1. Home /
  2. Progressive Jackpots Online

Progressive Jackpots Online

We’ve all heard the term “progressive jackpots” and this is one that conjures up the image of striking it lucky at a South African online casino slot machine and becoming an instant millionaire. However, there are many different types of progressive jackpots that can be won in many ways, and the more you understand about how they work, the better your chances of finding the one that will suit your online casino needs.

Written by

Ashley Bekker
Ashley Bekker
clockReading time 3 minread

Best Progressive Jackpots Casinos

How Progressive Jackpots Work

Progressive jackpots are made up of a pool of money that increases with every person who plays that specific game. When you play a video slot, for example, consider the fact that both in South African online casinos, and worldwide, hundreds of thousands of people are playing the same slot. All of the money they spend on that machine goes into a pool and a portion of that is set aside as the progressive jackpot.

The amount of money available to be won is shown on the payout table. You’ll notice that it is the more scarce symbols that you will need to line up in most cases to be awarded the progressive. However, some progressives are random and you could be awarded them simply for playing. Once a progressive jackpot is won, the counter on the machine resets to its minimum. Depending on the machine, this value could be anywhere from R0 to R100 000, and the casino determines this amount based on its house edge and expected profit. Most casinos will usually set the progressive as 1-5% of the expected profit, so on an extremely popular game, the progressive could be quite high.

Types of Progressives

As mentioned above, not all progressive jackpots are created equal and while some progressives require you to line up certain symbols in the right order on an active payline for the slots, others are awarded totally randomly. The types of games that carry progressive jackpots also differ and if you’re hoping to cash in on a progressive win, playing the slots is not the only way to do it. Games such as video poker, blackjack and even variants of table poker also have progressives that players can win, though for the poker variants, these progressives may be smaller depending on the game’s popularity

In online casinos accepting rand (ZAR) and land-based casinos, certain players are classified as advantage players. These are the players who will only play at a machine or table when they know that the progressive is on the verge of being won. This situation is known as a “positive expectation”. Surprisingly, the casino encourages these players as they generate a lot of profit as they keep coming back to play. This win-win situation is sometimes taken advantage of though, and some players organise teams in which they play non-stop on one particular machine to try and force the progressive to be won. In this case, players will keep wagering at a certain machine and when they need to take a break, will call up another player to take over for them. This is frowned upon by most casinos and players found to be working in teams are usually blocked from the casino. Of course, even with these strategies though, there is no way to guarantee a win.

Unconventional Progressive Games

While the concept of a progressive jackpot is an easy one to understand, there are a few games in which the progressive setup is not quite as straightforward. In progressive blackjack for example, it is not the money wagered on the game that funds the progressive. In this game, players need to make a side bet if they wish to be considered for the progressive, which means that technically, they are playing two games at once, since there are two different wagers. This can be frustrating to some players, since they are actually shelling out extra money just to win a progressive, whereas when they play the slots, the same bet is used for small, large and progressive wins.

However you choose to approach your next progressive game, ensure that no matter what, you are having fun. Finding the machine or table with the highest progressive will certainly add to your feeling of excitement, but if it is on a game you don’t enjoy, what’s the point? Make sure that your focus on fun is just as high on your priority list as your desire to win progressive jackpots.

Ashley bekker

Ashley Bekker

Editor & Product Owner

Envelope icon

Meet Ashley Bekker, an accomplished online casino writer known for her engaging articles on the latest games, promotions, and bonuses. Her passion for online gambling started after studying at Stellenbosch University and has led her to become a respected voice in the industry. With a love for blackjack and a dedication to her work and family, Ashley manages multiple responsibilities with ease. She brings a diverse skill set and commitment to excellence to her role at Free Casinos, making her a valuable asset to both the company and the online casino community.

continue readingRight-pointing Arrow Icon
Clock Icon 3 min read

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and get more than 405 free spins instantly.

By subscribing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age and that you accept our

Sign up now
Gambling aware notice
Phone Icon

Our main objective at Free-Casinos.co.za is to provide reliable and accurate information about the top online casinos and sportsbooks that cater to South African players. Our aim is to offer comprehensive reviews and articles, although it's essential to note that they should not be considered legal advice. Before registering, we strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with the local regulatory requirements.


While we make every effort to keep the information up-to-date, please be aware that promotions and terms may change without prior notice. If you happen to come across an alternative offer, please feel free to contact our team.


Please note that Free-Casinos.co.za includes sponsored links to our partners, and we may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.


© Free-Casinos.co.za. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2009-2024

  • 18+
DMCA.com Protection Status