Life-Changing Jackpots: Why Table Game Progressives Keep Growing

 ^{A player wins more than $500,000 in a Pai Gow progressive at Green Valley Ranch (Photo: Station Casinos Blog)} 

There were only a handful of G2E panels that I didn’t want to miss, and “Elevating the Felt: How Progressive Tech is Transforming Table Games" was at the top of the list.

I love technology, play table games, and have noticed the growing popularity of side bets and progressive jackpots in Las Vegas casinos. This session had everything I was looking for in a discussion about the future of table play.

The panel featured Lee Simonson from Casino Arizona and Talking Stick, Douglas Vogelei from Mohegan Sun, and Jon Hanlin from Light & Wonder.

The Appeal of Progressives

While I play table games, I rarely touch progressive side bets. A progressive jackpot rarely reaches the point of positive or even close to expected value (a bet that is statistically profitable over time). Hearing casino execs admit that even high rollers feel the same way was oddly reassuring.

On the Las Vegas Strip, the jackpots from progressives can be huge because of the $5 side bets. But the larger house edge means my bankroll will disappear quicker...no thanks. Off the Strip, the side bets are often $1 or $2, but those jackpots are smaller since fewer dollars feed into the pool. I’ll play a few hands now and then since the price is lower, but my handful of bets isn’t moving the needle.

There’s a growing number of players who enjoy progressive side bets. It seems players like me, who stick to the main wager, are a dying breed.

Side bets will continue to grow as casinos look for ways to increase revenue without slowing down the game or overworking dealers. The goal for casino operators is to increase the number of bets in play without having to deal more hands.

Life-Changing Jackpots Are Everything

At some casinos, progressive jackpots have become the lifeblood of table games. Players love the chance at a huge win, and operators like the extra revenue. These games also attract new players eager to chase the jackpot.

Progressive jackpots seem like a nice addition until they hit a certain amount. Once a jackpot approaches $1 million, a frenzy begins. The million-dollar mark is when progressive table games start to feel like the lottery. Suddenly, players aren’t thinking about odds. They’re thinking about that life changing win. 

At this point, players think every hand can be a winner. It’s the same “dollar and a dream” mentality that fuels the lottery. The million-dollar jackpots make for full tables, and the energy is contagious and brings even more players to the games. After someone hits a jackpot, interest surges all over again as players think, “If they can do it, so can I.”

These bets appeal more to casual players looking for entertainment than to advantage players. While progressives aren’t for me, I have friends who play the base game just for the chance at a jackpot. Everyone plays for different reasons, and I’m just glad we can enjoy the same games in different ways.

Random Bonuses Like Slots Are Coming Soon

While the panel discussion mostly focused on current progressive technology, a few new ideas came up. Simonson and Vogelei said they’re exploring more live dealer bonuses to create excitement and engagement. Hanlin used the moment to reveal that Light and Wonder plans to introduce smaller, random bonuses for table games later this year.

One potential feature could randomly reward players participating in side bets. These mini-bonuses could randomly reward players who make side bets — either as surprise prizes or add-ons to existing progressives. Casinos and manufacturers could tailor this feature to fit each property. These bonuses wouldn’t be huge jackpots, but they’d be enough to keep players engaged longer and stretch their gambling budgets.

Like progressives, smaller random bonuses have long been popular with slot players. Another popular slot bonus mechanic the panelists said they would like to see is adding more “must hit by” progressive jackpots.

We could also see linked progressive jackpots for ETGs. Once that happens, live dealer tables could join the network to keep jackpots growing regardless of where players are located.

Essentially, the future of table game bonuses seems like it will be similar to what’s popular for slots. Anecdotally, older ETG players often come from the slot world, so adding progressives and random bonuses makes sense.

The Cost of Side Bets

Players love progressives and side bets, but there’s a limit to how much they’re willing to spend. Both casino executives said every property has to find the right balance. In Las Vegas, there’s a clear difference between affordable local progressives and the high-priced linked jackpots on the Strip that offer those “life-changing” prizes.

While some progressives are available for blackjack, they’re more common in games like Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. A $5 or $10 game can require multiple $5 wagers, and each side bet on the Strip adds another $5. If a game has several optional bets, that $10 hand can quickly become a $50 one. That’s not what most players expect at a low-limit table.

Sure, players want to win big and don’t want to miss out, but there’s a point where the cost outweighs the fun. Those volatile bets with high house edges can burn through a bankroll quickly. These volatile bets with a larger house edge for the casino can quickly eat away at someone’s gambling budget too quickly. The average gambling budget for Las Vegas visitors last year was just over $800 for 2.5 days. 

Players with about $320 per day will likely skip side bets if each hand starts costing $50 instead of $10.

The Side Bet Dilemma 

While players and operators like progressives, they’re not a perfect fit for everyone. Beyond budget issues, too many side bets can confuse players. Some casinos even require a side bet, turning a $5 game into one that costs $6 or $10. Others make players wager on a side bet before qualifying for a progressive, so it could cost $10 or more just to participate in the progressive jackpot.

With so many options, players can get priced out or overwhelmed trying to decide which bets to make.

Then there are players like me who just want to stick with the main wager because the extra bets don’t offer enough value. Casinos have to walk a fine line by pushing for more revenue without alienating players. It’s a real conundrum, and it was fascinating to hear casino executives talk so openly about it.

There’s one clear takeaway: side bets and progressive jackpots aren’t going anywhere. Players love the opportunity, and casinos will always want more revenue.