Biggest Progressive Slots in Canada 2023
In a progressive slot game, players contribute a small percentage of their wager towards the progressive jackpot.
- Progressive slots can be found in most online casinos as they have become very popular with players.
- Unfortunately, progressive slots have less frequent payouts and the amount and number of times you wager to contribute do not increase your chances of triggering the jackpot drop.
Our number one casino for Progressive Slots is Lucky Days Casino. This Canadian online casino offers over 2500 casino games with plenty of jackpot slots to choose from. Are you looking for the best progressive slots to play in Canada? Look no further as we have a great selection for you here.
How Do Progressive Jackpot Slots Work?
Progressive jackpots grow until a lucky player hits a winning combination or triggers the winning event. Then the machine is reset to a predetermined amount and accumulates again. Every bet made on the progressive slot helps build the pot. For each spin, a percentage of the wager is added to the progressive total.
Progressive games are usually not limited to individual casinos. Instead, these progressive slots are played across a massive network of the top online Canadian casinos, and the reason the jackpot sums can hit millions of dollars.
Jackpot Contribution
When you bet on a jackpot slot, a small portion is added to the ever-growing jackpot pool. Every provider will have different contribution amounts.
The Seed
The seed is used when a progressive jackpot has a payout. A player would not start funding the online slot machine if it began at zero. So providers will set a seed amount, and when the jackpot is won, it will reset to this determined amount. For example, the Mega Moolah seeds at C$2,000,000 each time it is won by a player.
The Prize
The more significant a progressive jackpot prize, the more gamblers will play it. As a result, the prize pool will gain traction in online casinos and the iGaming industry as it hits millions. However, there usually is not just one but three or four progressive amounts.
Let's look at Mega Moolah again. There are four progressive jackpot amounts that you can win:
Mega: As of today, the amount is nearly C$7 million!
Major: This seeds at 10,000 and currently stands at C$40,000.
Minor: The minor usually pays out around C$100.
Mini: The mini is typically around the C$10 range and pays out the most.
Types of Progressive Slots
There are three main types of jackpots; Fixed Jackpots, Local Jackpots, and Network Progressive Jackpots. So, let's break down how each operates and pays:
Fixed Jackpots
A fixed jackpot is a slot machine that includes a jackpot prize that is always the same. In other words, the amount stays the same even when someone wins. Regular slots will have a maximum you can win on any spin. The same applies to fixed jackpots, also known as non-progressive jackpots.
Fixed jackpot winnings can vary. Some have a set amount, no matter the size of your spin, while others have a jackpot value that is won based on your wager. So, if the maximum prize of a fixed jackpot slot is 5,000x, and you were spinning C$1, you would take home a C$5000 jackpot win.
Suppose you want a life-changing sum of money, then progressive jackpots or more suitable. In that case, however, fixed jackpots have a better chance of payouts more regularly, and the overall volatility of the slot is generally lower.
Local Jackpots
A local jackpot slot is restricted to a particular casino instead of growing across a network. They are progressive, so the value of the prize pool will continue to grow.
However, these slots will have fewer players contributing to the jackpot pot. Therefore, the top payout is relatively small compared to network progressive jackpot slots. So, you are looking at a few thousand or tens of thousands of dollars rather than millions.
Network Progressive Jackpots
Whenever you wager on progressive slots, part of the bet will be added to the overall progressive jackpot until it is won. This amount can vary between slots. However, it is typically around the 2 to 5% mark. The more players, the larger the jackpot pool. These also run across various developer networks.
So, say you were playing an IGT jackpot slot, and each online casino that features it as a choice will contribute to the growth of the pot. The advantage is that, with more people playing, the larger it will grow.
Another consideration is the size of your bet. Some progressive jackpot slots require a minimum bet to qualify for the huge jackpot. One such game is the Jackpot Giant slot by Playtech. The minimum you must spin on this one is C$4 to activate the feature. The biggest win on this was €5.89 million by a lucky librarian.
Mega Moolah is another example. There is a minimum spin size of C$0.25 to be in with a chance of the massive jackpot. However, the higher your bet, it will improve your chances moderately. So, if you wager C$1 instead of the minimum, you would have a slightly higher chance of triggering the feature.
Some will trigger during free spins, while others will trigger randomly on the reels. In addition, each progressive jackpot slot will have different requirements and bet amounts. So, do always check the rules and the paytable before playing.
Which Are the Most Popular Progressive Slot Machines Online?
Mega Moolah, Arabian Nights, Hall of Gods, and Major Millions are some of the most popular progressive slot machines online. High payouts, frequent jackpots, and impressive visuals are the main reasons they have a huge base of loyal players. If you want some alternatives, you can go for Mega Fortune, Imperial Riches, and King Cashalot.
Mega Moolah
As discussed in our article, this African-themed progressive jackpot slot has already altered many fortunate players' lives who have walked away with millions. It comes with 25 fixed paylines and a 5x3 grid set, and the minimum spin size is C$0.25, and the maximum is C$6.25. Any spin size can deliver the mega jackpot.
Arabian Nights
Get transported to an ancient Arabic world in this 10-payline and five-reel video slot. The minimum bet per wager is C$0.10, and the maximum is C$20. It is a pooled jackpot with average payouts around the C$2.5 million mark. The top payout won on Arabian nights was C$3.35 million.
Hall of Gods
Based on Norse legend, this five-reel and 20-fixed payline slot comes with a minimum bet of $0.20 and a maximum of C$50. The bonus game gets you a chance at pick-and-win features. Get three of Thor’s hammers on the reels, match three symbols, and win one of the three jackpots. It has made many millionaires, and C$12.6 million was the amount one lucky player banked!
Major Millions
Major Millions is a military-themed video slot offering five reels, three rows, and 15 paylines. It was released in 2009, so the graphics are slightly older, and it shows in the graphics quality. However, it is the perfect progressive game for everyone, with a minimum bet of C$0.20, a maximum bet of C$3, and a chance at a massive progressive payout.
Mega Fortune
The Mega Fortune slot has made several people instant millionaires. It has five reels and 25 fixed paylines and comes with a luxurious theme. Even though it got created in 2008, the graphics have stood the test of time. In addition, it features free spins and a pick-me bonus game with three progressive jackpots on offer.
It made history and has been entered in the Guinness Book of Records for the most significant online jackpot win and even gone on to break it’s own record. The biggest win recorded on Mega Fortune now stands at over €17.8 million (nearly C$26 million).
Imperial Riches
Are you a fan of Japanese-themed slots? Great, Imperial Riches is inspired by this great civilization of the Far East, with koi fishes, ponds, and peaceful gardens, giving it a memorable background. In terms of gaming, it has 5 reels, 3 rows, and 15 non-adjustable paylines, with bets ranging from $0.15 to $30. The RTP is on the higher side at 96.88%, while the top payout can boost your stake by 1,500x.
King Cashalot
Another great one by Microgaming is King Cashalot. It has a medieval theme, has nine paylines across five reels, and offers the "pick until collect" bonus game. The jackpot seeds at C$100,000, but it can grow massively beyond that and the chance to become a millionaire. It has simple gameplay, has nine paylines across a 5x3 reel setup, and you can spin from as little as C$0.01 to C$2.25.
Our Tips on Playing Progressive Slots
When considering playing progressive slots, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should take into account the volatility of the slot, the bet range and your budget. It’s also good practice to check if you can play the slot for free before investing real money to ensure you fully understand how it works.
Volatility
Volatility in slots essentially refers to how frequently you can expect to win during gaming sessions. This measure is usually paired with variance, which gives you an idea of the size range of payouts you can expect.
Typically, jackpot slots come with high volatility. This is because in order to be able to pay out large jackpots, there will usually be less frequent payouts in the slot’s base game.
For example, if a slot has a 95% RTP, this means that theoretically 95% of the total wagers paid into the slot will be paid back to players in winnings. If 90% of that is paid out as a single jackpot sum, that leaves only 5% to be spread out in other wins.
It’s good to remember that progressive slots are heavily regulated by various casino gaming control boards and software testing laboratories to ensure the complete fairness of each jackpot payout. While volatility and other measures are useful to gain an understanding of the overall experience of playing a slot, the use of random number generators (RNGs) guarantees that every player has a unique experience and every spin has an equal chance of a win.
High Volatility Slots
With higher volatility comes greater risk. Although payouts are usually more favourable, you can have many dead spins and quickly watch your balance deplete. However, these highly volatile slots can result in enormous payout amounts.
Low Volatility Slots
Low volatility slots correlate to less risk. The payouts are more diminutive. However, they are a lot more frequent. A small to medium win will typically happen every few spins. These low-volatility slots can come with bigger wins. Still, it will not match the payouts found on high-volatility games.
Free Progressive Slots
You can play progressive jackpots for free at our top online Canadian casinos. This is a good way to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics.
However, keep in mind that although you will see the sum of the jackpot while spinning on some, you will play with fake cash and not take home any of your wins. Besides showcasing their considerable jackpot amounts, free games will also let you try out other bonuses, including free spins, wilds, scatters, and multipliers.
Maximum/Minimum Bet Range
Some progressive online slots only allow you to win a jackpot if you wager the maximum stake size. Meaning you might need a large bankroll for those spin amounts. Luckily, not all require such large wagers. When you load up the slot, if there is a minimum bet size to activate the jackpot, it will inform you before you start spinning.
Budget
Responsible gambling is another critical consideration to factor in when playing jackpot games. An essential thing you can do is to ensure you set a budget before playing any jackpot casino game. You can also set yourself time reminders and limit your deposit amounts. Only ever spending what you can afford to lose is an essential course of action to take.
Odds of Winning a Progressive Jackpot
The odds of winning at a progressive slot are more complex than calculating, for example, the chances of your numbers landing in a game of Roulette. This is because several factors significantly influence the probability of triggering a progressive slot.
The facets will include the version of the jackpot and which software drives the algorithm that will trigger the winner. Therefore, every progressive slot has different odds and ways the mechanics operate.
However, the average odds are around a one in 50 million chance of winning. So, although it may seem an incredibly high amount to win if you look at lottery numbers, there is an even lower 300 million to one chance of winning.
Progressive Jackpot Payouts
Some games allow for a lump sum payment, where the cash is settled upfront. Others will require that the money gets paid in installments.
The biggest progressive jackpots run across various casino networks and the casino usually pays smaller payouts directly. However, suppose luck was on your side, and you nabbed millions. In that case, the respective game's software developer must get involved.
In a nutshell, if it is a large sum and the casino is processing the payment, it must be split up as stipulated in each online casino's terms and conditions. If the software developer is involved, you will generally receive your millions in one payout!
Biggest Progressive Slot Wins in Canada
Every Canadian player who plays progressive jackpot slots hopes they will be fortunate enough to appear on the winner's list of progressive jackpots. So many players from Canada have successfully won millions on Mega Moolah Jackpot slots. Let's look at some of this slot's most significant Canadian wins.
$20,059,287.27 on the 30th January 2019
$11,633,898.44 on the 5th November 2016
$11,610,536.59 on the 28th August 2016
$9,572,948.34 on the 14th March 2017
$8,453,754.28 on the 16th January 2017
$7,562,019.94 on the 9th April 2015
Many more Canadian gamblers have won lesser sums but are still in the millions on this slot. So you can see that even though players globally also have a chance, Canada scores well in the winner's table.
Progressive Jackpot Slot Providers
Slot software providers are the brains and designers behind slot machines. Many incorporate a wheel element and come with many theme styles. To win is simple. For example, you usually need five jackpot symbols across the reels to land the jackpot. You then get taken to spin the wheel or a pick feature.
Microgaming
They have to be top of our list and have been in the industry since 1994 since the beginning stages of online gambling. Microgaming games combine high-quality with dynamic graphics, incredible animations, a user-friendly interface and a high RTP.
NetEnt
NetEnt offers Canadian players four jackpot games. Considered one of the best software providers in the industry, NetEnt has an impressive game portfolio and it partners with some of the leading online casinos in Canada. Two iconic NetEnt slot games are Starburst and Gonzo's Quest.
Lucky Days Casino
Lucky Days online casino is catered to players from Canada. It offers a substantial welcome bonus of C$1500 and 100 free spins for your first three deposits. It holds a gaming licence from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, multiple payment options, responsive customer service, and over 2,500 games. These include slots, jackpots, and table games. A few jackpots with massive payouts are:
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Immortal Romance
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Mega Moolah
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Thunderstruck II
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Charms & Clovers
Spinaway
Spinaway is another first-class online casino in Canada where you can play progressive jackpot games. There are over 1000 games in total, and they hold a Curacao Gaming Licence. New players get a C$1000 welcome bonus over the first four deposits. There are only five jackpot games on this site. However, they have picked five of the best, all with massive payouts:
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Gold Factory Jackpots
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Thunderstruck II
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Divine Fortune
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Gunslinger Reloaded
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Leprechaun Goes to Hell
Power Play Casino
Power Play Casino delivers online sports and casino betting services to players from Canada and launched in 2018. It's a slick and well-laid-out site licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority. Virtual sports, live casino action, slots, table games, and jackpots are available. A welcome bonus is available over your first three deposits of 100% up to C$1000. The jackpot selection is pretty extensive, with some genuinely awe-inspiring sums waiting to be won:
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Book of Atem Wow Pot
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Atlantean Treasures
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Gold Factory Jackpots
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Age of the Gods: God of Storms
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Buffalo Blitz Megaways
Progressive Slots FAQs
Our article should have covered all those burning questions and information about jackpot slots. Instead, however, a few common questions are listed below:
Yes, they are, with the opportunity to win a massive sum of money that would instantly transform your life.
Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing when it will hit due to the RNG. However, as a general rule of thumb, the higher they climb, the more the chances increase.
You can if luck is on your side and you frequently play progressive slots. The winner could be anyone, and that anyone could be you.
The frequency of jackpot drops depends on the slot you play, how the jackpot is set up to be triggered and if the jackpot is shared across more than one game. For example, last year, the Mega Moolah Mega Jackpot was won on average every 42 days, while there might be 5 months between major Hall of Gods payouts.
Fact-checked by Valerie Lizotte
Reviewer