A jackpot is the largest prize a casino game can award, either a fixed amount set by the game or a pot that grows as people play. In UK casino apps you will see jackpots as fixed top prizes in ordinary slots, as live tickers on progressive games, and as daily or hourly pots that must pay out by a deadline.
Fixed jackpots are set multiples of your stake; progressive jackpots grow with every bet.
Must-drop jackpots have to pay out before a time or value limit.
Jackpot games often have a lower base RTP because part of each bet funds the prize.
Gambling winnings, jackpots included, are not taxed for UK players.
Main types
Fixed, progressive, must-drop
Fixed jackpot
A set multiple of stake
Progressive jackpot
Grows with a share of each bet
Where to find them
Jackpots section of the app lobby
UK tax on wins
None
What a jackpot is in a casino game
The word comes from old poker games, where a pot built up until someone opened with a pair of jacks. In casino apps it simply means the top prize. On an ordinary video slot, the jackpot is often the payout for five of the highest symbols on a line, or the max win the game allows. On a dedicated jackpot slot, it is a separate prize shown above the reels, usually with its own trigger such as a wheel or bonus game.
Jackpots also appear outside slots. Bingo rooms run them for a full house within a set number of calls, some live game shows have top-tier bonus prizes, and many apps run promotional prize pots that drop to random players. Our jackpot slots apps page covers the slot side in more depth.
Fixed jackpots scale with your stake. If a game’s Major is 100x, it pays £20 at 20p and £100 at £1. Progressive jackpots don’t scale the same way, because the pot is a cash amount. In some progressive games a bigger stake increases the chance of triggering the jackpot game, which the rules will state. UK stake limits apply here too: £5 per slot spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24.
Part of every bet on a progressive game feeds the pot, which is why the base-game RTP is often lower than on a standard slot. Mega Moolah is the best-known example, with a published RTP of 88.12%, and that figure includes the jackpot share. Because the big prize is won so rarely, most players experience something closer to the lower base return. That’s fine as entertainment, but it means a jackpot game is usually a more expensive way to play per hour.
A jackpot example with numbers
Compare two hypothetical £1-a-spin games over 300 spins, ignoring the very rare jackpot win:
A standard slot at 96% RTP: £300 staked, average expected return about £288, theoretical cost about £12.
A progressive slot whose base game returns 88%: £300 staked, average expected return about £264, theoretical cost about £36.
Real sessions swing widely either side of those averages, but the comparison shows what the jackpot contribution costs you if it doesn’t land, which is the most likely outcome.
Finding and checking jackpots in an app
Most UK casino apps group these games under a Jackpots tab or filter in the game lobby, with live tickers showing current values. Tapping the “i” on a game tile or opening the game rules shows the jackpot type, tiers, trigger and the RTP version the casino runs. In portrait, ticker values often sit in a strip above the reels and can update while you play.
Open the app’s game lobby and choose the Jackpots category or search “jackpot”.
Tap a game, then open its info or rules before placing a bet.
Check whether the jackpot is fixed, progressive or must-drop, and any stake condition.
Note the RTP shown and set a budget for the session.
What happens when someone wins a big jackpot
Large wins are paid to your account balance like any other. Before releasing a big withdrawal, a UK casino will usually complete or refresh KYC checks, which can add time. Withdrawals go back to the same payment method where possible under closed-loop payments rules. Winnings aren’t taxed for UK players. Our guide on how long casino app withdrawals take covers the timing of large payouts.
Jackpot-related glossary terms
Hold and win: a feature that often carries fixed jackpot tiers.
Volatility: jackpot slots tend to be at the higher end.
Net position: the figure UK slots must show so you can track spend.
Where to play jackpot games on your phone
PlayOJO’s app lists jackpot slots among its game categories, and Coral offers slots, table games and live casino in a dedicated casino app. PlayOJO gives 80 spins of 10p on Big Bass Bonanza with a £10+ first deposit; Coral gives 100 spins of 10p after a £10 slots bet. 18+, no wagering on spin winnings, terms apply.
Coral’s and PlayOJO’s welcome offers both give 10p spins with no wagering on winnings after a qualifying deposit or stake. 18+, terms apply. Welcome spins are on selected games and may not include jackpot titles.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the PlayOJO reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, UKGC account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is a jackpot in a casino app?
A jackpot is the top prize available in a casino game. It can be fixed, meaning a set multiple of your stake, or progressive, meaning a cash pot that grows as people play until someone wins it. Some apps also run must-drop jackpots that have to pay out before a deadline. You will find most jackpot games under a dedicated tab in the app lobby. Our jackpot slots apps page explains how to compare them on a phone.
What is the difference between a fixed and a progressive jackpot?
A fixed jackpot is always the same multiple of your stake, such as 1,000x, so it is worth more if you bet more. A progressive jackpot is a pot of money that grows by a small share of every eligible bet and resets to a starting value once won. Progressive pots can grow very large, but the chance of winning them is tiny and the game’s base RTP is usually lower. Our progressive jackpot entry goes into detail.
Do you have to bet the maximum to win a jackpot?
Not usually, but stake size can matter. Fixed jackpots are a multiple of your bet, so smaller stakes win smaller amounts. Some progressive games increase the chance of entering the jackpot round as the stake rises. The game rules state any condition, and UK players are limited to £5 a spin on slots if aged 25 or over and £2 if aged 18 to 24. Our casino app maximum stake page explains the limits.
Why do jackpot slots have a lower RTP?
Part of each bet on a progressive game goes into the jackpot pot, so the everyday base game pays back less to cover it. The published RTP may or may not include that contribution, and the help screen will say which. Because the top prize is so rarely won, most players get something closer to the lower base return. That makes jackpot slots a more expensive form of entertainment per hour on average. Our RTP entry explains how to check the figure.
Are jackpot wins taxed in the UK?
No. Gambling winnings, including jackpots of any size, are not taxed for UK players. The casino pays the full amount to your account, and you can withdraw it subject to normal checks. For a large win the casino will usually verify your identity again and may need to confirm your payment details before releasing the money, which can take longer than a routine payout. See are casino app winnings taxed for how this works in practice.
Can I win a jackpot with free spins?
Only if the free spins are on a game with a jackpot and that game’s rules allow it. Most welcome spins are on a fixed list of standard slots, often without a progressive prize. In-game free spins can sometimes trigger a fixed jackpot symbol. Check both the offer terms and the game rules before assuming a jackpot is possible. Our jackpot free spins apps page looks at offers linked to jackpot games.
How are big jackpots paid out from a casino app?
The win goes to your cash balance, and you request a withdrawal in the usual way. For large amounts the casino will typically repeat identity checks and may ask for source of funds or bank details, and some payment methods have per-transaction limits, so the money can arrive in more than one transfer. A UK casino can’t let you reverse a withdrawal to keep playing. Our casino app withdrawal pending guide explains the review stage.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Get support from GamCare or NHS gambling support, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
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