Q & A : Microgaming Progressives & Online Jackpots

This edition of our Slots Questions and Answers series focuses on question related to online jackpots. While not all players will have the pleasure of winning a major online jackpot, there are big winners almost every day.

Question
I have noticed that the Microgaming jackpots are sometimes won but the total jackpot does not reset to the base level. In some instances I have seen the jackpot only drop by a small amount. What is happening to the jackpots?

Answer
The Microgaming jackpots are available in multiple currencies. To make it fair for all players the jackpot total is the same no matter what currency you are playing in. Microgaming casinos offer the following currencies - US Dollars, UK Pounds, Euros, Canadian Dollars and South African Rands.

The jackpots are held in the highest value currency. At the time of writing this is the UK Pound. If the jackpot is won in UK Pounds then the jackpot amount will reset to the base level. If however the jackpot is won in any of the other currencies then the jackpot only drops the value of that win.

For example lets say the Treasure Nile jackpot is now showing 100,000. If this jackpot is hit by a player playing in US dollars the jackpot would drop to 48,856.96 instead of the games base level of 40,000. This is because the US Dollar is worth less than the Pound. In this example 1 USD = 0.511430 .

With so many players from all over the world now playing the progressives it has become very common for the jackpots to not reset to the base level. While this can be confusing we believe that this is the best solution for multiple currency casinos and is the most fair to players.

Question
What happens if I win a jackpot online? Is it paid in installments like at casinos in Las Vegas or do I get the whole payout at once?

Answer
All progressive jackpot won online with the exception of the MegaJackpot games at Wagerworks casinos are paid out in one lump sum. If you look at the screenshot above you will see that the jackpot win appears directly in the credits box after the win. If you are lucky enough to win a progressive online you also get the advantage of getting paid the entire amount in one payment!

Question
I played less than maximum bet and the jackpot symbols lined up on Cash Splash. Would have the same spin came up if I was betting max?

Answer
It is always a big disappointment when this happens and this is why we always suggest if you are going to play progressive games that you should play max bet. The good news is that while you may have hit the jackpot you probably would have hit spins at a slightly different time so if you had of changed your bet you may have never seen the jackpot symbols line up.