Wheel with progression: the more often you play, the cooler the prize

Wheel with progression: the more often you play, the cooler the prize

A progression wheel is a type of bonus wheel in slots where the value of prizes directly depends on the player's activity. The mechanics are structured so that the more spins or bonus activations a player makes, the higher the potential rewards become.

1. How the progressive wheel works

The main idea is to tie the prize level to the player's progress. Progress is usually displayed on a special scale next to the wheel or in a separate interface.

The mechanism may include:
  • Collecting points or symbols - for each spin or drop of bonus elements, the player receives points by filling the scale.
  • Wheel levels - Each new level opens access to larger multipliers, cash payments or rare prizes.
  • Reset progress - in some slots the scale is reset to zero after receiving a super prize, in others the progress is saved.

2. The goals of such mechanics

Increasing player retention - Encourages you to return to the game to complete the scale.
Increased betting and activity - players are spinning their drums more often to reach maximum levels faster.
Creating a sense of reward for time - prizes are perceived as deserved, not random.

3. Types of progressive wheels

1. Linear increase in prizes
Each level adds a fixed improvement: a larger multiplier, more freespins, or a larger cash prize.

2. Tiered with bonus events
At certain stages, additional mini-games or wheels with unique rewards are activated.

3. With the progressive jackpot
The wheel becomes the key to the jackpot, and the chance of it falling out increases as progress accumulates.

4. Award Examples by Level

Low level - small cash payments, basic frispins.
Medium level - frispins with multipliers, large multipliers to the bet.
High - access to jackpot, exclusive bonuses or rare gaming features.

5. Pros and cons for players

Pros:
  • Projected growth in value of awards.
  • Motivation to keep playing.
  • Accumulation and expectation element.

Cons:
  • Sometimes requires a lot of bets to reach the top level.
  • Mechanics can push for longer playing sessions.

Result

The progression wheel turns a standard bonus into a long-term goal, where the value of prizes grows along with the player's involvement. For developers, this is a tool for audience retention, and for players, it is an opportunity to feel that each spin brings them closer to the maximum award.