Hello and welcome to our review of progressive slots in Canada which covers everything you need to know about these games and how to find the best jackpots and casinos.
Slots are the most popular options you’ll encounter playing casino games and there are thousands of unique titles to explore. Existing slots are often grouped in different categories, including classic video slots, fruit machines, themed titles, and progressives. Some online casinos also distinguish slots based on the unique features, such as scatters, wilds, and bonus rounds. Progressive jackpot slots are simply the most rewarding and hold the key to life-changing wins. Players have walked away with millions, which makes these games quite popular across Canadian casino sites.
🔥 Best Online Casinos updated: 19 Apr 2024 17:11:23
📍 What are progressive slots?
As the name suggests, progressive slot games are merely jackpots that have a growing prize. The mechanics are quite similar to standard pokies, so you’ll still encounter paylines, paytable symbols and spinning reels. However, there’s a seeded jackpot prize that grows every time you fail to win a game. Unlike other slots, progressives are a community adventure.
The best progressive jackpots offer a fair chance to win real money.
Like most casino games, there are many progressive jackpot variations available for players. The distinction comes from how players participate, which influences the total jackpot prize. However, they all work in the same way. The jackpot prize will keep growing until someone lands a winning combination. This significantly increases the payout you can get from the game. Our experts identified three main variations of the best progressive jackpot slots as shown below.
🌟 Standalone Progressives
As the name suggests, this jackpot is only available for one slot game at one casino. Players can wager on the game and are required to land specific symbols or complete various steps to unlock the jackpot prize. Once won, the prize returns to a minimum seed value. Also, a fraction of each bet is added to the seed prize if nobody wins. All players at the casino have a chance to win if they play the standalone progressive pokie.
⭐ Local Progressives
Local progressives are more like standalone jackpots. However, they aren’t necessarily restricted to one game. The casino might allow players to compete across different slot games, usually from the same provider. Because more games are involved, local progressives tend to offer higher payouts than standalone games. Even so, the gameplay doesn’t make much of a difference. Players must land the jackpot combination to walk away with the prize money. If not, a portion of the bet is added to the jackpot and it continues growing until it is won.
♠ Wide Network Progressives
These are the best jackpot slots online because they involve a series of games, networks and casinos. Essentially, two or more casinos may offer the same progressive jackpot, allowing players from the different sites to compete for the same prize. Wide network progressives tend to span various casino networks, which results in more bets being added to the seeded prize. They are also the highest-paying pokies online and can offer prizes worth millions.
Pokies
Another name used to refer to slot games. It is the mainstream name in Australia and may also refer to casino sites that feature slots
What to consider when looking for the best progressive slots?
Most experts agree that progressives offer live-changing prizes and are the most attractive slots. However, not all are desirable and even the best options can be hosted by illegitimate gambling sites.
Great progressives will have excellent gameplay and features leading to the jackpot. They are also secure and hosted by trusted online casinos around the world.
The best growing jackpots are hosted by reputable casinos with a legitimate gambling license from Canada or any other credible agency such as the UKGC.
Although the working mechanics are similar, progressive slot games are unique, especially in how the payouts are made. Most offer the standard gameplay, which involves activating paylines, placing a bet and spinning the reels. You can land different winning combinations as dictated by the paytable. There’s also a dedicated jackpot feature or symbol. Payouts are as follows.
One lump sum check;
Installments over a few months;
Yearly annuity payments;
A large novelty check for public press.
To win a progressive, you’ll need to land a specified number of jackpot symbols. The payout can be a multiplier based on your bet size (amount wagered), such as 1,000x, or a fixed prize. Some casinos offer a single payment in one lump sum check, while others may spread the payments across several months.
Most casinos pay jackpot prizes directly to the winner’s bank account. However, major jackpots (worth millions) are often paid yearly and may take a decade before you get the last cent won.
Aside from the jackpot feature and growing prize, progressives are quite similar to regular slots. Most providers have jackpot games, but quite a few have reputable progressives. However, there’s no shortage of options. Our experts reviewed various jackpots available for players in Canada and identified the following top-rated software providers.
Microgaming – Established back in the 90s, Microgaming is the leading casino game provider and has a catalogue of more than 800 unique titles. The provider is also well known for its progressive slot machines, and holds the record for the highest jackpot payout from a pokie game in Mega Moolah. Major Millions is another great option.
NetEnt – Like Microgaming, NetEnt is easily the best game provider and has many unique titles, including some of the most popular progressives. Mega Fortune is its leading growing jackpot but there are many other titles like Hall of Gods, Arabian Nights, and Mega Fortune Dreams.
Yggdrasil – This is another trusted casino game provider with many stunning slots you can enjoy across desktop and mobile casinos. Yggdrasil isn’t as popular as Microgaming or NetEnt, but its catalogue boasts high-paying progressives, such as Joker Millions and Empire Fortune. The provider is known for featuring multiple progressives within the same game
Playtech – With titles such as Beach Life and Jackpot Giant, Playtech has become a favoured provider of progressive slot games and can easily reward six figures after a couple of spins. The pokies also boast premium quality graphics, immersive gameplay and sleek, user friendly interfaces.
IGT – Over the years, IGT has grown to become a reliable provider of some of the best jackpot slots online. Its most popular progressive yet is Wheels of Fortune, which is seeded at 0,000. The prize has risen close to file=php/clean_code.php million at some point, but is often won at under a million.
Progressive slots in Canada
Aztec Gold Megaways
Fortunium Gold
Sahara’s Dreams
Mega Moolah
Deal or no Deal World
Fluffy Mega Jackpot
Provider
iSoftBet
Stormcraft Studios
Fugaso
JustForTheWin
Endemol Shine Gaming
Eyecon
RTP
95.99%
92.67%
96.02%
92.03%
95.06%
89.9%
Max Win
x 19 200
x 800
N/A
N/A
x 125
N/A
Betways
117649
40
10
20
20
25
Release
10.12.2019
22.09.2020
15.12.2016
13.01.2021
07.03.2016
29.03.2018
Rating
238
241
252
255
265
277
There are many other reputable games provided that have jackpot slots with growing prizes. You can play progressives from RTG, Pragmatic Play and more. Most are seeded at five figure prizes and often grow for several weeks before they are won. However, others have a low win rate and lengthy annuity periods, so we recommend sticking to popular options.
Safety is essential when playing real money games, more so when eyeing life-changing jackpot prizes. Most slots are safe to play. However, not all casinos that host them are desirable. Our experts review several security features to ensure players are safe from cyber threats, frauds and unauthorized access to their sensitive information. Some of the crucial highlights of safe progressive slots casinos in Canada are listed below.
Latest SSL Certificates (Preferably 256-BIT)
Presence of a valid gambling license
Presence of fair play certificates from credible independent auditors
Round the clock support and virus scans.
Slot safety has more to do with the casino than the game. It is vital to join platforms that have adequate player protection, including secure payment methods. Our team also looks into casino history to avoid sites that have been breached before and those with payout complaints from players. The best progressives pay winning players on time, as promised.
Fair Play
Used in reference to online casino game software. Sites with fair play certificates have their games independently audited and proven to provide fair random results.
There are many progressive slots online and finding one shouldn’t be a problem. However, not all games are equal and none is necessarily the best. Some boasts huge seeds, while others have higher average payout percentages and life-changing hits. Over the years, some games have become the top choices for players looking to try their luck on a jackpot and continue to provide incredible payouts. Our experts went through the best jackpot slots online and identified the most popular in Canada below.
Mega Moolah – Known to reach the rdaddphp million mark quite often, Mega Moolah from Microgaming is the most famous progressive you’ll encounter online. Just recently, the game set a new record for the highest payout from a slot machine and is one of the most played.
Mega Fortune – NetEnt’s Mega Fortune is another popular slot with a growing jackpot and offers a much better storyline with frequent payouts. It also reaches six figures more often than not.
Wheels of Fortune – This is another popular choice for players seeking jackpots. It is seeded at 0,000 and has a higher hit rate than most progressives. It has become inseparable from online casinos since IGT released it back in 2015.
Mega Moolah is by far the most popular jackpot and also leads the pack in terms of payouts. However, NetEnt options also have a big reputation online. Other top progressives not mentioned above include Elvis, Megabucks, Gold Rally, Sweet Party and many more. Most options are from Microgaming and NetEnt, the two leading game providers in the world.
As the prize grows, players have a chance to bag some of the biggest payouts available on casino sites. No progressive has made a name like Mega Moolah and it has the record for the highest ever won jackpot. However, there are several other games that have awarded staggering prizes. Our experts identified the biggest wins from online progressive slots as shown below.
Mega Moolah – €18,915,721
Mega Fortune – €17,860,868
Mega Moolah – $20,057,734
Mega Moolah – €19,429,358.
Progressive jackpots offer the highest casino payouts and are the dream of every player. However, the win rate for some is as low as one in fifty million spins. Players should gamble responsibly, with a cool head.
Mega Moolah is considered the best progressive slot game and has consistently paid millions since its release. Other games also have huge payouts. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many jackpot winners. We recommend starting with standalone games despite their lower payouts, although you can dive straight into wide network jackpots, which offer faster hits because of the large number of participants.
💠 How to play a progressive slots game?
It will take: 10 minutes
Playing slots with growing jackpots should be an effortless process you can complete in three steps as illustrated below.
Yes. Progressive slot games are merely a category of slot games, which are perfectly legal in Canada and many other regions with fully-regulated online gambling. You can try your luck in all the games mentioned above without worrying about breaking regulations. Nonetheless, we recommend these games for players above 18 years. More importantly, you should choose a reputable online casino with a legitimate gambling license, certified fair games and top-notch security.
How do I win a jackpot game?
No jackpot winning strategy exists, considering slots are games of luck and rely purely on random number generators. However, your chances are significantly improved if you bet the maximum amount. Also, you should choose games with a high average payout rate and hit rate, as they promise a better chance of walking away with something. Don’t forget to play on legitimate gambling sites that offer a fair chance of winning.
Which is the best progressive slot?
Mega Moolah is arguably one of the best progressive jackpot slots you’ll encounter online. It has a long record of six-figure wins and also boasts exciting gameplay. However, players have varied preferences, so you can compare different titles to find one which suits your gambling style. Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Major Millions, and Megabucks are all fantastic options when looking for a legitimate growing jackpot prize that has been won multiple times before and still offers a great opportunity to win.
Will I get paid at once if I win?
It depends. Most casinos offer annuity payouts over several months or years. Some like Wheels of Fortune pay over 25 years, which is such a long time to wait for your last won cent. However, you’ll receive all your payments eventually. Some casinos also offer lump sum payouts if the payout is under a million dollars. As a general rule of thumb, you should review the payout terms and conditions before playing, to determine how the jackpot pays winners.
How much can I win from a progressive?
Because progressives grow, there’s no standard prize to win. Most have a specified seed, which can be anything from a few thousand dollars to five-figure prizes. However, once it starts growing, there’s no telling how far it will grow before someone wins the next jackpot. Players have won in excess of $20 million and six-figure payouts are quite common across wide network progressives.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes. Most slots, including one-time jackpots and progressives are fully optimized to run on mobile phones. You can explore games on your Android or iOS smartphone, tablet or iPad with ease and some casinos have a dedicated app you can download to play on the go. In most cases, you won’t need the app as modern casinos are browser based and efficient across mobile browsers, although you should find a reliable platform.
I’ve yet to win a million dollars or anything like that but that doesn’t take anything away from these games. They are perfect and have the same standard features, albeit with a progressing jackpot.
1-WoTeR
Mega Fortune was my first ever jackpot experience and has been my favourite since then. I play other jackpots from time to time but always come back because it is just exciting and exhilarating.
AlfaKingsman
Everyone loves a jackpot, more so if the prize keeps getting bigger. I find them amusing and it only takes one win to change a life, so why not.
Oppotion888
I have to admit winning these games is hard. I have bagged several small payouts with standard winning combinations but the big bucks keep eluding me although I won’t stop.
Gendalf847
There’s nothing not to love about a progressing jackpot slot. Even if you don’t win the millions, you can still win like any other game without a jackpot thanks to many paytable combinations.
I’ve yet to win a million dollars or anything like that but that doesn’t take anything away from these games. They are perfect and have the same standard features, albeit with a progressing jackpot.
Mega Fortune was my first ever jackpot experience and has been my favourite since then. I play other jackpots from time to time but always come back because it is just exciting and exhilarating.
Everyone loves a jackpot, more so if the prize keeps getting bigger. I find them amusing and it only takes one win to change a life, so why not.
I have to admit winning these games is hard. I have bagged several small payouts with standard winning combinations but the big bucks keep eluding me although I won’t stop.
There’s nothing not to love about a progressing jackpot slot. Even if you don’t win the millions, you can still win like any other game without a jackpot thanks to many paytable combinations.