its jackpot

  The jackpot is the biggest slice of the cake but consider how you’ll benefit from different mechanics. We advise playing a game that can be always rewarding! Divine Fortune, for example, has a super-high RTP and base game features that make it a strong pick without considering its jackpot.

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  Take advantage of casino bonuses

  Sometimes, jackpot wins don’t count if triggered using bonus money. Most of the times though, there are no restrictions. A bonus can double your bankroll and keep you going for a lot longer than your initial deposit. We advise taking advantage of every welcome bonus for the highest value!

 

Record Progressive Jackpot Slot Winnings Online

At the time of writing, all record wins are outside the US, since the market is still fresh and doesn’t allow network progressives. Nonetheless, it highlights the potential these slots have.

 

Alternatives of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games

Not Recommended Jackpot Casinos

It is not recommended to play at all online casinos. For example, some sites offer their services without having a license. You should avoid sites like these because they are known for payment problems, tampering with games, and similar shady practices.

 

Conclusion

Progressive slots can change your life with a single spin. The pull of this game type is strong, even though any player’s chance of winning is astronomically low.

With that said, many progressive slots offer rewarding base games and additional bonus features for winning potential.

Have a look at the top jackpot casinos in the US and try out some titles in demo mode or real money. While you’re at it, be sure to take advantage of all the bonus opportunities!

 

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