Titles that feature life-changing progressive jackpots are typically among the most popular games on the catalogues of online gambling operators. Until recently, progressive jackpots were predominantly reserved for slots and video poker, but lucrative prizes are now attached to a number of traditional table games and roulette is hardly an exception.
In roulette, winning Straight Up bets on individual numbers pay out at the rate of 35 to 1. Some roulette players are not satisfied with this maximum payout, especially when one considers how difficult it is to predict accurately the winning number. Indeed, this payout is hardly in the same league as the life-changing jackpots of progressive games that sometimes can reach millions of pounds.
With slots, there is an abundance of progressive jackpot titles, which leaves players with plenty of options to choose from. Unfortunately, this is not the case when it comes to progressive roulette where the number of options is quite limited.
Nevertheless, some of the biggest gaming software suppliers in the industry have developed enticing roulette variations that come with ever-increasing progressive jackpots. Below, you can find more information on how progressive jackpot roulette works.
How Does Progressive Jackpot Roulette Work
If you are already familiar with the rules of play in roulette, you will experience no difficulties in playing the progressive jackpot variations of the game. It is possible to bet on individual numbers, on combinations of numbers, or on the numbers’ properties (Red/Black, Odd/Even, and so on). Once you have made your wager, you hit the Spin button and wait for the ball to come to rest in order to determine the winning number.
In fact, there are only two differences between progressive roulette and the conventional variations of the game. The first one is the massive jackpot itself, and the second one is the obligatory side bet players are required to make. These side bets contribute towards the overall jackpot. What is vital to remember is that the contribution of players’ bets towards the jackpot will not be the same across all roulette versions available out there. Most of the time, such jackpots are not a fixed amount but continue to grow in small increments until one lucky player collects the life-changing prize. Once someone has won, the jackpot starts accumulating all over again. It is important to mention that the accumulation does not start from scratch when the jackpot is won, but from a predetermined amount, called a “seed”.
Even if luck is not on your side, and you do not succeed in winning the progressive jackpot, you can still walk away with a substantial prize. The bulk of the progressive jackpot variations have unique bonus features and lucrative payouts. Depending on which progressive roulette variation you play, larger payouts can be triggered whenever a given number is spun several times in a row.
In some cases, progressive jackpot roulette is played on a standard European wheel which has 37 pockets, including the zero. With other variations, such as Age of the Gods Roulette and Triple Bonus Spin Roulette, the wheel contains additional pockets that trigger the special bonus features.
The Side Bet in Progressive Jackpot Roulette
The progressive variations of roulette allow players to make standard inside and outside bets. However, to become eligible for the progressive jackpot, players are expected to contribute with a small, and in some cases, obligatory side bet on top of their original wager.
The size of the additional bet is nominal and amounts to one credit in the currency chosen by the player. The sum is automatically forfeited from players’ casino account balance each time the ball is spun. As we said above, the progressive jackpot starts accumulating from a predetermined amount whenever someone wins it. A modest fraction of the obligatory side bet is put aside in case a lucky player wins the jackpot. The remainder of the sum contributes to the accumulating jackpot itself. What is more, there is no limit to the amount the pot can reach.
Roulette Variations with Progressive Jackpots
Some of the most reputable online casino operators have already added progressive roulette variations to their gaming portfolios. For the most part, the games they churn out follow the rules of standard European roulette, the only exception being the obligatory side bet. Below, we have listed some of the most popular roulette variations offering the most lucrative jackpots and bonus features.
Double Action Roulette
Double Ball Roulette
3D Roulette
Progressive Jackpot Roulette
Roulette Betting Progressions
Microgaming’s Roulette Royale
Microgaming’s Roulette Royale is a favourite of roulette fans mainly due to the fact that it offers a range of potential payouts that greatly exceed those of standard roulette bets. The game is played on a single-zero European wheel containing 37 pockets, and there are no deviations from the standard rules of play.
Of course, there is a side bet which amounts to one unit in your preferred currency. This obligatory bet is automatically subtracted from your bankroll each time the ball is spun. The jackpot gets won when the same number comes up five times in a row. But even if you fail to hit the huge progressive jackpot, do not worry about that. Provided that the ball lands on the same number twice in a row, your bet will pay 15 to 1. Should the same number comes up three times in a row, you will be paid out at a rate of 200 to 1. The same number being spun four consecutive times will earn you a payout of 3,000 to 1.
IGT’s Triple Bonus Spin Roulette
Triple Bonus Spin Roulette, courtesy of the gaming software supplier IGT, is yet another unique roulette variant, which offers massive payouts to enthusiastic roulette fans. The game is played on a wheel, which contains three zero pockets, marked 0, 00, and 000, plus an additional yellow pocket, marked with the letter B for “bonus”.
The Triple Bonus Spin feature is automatically triggered whenever the ball lands in the yellow pocket. Then, a wheel with three separate rings will appear and players are granted a free spin. If you have made a bet on yellow and all three rings align with the yellow bonus pocket, your payout will be 12,000 to 1. Then again, if only two rings align with the yellow pocket, your bonus spin will pay 1,200 to 1.
Playtech’s Age of the Gods Roulette
Another exceptionally thrilling roulette variation that has the potential to turn lucky players into millionaires overnight is Playtech’s Age of the Gods Roulette.
The creators of casino content from Playtech have decided to add a twist to everybody’s favourite casino game by setting it against the background of Mount Olympus, which is certainly not the image that conjures up in your mind when you think of roulette games. Avid casino fans are permitted to spin the roulette wheel together with the gods, and potentially, bag some rewards, thanks to the bonus game the game is equipped with.
Gambling enthusiasts can qualify for a win that is worth up to 100 times the staked amount, provided that they place some of their chips on the special bonus position, which lies right next to the field that is reserved for the zero. By doing so, they will be able to activate a slot mini game during which they will take their chances to snatch an overwhelming prize that is given when players see winning combinations of icons. Players are given a total of three bonus spins to collect matching icons.
In spite of the fact that Age of the Gods Roulette is an European-style game and has just one zero pocket, players should be mindful of the fact that the house edge ramps up to 5.26% because of the additional bonus pocket. In most cases, the available chip denominations start at £0.01 and reach up to £100. Players can easily figure out what is the least and the maximum amount they can put on a stake for the preferred bet type simply by moving the cursor of their mouse over the respective field from the betting layout. In order to have the opportunity to lay a call bet, players simply need to click on the racetrack that is in a miniature. Right above it, players will spot the history of the most recent winning numbers.
It is true to say that the biggest appeal of Age of the Gods Roulette remains its multi-level jackpot game. While reveling in the game, players will have the chance to bag a Power, Extra Power, Super Power, and Ultimate Power jackpots.
It goes without saying that the most alluring from the above-mentioned prizes are given by the Ultimate Power jackpot due to the fact that it starts from £100,000 and grows with each stake players make. It is important to note, however, that the jackpot game can be activated randomly on just about any spin of the roulette wheel.
What roulette fans might be even more excited to hear is that Playtech launched a live version of their Age of the Gods Roulette, which is also equipped with the jackpot functionality.
Dragon Jackpot Roulette
Playtech undoubtedly intrigues with its selection of progressive jackpot roulette games as Dragon Jackpot Roulette is one more such game that comes right from its gaming catalogue. It is an oriental-themed roulette game that follows the European rules as it has just one zero pockets.
Much like with Age of the Gods Roulette, Dragon Roulette is also furnished with a bonus game, and playing it gives gambling enthusiasts the chance to walk away with one out of the four progressive jackpots. What is specific about this roulette variant is that the extra field from the betting layout does not lay next to the zero as instead, it is positioned in the far right end of the betting layout.
Right next to the wheel, players will notice the racetrack and the board that allows them to stay abreast of the winning numbers from the previous spins of the wheel. In order to switch to placing any of the so-called French bets, casino enthusiasts only need to tap or click on the racetrack so that it could expand.
Right below the history of the winning numbers, gambling aficionados will notice a bar that indicates what part of the roulette wheel their wager will cover.
This time, the chip denominations roulette mavens will have a choice from vary between £1 and £500.
One of the main reasons why Dragon Roulette has caused a stir among gambling enthusiasts is that they can take advantage of its Dragon Bonus. So as to trigger it, players are required to click on the special button that lies in the lower left corner of their screen.
Once they have done so, players will make a special wager on a total of 12 numbers, and if luck is on their side, and one of these numbers is the winning one, they will be taken to a special two-stage bonus game during which they can amass amazing prizes.
Yet, the progressive jackpots the game awards are certainly what players might be eager to learn more about. Dragon Roulette is furnished with four progressive jackpots that players can hit at random. The most overwhelming prizes will fall if players win the Gold pot. Smaller prizes await those who hit the Red, Blue, or Green pots.
Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette
Another great progressive roulette variation powered by Playtech is the game Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette. Inspired by the famous horse jockey, this game offers players the chance to enjoy a very authentic gaming experience by spinning the virtual roulette wheel and test their luck.
In addition to the standard roulette numbers ranging between 0 and 36, there is also an extra section on the wheel for the bonus feature of the game. This means that Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette is a variation of American roulette, giving the house a bigger advantage of 5.26%. Despite that, those who enjoy making riskier bets would appreciate the game as it will allow them to play for the progressive prize pool of Playtech.
To make one’s gaming experience even more enjoyable, the game incorporates various features that will allow smoother and more exciting gameplay. Despite being a progressive game, Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette offers players a classical casino experience that any fan of American roulette would appreciate.
You can place all of the standard roulette bets, enjoying their typical payouts if your guess is correct. The minimum allowed bet starts from £0.10, while the maximum one could place is capped at £100. The table maximum allowed to wager on the game is £10,000.
In addition to being able to place inside and outside bets on the roulette grid, the game also features a racetrack that allows advanced call bets. You can choose to place your wagers on bets like Tier, Orphelins, and Voisins Du Zero. These bets enable players to place their money on a certain number on the racetrack and also include neighbouring positions in their bets.
Players can personalise their neighbour bets by choosing how many neighbouring positions to include in their call bets. You can select one to five surrounding numbers to bet on when making neighbour bets.
The main feature of the game is its Mystery Win bonus which can be triggered when the ball lands on the trophy slot of the roulette wheel. This will load a special racetrack on the screen, allowing lucky players to choose from 20 positions, each of them revealing either a cash prize or a trophy multiplier.
The cash prizes during the bonus round may award between 1x and 5x your original bet on the Mystery Win bonus section of the wheel. Meanwhile, the trophies reveal multipliers that range between 1x and 7x and apply to the total bonus wins from the special feature of the game.
While the bonus feature starts with a 1x multiplier, it increases with every trophy that is revealed. The bonus feature ends when a “Collect” section appears on the racetrack. The biggest multiplier one could enjoy is capped at x280. It should be noted, however, that you will have the chance to play the bonus game only if you have placed a bet on that section before the ball lands on it. This is why players who wish to have the chance to play the Mystery Win game are advised to place the special bet on every spin.
There is, of course, the chance to win one of two progressive jackpots while playing Frankie Dettori Jackpot Roulette. The silver and gold jackpots of the roulette version are awarded randomly and can be won even after a losing bet. The higher the bet of a player is, the better the chances of triggering the jackpot prize are.
When the progressive jackpot game is triggered, players will be asked to choose from 12 different scores. A jackpot is won when the lucky player reveals either 5 silver trophies or 7 gold trophies. It should be noted that this feature has a timeout timer and if you do not select enough silver or gold trophies before the time runs out, the prize is awarded automatically.
Things to Consider About Progressive Jackpot Roulette
As it seems, many gambling enthusiasts often get carried away when they start betting on games that go tied with progressive jackpots simply because of the opportunity to bag massive prizes. Yet, diving your headfirst when it comes to betting on roulette games with progressive jackpots is ill-advised, and there are certain details players should certainly pay attention to first.
First and foremost, roulette lovers who are running on a tight budget should make sure that the costs that will incur as they play are worth paying, and what they should take into account is the prize they will be offered.
What is important to take into account when such games are concerned is that the edge the house gains over players is significantly increased because of the side bet they will be required to make so as to qualify for the additional prizes. As was the case with Playtech’s Age of the Gods Roulette, an additional pocket is added to the wheel, which increases the house advantage to over 5%.
That being said, there are also roulette variants that offer progressive jackpots where no additional fields are added to the betting layout. What players should not forget is that with most such games triggering these bonus games might not be that challenging, but the probability of winning the biggest prizes is significantly lower.
Before they get down to betting on such games, players are advised to inspect their Help section as in most of the cases, it will provide information about the jackpot, including how it is triggered and what is the preset amount from which it starts accumulating. It is important to note that the percentage of players’ wagers that contributes to the pot is not the same across the different roulette games, which is the reason why this is worth checking out too.
These are all things that should be considered due to the fact that the seed and the contribution of the wagers will have a major impact on the sum players can eventually walk away with.
Another detail that is worthy of attention while making up your mind is the RTP of the game. Players are also advised to make research so that they could figure out how often the jackpot falls.
When all these factors are taken into consideration, it will be much easier for roulette lovers to make a wise decision.