The Random Number Generator (RNG)
Every digital slot game outcome, including winning jackpots, is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is a mathematical algorithm that generates a sequence of seemingly random numbers thousands of times per second. The outcome of your click on the Spin button will determine which number is selected and what reel positions get awarded to you.
This means:
- Every spin is independent of the last
- There are no hot and cold gaming machines
- The chance of hitting a jackpot on the first or the 10,000th spin is the same
With provably fair Bitcoin casinos, players can verify the outcome of every game spin using the cryptographic data from the server and client seed. With non-provably-fair casinos, the outcomes of the spins of the digital reels are independently tested by third-party laboratories to ensure fairness.
Progressive vs Fixed Jackpots
Fixed Jackpots
With a fixed jackpot, you will win a predetermined amount of money each time you win the jackpot. The prize money is easier to win but is smaller in value.
Progressive Jackpots
For a progressive jackpot, the prize money grows with time. A small percentage of the value of each bet gets added to the jackpot pool. It continues to grow until someone wins the jackpot and takes the money for themselves.
Progressives can be:
- Standalone — only fed by bets on one specific machine at one casino
- Local (casino-wide) — fed by multiple slots or all slots at one casino
- Network (wide-area) — fed by the same slot title running across many casinos simultaneously, and the network jackpot can offer the biggest progressive prize money in the gaming world
How Jackpot Triggers Work
There's no single standard. Developers use different mechanics:
1. Random Trigger (Anytime)
For a random jackpot trigger, the jackpot will win on any spin of the reels, regardless of the symbols that land on your screen. Another RNG determines if the jackpot wins on each spin. The more you bet, the higher the chance that the jackpot will win for you.
2. Bonus-Round Trigger
For a bonus round jackpot, you have to reach a bonus round to win a jackpot, such as a round with free spins or a game pick screen. These bonuses are separate from the slots and can be won independently of your spins on the reels.
3. Symbol Combination Trigger
For a jackpot based on the combination of symbols, winning symbols have to land on the screen on your chosen paylines and with your selected bet amount. This is the most traditional type of jackpot.
4. Must-Win-By Threshold
Some digital slots are programmed to award the jackpot before it reaches a certain amount. For instance, if it must win by $10,000, the odds of winning the jackpot will be higher close to $10,000 than they would be when the jackpot is worth $5,000.
RTP and What It Means for Jackpot Slots
The Return to Player (RTP) percentage is the theoretical percentage of the money that will be wagered by players that will be paid back to those players over the course of millions of games played on a slot machine. For instance, a slot with a 96% RTP will pay out $96 for every $100 that is wagered in theory over a vast number of spins.
For jackpot slots, the published RTP is often misleading because it includes the jackpot contribution. Example:
- Published RTP: 96%
- Base game RTP: 88%
- Jackpot contribution: 8%
The 8% jackpot prize will only go to the winner of the jackpot. For all other players, the RTP will be the 88% figure that represents the slot base game. That is why jackpot slots pay out less in return over time for players compared with other games. They are the most volatile games in the casino.
Why Bitcoin?
Bitcoin adds several practical advantages for jackpot players:
- Faster withdrawalsThe winnings from the slot machines can be settled in Bitcoin in under 30 minutes, which is vastly faster than the days it can take for a bank wire.
- Pseudo-anonymousWith Bitcoin, the transactions do not go through your bank, so there is no need to tell your bank about your winning gambling game.
- Provably fair compatibilityThe cryptographic features of the blockchain of Bitcoin work well with the data features of the slot games for provably fair verification.
- Global accessBitcoin works for slot players from virtually any country as it is not restricted regionally like credit cards.
- Fixed supply assetSome gamblers prefer to win cryptocurrency rather than fiat money because the value of their winnings can continue to appreciate in value after they win it.