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Exploring the Best Microgaming Online Casinos in Canada
Editor
Biography
Andy is a NCE-qualified journalist and editor with a wide range of experience in a number of difference niches, including online gambling, online casino games, igaming, writing, editing, PR and management.
Editor
Biography
Simon Young, a former national news editor and journalist, once held the prestigious position of Lead Editor at PokerStars before focusing his editorial talents on Betsquare. His illustrious career journey seamlessly bridges the realms of journalism and online gambling, crafting a unique narrative of expertise and innovation.
Updated on:
Feb 19, 2024, 2:11 pm
Introduction:
Of all online casino games, none grab the imagination or stir quite as much excitement as progressive jackpots do. They are unique among online casino games with the potential to create overnight millionaires with just one lucky spin.
Join us as we explore the incredible world of online progressive slots. Find the perfect online casino offering progressive jackpots, learn how to play progressives with useful tips and insights, and learn about actual real-life winners, all in our progressive jackpot casino guide.
Top 10 Canadian Casinos with Lucrative Progressive Jackpots
N1 Casino: C$6,000 + 200 Free Spins
Golden Star Casino: C$1,500 bonus + 100 free spins
Slothunter: C$6,000 bonus + 200 free spins
Bitvegas: C$3,000 bonus + 350 free spins
Playzilla: C$1,500 bonus + 500 free spins
BingoBonga: 20% Cashback
1Red: C$10,000 bonus + 100 free spins
Zoome: C$2,500 bonus + 250 free spins
Treasure Spins: C$500 bonus
BetsAmigo: C$275 bonus + 100 Free Spins
01
N1bet Casino
Best For Jackpot Variety
Why we Picked N1 Casino
N1 Casino is at the top of the list because of its fantastic all-round platform. This is the ideal option for anyone looking for a casino offering great jackpots, game-winning special features, live gaming, sports betting and much more.
Jackpot Game Variety
N1 Casino offers an extensive range of both progressive and fixed jackpot games. These games include fantastic features like randomly triggered progressive jackpot rounds or the ‘hold and win’ feature, which helps to increase your chances of actually nailing the jackpot prize.
N1 Casino draws its collection from various top software providers, including Red Tiger Gaming, EGT, Yggdrasil, Playtech, Microgaming and many others. Jackpot titles like Divine Fortune offer jackpot prizes of C$100,000, while Mega Moolah has paid out as much as C$18 million.
Jackpot Payout Records
In 2022, a player at N1 Casino won a massive C$50,000 playing Mystery Drops, a unique Jackpot at N1 Casino, which uses the SoftSwiss Jackpot Aggregator.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
N1 Casino sets their wagering requirements on the high side at 50x your bonus value. This applies to both cash bonuses as well as to free spins. The casino does not explicitly publish jackpot contributions. However, they follow the standard practice of taking a small percentage of each wager to add to the progressive jackpot prize pool.
Casino Reputation and Security
N1 Casino is licensed and regulated through the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) under license number MGA/B2C/394/2017 (issued on 01/08/2018). The casino uses the latest digital encryption via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. This ensures that all sensitive player data is stored in encrypted files on their servers at all times.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
N1 Casino offers all new players signing up in Canada a solid four-part welcome bonus valued at up to C$6,000 plus 200 free spins. Get 150 free spins on your first deposit, with the remaining 50 issued on your third deposit.
N1 Casino offers plenty of ongoing promotions to keep your bankroll turning over. This includes a Monday reload bonus offer of 25% up to C$100 + 30 free spins, as well as a Friday Route, which gives you 50% up to C$100 + 75 free spins.
02
Golden Star Casino
Best For Hold and Win Jackpots
Why we Picked Golden Star Casino
Golden Star Casino appeals on multiple levels, including performance, aesthetics and the range of progressive jackpots and other casino games.
Jackpot Game Variety
If you love Hold and Win jackpots, then this might be the perfect casino option for you. In case you’re not familiar with the Hold and Win feature, the game will hold high-value symbols in place while the rest keep spinning. This can significantly increase your chances of hitting a much bigger prize or the main jackpot itself.
Jackpot Payout Records
Golden Star Casino is constantly turning out jackpot winners, although they don’t publish winners’ details. One of the biggest attractions to sign up with Golden Star is their unique in-house jackpot prize pool system. Members are entered into a draw and can randomly win either the mini, middle or prime progressive jackpot prizes, potentially worth millions.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
The casino does not elaborate on the percentage deducted from each wager to make up their progressive jackpot prize pools. However, entry to their in-house progressive jackpots starts at around C$1. There are no additional fees or wagering required for those prizes. Standard wagering for other promotions is set at 40x bonus.
Casino Reputation and Security
Golden Star Casino enjoys a good reputation and features licensing and regulation through the Government of Curacao. The casino uses standard SSL digital encryption to ensure all player data is kept safe from third-party surveillance.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
Golden Star’s main bonus is a decent 100% up to C$1,500 plus 100 free spins. This offer is also available to crypto players as a 100 MBTC version plus 100 free spins. The casino also offers Lucky Monday Free Spins, 50% up to C$1,500 reload bonus plus 60 free spins, and Free Spins every Wednesday.
03
Slothunter Casino
Best For Free Spin Tournaments
Why we Picked Slothunter Casino
Slothunter Casino presents a fast and efficient website that looks as good as it performs. Ideal for slot fans of all genres with a special interest in progressive jackpots and highly lucrative slot tournaments. Prizes up for grabs include up to C$10,000 in cash and up to 18,000 free spins.
Jackpot Game Variety
Slothunter Casino features an extensive range of top-tier jackpot titles with many win-accruing features like Hold and Win, Hold the Jackpot, Megaways and progressive jackpots.
Jackpot Payout Records
Slothunter Casino keeps a revolving list of winners on its site, showing either the biggest winners to date or the latest winners to date. Popular games on which members seem to win most include Gods of Olympus, Fruit Party, Buffalo King and Money Train.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Jackpot contributions are usually the same across the board at Canadian online casinos, and they usually consist of a small percentage of each wager. Wagering requirements are set at 50x bonus.
Casino Reputation and Security
Slothunter Casino is licensed and regulated through the Malta Gaming Authority under the licence MGA/B2C/394/2017 (issued on 01/08/2018). The casino is owned and operated by N1 Interactive, the same guys that run our number one choice, N1 Casino. Reputation is very high, and the casino runs a tight ship thanks to SSL digital encryption protocols.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
Slothunter Casino features one of the bigger welcome bonus packages on our list at C$6,000 plus 250 free spins. Monthly and weekly reload bonuses, free spin happy hours, and promo slots are also available.
04
BitVegas Casino
Best For Crypto Jackpots
Why we Picked Bitvegas Casino
Bitvegas Casino is the ideal destination for players who prefer to use crypto for banking and gaming at online casinos. Bitvegas covers virtually every available cryptocurrency and offers bonuses and exclusive gaming content (including jackpots) for crypto players.
Jackpot Game Variety
Bitvegas draws its jackpot collection from a wide range of today’s biggest software brands, including Microgaming, Betsoft, Wazdan, Pragmatic Play, Spinomenal and many others. You’ll find many great progressives like A Night in Paris and Gold Factory Jackpots Mega Moolah, among others.
Jackpot Payout Records
Bitvegas keeps an up-to-date record on the biggest jackpot payouts, which often changes thanks to their 9000+ game collection. The current biggest jackpot winner last month won C$10,425 playing Buffalo Hold and Win.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are set at 40x your bonus amount, which also applies to free spins winnings. Jackpot contributions follow the same industry standard, with each wager contributing a small percentage to the overall jackpot prize pool.
Casino Reputation and Security
Bitvegas is licensed through the government of Curacao and regulated through the Curacao Gambling Commission under registration number 144359. The casino uses the latest digital encryption protocols to safeguard players’ sensitive banking information and private details.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
Bitvegas Casino offers new players a fabulous five-part welcome bonus package worth up to C$3,000 plus 350 free spins. For high rollers or impatient players, a high roller bonus is available on the first deposit, giving you the same cash total as the five-part welcome bonus. Weekly free spins and cash promos are also available on Mondays and Fridays.
05
Playzilla Casino
Best For Monster Promotions
Why we Picked Playzilla Casino
Playzilla is a lively and exciting online casino ideal for casino gamblers looking for something fresh and sports lovers who enjoy a good side bet. Playzilla highlights include a monster selection of great promos and many fixed and progressive jackpot games.
Jackpot Game Variety
Playzilla Casino offers hundreds of jackpot games featuring various in-game features popular with Canadians. This includes the Dream Drop series of jackpot slots like Cluster Tumble and Temple Tumble 2, as well as Megaways series like Gonzo’s Quest and Dynamite Riches.
Jackpot Payout Records
Playzilla Casino doesn’t publish the latest jackpot payouts, but with an average running progressive jackpot prize pool of over C$54 million, we’re sure they’ve produced plenty of instant millionaires.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements set by Playzilla Casino are relatively low at just a 35x bonus. However, whatever you win from your free spins will be converted to bonus money and subject to 40x wagering requirements. Jackpot contributions follow the industry standard low percentage per bet.
Casino Reputation and Security
Playzilla Casino uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.2 encryption to secure their website, which ensures that all player data is always encrypted while stored on their servers. The casino is licensed and regulated through the government of Curacao, with no significant issues or disputes currently;
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
New members can choose between the 100% up to C$750 + 200 free spins + 1 bonus crab or the C$1,500 + 500 free spins over three bonuses option. Other useful promos include weekday and weekend reload bonuses and free spins giveaways on Sundays.
06
BingoBonga Casino
Best For Jackpot Prize Pools
Why we Picked BingoBonga Casino
BingoBonga is a playful and vibrant casino that offers a robust casino platform well-suited to various gamblers. The casino is a great all-rounder, but for us, the highlight has to be their in-house jackpot prize pools.
Jackpot Game Variety
BingoBonga offers a great selection of jackpot options to suit all preferences, including diehard fans of progressive jackpots like Legend of the Nile or those who prefer to mix things up with Drops & Wins. The casino’s in-house jackpot prize pools are also worth checking out.
Jackpot Payout Records
While the casino doesn’t expressly point out previous jackpot records, they display the current jackpot payout potential of all combined jackpots, which is a stunning C$1,047,149,135.66.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements at BingoBonga work a little differently than at other casinos. That’s mainly because their only bonus offer is a 20% cashback deal, which includes a 3x wagering requirement. Players participating in progressive jackpot games will contribute a small percentage of their bet to the prize pool.
Casino Reputation and Security
BingoBonga is licensed and regulated through the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) under license registration number C 81457. The casino uses the latest data encryption devices to ensure the absolute privacy and safety of all its members.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
BingoBonga players can enjoy cashback on every deposit, ranging from 10% to 20% on the following day. The percentage level is determined by the amount that you deposit. The bigger the deposit, the more significant the cashback percentage will be.
07
1Red Casino
Best For Jackpot Bonus
Why we Picked 1Red Casino
1Red Casino can easily compete with most jackpot casinos on our top 10 list. However, one of their standout features has to be their pretty substantial welcome bonus.
Jackpot Game Variety
1Red Casino has something for everyone, from great themed progressive jackpot slots like Halloween Jackpot to the latest Hold and Win jackpots like Energy Coins and Royal Joker. Jackpot games are well categorized with thumbnail labels to tell if the jackpot is new, hot or top-rated.
Jackpot Payout Records
1Red Casino currently features a total jackpot potential payout of over C$20,376,767. This includes their own progressive jackpot prize pool with three jackpot prize funds: Mini, Middle and Mega. The Mega jackpot can go up to C$37,000 at the time of writing.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are set at 40x bonus, while jackpot contributions are a small percentage of each bet in every progressive jackpot game that adds to the total prize pool.
Casino Reputation and Security
1Red Casino enjoys a good reputation and is licensed through the Curacao government regulator. Security is provided through enhanced digital encryption to ensure all stored data cannot be tampered with, illegally downloaded or copied.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
The main welcome bonus is 100% up to a $10,000 cash bonus plus 100 free spins when using the bonus code ONERED. Additional promotions include a daily 20% cashback program, weekend reload bonuses and Thursday free spins.
08
Zoome Casino
Best For Jackpot Tournaments
Why we Picked Zoome Casino
Zoome Casino has a lot to offer Canadians both in terms of sheer gaming volume as well as feature-rich jackpots and tournaments.
Jackpot Game Variety
All the most popular jackpot games are available at Zoome Casino, from the likes of Energy Coins Hold and Win or Coin Strike 3×3 Hold and Win to the massively successful Mega Moolah jackpot series. Zoome Casino offers excellent jackpot tournament opportunities with plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
Jackpot Payout Records
Zoome Casino does not currently publish jackpot payout records.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Zoome Casino offers the lowest wagering requirements on our top 10 list of best progressive jackpot casinos for Canada at just 25x, although this is calculated at bonus + deposit. A small percentage of each wager on progressive prize pools is added to the prize pool.
Casino Reputation and Security
Zoome Casino is licensed and regulated through Curacao under E-gaming license No. 8048/JAZ2020-13 issued by Antillephone N.V., authorized by the government of Curacao. The casino follows strict privacy policy guidelines in line with international policies and uses digital encryption to ensure the safety of player data.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
Zoome Casino offers members various value-added bonuses and promotions, including a great welcome package worth up to C$2,500 + 250 free spins, cashback deals, and weekly reload bonuses.
09
Treasure Spins
Best For Live Spins
Why we Picked Treasure Spins Casino
Treasure Spins is a great Pirates of the Caribbean-themed casino that offers an excellent range of slots and casino games. While they don’t offer a separate jackpot category, you’ll find them among their slots collection. Their selection of live spins is especially appealing.
Jackpot Game Variety
Treasure Spins offers a decent variety of popular jackpot games, including Hold and Win games like Forest Spirit and Diamond Supreme, as well as Hold the Spin feature titles like Juicy Win and Coin Win.
Jackpot Payout Records
Treasure Spins displays current winners on their homepage, showing the latest wins on games like Gates of Olympus, Sweet Bonanza and other great slots.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Treasure Spins Casino sets their wagering requirements on the high side at 50x deposit + bonus, making it one of the highest on our top 10 list.
Casino Reputation and Security
Treasure Spins is licensed through Curacao under License No. 8048/JAZ2021-155 issued to Antillephone NV., Authorized and Regulated by the Government of Curacao. The casino uses SSL digital encryption to ensure data safety and follows strict privacy policies and other security protocols.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
Treasure Spins Casino features a welcome bonus of 130% up to C$650, a live casino bonus of 100% up to C$275 and a sports bonus of 100% up to C$150.
10
BetsAmigo
Best For Slot Variety
Why we Picked BetsAmigo Casino
BetsAmigo will appeal to players who enjoy a well-executed theme, which, in this case, is inspired by Mexico. BetsAmigo is also great for slot varieties, especially themed and niche slots.
Jackpot Game Variety
Jackpot variety at BetsAmigo is average and is certainly not the best on our list. You’ll still find a few great jackpot slots like 9 Coins Hold the Jackpot Cash Infinity.
Jackpot Payout Records
BetsAmigo Casino publishes daily winners at their casino but has no actual jackpot records to date.
Jackpot Contribution and Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are set at 30x bonus + deposit.
Casino Reputation and Security
BetsAmigo Casino is licensed and regulated through the Malta Gaming Authority under licence No. MGA/B2C/233/2013 (02/07/2013). The casino abides by strict privacy policies and other codes of conduct, along with SSL digital encryption, to ensure the safety and security of players at all times.
Jackpot Bonuses and Promotions
BetsAmigo offers a welcome bonus of C$275 + 100 free spins, but the highlight of BetsAmigo is the available promotions after signing up. Expect daily offers covering free spins, giveaways and tournaments, reload offers, and specific bonus offers for play on specially selected slots throughout the week.
How to Play for Progressive Jackpots
It is important to understand that progressive jackpots are not quite the same as ordinary slots. For one thing, most progressive jackpots are rated at high volatility. This means you normally have to play for quite a while before hitting a win. Of course, the flip side is that when they do pay, they usually pay out big.
Before embarking on a progressive jackpot game, ensure you have the budget to cover this reality. It’s also a good idea to play a few progressive jackpot games in a demo mode. This will give you a better understanding of that particular game’s mechanics and how the progressive jackpot round is triggered.
Some progressives, like Mega Moolah, feature randomly triggered progressive jackpot rounds. These are more popular because you don’t have to get a specific combination to trigger the jackpot round. However, as mentioned earlier, you have to be able to stick it out for the long run since you have no idea when the jackpot round will be triggered.
From a purely playing point of view, progressive jackpots are a lot like playing regular slots. They work similarly, so if you’ve played regular slots, you’ll know what to do. The basics are the same: choose your bet size, and when you’re ready, click to activate the spin.
Depending on how the progressive jackpot slot is designed, you’ll be able to select your coin size per spin as well as the number of active paylines in play.
However, this is not always the case, so you must evaluate the game beforehand. This is where playing a demo version comes in handy.
Strategies and Tips for Winning Jackpots:
As we touched on previously, there is a lot that goes into being successful at playing progressive jackpots. Let’s expand on some valuable tips and strategies for winning jackpots:
- Choosing your jackpot game: Success at jackpots often starts right here: choosing the game itself. There are hundreds of thousands of different jackpot games, including fixed and progressive jackpots. Most fixed jackpots follow a specific pattern, requiring a certain combo to trigger the jackpot game. On the other hand, progressives are often started at random, allowing more flexibility in hitting the jackpot payout.
- Testing the jackpot game: Narrowing down a shortlist of popular or recommended jackpots is an excellent way to go. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to test them out to see which ones will work with your particular game-playing style. To do this, select the demo version of the game (where possible). This will allow you to see exactly how the game works in a ‘real world’ environment.
- Deciding on your bet: Your bet size should be based on your available bankroll, the requirements for triggering the jackpot round (some jackpot games require max bet to trigger bonus rounds), and the available betting range of the progressive jackpot.
- Managing your bankroll: It’s important to never bet beyond what you can manage or more than you have allocated for gambling. Several simple betting strategies are available to help you control your bankroll more closely.
- Knowing the jackpot volatility: Understanding game volatility can be very useful in bankroll management. Volatility lets you know how long you must play consistently before you can expect to hit a payout. The higher the volatility, the longer you’ll need to play before a hit is achieved.
- Gamble responsibly: Never bet more than your current bankroll allows, and never bet money intended for other responsibilities. It’s good practice always to be self-aware while pursuing progressive jackpots and use the casino’s self-help options, including a cool-down period, self-exclusion and other safety measures.
Real-Life Jackpot Stories
Nothing grabs the collective imagination of a nation quite like the news of somebody hitting the jackpot and becoming an instant millionaire.
We hope some of these stories inspire you to push the boat out a little and have a go yourself. As the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it. Of course, we’ll always remind you to have fun and, if it stops being fun, take a break for a while to cool off. Always gamble safely and responsibly.
We start with a cool story of a lucky Canadian who decided to take a chance playing Microgaming’s classic Mega Moolah progressive jackpot slot over at Jackpot City. After some diligent effort and patience, he managed to trigger the mega jackpot and walked away with a jaw-dropping C$16.5 million in cash! A Stunning win.
After hearing a story like that, it’s very easy to see why Mega Moolah remains one of Canada’s most-played progressive jackpot slots of all time. In fact, ever since the launch of Mega Moolah in 2006, no less than 20 Canadian jackpot winners have struck it lucky, collectively winning over C$144 million.
Of course, Mega Moolah is not the only jackpot game in town. Not too long ago, a player known only as Kathryn won a very respectable C$1.8 million playing King of Pop jackpot slot. This Michael Jackson officially themed slot launched in 2016 and was produced by Bally Games.
Jackpot Games: A Closer Look
One of the most significant advantages of playing progressive jackpot games online is just how wide and diverse the range of options is. There are literally hundreds of great progressive jackpot slots to choose from available at our top 10 best progressive jackpot casinos for Canada.
Here are just three examples of super popular progressive jackpot slots that have made instant millionaires all over the world:
Jackpot Winners' Testimonials
Most mega jackpot winners try to keep things discreet and often play under pseudonyms or prefer not to give interviews. This is quite understandable since winning millions of dollars instantly certainly garners a great deal of attention from the public.
That said, here are a couple of interesting testimonials of Canadians who have won massive progressive jackpots in the last few years.
In 2004, a Toronto native named Nick Hulst visited the resort town of Niagara Falls to enjoy a vacation and dabble in a few slots at local casinos. Little did he know that his entire life would change quite drastically.
Hulst picked a popular progressive slot called Megabucks to try his luck on. According to Hulst’s own testimony, he wasn’t afraid to really go for it and spend around C$60 before hitting the right combination that triggered a whopping C$5.8 million jackpot win.
Megabucks slot has made many Canadians very rich every since it first appeared in 1986. IGT developed the game, and was the most popular progressive jackpot slot until Microgaming released Mega Moolah in 2006.
So it’s not all that surprising to learn that another well-known progressive jackpot win was also won from play Megabucks, and this time around, a Canadian playing at the Woodbine Casino in Toronto won a fantastic C$4.7 million. Understandably, the player requested to remain anonymous.
Responsible Gambling and Jackpots
While it should always be more about fun when chasing huge progressive jackpot wins, it’s very easy to get carried away. Gambling responsibly is the key to success, and should it become a problem, it’s important to seek help as quickly as possible.
Here are a few highly effective resources to help you manage your gambling responsibly:
- aidejeu.caa (or call 1-800-461-0140)
- agameshouldremainagame.com
- Visit GamblingTherapy.org
- Visit GamTalk
- RecoverMe mobile app – Download for iOS/Download for Android
- Quebec Gambling: Help and Referral – call 1-800-461-0140
Conclusion
In land-based and online casino slots, progressive and fixed jackpot games hold a special place. For many Canadians, the allure of potentially becoming an overnight millionaire is simply too irresistible.
While many feel that jackpots are too risky, we hope our guide to finding and playing the best progressive (and fixed) jackpots will alleviate those concerns. If you remember to consider the factors discussed here, such as volatility, betting range and RTP, you should be fine.
Always try the jackpot slot in a demo mode before trying the real money version. Keep reasonable control over your betting habits and bankroll, and always gamble responsibly and have fun.
Our Review Process
Our team of experts diligently monitors the online casino industry, ensuring our articles remain current and relevant by promptly incorporating the latest available information.
Current Version
Dec 7, 2022
Written By
Andy Potts
Edited By
Simon Young
FAQ
What is the largest jackpot ever won in Canada?
The largest jackpot ever won in Canada was won by Mitchel Dyck to the tune of C$70,000,000.
Are jackpot wins taxable in Canada?
No, winnings accrued from jackpot wins are not taxable in Canada, provided that you don’t earn your living gambling (professional gambler).
Can you improve your chances of winning a jackpot?
While the winning results of any jackpot game are purely based on chance, you can improve your position by applying a few basic strategies:
- Always test out a jackpot game in demo mode before playing for real money
- Discover the volatility of the game (how often the game pays out) before placing bets
- Pace yourself and manage your bankroll strictly, particularly if the game has a high volatility
- Always play according to the method that will trigger the jackpot round (max bet, for example)
- Always gamble responsibly and remember to have fun.