Progressive Slot Machines in Michigan
Progressive slots can be life-changing since the jackpot continues to grow until won. Not all progressive jackpots dish out millions though. You can play slots with multiple jackpots with prizes in the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands.
Finding the right progressive slots to play is no easy task. With thousands of games to choose from, many non-progressive prizes match or even beat the progressive ones.
This page covers everything you need to know to get the best from progressive slot machines in Michigan. You will find information about online slots with progressive jackpots as well as linked progressives in live casinos. Examples of the best games with jackpots, plus how to take advantage of bonus deals and promotions.
Online casinos with progressive jackpot slots
Different types of progressive slots
Progressive jackpots come in many sizes. There are also different ways to link them between games. Here are some of the types of jackpot you will find:
- Individual slots: Some jackpots are for a single instance of a slot. They tend to be smaller, and can only be won via a single cabinet or one game at each online casino.
- Shared progressives: Jackpots are often shared between several similar slots within a casino. Some examples are Dragon Link or Lightning Link. You will find them sharing a single ‘Grand’ jackpot within a bank of games.
- Wide area progressives: The biggest jackpots are shared between multiple casinos. For example, the MegaBucks prize pool is shared between multiple casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Shared online progressives: You will often see jackpots shared between different slot games online. An example is the IGT ‘MegaJackpots’ slots. A multi-million prize pool is shared between games including Monopoly, Cleopatra, Siberian Storm, and more.
The biggest prizes catch your eye and make the headlines when they are won. You will often see slots with more than four progressives. A common way of organizing them is with names like Grand, Major, Minor, and Mini. Some slots have fixed bonuses for the smaller jackpots, with only the biggest ones progressively increasing.
There are minor variations too. Some jackpots are programmed so they ‘must pay by’ a specified amount. Konami slots frequently use this system. The biggest difference between jackpots is not how they work, it is how they are won too.
How to win progressive slots
Creators of slots are always dreaming up fresh new ways to award jackpots. On older reel slots, lining up the top symbols (sometimes on a specified win-line) is enough to trigger a jackpot. Other games use scatters, bonus games, wheel spin features, picks bonus features – or even pay their biggest prizes completely at random.
Here is an example of each type of jackpot:
- Scatters: Quick Hit slots use special logo symbols to award progressive jackpots. The top prize comes when you get nine Quick Hit symbols anywhere in view on the same spin. You need to bet the max (which varies between casinos) to get this progressive.
- Random jackpots: Online MegaJackpots slots from IGT award jackpots in two ways. You can line up the special logo symbols on a specific central win-line. After any spin, this jackpot can drop at random. You can win it at any bet size.
- Picks bonus: This is a common way to award the top prizes. One example is 88 Fortunes slots. If the pot above the reels closes, you get to pick tiles. Each one reveals a jackpot-linked Fu Bat baby character. You keep picking until you match three, then you are awarded the prize.
- Bonus games: This is the most varied way of awarding jackpots. Slot makers come up with new break out games all the time. Lightning Link slots recently added a new format. If you get six special cash symbols, you get to respin until you fail to add more three times. Small jackpots can be won by hitting special balls. If you fill all 15 spots on the reels, you will win the biggest ‘Grand’ progressive.
- Wheel spin jackpots: Buffalo Grand has a huge jackpot, along with smaller ones. You need to bet max to have a shot at winning the biggest prize. This comes via a bonus wheel. Some jackpots have a ‘bonus spin’ sign. This lets you spin a second wheel with a multiplier. After you win a jackpot you spin the main wheel again. This continues until you get free spins.
Best online casinos with progressive jackpots in Michigan
Michigan will soon be home to the biggest and best online casinos. You can play thousands of slots via casino apps or browser-based web casinos. You can find a few progressive slots online that are normally available in live casinos. You will also find new progressive jackpots available exclusively online.
Each online casino in Michigan is licensed through a live venue. Here are three of the best brands for players seeking progressive jackpots.
- Bet MGM Casino: The MGM Grand in Detroit contains many of the biggest progressive jackpot slots. Their app, a partnership with GVC, will bring many of those jackpots online. BetMGM is a single app that offers sports betting, casino games, and poker from one account. You can check out the games for free with $25 in free play just for signing up, no deposit is required.
- FanDuel Casino: Better known for its daily fantasy sports and sportsbook, FanDuel has partnered with Motor City to open an online casino in Michigan. This includes progressive jackpots from multiple slot producers. Check out the online-only titles from NetEnt, alongside games from WMS and Bally.
- DraftKings Casino: This giant sports betting brand has partnered with the Bay Mills Indian Community, owners of the Bay Mills Casino and Resort. As well as online sports betting, DraftKings offers an online casino which includes 50+ slots.
Online slots with progressive jackpots
Most online casinos overlay the prizes for jackpot slots on the tiled graphics you find in the lobby. You will find a big spread. Prizes range from four figures to seven figures. Many of the games will not be recognizable for players that are new to online casinos. They were created exclusively for online play and are not found in live casinos.
Here are some popular progressive slots you will find online that highlight the depth of the gameplay and themes available to you:
- Divine Fortune: This Greek myths slot from NetEnt has amazing graphics and some interesting gameplay. You get falling wilds and expanding wilds to connect multiple mythical creatures including Medusa and the Minotaur. The big, five-figure progressive is won by getting rows of golden shield bonus symbols on the reels. There are three levels of jackpots to win. The biggest prize is awarded for filling all three reels.
- China Shores: Konami uses their ‘range’ progressives in many popular online slots. These show a range of prizes, for example, $1,000 to $3,000. The player must hit the jackpot before it the top figure. This adds some strategy to your choice of slot. If two similar games show a jackpot close to the upper limit, and one is not close, then you should play the highest. These prizes can be won at any bet level, with an increased shot at winning the more you bet.
- Cleopatra MegaJackpots: When IGT created the iconic Cleopatra slot, video slot games were new. This game was an instant hit and remains a classic to this day. You can now find Cleopatra online. One variation is linked to a $1 million+ MegaJackpots prize pool. You can win the same prize on several other classic IGT titles. The big prize can drop at random, or you can line up five of the special MegaJackpots symbols across the middle win-line.
Casino bonuses and progressive jackpots
Not all casinos allow you to win progressive jackpots with bonus funds. The problem is that you will often not know which ones until you check out the small print.
As well as bonus terms that explicitly exclude jackpots, you should look for caps on the amount you can win. For example, if a casino caps wins from a no deposit bonus offer at $100 and does not have a carve-out for progressive jackpots, you cannot benefit from hitting the big prizes. In this case, a better strategy is to use the bonus on a lower volatility game, clear your funds, and then enjoy the jackpot slots with this extra money.
A different approach used by some online casinos is to exclude jackpot slots from contributing to your bonus playthrough requirements. This does not stop you from playing them. Any wagers you place simply count as zero towards clearing your bonus.
Here are the types of bonus that can be used to win progressive jackpots at some casinos:
- No deposit bonuses: Many Michigan online casinos give you bonuses simply for signing up. There is no need to deposit. These are smaller bonuses, in the $10 to $35 You will need to meet the play-through requirement of each casino before your funds can be cashed out. Casinos with frequent no deposit offers include Golden Nugget Casino and DraftKings Casino.
- Matched welcome bonuses: This type of bonus incentivizes you to deposit. You get a 100% match of between $250 and $1500, depending on the casino. Some casinos allow you to make multiple smaller deposits. Play-through is weighted, with slots (including progressives) usually counting at 100%.
- No-lose first day: This type of bonus is ideal for playing progressive slots. You deposit and simply play with your own money. The casinos will refund you up to $200 in bonus credits if you lose. Those bonus credits have terms (including play-through) attached. Casinos with risk free type offers include FanDuel Casino and DraftKings Casino.
Free spins promotions, loyalty rewards, reload bonuses, and leaderboards can also be enjoyed in conjunction with progressive slots. As with the welcome bonus offers, you should always read the terms and conditions before you play.
Big win potential with no progressive slots
There are many non-progressive slots that can pay amounts equal to the bigger progressive jackpot games. If you search through the fine print in the rules of many games, you will find things like ‘250,000’ coin top prize per spin.
Slots with bonus features, free spins that feature wilds, multiplier symbols, and picks-games can all award big prizes.
Progressive Slots FAQ
What are the biggest progressive jackpots ever won?
Live progressive slot jackpots include some giant ‘MegaBucks’ wins in Las Vegas. The single biggest win was over $39 Million. This was won at the Excalibur Hotel in 2003. Online jackpots can grow to life-changing sizes. The biggest online prize was €19 million, which was won on the Mega Moolah slot from MicroGaming in 2018.
Are progressive jackpot slots tighter than regular slots?
Returns from slots are calculated over the long run. While spinning 10 million times will get you the exact percentage return stated for each game, short gambling sessions will see huge swings of fortune. Slots with progressive jackpots take part of the price for each spin to add to the big prize pool. This means less money is available for the regular prizes.
On average, most people playing will get smaller returns from progressive slots. When you add in the small number of players that win the huge prize, the returns are in-line with other games. Jackpot slots are not tighter than regular slots though if you count the returns over long periods.
Can I win progressive jackpots with any bet size?
This will depend on the game. Some slots only give you access to progressive jackpots if you play the maximum bet or over a certain level. Others let you win at any bet level. Proportionally, you will have a better shot at winning the more you bet.
Reel slots will frequently pay jackpots only for the third/fifth line.
Whenever you play a slot with a jackpot, either online or live, it pays to double-check the rules.
Are progressive jackpots paid in one lump sum?
This depends on the size of the prize and the casino. Smaller jackpots in live casinos are paid in single lump sums. For larger prizes, for example, MegaBucks, you have a choice: take a smaller lump sum or spread the entire prize out over several years.
Online casinos can also have terms stating that big jackpots are paid in monthly installments.