Games and product

Jackpot: how it builds up and who pays for it

A jackpot is a large prize on top of a game's regular payouts. A fixed jackpot is set in advance, while a progressive one grows from a share of every bet until someone wins it, and that share is already included in the game's RTP.

Yevhen SychovOctober 2026

How the pool builds up

Pool contribution = bet x contribution rateFor example, at a 1% rate a €2 bet adds €0.02 to the pool, and 500,000 such bets add €10,000.

The contribution is not charged on top: it is already built into the RTP. For example, a 96% RTP can include 1% for the jackpot: regular payouts return 95%, and the other 1% goes to whoever wins the pool. After a win, the pool restarts from its seed amount.

That is why a jackpot game pays less on regular spins and is more volatile overall: part of the return is gathered into one rare big prize.

Types of jackpots

TypeHow it worksWhat matters to the operator
Fixedthe amount or bet multiplier is set in advancepart of the game's regular maths
Local progressivebuilds up from bets in one game or at one operatora smaller pool, the operator funds the payout, a win shows up in the month's hold
Network progressivea shared pool across a provider's games at many operatorsa big pool attracts players, the contract sets how contributions and wins are settled
Must dropguaranteed to pay out before a set amount or by a deadline, for example once a dayan honest reason for urgency in promos

How to promote it

  • Show facts: the current pool size, the must drop rules, recent wins. Show the winner's name only with their consent and in shortened form.
  • Message only players you are allowed to: with marketing consent, no self-exclusion, no limits and no risk markers.
  • An operator's own jackpot on top of the games is paid from the promo budget: count its payouts in bonus cost.
  • Measure the campaign effect against a control group, not by banner clicks.

Common mistakes

  • Promising a win. The must drop guarantee applies to the pool, not to the player. Copy saying that this particular player will win today is misleading.
  • Comparing RTP without the contribution. A jackpot game with 96% RTP pays less on regular spins than a slot with the same 96% and no jackpot.
  • Leaving the jackpot out of the bonus terms. State whether jackpot games can be played with bonus money and whether they count towards wagering.
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