A jackpot is the biggest prize a casino game offers. The term is most closely tied to slot machines and video slots, though it also applies to video poker, bingo, keno and some table-game side bets.
Jackpots come in two main types. A fixed jackpot pays a set amount, or a set multiple of the stake, every time it is won. A progressive jackpot grows with every qualifying bet until someone wins it, then resets to its starting value. It can sit on a single game, be linked across one casino, or be pooled across many operators in a network. Many slots carry several jackpots at once, each a different size. Whether you play online or on a casino floor, the current amounts are shown on screen before you bet. For operators, jackpots are a proven retention tool, and casino-wide jackpots can be configured at platform level.