A trip to a casino can be a great way to relax, spend some time with friends, and, most importantly, have some fun. Playing online for real money or simply at your local casino offers a chance for some entertainment and possibly a big win. Seeing those reels line up perfectly can make for an ever-better trip, hopefully with plenty of dollars heading your way. However, losing streaks are a part of life for any gambler leaving some to ask the simple question: Are slot machines rigged? The simple answer is no, although technical glitches can be a problem at times and do occur. However, modern legal regulations and computer technology make it difficult to “rig” not to pay out at all. WHY SLOTS AREN’T RIGGED “These slots are rigged and just never pay out.” That may be something many slot players hear when taking a seat at a casino in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or even just in their local area. Perhaps you’ve muttered these words of frustration even when playing a slot game online or on a mobile device. A losing streak can seem like you’re never going to hit not just a jackpot, but not even smaller winners. The truth is that despite those feelings of exasperation, slot machines aren’t rigged. The legitimate gaming industry just doesn’t work that way. All legalized live and online casinos are governed by gaming boards which set regulations that all properties must follow. These groups are responsible for ensuring that all players are guaranteed a fair game. Casinos must follow these regulations or they face large fines or other major penalties for violating them. Casinos could even risk losing their license, which cost companies huge sums of money. These properties have little incentive in trying to rig a slot machine to cheat customers – especially when the house already has an edge in slot games and most other games. On the contrary, most casinos enjoy celebrating big winners. These properties and online casinos regularly publicize major jackpot winners. This helps get more players in the doors when they see others striking it big. Also on this note, any casino caught rigging slot machines risks ruining its reputation with players. But as noted earlier, no casino has to worry about rigging any slot game – these properties already have a built-in house edge. Although players can hit some nice wins, the casino is the winner in the long run. Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below: Click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. SLOT TECHNOLOGY & RNG Beyond the fact that casinos must deal with regulatory agencies to operate, the nature of modern slot machines makes it extremely difficult to rig a slot. Today’s slot manufacturers make use of high technology when designing video and digital slots, both the casino versions and online and social gaming slots. These slots are now basically high-tech computers with sophisticated programming and features. In fact, unlike early slots, the reels, whether real or digital, are solely dependent on the programming inside the machine and not any mechanics. In the old days, a person pulling a lever was actually spinning the reels on the machine through his or her own action. Some modern slots even have these levers for those who wish to play a little “old school.” However, these devices merely serve as a little window dressing. Modern slots make use of algorithms and random number generators to determine a winner. This sophistication makes it virtually impossible for someone to “rig” these games. Online and social gaming slots follow similar setups. These machines go through millions of outcomes instantaneously as a player pushes the “spin” button. The lever on the machines of today doesn't really spin the reels, it simply triggers exactly what that spin button does. The random number generator, also known as an RNG, actually determines a winner. This determines which slot machine symbols appear when a player makes a spin, based on those algorithms and the computer’s extensive programming. Because of all this technological wizardry, rigging a slot machine never to pay out is extremely unlikely. And when someone is winning, these same players never question if the machine is rigged and paying out too much or too often. As most people know, however, there are times when technology can go haywire. Errors in awarding jackpots do occur (more on that below). But with today’s modern games, players can feel secure that they aren’t being cheated and don’t have to worry about rigged slots. PAYOUT PERCENTAGES While wins and losses on slots can be rigged overall, the number of certain machines can be manipulated. This is a normal part of business for machines. Perhaps you’ve heard a casino lauding its “loose slots” and letting customers know a percentage of the money goes back out to players. This is known as payout percentage and is a regular part of the casino industry. Is this really “rigging” a slot? Not really. Casinos and slot manufacturers can only determine the percentage of all coin-in-to machines returned to players. This concept of payout percentage is generally applied to all of a casino’s slots, depending on stakes. Casinos can’t manipulate individual slots to determine that they don’t pay out. Payout percentages simply tell a player the amount a casino keeps on average of all money put into the machines. For example, a casino with a 92% payback keeps 8% of all money inserted into their machines. Rather than seeing this as a negative, players can find these payout percentages online and choose to play at properties that offer higher payout percentages. This gives players a better chance at winning. Some properties are even broken down by denomination, allowing you to find the stakes you enjoy playing for and the best place to play. Reading up a bit offers players some added knowledge, hopefully on the road to a jackpot. Slot Machine Errors & Malfunctions With any piece of technology, errors can and do occur. From programming errors to mechanical problems, there have been plenty of headlines from these unfortunate situations – often to the anger of players who thought they were winners. Here’s a look at a few of those situations. Slot errors Imagine you’ve been playing at a slot for a bit, maybe you’ve been a progressive machine for a half hour or so. You win a few spins here and lose a few spins here. And then it happens – everything comes together and you see every symbol lined up perfectly. A mega jackpot is heading your way and your life is changed. That’s a dream of many slot players. But sometimes a computer glitch can leave players angry and even taking a casino to court. That’s what happened in 2011 when Illinois grandmother Pauline McKee appeared to hit a $41.8 million jackpot while playing at Isle of Capri Casino in Waterloo, Iowa. The machine said she’d won 185 credits, or around $1.85. However, the game also noted that she’d won almost $42 million. Casino management said the machine had malfunctioned and that McKee didn't win the jackpot. The game only advertised a maximum prize of $10,000. The casino noted that the payout amount was the result of a software malfunction and refused the payout. The issue eventually wound up in court and McKee’s attorneys noted that it was the casino’s responsibility to repair the machine after being notified of faulty payout awards. “The slot machine’s manufacturer had notified the casino of the possibility of a multi-million-dollar error,” Iowa Public Radio noted. “McKee argued since the casino didn’t fix the game, she should get the money.” In the end, the Iowa Supreme Court sided with the casino in 2015 and ruled the slot-loving grandmother was entitled to only the $1.85 win and not the $42 million. That certainly stings and these types of incidents make news from time to time. As noted, however, this isn’t a case of rigging a slot but simply a malfunction. Paperwork Pain This next scenario has less to do with the machine and more to do with the appropriate paperwork involved with winning a jackpot at a casino. In January 2019, Cynthia Obie hit a jackpot for thousands of dollars at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. As in these cases, the happy winner had to provide the casino with some of her personal details to meet tax requirements to secure her winnings. Casino employees are required to enter their information in a state database and they do that as regulations spell out. However, a typo was entered when adding in Obie’s social security number. The number entered into the database was one digit off. That’s where the jackpot controversy began. “The person whose number they plugged into the database apparently owed the state of Maryland a lot of child support, and Obie’s winnings were immediately confiscated,” TV station FOX-5 notes. All of the winner’s children were adults and Obie had never had to pay child support in her life. As with many incidents involving governmental bodies, reversing the error wouldn’t come quickly. She was forced to work directly with the gaming commission in hopes of finally getting her jackpot and the issue resolved. “We are aware of this unfortunate error and have taken the necessary steps to assist Ms. Obie in rectifying this issue,” the casino said in a statement to FOX-5. “Due to MLGCA rules and Maryland state law, we cannot provide an additional payout for this jackpot, however, if she presents the proper identification credentials to the Maryland Gaming Commission, they will provide her with the appropriate payout. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused Ms. Obie.” This may not have been a rigged slot, but that missing money probably felt like quite a ripoff. No word on when she received that payout, but it seems likely the delay was eventually ironed out. This could be a lesson for all slot players. When you do hit that big jackpot, double-check and make sure casino officials enter your data correctly – and make sure you pay any child support as well, obviously. Missed Jackpot Not every slot machine malfunction costs a player his money. This next anecdote shows that slots aren’t rigged and casinos and gaming commissions work to resolve issues that should have paid out a six-figure jackpot but didn’t. In January 2022, Robert Taylor dropped into Treasure Island to play some slots, he was on vacation from Arizona and apparently should have been awarded a jackpot while playing. A game malfunction, however, didn’t display his big win on the machine. Before casino officials could correct the error and award Taylor his money, he left the casino. The property tried to find this “lucky” gambler but wasn’t able to track him down. That’s when the enforcement division of the Nevada Gaming Control Board got involved. Investigating agents reviewed hours of security footage spoke with witnesses, and reviewed rideshare data in an attempt to determine who the player was. After a thorough review of all the evidence, investigators contacted Taylor a few weeks later letting him know the good news. “I can’t remember a time when we’ve done this before and I just can’t imagine somebody walking away from a machine,” the Control Board’s enforcement division chief James Taylor told FOX Business. “And it wasn’t his fault. The machine truly did have a communication error.” The winner couldn’t believe the news that he’d actually won $229,369. Enforcement chief James Taylor couldn’t remember a similar case in his 30 years with the gaming board. Taylor told FOX Business: "It was quite shocking to him to get a call a few weeks later and say, ‘By the way, you actually did win that money.’” WHAT TO DO IF A GAME FEELS “RIGGED” Slots aren’t rigged, but a player’s attempt to win can come up short – sometimes over and over again. When this happens, simply moving to another machine might be in order. Here are a few other things to consider: Switch to lower limits. Take a break or get something to eat. Take and walk or look at some other entertainment options. If you suspect a slot malfunction or error, alert casino staff. It’s important to remember that slot machine play should be fun. If things aren’t going your way, perhaps it’s simply time to take a break or end the trip. Live to fight another day. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Are slot machines rigged? No, jackpots, wins, and losses are based on computer programming within the game. All live and online slots use a random number generator to determine winners. Can slots have errors and malfunctions? Yes, errors do occur but they have more to do with machine and software errors than casino staff attempting to rig a slot machine. Why wouldn’t a casino rig a slot machine? Casinos already have a house edge and have no incentive to rig a machine even if they could. Properties are under strict Gaming Commission regulations and could face serious fines and legal issues for violating them. Casinos, both live and online, could also face major reputational issues if caught in some kind of controversy like this. In essence, casinos have no motivation to attempt rigging a slot machine.

From tasty turkey and dressing to delectable desserts, players can now score some excellent rewards via Jackpot Party’s new Platter Gather event. Platter Gather allows you to spin and collect Thanksgiving dinner items for delicious rewards! Keep reading to find out how to grab your own share of these prizes and get in on the holiday excitement. How Does Platter Gather Work? Platter Gather offers players a chance to go beyond simply spinning reels on the slots. Those competing on qualifying slots can collect Thanksgiving items along the way. Players will see the following pop-up as an introduction to the event:  Which slots qualify? Simply look for the plate and silverware icon in the top left corner of the qualifying slots as seen here. This allows players to gather some delicious dishes for the Platter Gather Thanksgiving meal such as: Corn Pumpkin pie Canned goods Rolls Party pass Coins Players can live like the Pilgrims in Platter Gather with a nice winning Thanksgiving Dinner on the line. Those who score well may be giving thanks for their own good fortune at the slots. Winning Ways As you play and complete dinner sets to track your progress while spinning, a small icon to the right of your screen will pop out to let you know if a reward is ready to collect, share how much you’ve collected for a set and much more! The bigger your bet, the likelihood of earning a food item increases. As you collect more food icons, graphical pop-ups will let you know your progress in collecting these platters. Those who collect all of a certain items can then claim some big rewards – another reason for some Thanksgiving celebration. The Platter Gather Quest Isn’t Over Those who go all the way and collect all their platters can still get in on the fun. Once a player has collected all the food items, an even bigger Thanksgiving awaits. All food items then regenerate and players can continue their journey in collecting items for the perfect feast. Only now these items reward even more, allowing players to keep the fun going. Jackpot Party’s Platter Gather feature is the perfect addition to Thanksgiving for slot players. Look for those plate-and-utensil symbols on some of your favorite games – a hearty helping of rewards awaits. Good luck!

For many slot players, the ultimate dream is to hit a jackpot. Whether you're playing in a casino, online, or with friends in a social gaming setting, the idea of winning big is a common goal. Jackpots come in different sizes – mini, major, or minor – and they can turn a regular slot session into a winning one. While those massive six- and seven-figure jackpots are alluring, the odds of winning them are quite long, including one in 34 million for games when you wager the maximum amount. The odds could be even higher or lower, depending on the game. But it's not all about the huge jackpots; smaller jackpots happen more often with better odds. So, what are the actual chances of hitting a slot machine jackpot? This article explores those odds, the factors that influence them, and whether any strategies can increase your chances of winning. What’s a Jackpot in Slots? Those new to slots may not realize exactly what a jackpot is. A jackpot is generally considered a much larger payout than one might find on a normal spin of the reels. The pay lines on a modern slot machine offer numerous ways a player can theoretically win. However, not all of those are considered jackpots. These larger payouts are much rarer and may even require what is called a “hand pay” at a live casino. This means that a member of the casino staff has to pay out a player personally “by hand” because the jackpot is so high. That may also require a winner to fill out a tax form, although that may not be a major concern considering you’ve just hit it big. These jackpots mean that a player will usually see multiple symbols that occur less frequently on a single spin. A player faces much longer odds in seeing events like this happen. Sometimes these wins may also come in bonus games or free spins. These are extra winning opportunities a player receives by seeing certain symbols in the game to trigger these bonus opportunities. The chances of winning larger prizes may be better in these bonus games, but not necessarily for those much larger jackpots. Pick and indulge in our mesmerizing slots below: Click here to explore all of our free slots. Types of Jackpots Players hoping for a big jackpot always have a shot at a larger payout at least to some degree. But it’s important to remember that a casino has a house edge when it comes to slot machines. There is no legal way to overcome this such as card counting in blackjack or gaining a skill edge at the poker tables. Luck is a key factor in playing a slot machine, especially in winning one of those massive jackpots that make headlines. However, jackpots of various types are available for those who take a seat at a slot machine or play online. According to SciPlay director of slot strategy and performance Kelly Trask, being aware of the various jackpots and your possibilities of winning can help a player form reasonable expectations: When you walk into a casino it’s easy to be distracted by the bright lights, the music and all of the energy behind the bells and whistles of slot machines firing off bonuses and jackpots! Your odds of hitting a jackpot vary greatly on which machine you’re playing and how the RTP to those jackpots are being distributed. Some casinos also have linked jackpots where the Grand Jackpot is shared across multiple machines, every spin on any of those linked machines has a faster chance of being the winning spin! Here’s a look at a few jackpot types. Mini Jackpot – These are smaller jackpots one might find playing a typical slot machine in a casino. These usually come about by triggering certain bonuses or finding a certain number of key symbols on the reels. These may include multipliers that increase a player’s winnings. Mini jackpots are much more common than larger payouts. Obviously the higher the jackpot, the longer the odds are of hitting it. This is the first tier usually on a slot machine’s jackpot sequence. Major Jackpot – This is a larger jackpot than the Mini version and the second tier of larger payouts on slot games. As expected, players face larger odds of achieving this level. While on a penny machine, a Mini Jackpot may be $50 to $100, and a Major may bring a few hundred dollars. Minor Jackpot – This is the third tier of the jackpot and sees that potential payout rises even more. This is a more difficult level to reach because of the longer odds involved. This type of jackpot could register a few thousand dollars for a lucky player. This may not be life-changing money, but any player would be happy to see the bells and whistles on a machine go off to advertise this type of win. Mega Jackpot – This is a hefty payout as the name implies. A player hitting a Mega Jackpot has accomplished something and can usually expect a payout of up to tens of thousands of dollars at least heading their way. These can be huge payouts and don’t come around every day for slot players. They are more difficult to achieve with longer odds. Progressive Jackpot – These are colossal seven-figure and higher jackpots that might even make headlines in the new media. A progressive slot is tied into other machines throughout a certain state or territory. With so many machines feeding money into the prize pool, these potential payouts can get truly astronomical. The odds of winning these types of jackpots can be astronomical as well. For an in-depth guide on mastering slot machine gameplay, click here. Some jackpots may also vary or have slightly different names than those above, but this is the general sequence and names for slot machine jackpots. Some players may also see payouts called Local Jackpots, which are similar to progressives but may include players in a pool smaller than a traditional progressive but still achieving larger jackpots than traditional games. Huge jackpots in these games can also be rare as well. Odds of Winning a Jackpot As noted above, hitting those massive jackpot payouts isn't easy. The reason those huge paydays make news is because they’re not only handing a player massive money, but they’re also extremely rare considering the number of players pumping credits into slot machines around the world each day. The largest jackpot in history came in 2003 at the Excalibur casino in Las Vegas. A software engineer played about $100 in a Megabucks, a popular progressive machine seen at casinos around the world. When three Megabucks symbols stacked up on the screen, this player struck gold – taking home $39.7 million. So what are the odds of actually winning a million-dollar jackpot, not even one at these gargantuan levels as won at the Excalibur? Numerous intricacies in each game can make this vary, but in general, many experts concede that the odds of hitting that kind of jackpot come in the range of 34 million to one or even as high as 100 million to one. Just as a comparison, the odds of getting struck by lightning are about one in a million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. That shows just how difficult it is to win one of these life-changing prizes. Also, playing progressives to win at this level usually requires betting at the max-bet level and higher stakes. This allows a player to win, but those odds at huge payouts are still long. Here are a few pros and cons of playing progressive slots: PROS Chances at larger payouts Usually, better comps/rewards because of higher limits Better chances at smaller wins because of higher RTP CONS Can deplete a bankroll at higher betting stakes RTP may not be that much better depending on individual games May have more limited game options, depending on the casino or online site Does that mean a player shouldn’t hop in a casino for some fun or fire up the computer or mobile device for some online slots? Certainly not. Slots should be seen as a form of entertainment only with a chance that you could win some money on a gambling excursion. Players regularly win smaller jackpots and these are much more likely than a massive progressive jackpot. A few nice scores and a winning session can make for a fun night spinning those slot machine reels. Improve Your Chances to Win Slot Jackpots Winning jackpots on slot machines primarily relies on chance, and there's no foolproof strategy for guaranteed success. However, you can maximize your odds by choosing high RTP machines, betting responsibly, understanding the game mechanics, considering progressive jackpots, and practicing responsible gambling. While some believe in optimal timing, the key is to enjoy the gaming experience while keeping in mind that it's fundamentally a game of luck. Jackpots: Online Versus Live Casinos As noted, the odds of hitting massive jackpots are long. Online slot players face similar odds, but there are some opportunities to win major payouts at a virtual casino as well. Players playing online casinos or on social media platforms, such as at Jackpot Party, can expect some opportunities to see some major boosts to their credits if those reels line up just right. Do slots pay out better than live casinos when it comes to slot games? Probably not. Your chances of winning largely depend on the RTP of each game, whether in a casino or an online setting. Numerous online sources offer the RTP of individual casinos, whether in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, London, Monte Carlo, or some other location around the world. Many RTP rates are also available for online casinos. An RTP rate can also vary by game, and that can often be found online as well. A game or casino with a 96% RTP has a better shot at winning than a game or property with a 92% RTP. Players having some fun playing in a social gaming environment are usually playing simply for virtual coins and player rewards within the game. These types of games usually pay out more regularly than a real casino. The operator hopes to keep players at the games and there isn't any money involved. Exploring the differences between playing online and live casino slots goes beyond odds and RTP rates to the overall experience. Online casinos offer the availability to play at any time and a large game selection, while brick-and-mortar casinos offer a unique, immersive environment with real social interaction. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, and it all depends on your personal preference. Knowing both the statistical and the social sides of gaming can greatly influence your gaming experience, whether you prefer the convenience of playing online or the lively atmosphere of a casino. Frequently Asked Questions Do I have a chance at winning a huge slot machine jackpot? More than likely not because these levels of payouts are so rare and players face extremely long odds. You do have more opportunities at smaller jackpots, however, which can also come with nice payouts. What are the odds of winning a progressive jackpot? The odds of winning a seven-figure jackpot may be as high as 50 million or 100 million to one. However, smaller jackpots can come with much lower odds and regularly reward players with some big payouts both in live and online casinos. What’s a way to reduce the odds against a player winning? Play games with higher RTP (return to player). This is the percentage of money in a slot that a casino pays out to players. The higher the RTP, the more likely a player has a chance at a winning session. How to Hit a Jackpot on a Slot Machine? While there's no guaranteed way to hit a jackpot on a slot machine, you can improve your chances by understanding the game's mechanics, betting the maximum amount if possible, and choosing the right machine with a high RTP (Return to Player) percentage. Progressive jackpot slots may offer larger prizes, but they often require maximum bets for eligibility. It's crucial to manage your bankroll wisely, practice responsible gambling, and remember that ultimately, hitting a jackpot is a matter of luck. How Often Do Slot Machines Hit the Jackpot? The frequency with which slot machines hit jackpots varies widely depending on the specific machine and game. Typically, slot machines are programmed to have lower odds of hitting the jackpot, as these are often life-changing sums. Smaller jackpots tend to hit more frequently, while the massive progressive jackpots have much longer odds and may not hit for extended periods. The exact rate at which jackpots occur can be influenced by factors such as game design and random number generation algorithms, making it difficult to provide a precise frequency. How to Tell When a Slot Machine Is About to Hit the Jackpot? Slot machines operate on random number generation algorithms, making it impossible to predict when a jackpot will hit. There are no reliable indicators or signs that can predict when a machine is about to hit the jackpot. Each spin on a slot machine is independent, and previous outcomes do not influence future spins. It's important to approach slot play with the understanding that it's a game of chance, and there are no foolproof methods to predict jackpot wins. Can You Win a Jackpot with Minimum Bet? In many slot machines, it is possible to win a jackpot with a minimum bet; however, it's essential to be aware of the specific rules of the game you're playing. Some slots have fixed jackpots that are not affected by the bet size, meaning you can win the jackpot with a minimum bet. Others, particularly those with progressive jackpots, often require players to place maximum bets to be eligible for the top prize. Always check the game's paytable and rules to determine the betting requirements for the jackpot in the slot machine you're playing.