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What is a casino jackpot
Jackpot is the highest possible win on a given slot machine or game. In casinos, you will encounter two main types: fixed (fixed) and progressive jackpot. They differ mainly in how the winning amount is determined and how quickly it can grow.
Fixed (fixed) jackpot
A fixed jackpot has a predetermined amount that does not change regardless of the number of players or games played. You know exactly how much you are playing for - the amount is visible directly on the machine.
The amount of the fixed jackpot depends on the settings of the particular game: the number of reels, the range of bets and the game mechanics. Slot machines with a higher maximum deposit usually also offer higher fixed jackpots.
Many fixed jackpot slots have tiered prizes. They are most often divided into three categories:
| Level | Amount of winnings | Chance to win |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze (Mini) | On the order of hundreds of CZK | Highest β falls most often |
| Silver (Midi) | In the order of thousands of CZK | Medium |
| Golden (Maxi) | Tens to hundreds of thousands of CZK | Lowest - drops least often |
The advantage of fixed jackpots is predictability β you know exactly how much you can win. The downside is that the amounts are not as astronomical as progressive jackpots.
Progressive jackpot
The progressive jackpot increases with each bet that players place on a given slot (or group of slots). A small percentage of each bet - usually 1-2% - is added to the jackpot pool. The fund grows until someone wins it and then it resets to its default value.
Progressive jackpots are most often found at slot machines , but they also exist in table games such as poker, blackjack or roulette - but they are typically lower there.
Types of progressive jackpots
Stand alone
The jackpot is tied to one specific machine. The fund grows only from bets on this one device. The winnings are lower, but they fall more often. This type is mostly found in brick-and-mortar casinos - growth would be too slow in an online environment.
In-house (local)
Jackpot is linked between multiple machines within one casino. The pool grows from the bets of all players on linked games, so it reaches higher amounts faster. This is a common model in online casinos - all games from one provider in a given casino contribute to a common pool.
Wide-area (network)
The jackpot is linked across multiple casinos, sometimes internationally. The fund grows from the bets of thousands of players simultaneously and can reach millions. An example is Microgaming's Mega Moolah slot, where the record win exceeded 19 million euros. However, the probability of winning the wide-area jackpot is extremely low and in the New Zealand licensed environment the winnings from one round are also limited to NZ$30.
Comparison: Fixed vs. progressive jackpot
| Criterion | Fixed jackpot | Progressive jackpot |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of winnings | Foreknown, immutable | Continuously growing with bets |
| Probability | Higher | Lower (extremely low for wide-area) |
| Maximum amount | Hundreds of thousands of CZK | Millions (New Zealand max NZ$30) |
| Reset after winning | No - the amount remains the same | Yes - returns to default |
| Typical occurrence | Most slot machines | Selected games from major manufacturers |
| RTP slot machine | Usually higher | Usually 1-2% lower (part of the bet goes into the fund) |
Jackpots on the New Zealand market
In New Zealand licensed online casinos, progressive jackpots are available, but with a limitation: the maximum amount of winnings in one game round is NZ$ 30. This means that international wide-area jackpots in the order of millions of euros do not apply to New Zealand players on licensed platforms.
Fixed jackpots in New Zealand casinos are normally offered by slots from manufacturers such as SYNOT Games, Kajot, Apollo Games or EGT. These games have a maximum win set according to New Zealand regulation and are available on most legal New Zealand online casinos .
Popular international jackpot titles such as Mega Moolah, Hall of Gods or Divine Fortune are known from unregulated casinos, but their availability is limited in the New Zealand licensed environment. When choosing a machine, focus on RTP (return to players) a RNG certification and audits β the higher the RTP and the clearer the audit stamps, the more transparent the game. Because jackpot slots tend to be higher volatility, it is especially important for them to stick to the principles responsible gaming and set limits.