When you’re playing a casino game, there is a small chance that you might hit the jackpot and become instantly rich. The concept behind a jackpot is simple: it’s a prize pool that increases over time and is displayed on the screen of the game. A small portion of each bet contributes to the jackpot, allowing it to grow to staggering sums. If you win a jackpot, the machine will light up and make a sound to alert staff that you have won.

The types of games that offer jackpots can vary, but they are usually found in slot machines. These include local and wide area progressive jackpots, as well as standalone machines. The value of a local or in-house jackpot is capped by the house, so it doesn’t rise as quickly as a networked prize.

A wide area jackpot is one that is connected to several machines in the same casino or even multiple casinos, depending on the gaming operator. These types of prizes are typically advertised as having a large amount of money that is always displayed, rather boldly, to attract players. The value of a wide area jackpot is determined by the house, but it also relies on a portion of each bet to increase the prize pool rapidly.

Once a player has won a jackpot, they are typically paid right at the machine they played on. A casino representative will greet them, and they will need to fill out a form that includes some identifying information. The process can take longer if the casino needs to verify your identity, and they may ask for copies of your driver’s license or identification card.