Microgaming's Progressive Games: What online gambling should be

Microgaming did not become a household name by accident. Nor did it get to be one of the online gambling industry's most reputable companies by being cautious and maintaining the status quo.

No, Microgaming is what it is because of the company's unwavering commitment to innovation. What they have done with their progressive jackpot network is a prime example of what makes Microgaming so strong.

Microgaming's progressive network is the largest network of its kind. Most of us are familiar with the Microgaming name recognise Mega Moolah as the powerhouse of the company's network. But Mega Moolah is not the only progressive jackpot game from Microgaming. No, Microgaming offers no fewer than 20 progressive games.

Here is a brief look at all 20, organised by category. We have also listed the size of the progressive jackpots at the time this review was written, just to give you an idea.

Video slot games

Treasure Nile - $59,000

Treasure Nile is an Egyptian themed video slot game with a 5x3 reel configuration and 9 static pay lines. It has one of the higher bet minimums at 4.50 per spin. Treasure Nile gives you typical wild and scatter symbols along with two different jackpots. Both of them - the Standard and Progressive by name - are won by landing five of the corresponding symbols on certain pay lines.

Fruit Fiesta - $6,375

Fans of old school slots will truly appreciate Fruit Fiesta. This 5-reel game is a throwback to what mechanical slots used to be. In its first iteration, it offered only 3 reels and a single pay line. But a software upgrade expanded the reels to a 5x3 configuration with 15 adjustable pay lines. Its retro style is still intact, though. Fruit Fiesta offers scatter symbols with multipliers along with the opportunity to win the progressive jackpot by landing five wild symbols on pay line 15.

King Cashalot - $1.04 million

King Cashalot is one of the more generous progressive jackpot games from Microgaming. It is known for its sizable jackpots thanks to its $100K seeding. As you might imagine, this game draws a lot of attention. You get scatters, wilds, and a Treasure bonus game presented as a picking game. To win the progressive jackpot, you have to land five of the King symbols on pay line 9.

Mega Vault Millionaire - $7.47 million

This one is newer, so it is not yet available at all Microgaming licensed casinos. When it gets to your casino, definitely play it. It is powered by the Mega Moolah progressive network, thus the size of its jackpot. Mega Vault Millionaire offers great standard play along with wilds, scatters, a free spins bonus game, and a ton of extra goodies

Cash Splash - $28,600

Cash Splash is a video slot with a 5x3 reel configuration and 15 adjustable pay lines. You get scatter symbols, wild symbols, and two jackpots: the base jackpot and the progressive jackpot. Winning one of the jackpots is all about landing the right symbols.

Mega Moolah - $7.47 million

Often considered the granddaddy of them all, Mega Moolah is the Microgaming video slot everyone is familiar with. It is an African plain-themed slot with a free spins bonus game. Most unusual is that you don't have to land any particular symbols to win the progressive jackpot. Rather, a chance to play for the jackpot is awarded randomly during base play. When awarded, you are guaranteed to win at least one of the four jackpots via a wheel of fortune game.

Atlantean Treasures - $7.47 million

This relatively new video slot is another one powered by the Mega Moolah network. It offers the lowest minimum bet in Microgaming's progressive collection. The game is themed around the mystical city of Atlantis and its watery location. It is a 5-reel game with a free spins bonus and a re-spins feature. Re-spins are triggered by expanding wilds, so that's interesting.

Tunzamunni - $25,000

Microgaming's Tunzamunni video slot is a jungle-themed game ideal for gamblers who prefer lower minimum bets. This is a rather simple game, with just 3 reels and a single pay line. You also get more traditional symbols like 7's and bars. To win the progressive jackpot you must place the maximum wager and land one of each of the three differently coloured 7s across the single pay line.

Wheel of Wishes - $3.47 million

This particular video slot was originally based on the WowPot progressive jackpot. However, designers overhauled the game and boosted the jackpot to a seed of $2 million. It is a pretty basic slot machine themed around the Arabian concept. It offers 5 reels and 10 pay lines along with Power Spins and a wheel of fortune bonus game.

Lots A Loot - $29,000

Lots A Loot is all about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This 5-reel, 25-pay line game plays with a fixed coin size and a minimum bet of 2.50. One of its most appreciated features is its generous distribution of wild symbols that make up for its lack of bonus features. Winning the progressive jackpot requires landing five of the game's namesake symbols on the 25^th pay line.

Major Millions - $1.6 million

Major Millions is a 5-reel game with 15 pay lines and a slightly cartoonish military theme. It offers a number of interesting features along with paying scatter symbols and wilds that award prizes based on the number you land. There is even a base jackpot of 8,000 coins. To win the progressive jackpot, you need to land 5 wild symbols across pay line 15.

Absolootly Mad - $7.47 million

This game is Mega Moolah interpreted through the popular Alice's Adventures in Wonderland stories. Its symbols all come from the Alice world. The game's rules are similar to those found in the traditional Mega Moolah with one significant difference: instead of pay lines, the game features 243 winning ways. You win the progressive jackpot the same way here.

Table games

Caribbean Draw Poker - $322,000

Caribbean Draw poker is a variation of Caribbean poker that combines the best of 5-card draw with blackjack. What makes this game so interesting is that players compete only against the dealer. Microgaming's Caribbean Draw game follows all of the standard rules. Players can draw up to two cards and they must qualify with a pair of eights or better in order to bet beyond the ante. To win the progressive jackpot, you have to place an extra bet and land a Royal Flush.

Cyberstud Poker - $245,000

This is another variation of poker played against the dealer only. Standard five-card stud rules apply for the most part. Winning the progressive jackpot requires landing a Royal Flush after placing an extra wager. Just to get in the game on any hand requires an ante as well, so every hand you participate in requires some risk on your part.

Roulette Royale - $371,000

You cannot talk online gambling without mentioning roulette. Microgaming's Roulette Royale is a progressive version of the traditional game based on European rules. The roulette wheel features 37 slots with just one zero slot. You place your bets by laying chips on the play table accordingly. Winning the progressive jackpot requires placing a side bet and winning single number bets on five consecutive spins.

Triple Sevens - $20,000

Triple Sevens is a blackjack game with a slightly different way to bet. Gamblers can bet smaller amounts on each hand as normal, but the smaller bets will not make them eligible for the progressive jackpot. To win the jackpot, a higher side bet is required. You also have to receive three 7 of diamonds cards in a hand. This is possible because the game is played with five decks.

Video Poker games

Jackpot Deuces - $26,600

Video poker is similar to blackjack in terms of being player friendly. You get a low house edge and more reliance on your own skill as a poker player. So if you are into video poker and progressive games, check out Microgaming's Jackpot Deuces. It is one of only a small number of video poker games links to a progressive jackpot. Jackpot Deuces allows you to determine your own bet level for each hand.

Supa Jax - $47,000

Supa Jax is a video poker game in the 'jacks or better' format. This game offers an added twist, however: the extra Supa Jax card. This card is instrumental in winning the progressive jackpot. Get it in addition to landing a Royal Flush on a maximum bet of 5.00 credits and you win it all. It is a big risk, but sometimes that is what it takes to win the progressive jackpot in a poker game.

Poker Ride - $223,000

This variation of video poker combines traditional five-card stud with the betting structure of hold 'em poker. You are dealt five cards, but you only get to see three until you make your first wager. Depending on your choice, you can see one of your hidden cards for free or at a higher bet. The same for your final card. To win the progressive jackpot, you have to place a side bet at the start of each hand and achieve a Royal Flush.

As you can see, Microgaming loves giving online gamblers access to progressive jackpots. If you have never played a progressive game before, you might want to give one a try. There is something on the Microgaming menu for everyone.

Where to play Microgaming progressive games?

You can play all of the above progressives at any of the Mega Moolah casinos.