A gaming system includes at least one progressive server and a plurality of gaming machines configured to present wagering games to players for play. The at least one progressive server is configured to generate a plurality of progressive jackpots funded at least partially from funds transactions at the gaming machines. Each gaming machine is configured to present at least a first game play option permitting a player to play for a first of the progressive jackpots and a second game play option permitting a player to play for a second of the progressive jackpots, the player permitted to select from the game play options to play for the opportunity to win the progressive jackpot associated therewith. In one embodiment, the system has a tiered configuration where progressive servers are "layered" and associated with different groups or sets of gaming machines.