Where do Jackpots originate from?
At the beginning of the 20th century, the first mechanical slot machines were equipped with a reservoir in which coins accumulated that were paid out in one go when the least common symbols (jackpot 7-7-7) from the pay table were lined up; It was the first form of a progressive jackpot. It soon became apparent that this type of slot machine was much more popular than its counterparts without a jackpot. Players appreciated the extra prize and ignored other slots. As more and more electronics entered the casino industry, slot machines were linked together and in the 1980s the Australian company Aristocrat introduced one of the first linked progressive jackpots on multiple slot machines where the prize was visible on a so-called electronic flip meter. A number of American companies quickly followed with developing digital displays, after which progressive jackpots became a regular part of every casino floor. A progressive jackpot is exactly what the name says; a jackpot that is increased by a percentage of every bet with each game played and is paid out when the highest combination (jackpot) hits on one of the connected slot machines. An example of this is the Megabucks jackpot which connects more than 800 slot machines in various states in the United States.
What about Mystery Jackpots?
Mystery Jackpots are fundamentally different from progressive jackpots in that they are not paid out because a winning combination occurs on a slot machine, but simply because the prize has reached a preset value or time. In a Mystery Jackpot, players are rewarded for playing.
How does it work?
The number of slot machines on which the Mystery Jackpot can be won is connected to a so-called mystery jackpot controller. This mystery jackpot controller is programmed to choose a random number between a starting and ending value. The mystery starts at the initial value and increases with a set increment every time a player makes a bet and askin playing. The game and the player who equalizes the value of the mystery jackpot to that of the random number between the start and end value wins the prize.
Calculation example?
Suppose you want to give away a 40 euro bottle of champagne on 10 connected slot machines and you do not want to invest more than 1% of the normal profit. The casino is open 12 hours and normally an average of 1500 euros is played per day per slot on a 1 euro slot machine. The mystery jackpot is set to start at 0 and end at a maximum of 80. On average in the long run the prize will hit around 40 euros because the mystery jackpot controller picks a random number between 0 and 80 and this will be 40 on average in the long run. 15,000 bets are played per day on the ten slot machines. After every game played, 1 cent (1% of 1 Euro) is added to the mystery jackpot and this results in the mystery jackpot increasing by 150 euros after one day. In theory, the mystery jackpot has been won 3 times and a bottle of champagne has been given away to a surprised player three times. The frequencies can be easily adjusted and changed.
Is such a mystery jackpot a good idea?
It's a good idea because arguably:
Players start playing more. The players "winning experience" increases.
Players win without winning combination. The prizes and win frequencies can be easily adjusted. Surprise your players with a mystery jackpot that can only be won on a certain day or a car that can be won no matter where played within the casino.
But it only costs money, right?
At first glance it may seem so, but the turnover increases by an average of 2% to 8%, depending on the prize and the way the jackpot is advertised. In addition, showing and seeing a mystery jackpot is important for other players because the mystery jackpot shows that you can actually win in the casino. In addition to a fun night out, players also want a chance at a big prize or a regular small prize.
The "winning" experience of players in the casino is very important.
On which slot machines can we use a mystery jackpot?
Mystery jackpots can be connected to any type of slot machine regardless of type or denomination. If you are going to mix denominations (currency), you should take the lowest denomination as the unit; For example you have cents, 50 cents and 1 euro slot machines, then the mystery jackpot is set to cents. a player who loses 1 euro coin then has 100 chances on the mystery jackpot. In this way you reward your best players, after all, the more people bet, the greater the chance of winning.
Show and announce your prices!
By linking mystery jackpots to light and sound within your casino, prizes will no longer be paid out unnoticed. There are a variety of options for drawing attention to a prize won; Various sounds, light shows and even automatic announcements by the intercom system are possible.
What do I need?
To start with, an approved jackpot controller and interfaces for the slot machines to be connected. Some newer slot machines can be connected directly, others must be connected through an interface. It may also be desirable whether or not to indicate the status of the mystery jackpot on a display or on a casino sign. We are happy to be of service and help you shape your mystery jackpot!