Innovations in Jackpot Games

In 1986, IGT introduced the progressive jackpot slot machine to the gambling industry. It changed the way players played and forever altered the odds of winning large jackpots.

As jackpots continue to be a key part of the gaming ecosystem, it’s vital that new innovations are brought to the market. These will keep players coming back and will help drive revenues on a regular basis.

Random number generators

Random number generators (RNG) are the heart and brain of all modern electronic casino games. This article explains how this simple, yet complex piece of technology works and clears up some myths.

The RNG is a computer algorithm that is contained on a microchip inside a slot machine or video poker or keno machine. It has the simple function of generating a number between 0 and about 4 billion, which it does continuously hundreds of times a second.

The RNG translates this number into the proper position of symbols on the reels. This is the reason that when a lever is pulled or a spin button is pressed, the reels stop at these positions.

Multipliers

Multipliers are a popular feature in jackpot games and can dramatically increase player winnings. They can be as simple as x2 or as complex as a progressive jackpot that increases in size over time.

The best way to find out if a slot uses multipliers is to check the pay table, which is normally accessed via a button somewhere in the slot game screen. It will give you details of all the winning combinations and pay out amounts, along with explanations of wild symbols, scatters and multipliers.

Multipliers are a great way to boost your bankroll but they can also lead to large losses if you’re not careful. Make sure you set a budget and stick to it when playing with multipliers.

Scatter symbols

Scatter symbols are a key feature in jackpot games. Unlike other symbols that have to line up on a payline, scatters can appear anywhere and trigger free spins or mini-games.

They can also trigger bonus rounds and boost your payout significantly. The rules governing scatter symbol payouts vary from game to game, but they are often multiplied by your total bet instead of just the payline bet.

Scatter symbols can be found in many types of casino slots, from 3-reel slot games to 5-reel slot games with multiple reels. Usually, there’s a minimum number of scatters that need to land on the reels to trigger the bonus features, which can be free spins or mini-games.

Bonus rounds

Bonus rounds are a common feature in many jackpot games, and can be very exciting. They typically consist of a number of free spins that spin around the reels and can be re-triggered, or they can be multi-level and involve different game themes.

In some cases, these bonus rounds can be linked to progressive jackpots, and players may have a chance to win a life-changing prize. This can occur in Spin the Wheel bonus rounds, or Pick to Win type games where players can select boxes and icons to reveal prizes and winnings.

Bonus rounds are meant to pay at random, but they are programmed to payout a certain amount of times before they reset and allow larger wins. This is not always true, however, and if a power interruption or other problem forces the machine to reset, the results and choices will be the same until the bonus is re-triggered.