Jackpot Rules You Need to Know

Casino games can award a wide array of cash prizes, ranging from tiny returns on your bets to potentially life-changing sums of money — usually in the form of jackpots. 

The chance to win jackpots, even minor ones, could prompt you to play games that wouldn’t necessarily appeal to you otherwise. But just because a game features jackpots in some form doesn’t mean they’ll be massive or paid out regularly. 

Understanding the various jackpots available at a real-money online casino, and how they’re typically awarded, is important. The more you know about jackpots, the better informed your gaming choices will be. 

To help you, we’ve created this guide to the jackpot rules you need to know. Keep reading to discover:

• What jackpots are and why they’re so appealing to players
• Six different types of jackpots available and the rules surrounding them
• The biggest jackpots awarded in the UK

What is a Jackpot? 

A jackpot is a payout awarded during the course of a game, whether that’s a slot, bingo, or a live casino title. It may be triggered by a specific event, such as landing a certain combination of symbols in a slot or marking off all numbers on a bingo card before anyone else. 

Some jackpots are paid out to players randomly, driven by a Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure that the outcome is unpredictable and fair. To learn more about the importance of RNGs, read our in-depth article on slot machine design and myths. 

Jackpot values vary significantly, and are usually visible during a game to keep players aware of the top prizes on offer. When playing a jackpot game for the first time, always check the prizes available (if possible) or past payouts awarded. This will give you an idea of the potential wins you’ll be playing for. 

Different Jackpot Types Awarded at Online Casino Sites

There are six types of jackpots at licensed UK casino sites, and each has specific rules that determine how they function:

• Progressive Jackpot: Games offering progressive jackpots can award gigantic payouts. These have a specific seed value (e.g. £2,000) but increase in size with each bet placed. A progressive jackpot will grow bigger over days or weeks, until it’s finally paid out to one or more players. This may be triggered at random or as part of a bonus feature. 

• Fixed Jackpot: A fixed jackpot will typically be much smaller than a progressive. Slots at online casino sites often feature multiple fixed jackpots, and it’s common to see them categorised based on size — ‘mini’, ‘major’, and ‘grand’. You may need to land certain symbols to trigger fixed jackpots. 

• Local Jackpots: A local jackpot is a type of progressive jackpot, but it applies to a single game and site only. As a result, prizes can be on the smaller side yet still much bigger than fixed jackpots tend to be.

• Network Jackpots: Some progressive jackpots are built from wagers on multiple connected slots or casinos hosting those same games. With potentially hundreds or more players wagering simultaneously, network jackpots can grow to gargantuan values. The Jackpot King network is a popular example.

• Multiple Jackpots: Games designed to award one or more jackpots fit into this category. The jackpots may be fixed or progressive, but some games will include a mix of both. 

• Must-Drop Jackpots: These jackpots must be awarded by a specific deadline, such as hourly, daily, or weekly. Players may choose to play this type of jackpot game over others if they know a big payout is due, though they have no way to know who it will go to. 

Eligibility for winning progressive payouts may be based on the size of your stake, and some games may state that the chances of winning a jackpot are higher for a higher bet. Always check the terms and conditions related to a game’s jackpot before you start playing — this is crucial to understand the eligibility requirements. 

The Biggest Jackpots Awarded at Online Casinos in the UK

Players across the UK have claimed big jackpots over the years. Here are three examples that show how high payouts can go:

• £13.2 million on Mega Moolah: Soldier Jon Heywood won £13.2 million while playing the popular Mega Moolah slot at a gaming site in 2015. 

• £5.4 million on King Kong: Care worker Michael Clark won £5.4 million on the King Kong slot with a spin worth £1.40. 

• £6.3 million on Hall of Gods: A player known only as “Neil” claimed a jackpot of £6.3 million after betting £4 on Hall of Gods at his home. 

But remember: the odds of winning a jackpot on this scale in any game, whether a slot or a live casino title, are incredibly slim. Always gamble responsibly at online casino sites. 

Conclusion

Jackpots have the power to make any game more appealing to players, and they can award amazing prizes on occasion. Understanding the different jackpot types and the rules surrounding them will help you choose games carefully. 

Genting Casino is home to an incredible range of jackpot games, including slots that can pay out millions in progressive prizes. Discover jackpot favourites like Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch, and Deal or No Deal: The Big Hit Megaways in our collection today!