What a progressive jackpot is in one sentence
A progressive jackpot is a prize pool that grows a little with every eligible bet until someone wins it, then resets to a predetermined “seed” value and starts growing again.
How the money gets into the jackpot
When you spin a progressive slot, a small portion of your wager is diverted to the jackpot meter. Providers describe this explicitly; for example, Playtech’s Age of the Gods notes that a small percentage of every spin funds its multi-tier pot, while NetEnt explains that its pooled jackpots aggregate player contributions across an entire casino network.
That meter never drops below the seed (the base amount it resets to after a win). Studios and industry guides refer to this “seed” as the jackpot’s starting value, displayed in the rules or info panel.
In regulated markets like Great Britain, operators must clearly tell players how a progressive is funded, its seed and any cap, and show the jackpot RTP either combined with or split from the base game’s RTP. If you are not eligible for the jackpot, the rules must say so.
Progressive jackpot types you’ll see at crypto casinos
- Local progressives
A single site or brand funds the meter. These are sometimes called “casino” or “local” jackpots. - Network or pooled progressives
Multiple casinos contribute to one shared meter managed by the game provider (for example, NetEnt’s pooled jackpots). These grow faster because more players feed the pot. - Wide-area progressives (WAP)
Large, linked networks spanning many venues or jurisdictions, common in land-based and omnichannel systems (e.g., IGT WAP and Powerbucks). - Multi-level progressives (MLP)
Stacks of Mini/Minor/Major/Grand pots where the top level is often the true progressive linked across machines. - “Must-hit-by” and daily/time-boxed jackpots
Programmed to trigger by or before a published ceiling or time window. The trigger doesn’t depend on reel symbols and is sometimes called a mystery jackpot. Implementations may vary and can be weighted toward hitting near the top. - Not actually progressive: provider prize drops
Networked prize pools like Pragmatic Play’s Drops & Wins add random prizes across many slots but aren’t classic ever-growing progressives. Useful, but distinct.
Crypto casinos, RNGs, and “provably fair”
Most crypto casinos run the same certified studio slots you see elsewhere, so the jackpot outcome is determined by a regulated RNG and compliance rules such as the UKGC Remote Technical Standards for progressive systems. Those rules cover fairness, display of funding/seed, simultaneous triggers, and handling overflow when a cap is reached.
Some crypto-native titles additionally expose provably fair verification, letting you check a round’s randomness using hashed server seeds, client seeds, and nonces. Several slot providers describe how their slots map seeds to reel outcomes so players can verify after the spin. This is a transparency layer on top of, not a replacement for, regulatory testing.
A smaller set of on-chain games use verifiable randomness functions directly in smart contracts. Chainlink VRF, for example, publishes a proof on-chain so apps can’t use a random value unless the proof verifies, enabling provably fair jackpot draws in decentralized contexts.
What RTP means on progressives
RTP is the long-run return of a game. For progressives, part of the RTP is in the rare, large jackpot component while the base game often returns less “day-to-day.” Regulators tell operators to show the progressive’s RTP either combined or split from base-game RTP so players understand where the value sits. Many guides note that progressive slots commonly run a lower base RTP than standard titles because a slice of each bet feeds the pot.
The UKGC also advises measuring progressive performance at the base-game level since jackpots are volatile and infrequent. This helps ensure the non-jackpot portion still behaves as intended.
Local vs network vs WAP: who pays you
With local jackpots, the casino pays the win; with wide-area or pooled progressives, the game provider typically administers and pays the prize under its rules. This division is widely described in industry explainers and provider pages. Always check the game’s help screen for eligibility and payout terms.
Must-hit-by jackpots: why the meter matters
Unlike symbol-based progressives, must-hit-by pots are designed to trigger by or before a published ceiling. The system sets the hidden trigger within a range and awards the pot when the meter crosses that point; some implementations are weighted to the high end. That means the closer a visible meter is to its ceiling, the more frequently you’ll see it pop on the floor or lobby, though exact math varies by product.
On-chain timing and crypto payouts
Crypto casinos typically credit balances off-chain instantly for in-site play, but if you cash out jackpots on-chain, network timing applies. Bitcoin targets roughly 10-minute block intervals; Ethereum proof-of-stake advances in 12-second slots. This affects when a large crypto payout confirms to your wallet, not the game math.
Quick checklist before you chase a crypto progressive
- Read the jackpot rules: funding method, seed, any cap, and whether RTP is combined or split between base game and jackpot component.
- Confirm eligibility: some progressives require specific bets or side conditions; rules must state this.
- Know the type: local vs pooled vs WAP vs must-hit-by vs promotional prize drops.
- For crypto-native titles, see if provably fair verification or on-chain VRF is used and how to check a round.
- Treat progressives as high-volatility: expect long droughts and rare spikes; set hard limits. Industry estimates often cite jackpot odds in the tens of millions to one for giant network pots.
FAQ
How does a progressive keep growing?
Each eligible bet contributes a small slice to the shared prize pool. After a win, the pot resets to a seed value and resumes growing under the same rule.
What’s the difference between pooled and local jackpots?
Pooled jackpots collect contributions across many casinos and are administered by the provider; local jackpots are limited to one site or brand. Pooled meters usually grow faster.
Are “Drops & Wins” real progressives?
No. They are provider-funded, time-boxed prize drops layered across many slots. They can be exciting but they’re distinct from a classic ever-growing progressive meter.
Does crypto change RTP or volatility?
No. RTP and volatility come from the game math. Compliance and display rules (like the UKGC RTS for progressives) apply regardless of currency. Crypto mainly affects payment rails and settlement speed.
Can a progressive be provably fair?
Yes. Many studio slots rely on certified RNGs and regulatory testing; some crypto-native or on-chain games add player-verifiable randomness using seed hashes or VRFs for extra transparency.
