Access your account at any online casino, or a social one for that matter, and you will have your pick of a nearly endless list of slot games that are a click or a tap away. The world of online slots continues to expand and open wallets, for that matter. Slots also continue to captivate players of all skill levels because of the many categories they come in.
However, the most popular slot category these days is progressive online slots. What exactly is the magic behind progressive slots? Discover all the excitement and commotion about progressive slots by reading this guide.
The Ascent of Online Slots
While today’s online slots are nothing short of visual masterpieces, the early days of online slots date back to the early days of online casinos. When online casinos first launched in the mid-90s, they were digital copies of the traditional slot machines found on the casino floors of Vegas and Atlantic City.
However, with the rise of broadband internet and the switch to HTML5 technology, more slot game developers continued to refine the slot genre. With exciting new themes, the rise of progressive slots continues to reach new and rewarding levels.
The Development of Progressive Slots
The concept of progressive slot games goes back to the 1980s. It was common to find several Wheel of Fortune slot machines in the top casinos based on the iconic television show of the same name. The excitement of winning a million-dollar jackpot with the flashing light going off and the crowd jumping in was all the marketing that these casinos needed.
Microgaming made history by developing the first online progressive slot games with “Cash Splash.” With the ability to connect players to a worldwide jackpot, it didn’t take long for Cash Splash to take off.
However, it would be until the 2010s that progressive online slots games to truly find their stride. You can also thank Microgaming for making these types of slots simply irresistible with the release of Mega Moolah, where the jackpot fever truly took off. To this day, Mega Moolah remains one of the top progressive slots because of its massive jackpot victories that range into several million.
Why Do Players Keep Playing?
Progressive slots, like other casino games, are games of chance. So, just because you play, it doesn’t mean you win. Also, progressive slot machines are highly volatile, so these games don’t pay off often. So why do players keep playing these slots?
Because one spin is all it takes. Fruitblaster, in August 2024, produced one of the largest online progressive jackpot victories in history at nearly $6.5 million. The winner didn’t win with the first spin.
The chance to win life-changing money with one random spin drives the emotion that only progressive slots can bring. Also, many of today’s progressive slot machines have multiple jackpots. With the chance to win millions and then some in the same session, it’s no wonder that players keep coming back for more.
Always Play Safely and Responsibly
With the temptation of winning millions, it is easy for players to lose their way and become addicted to the big wins. Like any game, the rule of thumb is to have a set budget. To help players stay balanced, licensed online casinos have responsible gaming measures to help set spending and playing limits.