Slots at the USA Casinos - Part I

Slot Machines at American Casinos

Based on the data from the annual edition of American Casino Guide (2013), we have prepared for Casinoz readers a review of video slots in different states. We tried to focus on the RPT if casinos provide such information.

Idaho

Six Indian casinos operate in the state of Idaho. They offer slot machines of different types. All of them give out checks to cash out.

The state government does not set requirements for a minimum payback, so this data is not public.

Iowa

in 2012, the Iowa state authorities, to oversee gambling and horse racing activities, published data on RTPs in slot machines of different types:

• slot machines,
• video slots,
• video poker, etc.

The information was from several casinos. The range extends from 89,5% (Horseshoe Council Bluffs) to 91,6% (Isle of Capri - Waterloo).

Alabama

In Alabama, three casinos operate in the Native American territories. They have slot machines, but the state law does not require organizers to provide data about the RTP in video slots.

Arizona

On the territory of Arizona, Indian casinos have welcomed clients since 1993, offering them the same slot machines. Gambling operators are not obliged to inform the customers about the payback. Still, the Arizona Department of Gambling has sat the minimal levels:

• video slots - at 80%,
• video poker - at 83%,
• keno - at 75%.

Thus, the RTPs should be at least such as stated above. 

Arkansas

In the casinos of Arkansas, there are video pokers, video blackjacks, and video slots with strategy elements. Local authorities regulating gambling activities in the state require the RTP to be at least 83%.

In practice, it is considerably higher. In Southland, slot machines have an average payback of 93.6%; in Oaklawn, it is 93.2%.

Delaware

Delaware slot machines are offered in all three local casinos. According to provincial law, the payback must be 87% to 95%, although with the authorities' approval, it may exceed 95%.

As of 2012, Delaware Park video slots payout 92.4 %, Harrington Raceway - 91.5%, and Dover Downs - 92%.

Georgia

Residents and visitors of Georgia can gamble on two ferries five kilometers away in neutral waters where no one can prohibit such activities. On the other hand, no one controls the organizers of these casinos, so there is no data on the RTP in the games.

Florida

Gambling in Florida is of three varieties:

1. casinos on Indian reservations,
2. casinos on the ferries,
3. slot machines in one of the southern districts.

There are eight Indian casinos in the state. Seven of them belong to the tribe of Seminoles, and one is on the reservation Miccosukee. Seminoles offer various games, including slots, blackjack, three-card poker, baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, and others. The casino of Miccosukee has only slot machines.

Interestingly, in some Indian casinos, gambling is permitted to visitors from eighteen years, and some allow only visitors older than twenty-one. Data on RTPs is not available.

Ferries with gambling games take customers onboard and go five miles into the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. In these waters, a law of any country is no longer valid, and organizers of such casinos can set any RTP in the slot machines. Of course, they do not provide information on it.

In several southern districts of Florida, slot halls are permitted. The theoretical return to the player must be at least 85%. These are demands of the local regulatory authorities. In the summer of 2012, the following RTPs were recorded: Magic City - 92,2%, Calder - 91 %, Mardi Gras Gaming - 92,5%, Gulfstream - 91,9%, The Isle - 93,2%.

Illinois

In Illinois, there are several casinos. In the summer of 2012, the state regulatory authorities set requirements for slot RTPs. The complete list is not published. We can say that the rates vary from 89,2% (Harrah's Metropolis) to 93,4% (Casino Queen).

Indiana

Indiana Gaming Commission, in June 2012, provided data on the verification of payback in casino slot machines operating in the state. The lowest one was registered in the Horseshoe Hammond (90%), and the highest RTPs are in slots belonging to Hoosier Park (nearly 92%).

However, as you can see, the difference is not so significant. Moreover, these numbers include data on gaming machines, video pokers, electronic kenos, and other games.

California

California casinos offer customers various slot machines, video pokers, and card games.

Roulette and craps are unavailable there because they are forbidden in the state. Yet, some casinos have found a way out by developing the original versions of these games with cards instead of dice and wheels.

Such metamorphoses also occurred with blackjack. Local versions are played to twenty-two points, and the casino keeps a commission from payouts.

California has more than ninety gambling clubs. They do not provide public information on RTPs in their games because regulatory authorities do not require them to do it.

Colorado

Colorado casinos offer customers slot machines, as well as other games. In 2012, the local department on gambling control published data on the theoretical return to different cities.

These numbers vary a lot in some casinos. The range extends from 90% to 96.12 %. 

Connecticut

MGM Grand and Foxwood's average return on slot machines in casinos is 91.59%. If you bet ten dollars, it rises to 95.27%.

In Mohegan Sun, the payout percentage on the video slots is 91.75%. A bet of ten dollars increases it to over 96%.

Kansas

Kansas casinos are owned by the state and located in four districts. There are also five Indian casinos. Detailed information on the paybacks in slot machines is not provided. We only know that public clubs must payout at least 87% and Indian casinos no less than 80%.

To be continued ...