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What Are Progressive Jackpots and How Do They Work?

Discover how progressive jackpots function at Wheelz, what types exist, and how contributions affect RTP and payouts.

Freddy avatar
Written by Freddy
Updated over 3 months ago

Understanding Progressive Jackpots at Wheelz

Progressive jackpots are some of the most exciting features in online slots, offering the chance to win life-changing sums with just one spin. But how do they actually work—and what do players need to know before diving in?

This guide breaks down how jackpots are built, the types you’ll find at Wheelz, and how they affect your gameplay.


What Is a Progressive Jackpot?

A progressive jackpot increases over time as players place bets. A small portion of each wager goes into the jackpot pool until one lucky player wins the pot. Once hit, the jackpot resets to its base value and begins climbing again.

Progressive jackpots can offer six-figure and even seven-figure prizes, depending on the game and the number of players participating.


Types of Jackpots Available at Wheelz

At Wheelz, you'll encounter several types of jackpot games, each with its own structure:

Jackpot Type

Description

Local Jackpot

Grows from bets placed at Wheelz only. Smaller pots, but lower competition.

Pooled Jackpot

Linked across multiple casinos. Much larger pots due to collective bets.

Progressive Jackpot

Builds until won; resets and builds again. Most common jackpot type.

Multi-Level Jackpot

Offers multiple tiers (e.g., Minor, Major, Grand, Royal) in one game.

Some games at Wheelz even combine these—for example, a pooled progressive jackpot.


How RTP & Contributions Work in Jackpot Games

When a slot features a jackpot, the Return to Player (RTP) rate is typically lower than regular slots. That’s because a percentage of every bet contributes to building the jackpot pool.

Here’s how this affects your game:

  • Standard Slot RTP: ~95%

  • Jackpot Slot RTP: ~89–94%
    (A portion is redirected to fund jackpots)

For example:

If a jackpot game has a total RTP of 95%, the game might allocate:

Jackpot Tier

Contribution from Bet

Minor Jackpot

2%

Major Jackpot

1.5%

Grand Jackpot

1%

Royal Jackpot

0.5%

That’s 5% of your bet contributing to the jackpot—meaning your base game winnings may be lower, but you’re always in the running for a much bigger prize.


Example of How Jackpots Build

Let’s say you bet €1 on a jackpot slot:

  • €0.05 goes to the jackpot pool (split among tiers)

  • The remaining €0.95 is used for the base game mechanics

  • Over time, hundreds or thousands of players contribute, creating huge pots


Are Jackpot Games Available on Mobile?

Yes! All jackpot games at Wheelz are fully mobile-optimised. You can play them on desktop, tablet, or smartphone.



Need Help Choosing a Jackpot Game?

Our Support Team is available 24/7 to guide you through game options or answer questions about how jackpot contributions work.

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