Today’s post is as much for us as for you. We were reading a post recently about Aristocrat’s new Super Bowl Link game (it’s fun, by the way!) and it talked about having both an SSP and an SAP. Then as we researched we also saw another acronym, MSP.
So what are all these acronyms? Well, as it turns out, it’s Aristocrat’s way of referring to the three core types of progressives, which we’ve written about here previously. So let’s go through each, and provide some examples! Then, if you find yourselves like us tripping across these acronyms in an article about these machines, you’ll be as caught up as we are now!
SAP: Stand-Alone Progressive
A Stand-Alone progressive is a progressive that’s limited to a single machine. An example of this on Aristocrat machines would be the Major on their various Link games. While Link games link the Grand jackpot, the Major is not linked. That makes it stand alone on a single machine, hence the name.
SSP: Single-Site Progressive
This is their name for a progressive that’s shared across a bank of machines, but stays within the walls of a casino. This is commonly seen with the Grand jackpots on the various Link games.
Both SAP and SSP types are banked by the casino, which means the casino chooses to offer them and is liable to pay them when awarded. This means casinos will pay them out instantly, or right after jackpot paperwork is processed in the case of payouts that reach or exceed $1,200 on a single wager.
MSP: Multi-Site Progressive
The final progressive type breaks outside of casino walls. We’ve talked about these previously under more common naming of Wide Area Progressives. Multi-Site Progressives are ones offered at casinos that are prizes that are shared across multiple casinos, often within a state or group of states.
These, in contrast to the first two progressive types, are banked by the slot manufacturer. These can therefore see a slight delay in getting paid out as the slot manufacturer will often have to send a representative out to verify the win. You’ll sometimes see the machine being opened up to verify everything is functioning as expected.
Payouts can also be in installments, depending on the structure and design of the prize. Players in those cases will receive the first installment quickly, and annual installments after that.
Regular slot players are certainly familiar with these concepts, but now if you see these particular acronyms, you’ll have an idea of what they are!
If it isn’t broken why are we trying to fix it.
Stand alone
Link
Wide Area
The industry already knew what the progressives were.
Our guess Dave is just marketers looking for a way to differentiate themselves, for better or worse! Just look at how many ways hold and spin bonus is labeled and I’m sure you get the idea.