Whether you’ve seen it in movies like Oceans Thirteen, or you’ve been lucky enough to walk away from one yourself, a casino jackpot is something that can change your life in an instant. These massive payouts are one of the main reasons why players love playing slot machines, video poker, and more – and they can often be won through expert nudges that help you increase your chances of hitting them.

Most casinos offer a few types of jackpot games, including local and pooled ones. Local jackpots are on individual games within a single casino, and they’re typically smaller than their pooled counterparts. Pooled jackpots are a bit more complex, as they’re created by a percentage of all bets placed on the game, which is collected across all casinos offering it. This means that your chance of winning is the same no matter which online or land-based casino you choose to play it at.

Once you hit a jackpot, expect a quick visit from an attendant who’s been tipped off by the casino’s monitoring system. They’ll need to verify your win, inform managers, check that you’re not on a state’s restricted list, and handle a bunch of paperwork before you see your money.

While these steps aren’t always fun, they are a necessary part of keeping casino jackpots safe and running smoothly. In this behind-the-scenes expose, we’ll take you through the process of how a jackpot is created and managed, how you can boost your odds of hitting them, and what to do if you’re lucky enough to strike it rich.