Luckily, there are a lot of different slot machines that will allow you to play for very little. This is beneficial because it means you can have fun while stretching out a modest bankroll. To answer the question in terms of the law: no slot machines are not rigged. Instead, they are programmed only as to what percentage of coins will be paid. Slot machines are only “rigged” in that they offer players slightly less than true odds, but anyone who enters a casino knows that they are facing a house edge in any game that they participate in. In short, you can trust that slot machines truly are random. Some great places to play slots. Are Slot Machines Rigged. Ever since slot machines first became available online, there have always been discussions about whether the machines are fixed or not. In that case, we are here to put an end to this popular question and point out 5 things you should know about. So if you are about to start playing slot machines either online on your computer or even via a mobile device please read on as I will enlighten you how you can always ensure that you are going to be accessing slot machines that are completely fair and random and are not rigged or fixed in any way.
However, I’m going to disappoint many of you. It is not easy to win at slots. Slots are based on randomness, and winning big money is not a common thing while knowing the secret of how to beat the slot machine is the dream of every player. Since everything in gambling depends on fortune, there is no guarantee of success when visiting a casino.
Tips and Tricks to Beat Slot Machines
There are a few tips for increasing your chances of beating a slot machine. The number 1 principle is always to remember that each slot machine has its own payroll structure and rules.
There are still many different enthusiasts who are searching for patterns in slots’ outcomes. And most of the 100 % bulletproof systems of how to beat slots originate from these enthusiasts.
The fact is, however, that slots have no memory and every game is based purely on luck, or the lack of it. The only correct strategy is to play and stick to a few rules in order to help you to play better. However, these tips are not based on any systems or statistics of slot machines.
1. Find the Slot with the Highest Return to Player
The well-known craps player, Frank Scoblete, in one of his books describes the encounter with his guru, a legend known as The Captain. At one of their first meetings, he gave Frank this good advice:
“Do not play games with high casino advantage. It’s offering higher payouts, but you will definitely lose more money in the long run.”
This same advice applies to slot machines. Each online slot machine offers a different return, or RTP (return to player). The higher the RTP number, the less you lose. Especially if you play often. RTP can be found in the information of all games. Most online slots have a return to player of around 96 %. If it offers a lesser number, you should not play it. Some slots have a superb RTP of around 98 %, for example, Blood Suckers by NetEnt.
Before you start playing for real money, just try the slot for free. Every online casino offers that. Launch the game and try to find Return to player figure. If it is very low, do not play this game no matter how good looking it is. Never play games of place bets with bad RTP.
2. Watch Your Bankroll
You cannot win every time, so always know just how much you can afford to spend. Determining the amount of money that you can use for the game is one of the basics of proper money management.
This is very important for all players. It does not matter how you play, what you play or how much you play.
You should always bet to achieve the longest gaming sessions as possible. It is also necessary to keep your bankroll so that you can experience a winning series that pumps your bankroll through the roof. If you lose your bankroll too soon, you will have absolutely no chance of getting a positive series during the game. In the online casino, always think of this golden rule of online gambling.
Smart players always know when to leave the table. And it doesn’t matter whether they are winning or losing. This is the best way to protect your money. Always set limits on winning and losing. It depends only on you. Be careful, this is very important.
3. Watch the Time
Always keep in mind how much time you spend at the slot machines. The best way of doing this is to combine it with the previous point. Just watch it by setting a financial limit. For example, you end up winning the chosen amount and stop playing until another day.
4. Lady Fortune is Standing at Your Side
Have a lucky streak? In that case, keep playing. But keep yourself in line and do not bet more than you can afford. Because it might also happen that you will eventually leave with empty pockets. And of course, no player likes that.
5. The Direct Proportionality Doesn’t Apply to Slots
We mentioned earlier that you should play in a way which helps you to play longer. Play wheel of fortune slot. But it is important to realize that a longer session doesn’t always mean bigger winnings. If you meet your limit, you should end. We mention betting strategies a little further on.
6. Play at the Maximum Bet (when it is convenient)
But only if you are worth it! The amount of your bet should always be based primarily on your total bankroll. When playing slot machines, you can change the bet at any time, so there is no problem here.
Because of the negative expectation, betting with the max denomination will only deplete your bankroll faster. On the other hand, in some situations, it may be beneficial to play for more money. This is particularly the case when higher bets will unlock additional game features and increase the return to player figure or allows one to win a progressive jackpot.
For most of the progressive slots, jackpots are only available to players who bet at the maximum level. In such a case, it is always better to bet for a max. Otherwise, you only raise the jackpot for the player who comes after you. If your bankroll does not allow you to bet on max with jackpot machines, it’s better not to play at all.
7. Take Advantage of Casino Loyalty Points
Not many people know that using a loyalty point which online casinos offer could lower the house edge.
Let’s say, for example, that you get 1 point for every €5 bet on the slot machine. You can exchange 100 points for €1. Therefore, for every €500, you can get €1 in cash.
With the little help of Mathematics, we will find that for each €1 you will get back €0.002. In conclusion, the RTP of the machines will increase by 0.2 %. It’s not too much, but in gambling, even tenths of percents count.
8. Slot Winning Frequencies
One of the things that most novices are not familiar with is the winning frequency. This indicator shows how often you can expect a win, on average. Slot machines have an average winning frequency of 10 to 20 %. That means that (again on average) every 10th to 20th spin wins.
If a slot machine pays out more often, it usually means that individual winnings are lower, but you can play this online slot longer and wait for a bonus feature. If a slot pays out less often, it probably doesn’t have any bonus round or features, but the payouts for individual winning lines are higher.
With this knowledge, you could adjust your play to your bankroll and style.
Strategies and Betting Systems Which Help You Win at Slots
If you’ve already read something about betting systems and strategies, you might notice that they can be divided into two categories:
- Change the betting pattern when winning or losing
- Change the betting pattern when changing the player/casino advantage
Betting systems, when the bet amount depends on the outcome of the previous round, have been well known for centuries. For example, Martingale, when a player doubles a bet after a loss and returns to the basic level when winning, was the first betting system ever. A similar system is also known as Fibonacci, which uses the famous mathematical sequence.
What is interesting about these two systems is that, without bet limit or bankroll size, they show a long-term increasing tendency, but with deep falls. However, after adding adjustments such as table limits, these systems are also hopelessly unusable.
Systems from the second group are more far more exciting. The player changes the bet amount when the expected value (or house edge) changes. These systems are mostly used by card counters at blackjack, where the house edge varies according to the number of remaining high cards in the decks.
Pc slot machine games. There are several betting strategies for slot machines that fall into both categories. So let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Betting Strategy for ELK Slot Machines
Some elementary systems have already been developed by people from the ELK company, who make online slots. They have made up 3 betting strategies:
Leveller
The bet will increase by 2 levels after every 5 consecutive losses. When the player wins, the bet returns to the original level.
Booster
The bet will increase by 1 level after each loss until it rises by 4 levels. When the player wins, the bet returns to the original level.
Are Casino Machines Rigged
Jumper
The Jumper system is the opposite of the Booster. In this case, the bet increases by 1 level after a win until it rises by 4 levels. Each loss returns the bet to the original amount.
You can try these systems free of charge at the Taco Brothers slot machine. Any of these 3 strategies can be selected directly from the game menu, so players don’t have to adjust the bet amount after each turn.
Just remember! These are not proven systems, and the game developers themselves claim that playing according to these strategies don’t change the return to player of the slot machine.
2. Strategy for Slot Machines 20 + 20
We like to try out new things. And this betting strategy is quite new. But be careful, it is so drastic that we must warn you in advance:
With this strategy, your bankroll will not win in the long run. It is based only on luck. For this strategy, you need exactly €135. If you have less, it makes no sense to bet on this system.
Betting Principle
You start by playing a 25-cent slot and you play 20 games with one unit. It will cost you €5. If you are in profit after these 20 spins, start the next 20-spin series. But if you finished this 20-spin series at a loss, move to the next level.
The basic principle is very simple: You always play 20 spins. If you win, you remain on existing bets. Once you are below the initial bankroll level, you move to the next step.
So if you lose 20 games with a 50-cent bet, you go for the dollar bet for a €1 spin and after that the final for €5. Twenty dollars cost you €20 and €5 costs €100.
The worst thing that can happen and often happens is when you lose all 80 games in a row and you lose all €135. But during the 20-game sequence, you usually hit some small winnings.
Which Slots Are the Best for 20+20 System?
A very important thing is to choose the best possible slot machine for this strategy.
Play only on slot machines that pay out winnings at the same rate. For example, one credit jackpot is paid €400, two credits are paid €800 and three credits payout €1 200.
Once you’ve crossed all levels, from 25 cents to €5 check your bankroll status. If you’re in extra, go to €5 slots, if you’re at a loss, go to 25-cent slots and play again.
You must have at least €135 for each 20 + 20 series. Whatever amount you have won or lost in the previous game, always put it away and do not play any further with it.
You do not have to play the whole game on one slot machine. If you do not like the 25-cents play, you can go right away to the next level. Follow your guts, it’s a lucky system. Choose your favourite slots and enjoy the game.
Hot to Manage Finances
The disadvantage for the 20 + 20 system is that you lose far more money on €5 slots than on slots with a different denomination. It is true. But on the other hand, these slots usually pay out quite a lot. And if you’re lucky, just two winning spins will cover your entire bankroll for the game.
For this 20 + 20 strategy, your bankroll management is also important. If you have €600, you can play the entire sequence four times. Always follow all 20 + 20 principles and you will see that the game is even more fun. Do not lose control of the game and do not slip away, if you have a losing series. Otherwise, you could lose far more money.
3. Standard Deviation Slot Strategy
Using standard deviation to predict the outcome of a slot machine is a strategy that can be found on some sites. And we decided to debunk it. First of all, let us clarify what the standard deviation is and why we should be interested in the machines at all.
Standard Deviations
The standard deviation is a relatively often used quantity in the statistics, which tells us how much the values are deviated or scattered from the arithmetic mean. In our case, it would be the payout of the slot machine.
Thanks to the random number generator, slot machines’ payouts can be over 100 % in a short period of time, so players can actually get some winnings.
This standard deviation is then referred to as the volatility and it shows us the risk of individual machines. Knowing slots’ volatility can be helpful in creating budget and betting strategies. It is true that slots with high volatility pay less often, but higher figures and vice versa.
Well, this can be shown by a very simplified example, when we wager four bets each of 100 coins on two slot machines. In both cases, we will withdraw €200.
Slot Machine A | Slot Machine B | |
Bet | Win | Win |
100 | 0 | 40 |
100 | 0 | 70 |
100 | 0 | 50 |
100 | 200 | 40 |
Sum | 200 | 200 |
Arithmetic Mean | 50 | 50 |
Standard Deviation | 100 | 14,1421 |
Can Slot Machines Be Rigged
As you can see, in both cases, the result is the same. The player withdraws €200 and a total loss is of €200.
On the Table, you can see that, even though the average is the same for both games, the standard deviation is different. Good news, everyone! You do not have to count the volatility of the slots as we do. Just take a look at the payroll for the individual symbols.
If the top symbol pays out 200 coins, it could be a low volatility slot. If the slot offers 5 000 coins for the highest symbol, it will be a slot with high volatility.
How to Use Standard Deviation Strategy
On the Internet, you can find a strategy that claims that slot players are able to use this statistical calculation. According to this strategy, you need to find the slots which meet these 3 steps:
- You need to find a slot machine with an even payout ratio between bets. This means that if a slot pays out for a 1-unit bet 5 units’ winnings, it must pay out for a 2-unit bet 10 units’ winnings.
- Determine the usual number of spins between winnings. To define this number, you should play as many spins as possible. But at least 10 winnings should be enough.
- From these spins between winnings, then calculate common arithmetic mean. If the numbers of spins between winnings are 12, 9, 24, 4, 6, the AM will be 11. ((12 + 9 + 24 + 4 + 6) / 5 = 11)
Once you have calculated the AM, play the game for the minimum bet and change it to max every 11th every spin. In some cases, it is also recommended to play for a maximum of 9, 10, 12 and 13 spins to increase the chances of winning. Very simple.
Why Strategy Based on Standard Deviation is Not a Good Slots Strategy
Although at first sight, it may seem that calculating the average number of spins between winnings may be the correct logical step, it is not really the case.
If we ignore the fact that you actually don’t calculate standard deviation at all, this strategy has a major fault.
Because of the random number generator, betting according to the calculated average does not increase the probability of winning.
It is the same example as with a coin flip where, according to the average, every second flip is the winning one. But if you grab a coin and flip it, the short-term results will be different. The same principle is applicable to slot machines.
Sure, once in a while you will surely hit the winning line with the max bet, but the problems are those spins that you will lose.
For this strategy to be effective, it must be ensured that:
Winnings from the maximum bets > Number of maximum bets * (maximum bet amount – minimum bet amount)
A simple example:
Winnings from the maximum bets > Number of maximum bets * (maximum bet amount – minimum bet amount)
A simple example:
We tested this strategy on the Supreme Hot online slot, where we played 246 spins and recorded a total of 20 wins.
Gaps between winnings were 18, 25, 11, 3, 18, 1, 14, 7, 24, 32, 3, 4, 1, 6, 1, 3, 13, 26, 32 and 4 spins. The arithmetic mean was calculated as 12, 3 spins. After rounding, we assume that every 12th turn was a winning one.
We analyzed the game and found that out of the total of 20 max bets, only 1 bet was a winning one. The win was 1 600 coins, but this did not cover the total loss.
Total loss was 1 900 coins (20 bets * (100 max-5 min)). If therefore, under the same conditions, the 246 spins were played with a minimum bet, our bankroll would have been 300 coins larger.
Individual games may differ, but in the long run, it will generally apply that you will lose money with this strategy.
4. Three Rule Strategy on how to Win at slots
Introducing Rule Three. It’s actually a strategy game and sticking to it will maximize your chances of winning.
Rule Three allows you to enjoy longer game sessions, and you’ll come home with some winnings in your pocket. And that’s a great success when it comes to slot machines.
So how does Rule Three work? Take, for example, €600 that you have reserved for today’s slot machine session. The first rule is to find the slot with the right denomination. With €600 you do not have a strong enough bankroll for playing full-stakes dollar machines.
If you want to play a real dollar slot, you have to do it with only minimal bets. And as always, try to find slots with the highest RTP possible.
Now you can even divide your €600 into three groups of €200. Take the first €200 and put it into your favourite slot machine. No matter what that is.
At dollar machines, you only bet $1, at 25-cent slots, you play with the max bet. As soon as you bet €70, stop the game and see if you’re in or out.
If you have won something, have your winnings paid out, whatever they are. From the remaining amount, separate $70 and do not play with it anymore.
How to Play?
Now you have your win and you can play on the same slot machine as follows:
Suppose we ended up with €30 after a €70 session. We’ll put that $30 into the slot machine and we’ll want to double it or lose it, except for €10 (a third of the winnings). Take this €10 and add it to the already deferred €70. Now you will go home with $80.
And what if we initially win €60 extra? We’ll postpone $20. So we always postpone one-third of the winnings. That’s precisely how Rule Three works. Once you’ve built up any winnings, put it all aside and do not play with it.
Now, take another $70 of the $200 stack, roll it into the same slot and play the same formula as you did before. And why on the same machine? Why not? You won, did you not?
Once you roll $70 and you’re not up, pick up what you have left and move to another slot machine.
The First Round Is Behind Us
When you’ve played through the first €200 (€70, €70 and €60), take a short break from the game.
After you’ve had a rest, go through the data of the game and the results. If you’ve lost something, or if you have only a little money left, make it easy for yourself to take a small amount of money home. But do not forget that you still have €400, and you have not lost everything.
After a break, return to play and play the same way you played with the first $200.
Final Phase
Now go to the final stage. If you have won good money, and you are sure that you will go home somewhat richer, play as you please. Take $100 from the last part and try to win as much as possible. You have the money in your pocket, and the longer you play, the higher your chances of winning.
And what if all three mini-sessions are lost? Go home and be glad that you took home something and didn’t go home empty-handed. That’s because you played smart.
Use Rule Three on the machines and you can be sure to be able to play the next day.
Slots Are the Game of Chance
Yes, slot machines could be made according to some pattern, but no casino in the world uses such a machine. Playing the machines is like repeatedly pulling the coloured marbles from the bag, with the ball returning after each round. The fewer the balls of a given colour are in the bag, the higher the payoff value for that colour.
Let’s give an example. In the bag, there are 1 000 coloured marbles. One of them is gold and has a payout ratio of 500 to 1. One hundred marbles are silver and their payout ratio is 5 to 1. The remaining 899 are red and nothing is paid out for them.
On average, the golden ball is pulled out once in 1 000 games and the silver 1 in 10 games. But we cannot determine at what point we’ll get the gold. Each attempt has the same probability as the previous one. Every game is just the same. And the same applies to slots and table casino games.
On average, the golden ball is pulled out once in 1 000 games and the silver 1 in 10 games. But we cannot determine at what point we’ll get the gold. Each attempt has the same probability as the previous one. Every game is just the same. And the same applies to slots and table casino games.
How to Win at Slots FAQ
How do you pick a winning slot machine?
Since slots are strictly game of chance, there is no way how you can tell which slot is going to be the winning one. But, you should always pick the slot with the highest Return to Player ratio. Do not forget to check other things like winning frequency, payout or bonus features.
Do you not know how to figure out all these things? Try online slots for free. You can play for free without risk, and you will see how the works.
Which slot machines have the best odds?
Generally speaking, online slots have the slightly better return to player than the slots in land-based casinos. Here we were pick up five slots with RTP higher than 98 %, which is quite high.
- Ugga Bugga (Playtech) – 99.07 %
- Blood Suckers (NetEnt) – 98 %
- Rock On (Rival) – 98 %
- Cosmic Quest (Rival) – 98 %
- Break Da Bank (Microgaming) – 98 %
Remember. Even with extremely high RTP, there is no guarantee that you will win. You will just lose less in the long run.
How do you beat the slot machines?
We are sorry, but there is no sure way how to beat slots. There are some tips like finding the slot with the best odds or always keep your money management. The good way to get more from slots is using the VIP or loyalty program. With these programs, you will get some reward for every bet you make. Almost every online casino offers some kind of loyalty promo, and most of them are redeemable with slots. Just check some online casinos and compare the programs.
Can you tell when a slot machine will hit?
You cannot tell when the slot will hit just watching it. You would have cracked the random number generator and do the math.
Does it matter how much you bet on a slot machine?
Yes, it does. You should always choose the bet amount accordingly to your bankroll. With a higher bet, you can lose all your money faster. On the other hand, if you are lucky, you can win much more. And always remember, it is a good practice to stop playing after the big hit.
Should I play Max bet on slot machines?
It depends on the features of the slot. If the slot offers you, something extra for playing the Max bet, then yes, you should play with the maximum allowed bet. The features may include a chance to win a progressive jackpot, extra bonus rounds, extra free spins, progressively higher payout or wins multiplier. All these features can, and will, increase the return to player ratio.
Are slot machines rigged?
All casino games are rigged in the way that they statistically favour the casino. But, the slots are not rigged as many players thing. The slot doesn’t analyze your game and lets you lose intentionally. If you play in the licenced casino, all games are tested by independent auditors.
Are there hot and cold slots?
There are several types of slot machines, which we can divide according to the number of reels, denomination, or the type of the game. Some players even categorized slots into cold and hot ones.
According to some players, when a machine is cold, it means that the slot hasn’t paid out for a long time. And because of this, it is due to do so in the near future. On the other hand, when the slot machine is hot, that means the slot is in the “zone” and will pay out more often.
Do you wonder which of these theories is right? Well, of course, neither. But you can still meet people who see trends in any slot machine. It is based on a phenomenon called the clustering illusion. It states that the human brain tends to see streaks or patterns in random events.
When you analyze historical data of slots you may find these lucky streaks, but it doesn’t mean that you should or could predict future outcomes.
The Final Word
You can condemn, hate or crush slot machines. But let’s admit it, they already have deep roots in our history and they will be with us for a long time. They belong to gambling, where the most important thing is entertainment.
Do you have any of your own guaranteed strategies for slot machines? Share your experiences with us below in the discussion.
Introduction to Controls Slot Machine Odds
Who controls slot machine odds is a popular question from slots enthusiasts. It’s quite an interesting question, which I thought my audience would appreciate an answer to.
My most recent encounter with this general question was during the Q&A segment of another gambling podcast, episode #634 from Five Hundy By Midnight. They had a question from David which was, “When a new themed penny slot debuts, what is the typical hold percentage? Does it vary by machine, casino, or both?”
Tim and Michelle, co-hosts of the long-lasting Five Hundy By Midnight, a gambling podcast that’s all about Las Vegas, answered the question well, if somewhat briefly.
I’m sure my own audience would like the answer too, so I’m providing a few more details as well as a more general answer with a bit of the why of it all.
This segment has the following sections:
- Introduction
- A Bit of Background on Legal Requirements
- A Bit of History on Physically Setting Odds
- Slot Machine Types Based on How Odds are Set
- Identifying Who Controls Slot Machine Odds
- Does It Really Matter Who Controls Slot Machine Odds? Yes!!
- Summary
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A Bit of Background on Legal Requirements
To answer this question, I’ll need to delve into a bit of recent history to explain how odds are set in older-style standalone slot machines using a random number generator (RNG). This way is how many people incorrectly believe the odds are currently set on ALL slot machines.
However, starting around 2008, a lot changed with setting slot machine odds. These changes are due to the emergence of new gaming technologies, not only in slot machines but also with the development of casino operating software. Both provide casinos with an increased operating efficiency and therefore low operating costs.
With so many more people visiting casinos in the last decade, and with their profit margins getting smaller every year, casino operators find they cannot afford to ignore the savings opportunities of new technologies.
The second driver for this change to how slot machines are controlled is due to ongoing developments in statutory regulations for gaming jurisdictions. In the U.S., these gaming jurisdictions are the states, territories, or federal district that legally allow gaming.
In essence, casino operators have to follow the gaming regulations for the jurisdiction wherein they are located. In part, these gaming jurisdictions often include laws which place an upper and lower limit on the pay back return for slot machines.
To not lose their gaming license, or to otherwise get in trouble with gaming control authorities, casino operators must remain in compliance with these legal gaming requirements.
Note that commercial casinos have to be comply to gaming regulations as set by the U.S. state, territory, or federal district they are located in. Native American tribal casinos also have to comply with their own set of gaming requirements, which are usually not based on state law.
Rather, these are defined by negotiation between a federally-recognized tribe and the state within which they are located by carefully crafting a state-tribal compact ultimately approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
So, within this overall context, who controls slot machine odds? At a high level, gaming regulators determine the legal limits, if any, for payout returns on slot machines. This is accomplished via state law or negotiated compacts, and usually not changed for a decade, if that often.
Casinos operators are, often but not always, required to provide weekly or monthly reports on actual payout returns to show their gaming authority they are compliant. Sometimes, depending on each gaming jurisdiction, these statistical reports are then provided to the public by the state gaming commission.
Going further, these regular reports can break down these actual payout returns by casino, table games, slot machines, gaming machines, by the denomination of slot machines within a specific casino, or even if the machine has a progressive jackpot. What is done is very specific to the gaming jurisdiction where the casino is located.
Given all these variability of what is or is not done within a U.S. gaming jurisdiction, I’ve created an online series of posts for my audience of slots enthusiasts. It’s meant to help them navigate this dynamic environment of state-specific gaming regulations.
For more information on your specific state, territory, or federal district of interest, see Slot Machine Casino Gambling, State-By-State: A Weekly Blog.
So, at its high level, slot machines are controlled by gaming regulators by the placement of legal requirements for payout return percentages. Sometimes, however, these state-specific gaming regulators do not set limits on payout returns. Put another way, they have deliberately chosen to not set legal limits.
When this happens, somewhat obviously, casino operators do not have a legal requirement for setting payout returns. However, to remain open and not close due to lack of customers, they still have to be careful to not set their payout returns too low.
It’s worth noting that most gaming regulations set a low limit on payout returns to which casino operators deliberately stay well above. To do so is just good business.
A Bit of History on Physically Setting Odds
The random number generator (RNG) was developed for slot machines by Bally Technologies in 1984. About a decade later, most slot machines had this RNG, which allowed for easily adjustable odds of winning.
Beforehand, the odds of winning were set in an entirely mechanical manner. This worked well for decades, until the technical development of slot machines began to cause difficulties. Basically, as credits to bet and number of pay lines increased, the physical mechanisms for determining odds began to reach certain physical limits.
Slot enthusiasts loved having a choice of how many credits to bet, as well as playing a slot machine with more than one pay line. Increased credits and pay lines also led to much higher jackpots.
All of these developments led to odds of winning being needed for many more possible outcomes, which mechanical devices for determining the odds of winning began to not be able to handle. In fact, these mechanical devices began to fall behind and actually became less and less random in nature.
As an aside, the topic of randomness is actually quite interesting. True randomness is very difficult, if not literally impossible, to generate. Often, when randomness is needed in either an mechanical or electronic device, various methods are used which are “random enough.”
Technically speaking, there is no such thing as an existing perfectly random number generator. At best, there are only pseudo random number generators, one variant of which was patented by Bally Technologies in 1984.
Moving away from our brief sortie into the philosophy of randomness, the invention of the RNG solved for slot machine manufacturers this limitation of mechanical devices for determining randomness in slot machines. But, it created another problem: With adjustable odds of winning via electronic RNGs, casinos would need to have a large workforce to do that adjusting.
And so, that is what casinos did. They built and trained a workforce of slot mechanics to adjust the odds of winning on their new slot machines to meet their desired performance metrics.
However, the size of that workforce would increase tremendously depending on how often those odds of winning were adjusted. For older style slot machines, this is at least 7 days and may be as much as 2 weeks, as I’ve expressed in Professor Slots Episode #21: Winning at Slots on Older Casinos-Kentucky Slots 2018.
Most recently, since 2012 or so, relatively newer casinos have been able to reduce this costly workforce thanks to new casino operating systems. These systems not only help casinos manage large promotional events with less overall issues, but also allow them to remotely adjust the odds of winning on slot machines connected to the casino’s central computer system.
Of course, this connection to the casino’s central computer system is currently limited to a wired connection due to potential security concerns as well as WIFI bandwidth limits. As a result, using a central computer in this manner is only possible if all the slot machines are physically “wired up.”
Doing so requires sufficient building infrastructure, such as clearance beneath floors and behind walls, to allow for these many, many cable connections. This is only practically possible in all new casinos being built as well as older casinos being heavily renovated. That is to say, renovated to have far more than simply new carpeting and wallpaper.
With wired connections from slot machines to a central computer, the reduced cost of a smaller workforce of slot mechanics, much faster adjustment of casino performance metrics to daily or even hourly updates, and more satisfied customers due to efficiently run events, the question remains. Who controls slot machine odds?
To get closer to the answer to this question, we’ll next have to discuss how the legal limits of payout returns are set on actual slot machines. Why? Because slot machines can be categorized by how their odds are set. And, how those odds are physically set will tell us who really controls them.
Slot Machine Types Based on How Odds are Set
Slot machines can be divided up into methods by which their odds of winning are set. These slot machine types include:
- Standalone
- Casino-Specific Progressives
- Multi-Casino Progressives
- State-Wide Progressives
- Remotely Controlled Onsite by Casino
- Remotely Controlled Offsite by Gaming Regulators
Standalone slot machines are those which are most often found in older casinos, but are technically slot machines including within their cabinets the ability to set and provide odds of winning with a random number generator. A workforce of slot mechanics adjust the odds of winning periodically as directed by the casino operator.
In general, there is a limited number of settings available for these older slot machines. YouTube videos are available from individuals who have personally purchased an older style, standalone slot machine showing exactly how these odds are set.
For those videos I have viewed, there were six possible settings which could be entered after opening up the slot machine door. These settings were based on codes from a booklet provided by the slot machine manufacturer.
Keep in mind that videos such as these are the general source of knowledge most people have about the internal workings of slot machines. Employees of slot machine manufacturers and casinos with access to these payout settings simply aren’t sharing this information due to non-disclosure agreements and other legal restrictions.
Besides which, accessing the control for changing the odds of a slot machine is quite problematic. The slot machine is alarmed, so any tampering without official access (employee card key, entry code, physical key) are required to even open a slot machine door. Not to mention, the casino surveillance system sees all.
Discussing the three types of Progressive Slot Machines mentioned will be the dedicated topic for another time. I’d discuss how the ownership of these Progressive slot machines matters with regards to how the odds of winning are set. Briefly, the amount of the Progressive jackpot is primarily based on how many slot machines are included.
For instance, these can be a carousel of slot machines in a certain area of a casino, it can be a larger number of slot machines located throughout a casino, or a large group of Progressive slot machines located at multiple casinos.
These large group could actually be of two types: multiple properties of the same casino operator, or multiple casino operators, within a single gaming jurisdiction, i.e., state.
Already discussed are slot machines remotely controlled onsite at a casino through the use of a central computer operating system. Only new or heavily renovated casinos have the facility infrastructure to handle the sheer number of cables necessary.
If they are controlled onsite, these slot machines have their odds of winning adjusted daily or hourly by remote access. How often these adjustments are made is, rather unfortunately at this time, a matter of debate.
I’m currently trying to track down state legal requirements of which I’d heard rumors. The rumor I heard was that a slot machine must be idle for at least 15 minutes without a players card being inserted before the casino is allowed, if desired, to remotely adjust its odds of winning. Further, the rumor stated that this practice was typical and originally based on Nevada gaming regulations.
However, this rumor doesn’t pass the so-called smell test. At this time, I’ve currently reviewed state gaming regulations for over 38 U.S. states, territories, or a federal district. I’ve yet to find any substantiation for this rumor. Alternatively, it may well be an accepted business practice built-in to the advanced casino operating systems.
Why do I feel strongly that slots players are protected from having their odds of winnings reduced while playing? It’s simple – the state control board controls the odds of winning on slot machines, and everything I’ve seen, read, and studied tells me they work for you.
I just can’t imagine state gaming commissions would allow something this untoward, this nefarious even, to occur. They have careful casino operating system approval processes in place to prevent it, they watch casino operations like hawks (often from within the casino), and any casino that decides not to be fully compliant is in for a world of hurt if/when caught.
Finally, there are slot machines having their odds controlled off-site by state gaming regulators. These are most or all video lottery terminals style slot machines.
Video lottery terminals are, as their name implies, instant lottery machines. That means they are controlled by the state lottery, which is set up to remotely handle many, many such terminals at any given moment.
Identifying Who Controls Slot Machine Odds
Who controls slot machine odds at a casino you are considering whether or not to visit? Who controls slot machine odds on the slot machine you’re sitting at?
As I’ve discussed before, both on my webpage Assessing Casinos as well as Professor Slots podcast episode #3: Assessing Casinos, Alaska Slots 2017, deciding which local casino you want to spend your time at is an important decision for determining your baseline success at slots.
So, you’ll likely want to know who controls slot machine odds when you’re choosing between, for instance, an older, pre-2012 casino with standalone slot machines or a racino with many new video slot machines.
The top level choice is really about your own gambling goals, as also discussed on my webpage Identifying Gambling Goals or, alternatively, within Professor Slots podcast episode #5: Identifying Gambling Goals, Arizona Slots 2017.
But, whether your gambling goal is entertainment, earning maximum comps, or take-home money, having better odds of winning on a slot machine will help accomplish that goal. So, ignoring other important considerations such as drive time, the spread of the buffet, players club, and etc., the type of slot machine is definitely a consideration.
Casinos with standalone slot machines where the actual machine in front of you has its own dedicated random number generator is relatively easily determined. Ask someone, how old is the casino?
Or, if you don’t want to ask someone or look it up online, just take a look at the slot machine in front of you. Specifically, look at the player card interface area. What does its display look like? Is it a touchscreen display?
Or an LED display like those seen outside of a bank showing the time and temperature for a passerby to see? If it’s a touchscreen, the slot machine is most likely not standalone. If it’s an LED, it most likely is a standalone slot machine.
Determining whether or not a Progressive slot machine is connected to a single carousel, across several carousels within a casino, across several casinos owned by a single casino operator, or across several casino operator properties will be, as previously mentioned, the topic of an upcoming post.
Next up are non-video slot machines with touchscreens at the players card interface. These are all slot machines centrally controlled by a computer onsite at the casino. You can confirm this by learning the date of the casino’s original opening or when it was last heavily renovated.
Keep in mind that a very few casinos have both, assuming they have expanded their original structure not by renovating it, but by building a new casino facility right next to it.
This is the case with Foxwoods Resort, which is itself an older style casino. However, they recently build Fox Tower right next to it, which is a newer style casino.
Finally, there are video slot machines. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to tell the difference between a video slot machine and a video lottery terminal. A video slot machine is controlled onsite by the central computer at the casino. A video lottery terminal is controlled offsite by the state lottery.
The only sure way to tell the difference between these two slot machine types is to take a look at what the state gaming commission says they are at that casino.
For instance, in Ohio, there are currently 4 commercial casino resorts and 7 pari-mutual racinos. The 4 casinos have traditional reel and video slot machines all controlled by a central computer located onsite.
However, Ohio’s seven racinos have a mix of traditional reel and video lottery terminals slot machines. The traditional reel slot machines are controlled onsite with a central computer while all of the video lottery terminals, which externally look exactly like video slot machines, are controlled offsite by the state lottery’s central computer systems.
Does It Really Matter Who Controls Slot Machine Odds? Yes!!
With this improved understanding of how casinos work, let’s consider these two facts. First, that there are types of slot machines, specifically those that are standalone or remotely controlled by casino operator or state. Second, that there are the several ways slot machines can have their odds of winning set on an ongoing basis, depending on their specific type.
So yes, actually, it does matter who controls slot machine odds. Why? Because this is where patterns of winning are found. When slot machines are set up to be as random as possible, and that assigned level of randomness is unchanged over days and weeks, then long-term statistical principles rule.
Meaning, on average over the long haul, people will always loss money playing slots. Put another way, profits are only possible in the short term. This specifically applies to all slot machines controlled by the state, such as video lottery terminals.
However, when the odds are changed hourly or set over 100% for promotional purposes, then there are better times to play a slot machine – and all that slot enthusiasts need do is figure out when that better time is in order to win more and, potentially, make some level of profit. That’s what I did: I made a profit at slots by looking for and finding winning patterns, when I won 90 taxable jackpots in 9 months.
Only casino operators change their odds hourly or deliberately adjust them for promotional purposes. The state has no need or desire to do so, getting their money no matter what, while the casino is a business, with stockholders and a board of directors, obligated to try to succeed financially.
The casino puts in the time and energy to hit their financial performance metrics. The casinos hire the best general manager who themselves hire the best possible team.
Put another way, the casino has a business need to adjust the odds of winning on their slot machines to eke out a living while the state only needs to be patient. Businesses are not patient – they try things in their ongoing quest for success.
And, really, that struggle is what has changed since around 2012 with the technology behind the winning odds of slot machines. Casinos are always trying new things. And, when they have control over setting the odds on slot machines, they adjust them to try to succeed.
Before 2012, this amounted to increasing the odds of winning to be over 100% on a single slot machine near a busy area in their casino, as a promotional tool with its own limited budget.
With the new casino operating technologies, casinos have been given a finer control over setting those odds. This has allowed them to try new things, which they very much like to do. These new things are to adjust the odds on slot machines more often than ever before.
In financial terms, they’re trying to tune their financial performance metrics on a daily or even hourly basis, something that was never before possible.
I’ve never worked for a casino, so have never been pitched a new casino operating system by a slot machine manufacturer’s sales team. But, it’s obvious that this “tuning” is part of the pitch being made to casino operators. Without having seen it, how can I believe this? Simple. I’ve won a lot at slots through pattern recognition.
What’s happened is that, and it matters not at all how it came about, casinos have obviously bought into the idea of finely tuning their financial performance metrics.
In the case of slot machines, which is the only game as casino offers that I’m interested in, they’ve broken the long-term constant randomness of the odds of winning on a slot machine. Therefore, as all statisticians know, patterns emerge.
So, again, yes it does matter who controls slot machine odds, because those controlled by the casino have had their randomness broken. It matters because slots enthusiasts can look for emerging patterns on these casino-controlled machines, then use them to win more.
In the future, I’ll talk more about the winning patterns I’ve found using this understanding. In the meantime, I hope I’ve made it clear how and why they exist.
Summary of Can You Guess Who Controls Slot Machine Odds?
In summary, who controls slot machine odds is answered by understanding they are controlled by the machine, the casino staff, both, possibly the state if the machine is a video lottery terminal, and by slot machine manufacturers themselves in the case of most Progressive slot machines.
This control over the odds of winning was historically a mechanical device supplanted by an electronic random number generator invented in 1984, afterwards allowing slots machines to be developed having more credits, denominations, and pay lines as well as higher jackpots.
There’s currently older-style casinos with standalone slot machines and newer-style casinos built to have the facility infrastructure necessary for physically wiring up their slot machines to be remotely controlled by a computer server.
I’ve discussed how to tell the difference, as well as explained how slot machines can be remotely controlled by the casino or, in the case of video lottery terminals, by computers established for this purpose by the state lottery agency.
Finally, I’ve discussed if any of this matters to slots enthusiasts looking for an advantage. It does matter. In essence, any slot machines with odds of winning directly controlled by a casino have patterns of winning because casinos keep adjusting those odds to meet their financial performance metrics.
These patterns make it possible for savvy slots enthusiasts to improve their own gambling performance.
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Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC