| |
Previous
Page
Next
Page
A brief history of progressive slots online and off plus
a glimpse to the future by Gayle Mitchell
by Gayle
Mitchell
Once upon a time, there were lottery tickets to build dreams on and then IGT,
the slot manufacturer, with the loud approval of their casino clients, introduced
the first progressive slot in March of 1986.
This network of slots was connected locally, then expanded to participating
gaming states, nationwide and now there is an international link that reaches
into Canada, Europe and Asia.
IGT, always the vanguard in slotsland, was followed by Bally's Thrillion
series and Aristocrat's Hyperlink systems. The many versions of progressive
slots from these three manufacturers include familiar names like MegaBucks,
Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Quarter Million$ and Cash Express.
There are many more progressives to choose today as slot manufacturers pair
the
progressive version with a bonus slot release; e.g., Addams Family, Jeopardy,
etc.
These versions are leased by the participating casinos that receive a small
percentage, while the manufacturers maintain the equipment and pay out the "millionaire
producing' jackpots.
Some casinos place exclusive or proprietary slot progressives.
The big name at land-based casinos is MegaBucks, linked to casinos nationwide.
You must play $3 to be eligible to win the millions.
The largest slot machine jackpot to date at a land-based casino of $39,713,982.
was won on Friday 3/21/03 on an IGT Megabucks machine at the Excalibur in Las
Vegas.
The winner, who requested anonymity, was a 25-year-old software engineer from
Los Angeles. He said he had played about $100 on the machine when he turned
his head away from it for an instant. When he looked at the machine again, the
winning symbols had lined up.
Since the beginning, more than 250 millionaires have emerged thanks to IGT slots.
How do these ever-increasing jackpots grow? Well, approximately 10% of every
dollar fed into the progressive slot goes directly to the primary jackpots awaiting
the "magic winning touch'. Because of this feature, progressive
overall payback percentages will not be as high as basic slots with a constant
jackpot amount.
Eighty percent is not uncommon and the jackpot may be paid out over 20 years,
instead
of all at once.
Most players are not aware that there are two levels of progressive
jackpots - primary and secondary.
A "primary' jackpot is the top prize award with the specific combination
"hit'. In the case of Megabucks, these are the "Megabuck'
symbols that lined up correctly produce a bountiful payday.
This top jackpot is usually displayed with the biggest sign and numbers above
the carousel or bank of machines.
Secondary jackpots are displayed on smaller screens mounted below the big screen
of the primary jackpot. These are hit more frequently and therefore will not
payout as large a sum of money.
Before playing any single group of progressives, check out the primary and secondary
jackpots, and then compare other surrounding progressives to see how high those
jackpots are relative to their starting amounts.
As for the progressive slots online, all major gambling software manufacturer
include a bountiful variety of themed progressives whether it be single or multi
payline.
Playtech, Microgaming, CryptoLogic and Boss Media have all stepped up with ever-growing
progressives while bringing on new versions at regular intervals.
Thus, Progressives online offer an attractive option to play for massive jackpots
and bonus—you are paid "on the spot'—no waiting 20 years.
Several sites track progressive totals as they grow, so you can best determine
the ideal bet. A simple search of the keywords, "largest progressive jackpot
online' gives players a variety of sites to search for the "big
hit'.
After a progressive jackpot is hit, the meter automatically resets to the base
jackpot amount.
Now to the future of progressives, most of which is happening already. I
believe you will find that million dollar jackpots will become the norm
and paid as an "instant win' instead of a 20-year wait. Penny slots
now offer up to $1million jackpots with max coin in play.
As noted, online high-dollar progressives and jackpots are multiplying to the
delight of all slot players and now offering jackpots as high as land-based
casinos.
Now, everyone can make that "golden spin' for huge bucks.
Have fun with this 'special line of slots', be sure to bet maximum
coin every time and in the end may all your progressive wins be progressively
profitable.
Gayle Mitchell
|
