We have already put emphasis on the importance of understanding the basics of slot machines and have acquainted you with the most popular myths about them. In the previous articles, we have also provided hints that might be useful during your game session. Now, it is time to discuss another serious topic and help you determine how much time to spend playing a single slot machine and how to determine if it is a “loose” one.
When a slot machine has a 95% payout it would mean that the machine would give 95% out of the total amount which it takes in. For every million dollars that goes inside that slot machine, it will pay out $950,000. Slot machines are not really played for profits but mainly for entertainment and fun. Every update gives you new ways to win on Slots and new tips on how to pick a winning Slot machine when you register at an online Casino for the first time. In this article: The Fundamentals to Win at Slots Which Slot machines pay the best How to choose a game Top 10 Slots by RTP in 2019 How to tell if a Slot machine is ready to pay 7 Secrets.
As mentioned earlier, your bankroll is broken down into stakes. Here is an example. Presumably, your bankroll is equal to €200, while your stake amounts to €20. So, before you get started, you have to take out the stake first.
Sign Up100% up to
€140
Sign Up100% up to
$/£/€100
Sign Up100% up to
$/£/€200
+ 200 Spins
Sign Up100% up to
$/£/€100
As soon as you finish reading, you will be quite familiar with the best slot machine strategies that ensure your utmost gaming experience and most of all, the profitability of your gaming session.
Loose Slot Test Technique
Have you ever heard of the so-called Loose Slot Test technique? If not, you better read the lines below carefully to avoid overspending at a slot machine that will probably not grant you a decent payout.
First of all, you have to think about the number of credits you want to play. This can be estimated by multiplying the number of activated paylines by the multiplier (the number of coins bet per spin on each active line). It is important to note that this is not a random number. On the contrary – the type of slot machine you have chosen plays a great role in determining the number of credits.
The next thing is to select the number of spins you would like to make. In most cases, players choose to play ten spins but this does not mean you cannot opt for another number. However, you have to stick to your chosen number.
The next step you have to take before you start spinning the reels is to set an amount you want to invest in playing your preferred slot game. The best way to determine the right amount is to multiply the number of credits by the number of spins.
Let's see what would happen in the following situation. You have an overall bankroll of 2,000 credits, want to bet 56 credits per round and intend to play 10 spins during a session. You, therefore, would wager 560 credits in total.
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When the ten spins are over, you should have a total of 2,000 credits minus the 560 credits you wagered during the session. In other words, your credits should amount to 1,440 plus those you have won during the ten spins.
In order to determine your profits, you are supposed to calculate the difference between the aforementioned 1,440 credits and those that are in the machine, provided that you have generated some winnings during the ten spins, of course.
The number is divided by 56 and you get the number of spins you can perform.
Stay or Change the Machine?
Which Slot Machines Pay Out The Most
Then, you have to set the number of spins and repeat the above-mentioned steps. If your credits reach the critical 1,440 or go down, you better cash out and finish your game session at this slot machine.
However, if you win a prize during the second “set” of spins, that means you can continue playing and this time, you are enabled to choose more than 10 rounds per betting session. It all depends on the credits you have earned. Repeat the steps above and cash out whenever the number of your credits reaches the critical level.
Let's give another example. If you have 2,450 credits after the second “set” of spins and you take out 1,440, you are enabled to wager the other 1,010, which makes 18 more spins. If you continue winning, then you must have found a loose slot machine. In this case, applying the Box technique is recommended, so whenever you decide to stop playing, you will be able to take home some winnings.
There is an easier way to determine whether a particular slot machine is worthy of playing, though. You can just play with a small amount of money and you have two options: you will either lose your money or you will start winning. Yet, the first technique is considered more effective by experienced players as it requires them to think of the winning strategy and decide when it is time to stop playing.
Thus, there is a chance to have only a few pennies left and to trigger a bonus game on the last spin. There is something like an unwritten law – always make your final spin with the total amount you have been playing.
Another thing worthy of emphasizing is that the amount you have to set aside to determine which slot machine is loose, depends greatly on the bankroll and most of all, on your stakes. Anyway, the amount of stakes is variable but the technique for playing with a fixed number of spins stays the same.
The easiest thing is to keep investing money into a slot machine that gives back insignificant wins on occasion but this is not going to be too profitable for you. That is why it is critically important to change the machines you are playing until you find a loose one.
It does not matter which one of the aforementioned strategies you use, you do have to move from one slot machine to another until you find the one that meets your requirements.
FAQs
It would be great, of course, to be able to predict if not a whooping jackpot, then a bigger payout or, at worst, arriving of a bonus feature. Perhaps absolutely possible in some dreamlike universe, in our real world is nothing more than just an unfulfilled desire.
Once and again, state-of-the-art RNG (Random Number Generator) is King and the only one to determine the outcome of every single spin.
Well, it is not an easy question, all the more so, a lot depends on your gambling style, preferences, and titles you want to put on test. Slots have higher volatility than the majority of card games or, even, video poker. Plus, gripping one-armed bandits are no stranger to pretty long losing streaks.
Taking into consideration all said above, maybe the best measure for a fruitful evening could be, let’s say, a bankroll that can cover at least your 200 bets. Again, there is no guarantee, you will get expected results.
Often called Play and Run, this special approach is quite popular among the punters. The main idea is to limit the length of sessions played at a certain slot machine. Time frames vary greatly, from a couple of minutes to whatever you can set as a limit to spend on the same seat.
The result? A lot of fuss and bother over nothing much. Plus, a pretty dubious fun.
While all existing betting systems can be roughly divided into two categories: positive and negative progression, none of them is 100% reliable. What’s more, when it comes to modern slots, such techniques is too hard to apply at all.
Generally speaking, the main difference between the positive and negative progression strategies lies in the moment of increasing stakes: after each win in the first case, and after each losing round using the second option respectively.
If we talk about money, negative series calls for a way past hefty bankroll, while a positive sequence requires less funds.
Quite on the contrary, it is one of the easiest methods to implement – all you need to do is double your bet after every losing spin, and stake one pre-decided base unit after every winning strike.
But here comes one downside: as a negative progression, this strategy insists on solid capital – even if you start spinning the reels with just $1, after seven unsuccessful hits you will have to wager $128, while your bankroll is already „lighter“ for $127.
Similarly, if you begin, let’s say, with $10, then after just five fruitless hits you will have to place a pretty impressive bet of $320. You do not have to be a math genius to figure out an obvious failure of this method.
The powers of casino stuff are seriously overestimated by too many punters used to tip slot personnel in order to get secret “instructions”.
Think twice before spending more money than you otherwise would just because you believe that casino staff knows that this particular machine is “due” to hit. If they knew, they would get rich and wouldn’t work there anymore, right?
Broadly speaking, classic titles usually have higher winning potential than their video counterparts.
Theoretically, one has better chances at a decent payout on classic 3-steppers than on video slots, since the latter have more frequent small hits intended to extend the gameplay. Again, in the long run, which means it is not necessary to be right for you.
It is a widespread belief, which is just one more myth in the gambling world, that floor managers place so-called loose slots in such a way these machines can be seen from many directions, by the biggest possible number of players.
No, it is not how casinos try to attract new visitors and keep loyal customers. Quality service, rewarding programs, various bonuses, and fair play – that’s how they do business.
Players that run between the rows struggling with coins and trying to keep track of eventual wins are seen pretty often throughout casino floors. Usually, they cause broad smiles on the faces of other visitors accompanied by a couple of sloppy comments.
If a strategy at all, it is far from being a worthy piece of advice to follow. After all, it is too far from the main idea of playing slots – to have fun!
Find out what slot machines actually returned to the public. Just click below to see slot machine payback statistics for casinos in all U.S. states.
Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana |
Iowa | Kansas | Louisiana | Maine |
Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota |
Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York |
North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
South Dakota | Texas | Washington | West Virginia |
Wisconsin | Wyoming |
ALABAMA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Alabama has three Indian casinos that offer Class II video gaming machines. They are not required to release payback statistics about their machines.
ARIZONA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
In mid-1993 Arizona’s Governor Symington signed a compact with the state’s tribes that allowed them to offer slot machines on their reservations.
The compact originally didn’t allow for any table games but in early 2003 blackjack was added as a permissible table game.
Arizona tribes aren’t required to release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks, however, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming, the terms of the compact require each tribes’ machines to return the following minimum and maximum paybacks: video poker and video blackjack - 83% to 100%, slot machines - 80% to 100%, keno - 75% to 100%. Each tribe is free to set its machines to pay back anywhere within those limits.
ARKANSAS SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Arkansas has two pari-mutuel facilities featuring “electronic games of skill,” which are defined as “games played through any electronic device or machine that affords an opportunity for the exercise of skill or judgment where the outcome is not completely controlled by chance alone.”
The games offered are video poker, video blackjack, and “skill” slots where you have two opportunities to spin the reels. The “skill” factor comes into play because after seeing the results of your first spin you then have to decide whether to keep none, one, two, or all three of the symbols on each reel before you spin them again. Gaming regulations require that all of the electronic games of skill must return a minimum of 83%.
For the one year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, the average gaming machine’s return at Oaklawn was 93.04% and at Southland it was 92.86%
CALIFORNIA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
California’s Indian casinos are legally allowed to offer electronic gaming machines, blackjack, and other house-banked card games. The games of craps and roulette are not permitted. However, some casinos do offer modified versions of craps and roulette that are played with cards rather than dice or roulette wheels.
Most California card rooms also offer some form of player-banked blackjack, but because they are prohibited by law from playing blackjack, the game is usually played to 22 rather than 21. Additionally, players must pay a commission to the house on every hand they play. The amount will vary depending on the rules of the house but, generally, it’s about two to five percent of the total amount bet. There are about 90 card rooms in California and you can see a listing of them on the Internet at: http://www.cgcc.ca.gov
California’s tribes aren’t required to release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks and the state of California does not require any minimum returns.
COLORADO SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Here’s information, as supplied by Colorado’s Division of Gaming, showing the slot machine payback percentages for each city’s casinos for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
Black Hawk | Central City | Cripple Creek | |
1¢ Slots | 89.73% | 90.47% | 91.85% |
5¢ Slots | 93.16% | 94.07% | 93.51% |
25¢ Slots | 92.70% | 93.94% | 95.54% |
$1 Slots | 93.69% | 94.66% | 95.07% |
$5 Slots | 94.05% | 94.01% | 94.96% |
All | 92.41% | 92.38% | 93.61% |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including video poker and video keno. The best returns for each category are highlighted in bold print.
CONNECTICUT SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
The following information is from Connecticut’s Division of Special Revenue regarding Foxwoods’ slot payback percentages:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ | 89.92 |
2¢ | 91.76 |
5¢ | 90.80 |
25¢ | 91.31 |
50¢ | 90.99 |
$1.00 | 93.12 |
$5.00 | 93.63 |
$10.00 | 94.29 |
$25.00 | 94.82 |
$100.00 | 92.61 |
Average | 91.91 |
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each denomination of slot machine from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
Here's information from Connecticut's Division of Special Revenue regarding Mohegan Sun's slot payback percentages:
Denomination | Payback % |
1/4¢ | 86.30 |
1/2¢ | 85.91 |
1¢ | 89.05 |
2¢ | 87.62 |
5¢ | 89.97 |
25¢ | 91.53 |
50¢ | 91.98 |
$1.00 | 92.91 |
$5.00 | 93.80 |
$10.00 | 97.26 |
$25.00 | 95.01 |
$100.00 | 94.69 |
Average | 91.86 |
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each denomination of slot machine from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
DELAWARE SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Delaware’s three pari-mutuel facilities all feature slot machines. Technically, the machines are video lottery terminals (VLT’s) because they are operated in conjunction with the Delaware Lottery. Unlike VLT’s in other states, however, Delaware’s machines pay out in cash. The VLT’s also play other games including: video poker, video keno and video blackjack.
By law, all video lottery games must return between 87% and 95% of all wagers on an annual basis. Games can return above 95% but only with the Lottery Director’s approval.
According to figures from the Delaware Lottery for the twelve-month period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 the average VLT return at Dover Downs was 92.63%, at Delaware Park it was 92.08%, and at Harrington Raceway it was 92.00%.
In mid-2018 a U.S. Supreme Court decision legalized sports betting at all U.S. casinos. Delaware was one of the first states to act on the ruling and all three of the state’s casinos offer sports books.
In January 2010 the Delaware legislature approved the addition of table games for the state’s casinos.
FLORIDA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Florida has three forms of casino gambling: casino boats, Indian casinos and gaming machines at pari-mutuels in two south Florida counties.
The casino boats offers gamblers the opportunity to board ships that cruise offshore where casino gambling is legal. From the east coast the boats sail three miles out into the Atlantic Ocean and from the west coast the boats travel nine miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Since the casino boats travel in international waters they are free from regulations and the machines can be set to pay back whatever the operator wants without regard to a minimum payback percentage.
Florida has eight Indian gaming locations. The Seminole Tribe has seven and the eighth is on the Miccosukee Tribe’s reservation.
The Seminoles signed a compact with the state that allows them to offer both Class II and traditional Class III gaming machines. As part of their compact, five Seminole casinos are also allowed to offer blackjack , baccarat , mini-baccarat , three card poker , let it ride and pai gow poker.
The Miccosukee Tribe has not signed a compact and they only offer Class II gaming machines at their casino.
Class II video gaming devices look like slot machines, but are actually bingo games and the spinning reels are for “entertainment purposes only.” No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on any gaming machines in Florida’s Indian casinos.
The other games allowed in all Indian casinos are: high-stakes bingo, video pull tabs, and poker. All of the casinos are open 24 hours (except Big Cypress) and all offer bingo except for both Seminole Hard Rock Casinos and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The minimum gambling age is 18 at all Indian casinos for bingo or poker and 21 for electronic gaming machines.
Broward County (home county of Fort Lauderdale) and Miami-Dade County both have four pari-mutuel facilities that each offer electronic gaming machines, but no table games.
Florida gaming regulations require a minimum payback of 85% on all gaming machines. From July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 the gaming machines at Magic City returned 93.38%, Casino Miami returned 93.17%, Hialeah Park returned 93.41%, Gulfstream Park returned 92.24%, Dania Casino returned 92.41%, Mardi Gras returned 91.74%, Calder returned 91.16%, and The Isle returned 90.22%.
GEORGIA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
There are two casino boats in Georgia which both sail three miles out into international waters where casino gambling is permitted.
Since the casino boats travel in international waters they are free from regulations and the machines can be set to pay back whatever the operator wants without regard to a minimum payback percentage.
IDAHO SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Idaho has six Indian casinos that offer electronic pull-tab machines and other video games. The machines don't pay out in cash. Instead they print out a receipt which must be cashed by a floor attendant or taken to the cashier’s cage. Some casinos also offer bingo (BG) and off-track betting (OTB).
The terms of the compact between the tribes and the state do not require any minimum payback percentage that the gaming machines must return to the public.
ILLINOIS SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Here’s information from the Illinois Gaming Board showing each casino’s average slot payback percentage for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK % |
Casino Queen | 92.34 |
Harrah's Joliet | 92.10 |
Hollywood Joliet | 91.16 |
Argosy Alton | 90.82 |
Par-A-Dice | 91.02 |
Grand Victoria | 91.03 |
Hollywood - Aurora | 90.44 |
Jumer's | 90.10 |
Rivers Casino | 90.20 |
Harrah's Metropolis | 89.47 |
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each casino for all of their electronic machines. As you can see, the Casino Queen returned the most to its slot machine players, while Harrah's in Metropolis returned the least.
INDIANA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Following is information from the Indiana Gaming Commission regarding average slot payout percentages for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK % |
Hoosier Park | 91.70 |
French Lick | 91.67 |
Rising Star | 91.63 |
Indiana Grand | 91.63 |
Blue Chip | 91.49 |
Belterra | 90.92 |
Majestic Star | 90.48 |
Hollywood | 90.15 |
Horseshoe Casino SI | 89.95 |
Majestic Star II | 89.95 |
Horseshoe Hammond | 89.92 |
Ameristar | 89.86 |
Tropicana | 89.53 |
These figures reflect the average percentage returned by each casino for all of their electronic machines including slot machines, video poker, video keno, etc.
IOWA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Here’s information, as supplied by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, showing the electronic gaming machine payback percentages for all non-Indian locations for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
LOCATION | PAYBACK % |
Prairie Meadows | 91.77 |
Wild Rose- Emmetsburg | 90.97 |
Wild Rose- Clinton | 90.63 |
Wild Rose- Jefferson | 90.59 |
Q Casino | 90.59 |
Diamond Jo Worth | 90.49 |
Catfish Bend | 90.45 |
Riverside | 90.41 |
Diamond Jo Dubuque | 90.39 |
Grand Falls | 90.32 |
Casino Queen Marquette | 90.30 |
Ameristar | 90.30 |
Rhythm City | 90.25 |
Hard Rock | 90.11 |
Isle Bettendorf | 90.04 |
Harrah's | 89.60 |
Isle Waterloo | 89.53 |
Horseshoe Council Bluffs | 89.50 |
Lakeside Casino | 88.69 |
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each riverboat casino or pari-mutuel facility for all of its electronic machines including: slots, video poker, video keno, etc.
KANSAS SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
In April 2007 the Kansas legislature authorized local referendums to allow state-run casinos in four counties.
The Kansas Racing & Gaming Commission does not release information about the payback percentages on electronic gaming machines in Kansas. However, gaming regulations require that all machines return no less than 87%.
There are also five Indian casinos in Kansas and they are not required to release information on their slot machine payback percentages. However, according to officials at the Kansas State Gaming Agency, which is responsible for overseeing the tribal-state compacts, 'the minimum payback percentage for electronic gaming devices is 80%.'
LOUISIANA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Gaming regulations require that gaming machines in casinos be programmed to pay back no less than 80% and no more than 99.9%. For video gaming machines at locations other than casinos the law requires a minimum return of 80% and a maximum return of 94%.
Louisiana gaming statistics are not broken down by individual properties. Rather, they are classified by region: Baton Rouge (BR) , Lake Charles (LC), New Orleans (NO) and Shreveport/Bossier City (SB).
The Baton Rouge casinos consist of the Belle of Baton Rouge, Hollywood Casino, L'Auberge and Evangeline Downs. The Lake Charles casinos include: Isle of Capri, L’Auberge du Lac and Delta Downs. New Orleans area casinos are: Amelia Belle, Boomtown, Harrah’s (landbased), Treasure Chest and Fairgrounds Raceway. The Shreveport/Bossier city casinos include: Boomtown, Diamond Jack’s, Sam’s Town, Eldorado, Horseshoe and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs.
Here’s information, as supplied by the Louisiana State Police-Riverboat Gaming Section, showing the average electronic machine payback percentages for each area’s casinos for the 12-month period from June, 2017 through May, 2018:
BR | LC | NO | SB | |
1¢ | 88.71% | 88.43% | 88.90% | 88.82% |
5¢ | 91.70% | 92.50% | 94.02% | 92.40% |
25¢ | 93.03% | 92.50% | 92.78% | 90.88% |
$1 | 93.81% | 93.10% | 92.60% | 92.36% |
$5 | 93.59% | 93.48% | 93.41% | 92.22% |
All | 91.28% | 90.63% | 90.34% | 90.30% |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including video poker and video keno. The best returns for each category are highlighted in bold print and you can see that the Baton Rouge area casinos offered the best returns in most categories.
MAINE SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Maine has two racetrack casinos (racinos) that offer electronic gaming machines, as well as live table games.
State gaming regulations require a minimum return of 89% on all machines and during the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, the average return on gaming machines at Hollywood Casino was 89.70% and at Oxford Casino it was 89.88%.
MARYLAND SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Maryland has five casinos that are allowed to offer electronic gaming machines, as well as live table games. However, Ocean Downs has no table games.
No public information is available about the actual payback percentages on gaming machines in Maryland. However, gaming regulations require a minimum payback of 87% on any one machine and all machines within a casino must have an average payback of 90% to 95%.
MASSACHUSETTS SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill in late 2011 that legalized casinos. The law allows three casinos, in three different geographic regions, plus one slot parlor.
The slot parlor, Plainridge Park Casino, a harness racing track located about 40 miles southwest of Boston, opened June 24, 2015.
The first resort-casino license in Region B (Western Massachusetts) was awarded to MGM Resorts and their $1.3 billion casino, MGM Springfield, opened August 24, 2018.
The second license for Region A (Eastern Massachusetts) was awarded to Wynn Resorts and their $2 billion, Encore Everett, is expected to open in mid-2019. The final license for Region C (Southeastern Massachusetts) had not yet been awarded as of late 2018.
Additionally, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is planning to build a destination resort casino near Taunton. That facility, First Light Casino, was expected to open by late 2019. However, the project has been hampered by lawsuits which might stop it from being completed.
Massachusetts gaming regulations require a minimum payback of 80% on all gaming machines. From July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, the gaming machines at Plainridge Park returned 92.03%
MICHIGAN SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
There are 17 Indian casinos in Michigan and the tribes are not required to release information on their slot machine payback percentages. However, according to officials at the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which is responsible for overseeing the tribal-state compacts, 'the machines must meet the minimum standards for machines in Nevada or New Jersey.' In Nevada the minimum return is 75% and in New Jersey it's 83%. Therefore, Michigan's Indian casinos must return at least 75% in order to comply with the law.
There are also three privately owned casinos in Detroit, but their slot payback information is not made available to the public.
MINNESOTA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
All Minnesota casinos are located on Indian reservations and under a compact reached with the state the only table games permitted are card games such as blackjack and poker. Additionally, the only kind of slot machines allowed are the electronic video variety. Therefore, you will not find any mechanical slots that have traditional reels - only video screens
According to the terms of the compact between the state and the tribes, however, the minimum and maximum payouts are regulated as follows: video poker and video blackjack - 83% to 98%, slot machines - 80% to 95%, keno - 75% to 95%. Each tribe is free to set its machines to pay back anywhere within those limits and the tribes do not not release any information regarding their slot machine percentage paybacks.
MISSISSIPPI SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
The Mississippi Gaming Commission does not break down its slot statistics by individual properties. Rather, they are classified by region. The Coastal region includes Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay Saint Louis. The North region includes Tunica, Greenville and Lula. The Central region includes Vicksburg and Natchez.
With that in mind here’s information, as supplied by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, showing the machine payback percentages for each area’s casinos for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 31, 2018:
Coastal | North | Central | |
1¢ Slots | 91.72% | 92.20% | 91.83% |
5¢ Slots | 95.06% | 94.90% | 95.48% |
25¢ Slots | 94.33% | 93.14% | 93.72% |
$1 Slots | 93.65% | 94.41% | 93.93% |
$5 Slots | 94.16% | 95.47% | 94.87% |
All | 92.33% | 92.06% | 92.25% |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including video poker and video keno. The best returns for each category are highlighted in bold print and you can see that all of the gaming areas offer rather similar returns on their machines.
MISSOURI SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Here's information from the Missouri Gaming Commission regarding the payback percentages for each casino's electronic machines for the 12-month period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK % |
Ameristar- St. Charles | 91.1 |
River City | 90.7 |
Hollywood | 90.7 |
Ameristar- K.C. | 90.4 |
Harrah’s - N.K.C | 90.4 |
Lumiere Place | 90.4 |
Isle of Capri - Booneville | 90.2 |
Argosy | 90.0 |
Isle of Capri - Cape Girardeau | 89.7 |
Lady Luck | 89.2 |
Isle of Capri - K.C. | 88.9 |
St. Jo Frontier | 88.9 |
Mark Twain | 88.6 |
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each casino for all of their electronic machines including slot machines, video poker, video keno, etc.
MONTANA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Montana law permits bars and taverns to have up to 20 video gaming devices that play video poker, video keno, or video bingo. These machines are operated in partnership with the state and are not permitted to pay out in cash; instead, they print out a receipt which must be taken to a cashier. The maximum bet on these machines is $2 and the maximum payout is limited to $800. Montana gaming regulations require these machines to return a minimum of 80%.
There are seven Indian casinos offering video gaming machines that also print out a receipt. The maximum bet on these machines is $5 and the maximum payout is capped at $1,500. According to Montana's Gambling Control Division, there are no minimum payback percentages required for gaming machines on Indian reservations.
NEBRASKA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on gaming machines in Nebraska.
NEVADA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
NEVADA - Lake Tahoe
Here’s information, as supplied by Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of the south shore casinos for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 89.17 |
25¢ Slots | 91.43 |
$1 Slots | 93.08 |
All Slots | 93.31 |
And here's that same information for the north shore casinos:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 92.72 |
25¢ Slots | 91.59 |
$1 Slots | 92.08 |
All Slots | 94.40 |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned to the players on each denomination of machine. All electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno are included in these numbers.
NEVADA - Las Vegas
Unlike New Jersey, the Nevada Gaming Control Board does not break down its slot statistics by individual properties. Rather, they are classified by area.
The annual gaming revenue report breaks the Las Vegas market down into two major tourist areas: the Strip and downtown. There is also a very large locals market in Las Vegas and those casinos are shown in the gaming revenue report as the Boulder Strip and North Las Vegas areas.
When choosing where to do your slot gambling, you may want to keep in mind the following slot payback percentages for Nevada's fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
1¢ Slot Machines
The Strip - 88.38%
Downtown - 89.15%
Boulder Strip - 90.38%
N. Las Vegas - 90.88%
5¢ Slot Machines
The Strip - 91.64%
Downtown - 93.40%
Boulder Strip - 96.21%
N. Las Vegas - 95.29%
25¢ Slot Machines
The Strip - 89.35%
Downtown - 94.25%
Boulder Strip - 96.13%
N. Las Vegas - 96.41%
$1 Slot Machines
The Strip - 92.43%
Downtown - 94.63%
Boulder Strip - 96.13%
N. Las Vegas - 95.39%
$1 Megabucks Machines
The Strip - 87.83%
Downtown - 89.07%
Boulder Strip - 91.35%
N. Las Vegas - 88.52%
All Slot Machines
The Strip - 91.96%
Downtown - 92.67%
Boulder Strip - 94.34%
N. Las Vegas - 93.53%
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned to the players on each denomination of machine. All electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno are included in these numbers and the highest-paying returns are shown in bold print. As you can see, the machines in downtown Las Vegas pay out slightly more than those located on the Las Vegas Strip.
Returns even better than the downtown casinos can be found at some of the other locals casinos along Boulder Highway such as Boulder Station and Sam's Town and also in the North Las Vegas area which would include the Fiesta, Santa Fe and Texas Station casinos. Not only are those numbers among the best returns in the Las Vegas area, they are among the best payback percentages for anywhere in the United States.
NEVADA - Laughlin
Here’s information, as supplied by Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of Laughlin’s casinos for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 89.24 |
5¢ Slots | 92.86 |
25¢ Slots | 93.83 |
$1 Slots | 94.30 |
$1 Megabucks | 88.67 |
$5 Slots | 94.57 |
All Slots | 92.21 |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned to the players on each denomination of machine. All electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno are included in these numbers.
NEVADA - Reno
Here’s information, as supplied by Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of the Reno area casinos for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 92.78 |
5¢ Slots | 94.00 |
25¢ Slots | 92.43 |
$1 Slots | 95.60 |
$1 Megabucks | 89.33 |
$5 Slots | 95.49 |
All Slots | 94.62 |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno.
NEVADA - Sparks
Here’s information, as supplied by Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of the Sparks area casinos for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 93.38 |
5¢ Slots | 96.71 |
25¢ Slots | 95.70 |
$1 Slots | 96.35 |
$5 Slots | 97.32 |
All Slots | 94.60 |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno.
NEVADA - Wendover
Here’s information, as supplied by Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of the Wendover area casinos for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 93.47 |
5¢ Slots | 96.80 |
25¢ Slots | 93.57 |
$1 Slots | 95.84 |
$5 Slots | 96.30 |
All Slot | 94.35 |
These numbers reflect the percentage of money returned on each denomination of machine and encompass all electronic machines including slots, video poker and video keno.
NEW JERSEY SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Following is information from the New Jersey Casino Control Commission regarding average slot payout percentages for the 12-month period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK |
Harrah’s | 91.77 |
Borgata | 91.72 |
Hard Rock* | 91.5 |
Caesars | 91.11 |
Bally's A.C. | 90.99 |
Golden Nugget | 90.86 |
Resorts | 90.75 |
Tropicana | 90.36 |
Ocean Resort* | 89.8 |
* These figures reflect one month of results from June 2017 as these casinos just opened.
These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each casino for all of their electronic machines which includes slot machines, video poker, etc.
NEW MEXICO SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
New Mexico's Indian casinos offer an assortment of table games and electronic gaming machines. Additionally, slot machines are allowed at the state's racetracks as well as at about 40 various fraternal and veterans clubs.
New Mexico gaming regulations require that electronic machines at racetracks and fraternal/veterans organizations return a minimum of 80%.
New Mexico's Indian tribes do not make their slot machine payback percentages a matter of public record but the terms of the compact between the state and the tribes require all electronic gaming machines to also return a minimum of 80%.
NEW YORK SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
There are several Indian casinos located in upstate New York which offer traditional Class III casino gambling.
The terms of the compact between the tribes and the state allow table games and slot machines, including video keno and video poker. These machines do not pay out in cash. Instead, they print out a receipt which must be exchanged for cash.
There are also some Indian casinos that offer Class II gambling which consist of electronic gaming machines which look like slot machines, but are actually games of bingo and the spinning video reels are for 'entertainment purposes only.' No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on gaming machines at Indian casinos.
Here’s information, as supplied by the New York Gaming Commission, showing the slot machine payback percentages for all of the casinos for the fiscal year from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018:
LOCATION | PAYBACK % |
Tioga Downs | 91.79 |
Resort's World Catskills | 91.49 |
Del Lago | 91.20 |
Rivers | 90.60 |
In October 2001, legislation was passed to allow for the introduction of slot machine-type video lottery machines at New York racetracks. Officially referred to as Video Gaming Machines (VGM’s), they are regulated by the New York State Lottery Division.
All VGM's offer standard slot machine-type games, plus keno in denominations from five cents to $10. The machines all accept cash but do not pay out in cash. They print a receipt which must be taken to a cashier.
The legislation authorizing the VGM’s states, “the specifications for video lottery gaming shall be designed in such a manner as to pay prizes that average no less than ninety percent of sales.”
Here's information, as supplied by the New York Lottery, showing the video gaming machine payback percentages for each of the state's racetracks for the fiscal year from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018:
LOCATION | PAYBACK % |
Resorts World | 94.16 |
Jake's 58 | 93.53 |
Empire City | 93.12 |
Monticello | 92.29 |
Saratoga | 92.29 |
Finger Lakes | 92.03 |
Batavia Downs | 91.58 |
Fairgrounds | 91.56 |
Vernon Downs | 91.56 |
NORTH CAROLINA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
North Carolina has two Indian casinos and both are affiliated with the state's Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians which signed a compact with the state. According to the terms of the compact, the video gaming machines are required to return a minimum of 83% and a maximum of 98%.
NORTH DAKOTA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
North Dakota has more than 800 sites throughout the state that offer blackjack, with betting limits of $1-$25, for the benefit of charities.
There are also six Indian casinos which are limited by law to the following maximum bet limits: blackjack-$100 (two tables in a casino may have limits up to $250), craps-$60, roulette-$50, slots/video poker-$25 and poker-$50 per bet, per round with a maximum of three rounds.
The terms of the state's compact with the tribes require gaming machines to return a minimum of 80% and a maximum of 100%. However, if a machine is affected by skill, such as video poker or video blackjack, the machines must return a minimum of 83%.
OHIO SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Ohio voters passed a statewide referendum in November 2009 to allow one casino to open in each of four major cities: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. There are also seven racetracks that offer video lottery terminals.
Here’s information from the Ohio Casino Control Commission regarding the payback percentages for each racino and casino’s electronic machines for the twelve-month period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK % |
JACK Cleveland | |
Hollywood Columbus | 92.04 |
JACK Cincinatti | |
Miami Valley | 91.44 |
Belterra Park | |
Hard Rock Rocksino | 91.04 |
Eldorado Gaming | |
Hollywood Toledo | 90.70 |
JACK Thistledown | |
Dayton Raceway | 90.11 |
Hollywood Mahoning Valley |
OKLAHOMA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
All Oklahoma Indian casinos are allowed to offer both Class II and Class III gaming machines.
Most casinos offer only Class II machines which look like slot machines, but are actually games of bingo and the spinning video reels are for 'entertainment purposes only.' Some casinos also offer traditional Class III slots.
In either case, the gaming machines are not allowed to accept or payout in coins. All payouts must be done by a printed receipt or via an electronic debit card. No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on gaming machines in Oklahoma.
OREGON SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Oregon law permits bars and taverns to have up to six video lottery terminals that offer various versions of video poker. Racetracks are allowed to have no more than 10 machines. The maximum bet allowed is $2.50 and the maximum single payout on any machine is capped at $600.
These machines are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by the state’s lottery commission which receives a share of each machine’s revenue. The machines accept cash but do not pay out in cash; instead, they print out a receipt which must be taken to a cashier.
According to figures from the Oregon Lottery, during its fiscal year from June 28, 2017 through June 25, 2018, the VLT’s had an approximate return of 92.21%.
There are nine Indian casinos in operation in Oregon. According to the governor’s office which regulates the Tribe’s compacts, 'there is no minimum payback percentage required on the Tribe’s machines. Each Tribe is free to set their own limits on their machines.'
PENNSYLVANIA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Pennsylvania gaming regulations require that gaming machines return a minimum of 85%.
The following is information from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regarding average slot payout percentages for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
CASINO | PAYBACK % |
Parx Casino | 90.95 |
Valley Forge | 90.71 |
The Meadows | 90.26 |
Mount Airy | 90.24 |
Sugar House | 90.02 |
Sands Bethlehem | 90.00 |
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs | 89.97 |
Harrah's Philadelphia | 89.94 |
The Rivers | 89.76 |
Lady Luck Nemacolin | 89.43 |
Hollywood Casino at Penn National | 89.30 |
Presque Isle | 89.26 |
RHODE ISLAND SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Rhode Island has two pari-mutuel facilities which both feature video lottery terminals (VLT’s). These machines are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by the state’s lottery commission which receives a share of each machine’s revenue. The machines accept cash but don’t pay out in cash; instead, they print out a receipt which must be taken to a cashier.
All VLT’s are programmed to play at least six different games: blackjack, keno, slots and three versions of poker (jacks or better, joker poker and deuces wild).
According to figures from the Rhode Island Lottery for the one-year period from August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018 the average VLT return at Twin River was 90.89% and at Newport Grand it was 91.05%.
SOUTH CAROLINA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
South Carolina has two gambling cruise ships which sail three miles out into international waters where casino gambling is permitted. Since the casino boats travel in international waters they are free from regulations and the machines can be set to pay back whatever the operators want without regard to a minimum payback percentage.
SOUTH DAKOTA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Here are statistics from the South Dakota Commission on Gaming for the payback percentages on all of Deadwood’s slot machines for the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018:
Denomination | Payback % |
1¢ Slots | 90.70 |
5¢ Slots | 93.34 |
25¢ Slots | 91.01 |
$1 Slots | 92.39 |
$5 Slots | 91.20 |
Average | 90.91 |
In addition to the Deadwood casinos, there are also nine Indian casinos in South Dakota. No information is available on the payback percentages of the video gaming machines.
TEXAS SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Texas has one Indian casino which offers gaming machines based on bingo. It also offers pull tab machines, bingo, poker and a player-banked blackjack game where each player must pay a commission to the house for each bet that is made. The commission is 50¢ for $3-$50 bets and $1 for bets over $50. The minimum gambling age is 21 and the casino is open 24 hours daily.
Class II video gaming devices look like slot machines, but are actually bingo games and the spinning reels are for “entertainment purposes only.” No public information is available concerning the payback percentages on any gaming machines in Texas’ Indian casino.
WASHINGTON SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
There are 28 Indian casinos operating in Washington and they all have compacts with the state allowing them to offer table games, as well as electronic ‘scratch’ ticket games which use a finite number of tickets with a predetermined number of winners and losers.
Slot Machine Payout
All of the state’s Tribes are not required to release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks. However, according to the terms of the compact between the Tribes and the state, the minimum prize payout for electronic ‘scratch’ ticket games is 75%.
WEST VIRGINIA SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
How Do Casino Slot Machines Pay Out
West Virginia has four pari-mutuel facilities and one resort hotel that feature video lottery terminals. The VLT’s are the same as regular video gaming devices but are called lottery terminals because they are regulated by the state’s lottery commission which receives a share of each machine’s revenue.
West Virginia law requires that VLT’s return a minimum of 80% to a maximum of 95%. VLT games include: slots, blackjack, keno and numerous versions of poker. The minimum gambling age is 21.
For the one-year period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 the average return on VLT’s was: 91.13% at Mountaineer Park, 90.90% at Mardi Gras, 91.03% at Wheeling Island, 91.02% at Charles Town Races.
WISCONSIN SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
All Wisconsin casinos are located on Indian reservations and the Indian tribes are not required to release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks. However, according to the terms of the compact between the state and the tribes 'for games not affected by player skill, such as slot machines, the machine is required to return a minimum of 80% and a maximum of 100% of the amount wagered.'
Slot Machine How They Work
WYOMING SLOT MACHINE PAYBACK STATISTICS
Wyoming has Indian casinos that offer Class II bingo-type gaming machines, plus traditional Class III slot machines.
The machines don't pay out in cash. Instead they print out a receipt which must be cashed by a floor attendant or taken to the cashier's cage. You can also make bets via a cashless system whereby you get a 'smart' card and deposit money to that card's account. The machines will then deducts losses from, or credit wins to, your account.
No public information is available regarding the payback percentages on Wyoming's gaming machines.
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