Progressive slot machines are basically slot machines that are “networked” to other slot machines. The funds from all of the networked slot machines create a progressive jackpot pool which can be won on any of the networked slot machines (even if the machines are in totally different casinos) if the proper combination is hit. Progressive slot machines can be in the form of classic slots or video slots. At land based casinos, progressive slots are generally the most popular type. Because all the machines are networked the progressive jackpot is going up like crazy…. so you sit there and watch the jackpot rolling up before you as you plunk in your change. There is something nice about being able to win large amounts of money on a nickle.

The reason for this section dedicated to the progressive slot machine is simply because this type of slot machine has become so popular and the number one sought after slot game. Progressive slots offer the largest jackpots out there, motivating players to want to test their luck with these machines.Progressive jackpot slot machines run off one large network of slot machines. A number of different machines in the casino (or sometimes machines with in a number of affiliated casinos) are linked together to build a very large jackpot. As a player inserts money into one of the machines a portion of their contribution is added to a total jackpot amount being built up by the contributions of other players inserting money into any machine within the network. The jackpot will continue to grow and be displayed on a screen until one of the players hits the jackpot. Once the jackpot is won the network will reset itself at a lower number and begin to build again.

Since these types of slots are being played by a number of people at the same time, your odds at winning the jackpot are not as high they would be if you were playing on a regular machine. Some networks run thousands of machines at the same time, so you are competing with thousands of people for the win. Another fact that you must be aware of, is that in order to win a progressive jackpot, you must play the maximum number of coins. If you hit the winning combination and have only bet one coin you are not entitled to the jackpot. However, if you do play the max coins and hit the winning combination you your take could be worth millions!!!An interesting fact about progressive slot machines is that typically these networks are operated by an outside source (not the casino). The casino of course, receives a small portion of the profits for allowing these companies (an example would be IGT) to set up their networks with in the casino walls. The outside company is responsible for all operations of payouts. Some casinos do however, set up there own networks but they are of course much smaller than the networks that an outside source would run. The payouts are in turn smaller than those of IGT’s, for example, but the chances of hitting these jackpots are much higher as you are competing against a lot less people for it.