Disclosed is a gaming system for playing a progressive jackpot game including a visible meter and a deficit meter. The system includes a display, a wager acceptor, player-activated buttons, and a processor. A percentage of the wager defines a contribution to the game. Each time the game is played the visible meter is increased by an increment amount. If the deficit meter is less than zero, the increment amount equals a first portion of the contribution, and a second portion of the contribution is added to the deficit value. If the deficit meter is not less than zero, the increment amount equals a third portion of the contribution. When the game is won, the visible meter is reset to a reset value which comprises a base reset value plus a random value, and the random value is subtracted from the deficit meter.