Table of Content
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Introduction
Did you know that providing exciting games or a selection of popular games is no longer considered outdated?
Now, operators require advanced tools to engage their players, create excitement, and encourage players to return to their casinos.
What is one of the best tools? Jackpots.
But not all Jackpots have the same type of engine.
The engine that powers any jackpot offering is the technology behind it.
This means operators face a choice of selecting a jackpot system or a jackpot aggregator. Both jackpot systems and aggregators can accomplish the same tasks: engage players and elicit return visits.
But each one operates differently.
In this blog, we will help you choose which type of jackpot solution is best for your casino strategy by explaining how each solution works, as well as its benefits, limitations, and when to use one over the other.
Why Do Casinos Need Jackpots?
Jackpots are far more than a marketing gimmick — they are a strategic engagement tool. Explore why every modern online casino should consider implementing them:
1. Boosts Brand Awareness
A jackpot with attractive mechanics and a tempting prize pool can increase brand visibility. Players talk about big wins, and those conversations elevate the casino's status as innovative and rewarding.
2. Adds Gameplay Variety
Today's players are no longer swayed by beautiful graphics alone. A branded jackpot experience introduces variety and excitement that goes beyond the core gameplay.
3. Expands Player Base
A well-designed jackpot draws in "jackpot hunters"—players who actively seek out high-stakes games. This naturally broadens the platform's user base.
4. Aligns with Modern Gamification
In an era where player attention is a currency, gamified systems like jackpots create ongoing suspense and motivation. They're a smart move for operators looking to tap into this trend.
What Is a Jackpot?
A jackpot traditionally refers to a significant prize that a player can win, often from a slot machine or gambling game. In modern iGaming, it's more than just a big payout — it's an engagement layer powered by software that lets operators craft dynamic promotional campaigns.
There are several types of jackpots commonly used in online casinos:
Progressive Jackpots
The prize pool increases over time with every bet placed until a lucky player wins it all. This creates growing excitement, especially for repeat players.
Mystery Jackpots
Randomly awarded based on a set of secret conditions. Players are constantly guessing when the win might hit, adding to the thrill.
Multiple or Multi-Level Jackpots
Offer players multiple chances to win across several jackpot levels (e.g., Mini, Minor, Major, Mega). This structure enhances player engagement.
Fixed-Prize Jackpots
As the name suggests, the prize amount is static. While the pot doesn’t grow, it creates predictable incentives for players.
Branded Jackpots
Created by the casino operator with custom mechanics, themes, and goals. These jackpots align with marketing campaigns or player preferences, offering a unique brand experience.
Exploring the Jackpot System
A Jackpot System is the traditional approach to jackpot campaigns. It’s a stand-alone platform that runs locally on the operator's infrastructure.
How It Works:
Operators install the jackpot software on their servers and manage all aspects — game integration, jackpot logic, data tracking, and updates.
What Is a Jackpot Aggregator?
The Jackpot Aggregator is a newer, cloud-native alternative. It acts as a centralised jackpot ecosystem that connects to multiple platforms — games, providers, and brands — and allows dynamic configuration through templates. Read More…
How It Works:
Instead of installing software locally, operators plug into the aggregator platform via API. Jackpot campaigns are set up and run through the cloud, managed by the service provider.
Feature by Feature Comparison
Real-World Use Case Examples
1. Use Case: Jackpot System (Operator A)
Operator A is a well-established online casino brand with an in-house tech team and private infrastructure. The team decided to implement a traditional jackpot system to maintain full control over all operations and data. While this setup allowed them to tailor some of the mechanics to fit their brand, it came at a cost:
- The implementation took nearly three weeks due to the need for server setup, integration, and testing.
- Their developers had to manage ongoing maintenance, server performance, and bug fixes manually.
- Launching new jackpot campaigns required restarting or reconfiguring the core system, leading to delays.
- Despite these hurdles, the campaign ultimately ran smoothly and reinforced their brand's reliability. But the operational overhead and technical commitment were high.
This approach worked well for Operator A because they already had the technical capacity and infrastructure in place. However, it also highlighted the limitations in terms of time-to-market and agility.
2. Use Case: Jackpot Aggregator (Operator B)
Operator B, a new and fast-growing online casino, didn’t have the luxury of a large tech team or the time to wait for server setups. Instead, they opted for a Jackpot Aggregator.
- Within 48 hours, they integrated with the aggregator service and launched their first jackpot campaign.
- Over one month, they rolled out three separate campaigns using customizable jackpot templates.
- The operator took advantage of audience segmentation, offering different jackpots to casual players and high-rollers.
- As a result, they saw a 30% increase in player retention, with users returning more frequently to engage in new jackpot opportunities.
Operator B didn't need to worry about hosting, patching, or scaling. The aggregator provider handled the backend, while the internal team focused on marketing and player engagement.
How AIS Technolabs Can Help
At AIS Technolabs, we specialise in custom jackpot development solutions tailored to your operational and marketing needs.
Whether you're looking to build a traditional jackpot system from scratch or integrate a high-performance aggregator, our team can guide you through strategy, development, and deployment.
We ensure:
- End-to-end development and support.
- Integration with your casino platform or third-party services.
- Scalable infrastructure, no matter your business size.
The Final Decision
The choice between a Jackpot System and a Jackpot Aggregator comes down to your business objectives, technology sophistication, and the velocity of your operations.
For increased control and customisability in a more stable environment, you chose a Jackpot System.
For speed, adaptability, and next-gen tools, a Jackpot Aggregator is the wiser choice.
Disclaimer:
This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. We do not promote or facilitate gambling activities in any country where it is considered illegal. Our content is focused solely on providing knowledge about legal and regulated markets. We only work with operators and platforms that are licensed and comply with the laws of jurisdictions where casino gaming is permitted. We do not operate or endorse any form of gambling in restricted regions. In countries where only skill-based games are allowed, our involvement is strictly limited to those games.
We believe gambling should be an entertaining and responsible activity. Our goal is to ensure that the platforms we review uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and player safety.
FAQs
Ans.
A Jackpot System lives on your infrastructure—meaning you maintain and host all of the hardware and software yourself. A Jackpot Aggregator is a cloud-based solution (JaaS-Jackpot-as-a-Service) where the provider handles everything from end-to-end (setup, updates, and reporting).
Ans.
With a traditional system, there is usually hardware acquisition, setup, integration, and testing, and is usually one to three weeks down the road for a launch. You would typically be live within 48 hours with a Jackpot Aggregator that uses cloud-based templates, because it uses a template-based approach that saves time and technical effort.
Ans.
Yes, you can customise both kinds. However, the traditional systems will generally have predefined, limited variables that the provider allows you to customise. The aggregators will have completely customizable templates, assuming the underlying mechanics are maintained, that you can leverage to customise themes, mechanics, targeting rules, and terminology in branded formats.
Ans.
Segmentation is one of the key strengths of aggregators. You can target your jackpot offers by player behaviour, location, VIP level or status to increase relevance and loyalty. Traditional systems typically do not offer this level of audience segmentation.
Ans.
If you are using a Jackpot System, your organisation has responsibility for the upkeep of the server, patches to the software, and end user support. If you are using a Jackpot Aggregator, that responsibility is delegated to the service provider, which allows your internal staff to focus on marketing and value-added activities, not maintenance.
Ans.
Yes, both systems can support multiple campaigns at the same time. Each jackpot aggregator solidified their platform with tools to manage campaigns and registered players across multiple brands or games easily. With a traditional jackpot system, the operator must configure each campaign with each independent jackpot.
Ans.
Progressive jackpots and branded jackpots increase player engagement by adding suspense, which leads to potential high win amounts to increase bet rates and returning visits to enjoy the uncertainty of payouts.
Mystery jackpots or multi-level jackpots create unpredictability around potential wins, which leads to excitement and more interest. These concepts encourage players to stake more money, which drives revenue and brand recognition.
Ans.
Both can be compliant, but a system that is deployed in-house would be preferred in jurisdictions that require data to be managed locally. Aggregators generally have tools for compliance and audit logs built into their service, but they depend on the governance of cloud infrastructure.
Ans.
Yes. Aggregators generally use subscription or usage-based fees that typically include hosting, analytics, and support. Traditional systems may only require an upfront license fee, but over time, they can incur a far greater operational and maintenance expense.
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