As one of the most traditional casino games, roulette has been played in more or less the same way for centuries. Since its rules were standardized in the second half of the twentieth century, the game has become widely popular with players all over the world. Until about a decade ago, the maximum payout of 35:1 for a straight bet seemed attractive enough for everyone, but not anymore. Nowadays, some roulette games feature progressive jackpots that offer much higher rewards to lucky players.
The concept may seem quite new and eccentric because, for years, progressive jackpots were reserved for lotteries and slot games. Still, improvements in online casinos over the past few years have brought about progressive roulette: the traditional game of roulette with a constantly increasing jackpot.
As we have already mentioned, progressive roulette is a relatively new addition to casino gambling. Originally, the game offered fixed payouts for the different types of bets, and players could expect to win anywhere from even money (1:1) to 35 times their stake (35:1) for a straight bet on a single number. Later, some land-based casinos introduced enhanced payouts to attract new patrons. With a small side bet, you could win up to 1,200:1, an irresistible offer that drew many players to the tables.
Progressive roulette is different. Its jackpot is not fixed but increases gradually, similar to lotteries where a lucky player can win a seven-figure amount. What exactly is a progressive jackpot, and how does it work in roulette?
Progressive Jackpot
How Does It Apply in Roulette?
Progressive Jackpot
In most casino games, including roulette, jackpots have a fixed value that is a multiple of the player’s stake. Progressive jackpots, however, start from a predetermined amount: $100, $1,000, or even $1 million. This starting sum is called the seed value. The jackpot then increases by a small amount each time the game is played, because under house rules a small percentage of every bet is added to the seed.
Let’s take lotteries as an example, as they typically feature progressive jackpots. Lottery operators take a portion of each ticket sold and add it to the original amount. When the lottery is won, the accumulated jackpot is paid to the winner, after which the jackpot for the next draw is reset to the seed value and starts growing again. If the jackpot is not won, some or all of the accumulated amount is carried forward to the next drawing.
How Does It Apply in Roulette?
The same principle applies to online roulette games with progressive jackpots, but there is one notable difference. For online slots, poker, or roulette, the progressive jackpot is usually pooled from all games of the same title offered at multiple online casinos.
These games are linked across a network, and the jackpot grows with every bet placed by players at different casinos. If the game is particularly popular, the jackpot rises more rapidly because it is constantly being fed by wagers. When playing a progressive roulette game online, players should look at the seed value of the jackpot as well as the game’s popularity. By doing so, they can estimate when the jackpot might be large enough to justify playing for it.
There are various versions of progressive roulette developed by different software studios, and each triggers the jackpot in a unique way. In some games, the progressive jackpot is activated when a certain number is hit several times in a row. In others, it is awarded only after a separate bonus game has been triggered and won.
Qualifying for Roulette Progressive Jackpot
Before wagering real money on a roulette game with a progressive jackpot, players should understand how to qualify for that jackpot. Some jackpots are more likely to be hit, while others have an exceptionally low probability. Therefore, players should examine the odds and calculate them for themselves if the information is not already provided by the casino operator. The first step, however, is to learn how to qualify for the jackpot.
Side Bets
Bonus Games
Side Bets
Most progressive roulette games require an additional wager to qualify for the jackpot. A portion of this side bet is added to the jackpot amount. Similar to progressive slots, these side bets activate the progressive jackpot or any supplementary feature that can trigger it. In most cases, the side bet is mandatory and must be placed together with the main wager.
For example, suppose we place a $10 chip on red and add the minimum side bet of $1 (minimum side bets may vary between games). If the ball lands on 14 red, the main wager wins and we receive an even-money payout. Because the side bet did not trigger the progressive jackpot, we lose the $1 side bet and make a net profit of $9. Most side bets will not activate the jackpot, so over time players are more likely to lose the side-bet amount than to win.
Bonus Games
Although jackpot side bets fund the pot, they do not always trigger the jackpot itself. Often another condition must be met before the top prize can be won. Some versions of roulette randomly activate a bonus game or feature that lets players compete for the jackpot. The requirement can be as simple as hitting the same number five times in a row. While extremely unlikely, it is possible, and a lucky player could still become a millionaire.
In other games, the wheel contains a special pocket; if the ball lands in it, a bonus game is triggered. This bonus may resemble a slot machine that players spin a few times to see whether they can win the progressive jackpot. Another potential feature is a small wheel-of-fortune game that opens on a second screen. The mini-wheel contains multiple prize segments, one of which is the jackpot. The possibilities are endless and depend on the specific version of progressive roulette you play.
Pros and Cons of Progressive Roulette
Before playing a game with a progressive jackpot, players should decide whether the potential reward justifies the cost of playing. Each time they spin the wheel, they must place a side bet that usually has a very low probability of winning. The huge progressive jackpot is undeniably appealing, particularly to those who are willing to take greater risks.
Greater Payouts
Higher House Edge
Likelihood of Winning the Progressive Jackpot
Is Progressive Roulette Worth Playing?
Greater Payouts
Many players find standard online roulette enjoyable because it is simple and entertaining. However, the highest payout in these games is 35:1, awarded for a winning straight bet. A version with a progressive jackpot offers a crucial advantage: the jackpot itself, which can be many times larger than the regular maximum payout.
The size of a progressive jackpot varies widely between games. It depends on how many people play the game, and different progressive roulette versions allocate different percentages of side bets to the jackpot. The initial amount, or seed value, also differs from one game to another. Consequently, some versions may offer a top payout of a few hundred dollars, while others may award jackpots worth thousands.
Higher House Edge
Roulette players who want to chase a progressive jackpot should be aware that they will face a higher house edge. Most progressive roulette games add bonus pockets to the wheel or reduce payouts for certain bets, both of which increase the casino’s advantage. While standard European roulette has a house edge of 2.70 percent (5.26 percent for American roulette), progressive versions often have a house edge of 6 percent or more.
Even progressive roulette variants that use a regular 37-pocket wheel (38 in American roulette) usually include a bonus feature that can trigger the jackpot. The odds for such mini-games are generally worse than those in the base game. Additionally, side bets are lost on most spins, which can quickly erode any small profits made from winning spins.
Likelihood of Winning the Progressive Jackpot
We have already discussed that progressive jackpots are difficult to hit because the odds are stacked against the player. To illustrate this, let’s calculate the probability of winning a jackpot that requires hitting the same number three times in a row.
Suppose the winning number is 16. The probability of hitting 16 on a single spin is 1/37, because European roulette has 37 pockets. This equals approximately 0.0270. To find the probability of hitting 16 three consecutive times, we multiply 0.0270 x 0.0270 x 0.0270, which is roughly 0.00001974216. Probabilities range from 0 to 1, so 0.00001974216 is extraordinarily low. In other words, while hitting 16 once is expected in about 2.70 percent of spins, hitting it three times in a row is expected in only about 0.001974216 percent of spins.
Is Progressive Roulette Worth Playing?
For many players, deciding whether a progressive roulette game is worth playing can be challenging. As the examples above show, several factors need to be considered. It is important to review the game’s average payout; this information is usually public and can be found online. Players should also check how often the progressive jackpot is actually hit, because some progressive games, including slots, have jackpots that have never been won, which is a clear warning sign.
Roulette fans should apply sound money-management techniques when playing progressive roulette. Otherwise, they could spend their entire bankroll in just a few dozen, or few hundred, spins. Setting a loss limit and sticking to it is crucial. Once that limit is reached, players should stop, even if the jackpot feels within reach, because that feeling is often an illusion that has drained many bankrolls.
Progressive Roulette at a Glance
| Title |
Age of the Gods Roulette |
Roulette Royale |
Frankie Dettori’s Roulette |
Dragon Jackpot Roulette |
| Number of Pockets |
37 numbered pockets plus an additional Age of the Gods Bonus pocket |
37 numbered pockets |
37 numbered pockets plus an additional bonus pocket |
37 numbered pockets |
| Seed Value |
Power Jackpot: $50; Extra Power Jackpot: $500; Super Power Jackpot: $5,000; Ultimate Power Jackpot: $100,000 |
$60,000 |
Frankie Dettori’s Roulette features two progressive jackpots linked to Playtech’s eponymous slot. The Silver 5 progressive jackpot starts at $7,000, while the Golden 7 jackpot starts at $70,000. |
The Dragon Jackpot starts at $10; the Blue Jackpot starts at $100; the Red Jackpot starts at $1,000; the Yellow Jackpot starts at $20,000 |
| Number of Wheels |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Average Jackpot |
$555,947.00 |
$387,759 |
Over $100,000 |
N/A |
| Average Drop Time |
Approximately 6 weeks |
Approximately 625 days |
Approximately 210 days |
N/A |
| Software Provider |
Playtech |
Microgaming |
Playtech |
Playtech |
| Winning Criteria |
Higher wagers provide better chances of triggering the progressive jackpot. |
The ball must land in the same numbered pocket five times in a row. |
Reveal five silver trophies or seven gold trophies in the bonus game. |
Uncover three color-matching symbols in the jackpot game. |
| House Edge |
5.26% |
2.7% |
5.26% |
2.7% |
