Visit one of the best online casinos in the UK and you’ll find thousands of slots from the biggest software brands. Each slot offers a variety of cash prizes, but some can pay out far more than others, especially progressive slots.
What are progressive slots, and how are they different from regular slots? In this post, you’ll learn the most important similarities and differences between these two popular game types.
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Regular Slots
The majority of slots available at online casinos in the UK could be classed as “regular”. The value of their prizes is fixed, as is the maximum payout available.
No matter how many multipliers you unlock or features you trigger, you simply cannot grab any payout higher than that amount.
RTP
The Return to Player (RTP) for regular slots varies, but the average is 96%. This indicates a potential return of £96.00 per £100 wagered on a game over time.
However, this is only theoretical and not a guarantee — the amount returned in an individual session could be higher or lower.
Payouts
If you manage to match multiple symbols on adjacent reels or paylines, you’ll win a cash prize shown on the paytable. But some regular slots offer jackpots alongside standard payouts, and these are typically awarded through bonus features.
The style and structure of these features can vary: they may involve free spins or a pick-and-click round that requires you to match certain symbols. But whatever the nature of a bonus, the fixed jackpots can differ in size greatly. Some may be worth around 500x your bet, but others could offer substantially more.
However, these jackpots never change. Regardless of how many players are wagering at the same time, the prizes up for grabs remain the same.
Progressive Slots
Progressive slots offer a chance to scoop large prizes that constantly increase in value. The jackpots available are usually displayed alongside the reels at all times to keep players updated on the potential return they could receive on their bets.
Slots that offer progressive prizes feature various themes and styles. Some may be inspired by hit movies and use the Megaways system alongside innovative bonuses. But others can be inspired by classic slot machines and include basic features instead.
RTP
Slots offering progressive jackpots tend to have a below-average theoretical RTP. The average for slots is 96%, but progressive slots may be around 92% or even lower.
Why? Because a small portion of each bet contributes to the jackpot prize pool. Every time you and other players spin the reels, the progressive payout on offer increases slightly.
Payouts
The payouts available in progressive slots can reach huge levels, offering players the chance to win hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds. The size of each jackpot varies depending on the seed value and the number of players.
However, progressive prizes are only awarded under certain conditions:
- Bonus game: Unlocking a bonus game can award an opportunity to play for one or more jackpots.
- Random trigger: Progressive prizes may pay out completely at random. In this case, any paid spin could trigger it.
- Maximum value reached: A slot might award a jackpot to one or more players once it reaches its highest possible value.
Always check the paytable and rules for a progressive slot before you play to understand how jackpots may be triggered. In some games, you’ll only qualify for a progressive win if you wager the maximum amount. Always play responsibly.
Different Types of Progressive Slots at Online Casinos
Different Types of Progressive Slots at Online Casinos
You can find three types of progressive slots online:
Standalone Progressive Slots
Standalone slots only use wagers from a single game. No bets from other casinos or games will contribute to the progressive wins on offer.
Local Progressive Slots
Local progressives are linked to multiple other slots at an online casino. Many players may contribute to the prize pool over time.
Network Progressive Slots
Network progressives can award the biggest payouts of the three types. These accumulate wagers from across different slots and casinos on a shared network. With a huge number of bets increasing the value of jackpots, progressive wins can become massive.
Conclusion
While regular slots share many similarities with progressive slots, the latter can award much bigger payouts. But check the rules carefully before you play to clarify the size of the prizes and how they trigger.
If you want to play the top regular and progressive slots online, Gambling Zone’s guide to the best slot sites has all the information you need to get started.
