When you hear the word casino jackpot, it’s easy to imagine a huge payout that will change your life. In reality, though, a jackpot is just one of the many prizes offered by online casinos and land-based casinos alike. In this behind-the-scenes expose, we’ll take you through all the intricacies of these mega-money prize pools.

Fixed jackpots

The most common type of jackpot is the fixed amount that a machine pays out for hitting a certain combination of symbols on a slot game. These jackpots are often displayed rather boldly to lure players in. They are usually smaller than a progressive jackpot, but they can still be life-changing for players.

Progressive jackpots

A progressive jackpot is a special prize that grows every time someone plays a slot or video poker game. Its value is determined by a random number generator and it’s stored in an encrypted computer that’s connected to the machine or network of machines. The jackpot is displayed in the window of a slot machine or video poker machine and it can be very tempting to try to win it.

The amount of a progressive jackpot can be quite substantial and the jackpot can be won on a single spin. However, it’s important to remember that the IRS will get a cut of any winnings, so you should always keep records and be prepared to pay your taxes. If you decide to receive your winnings as a lump sum, it may take some time for the casino to process your request since they will need to verify your win, notify management, collect tax forms, check that you’re not on the state’s restricted list, and handle a bunch of other paperwork.