When you hear the word casino jackpot, it may immediately bring to mind players winning millions of dollars in a single spin. While those are the kinds of uber-jackpots that many players dream about, there are also plenty of smaller ones available. These lower-level jackpots can still offer substantial amounts that can be a real game changer for the lucky winner.

The mechanism behind these jackpots is fairly simple. For each player who makes a wager, a predetermined fraction of their total bet is added to the jackpot pool. This is meant to “feed” the jackpot amount and ensure that it will eventually hit. The amount of this feed can be set by the machine operator or a central system. The jackpots are often advertised prominently to draw in more players.

When a jackpot hits, the machine will issue the prize money on a ticket. The player can then either cash the ticket in the slot machine or redeem it at a Casino Customer Service Representative on the floor. If the total winnings are over $1,200, the player will be required to fill out a tax form and provide a government-issued ID.