Jackpot Promotion Setup

What They Are

Jackpot promotions are progressive prize pools that grow over time and pay out when specific conditions are met. Due to their higher liability, these promotions require approval and follow a more structured management process.

Common Use Cases

• Bad Beat Jackpots

• Royal Flush Bonuses

• High Hand Promotions

• Game-specific jackpots (e.g., "Aces Cracked")

Creating a Jackpot Promotion

• Access the Promotion Events View in the Promo Module.

• Click "Create New Event".

  1. Fill out required fields (Example):

Step 1: Basic Information

1. From the Promotion Events dashboard, click Add

2. Select "Jackpot" as the promotion type

3. Enter the following details:

   • Section: Gaming area this applies to (e.g., "Poker")

   • Short Name: Brief identifier for displays

   • Description: Detailed explanation of jackpot rules

   • Start Date: Scheduled begin date

   • End Date: Select "No ending" for ongoing jackpots or set a specific end date

Step 2: Display Settings

Configure how the jackpot appears on displays:

• Win Condition: What qualifies for the jackpot

  • Select from predefined conditions or create custom criteria

  • Click "+ Add new" for multiple winning conditions

• Win Condition Message: Text shown on displays

  • Clear explanation of what players need to achieve

  • Visible on jackpot displays throughout the room

Step 3: Increase Rules

Define how the jackpot grows:

• Increase Type: How the prize pool grows

  • Regular increase

  • Time-based increase

  • Activity-based increase

• Seed Amount: Starting value

  • Initial amount when jackpot begins

  • Reseeds to this amount after hits

• Fixed Increase Amount: Regular addition to the pot

  • Set amount added at regular intervals

• Drop Amount: Portion taken from each pot/hand

  • Amount contributed from each qualifying game

• Factor For Hours Played: Growth based on floor activity

  • Percentage increase based on total hours played

  • Encourages more play to grow jackpot faster

• Sample Calculation: Test your increase rules

  • Click to preview how the jackpot will grow

Step 4: Bonus Hours (Optional)

Set special periods with enhanced growth:

• Click Add to create bonus periods

• Set dates, times, and multipliers

• Useful for slow periods to drive additional traffic

Step 5: Target Games

Select which games qualify for the jackpot:

• Choose specific game types and limits

• Select the section first, then available games

• Add multiple game types if needed

Step 6: Payout Options

Configure how winners receive payment:

• Payout Distribution: How winners are paid

  • One person receives full amount

  • Table share (all players at table)

  • Custom distribution

• Number of Eligible Players: How many can qualify

  • Minimum number required for payout

  • Important for table share jackpots

• IRS Forms Required: Tax documentation

  • Non-taxable

  • W-2G

  • 1099-MISC

• Required Staff Verification: Who must approve payout

  • Dealer

  • Floor Manager

  • Surveillance

  • Shift Supervisor

Step 7: Approval Requirements

Set approval workflow:

• Check Approval Required if management authorization is needed

• Leave unchecked for automatic activation on start date

Step 8: Finalize

• Click Save Draft to save without submitting

• Click Submit to enter the approval workflow

Jackpot Management Workflow

Jackpot promotions follow a different status progression than standard promotions:

1. Draft: Initial creation phase in Promotion Events

2. Pending Approval: Awaiting authorization from jackpot manager

3. Not Started: Approved but waiting for manual activation in Jackpot Manager

4. Going: Manually activated in Jackpot Manager and visible on displays

5. Stopped: Manually discontinued through Jackpot Manager

Important: Unlike Points/Time-Based promotions, the start date entered during setup is for reference only. The jackpot does not automatically activate on that date. A jackpot administrator must manually start the jackpot through the Jackpot Manager, which begins the hour tracking and makes it visible on displays.

Similarly, jackpots do not automatically end based on the end date. They must be manually stopped through the Jackpot Manager.

Jackpot Manager Integration

The Jackpot Manager is a separate feature specifically for overseeing jackpot promotions:

• Approving new jackpot promotions

• Monitoring current jackpot amounts

• Processing jackpot hits

• Managing jackpot displays

• Tracking payout history

For detailed information about Jackpot Manager functions, see the Jackpot Manager documentation.

Required Approvals

Due to the higher liability, jackpot promotions typically require:

1. Creation Approval:

   • Initial approval when first submitted

   • Verifies rules, structure, and financial impact

2. Payout Approval:

   • When a jackpot is hit

   • Multiple staff verification required

   • Documentation of qualifying conditions

Best Practices

• Clear Conditions: Define win conditions precisely to avoid disputes

• Documentation: Keep detailed records of all configurations

• Staff Training: Ensure all floor staff understand qualification rules

• Regular Auditing: Verify jackpot amounts match expected growth

• Display Accuracy: Regularly check that displayed amounts are correct

• Secure Access: Limit who can create and modify jackpot promotions

Troubleshooting

Jackpot not increasing?

• Check the increase rules configuration

• Verify drop amounts are being collected

• Confirm that qualifying games are running

Jackpot stuck in Pending Approval?

• Notify authorized jackpot managers

• Check approval requirements settings

• Verify all required fields are completed

Display not showing current amount?

• Refresh the display

• Check network connectivity

• Verify the jackpot is in "Going" status