nonjackpot

Nonjackpot is a term used in gambling to describe any prize that is not the game’s top prize, the jackpot. It is commonly used in lotteries and casino games with multiple prize tiers. In lottery contexts, nonjackpot prizes include all other winning levels below the jackpot, such as smaller fixed sums or tiered payouts that depend on the number of correct numbers. These prizes are typically set by the lottery operator and may vary by game, draw, and sales volume. In many lotteries, a portion of ticket sales is allocated to the jackpot pool, while the remainder funds nonjackpot prizes and operating costs.

In casino games such as slot machines, nonjackpot prizes refer to the standard payouts earned through regular paylines or bonus rounds that are not part of the progressive or fixed jackpot. These can include line wins, scatter bonuses, or base-game winnings. Nonjackpot prizes are usually smaller and occur more frequently, helping to sustain play; jackpot prizes, when they occur, are separate and funded by a combination of base contributions and, in progressive games, a growing pool.

Understanding nonjackpot outcomes helps explain how gambling games balance attractively large potential wins with more frequent, smaller payouts. They also influence player perception and the overall payout percentage or return to player (RTP) calculations used in regulatory disclosures.

See also: jackpot, progressive jackpot, prize tier, payout percentage.