int

Slots at the USA Casinos - Part II

Slot machines in casinos SSHA

We continue the subject started in the first part of the article, focusing on slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos in the United States. There, we began to consider the situation with video slots in different regions of the United States. We discussed states where slot machines are allowed.

Slot Machines in the U.S.A.

Let's continue.

Wyoming

Wyoming Indian casinos offer bingo and traditional slot machines; there is no information about their RTPs.

Washington

Washington has twenty-eight casinos owned by Indian tribes. They offer the following entertainment:

  • board games,
  • electronic scratch cards,
  • video slots.

The law does not oblige them to provide information on the payback in the games.

Wisconsin

All local casinos in the territories of indigenous communities are not required to report on the payback in their casino games.

West Virginia

In this state, you can play various games:

  • keno,
  • poker,
  • blackjack,
  • slot machines.

They have a theoretical return to the player from 80% to 95%. However, in most casinos, RTPs are no more than 90%.

Louisiana

Louisiana authorities require all slot machines installed in casinos to have a payback from 80% to 99.9%. If the slots operate outside the casinos, it must be no more than 94%.

Verification carried out in 2011 - 2012 found that the average return did not exceed 95%. However, it also does not fall below 88.5%.

Casino Slot Hall in Louisiana

Maine

In Maine, slot machines are available at Bangor Raceway Casino, which has been operating since 2005. By law, the minimum return is 89%. Test results showed that the actual payback in this casino was about 90.6%.

Maryland

Slot machines have been allowed in Maryland since 2008. Throughout the state, there are about fifteen thousand of them. One gambling club is permitted in each of the five districts.

The law requires local gambling operators to provide a payback rate of at least 87% in video slots, but there is no reliable data on the actual situation.

Massachusetts

Until 2009, residents of this state could gamble only on ships that sailed five kilometers from the coastline, but then they ceased operations.

In 2011, Massachusetts legalized gambling. The state can not have more than three casinos and one slot hall, but there were no casinos at the time of writing this article. The first casino is expected to open by the end of 2013.

Minnesota

All casinos are located within the Minnesota Indian reservations. They offer the following games:

  • blackjack,
  • poker,
  • slot machines of one kind.

Additionally, you can find keno here.

  • In poker and blackjack, the return should be from 83% to 98%;
  • In keno, from 75% to 95%;
  • In slots, from 80% to 95%.

As usual, information about the actual RTP is not provided.


Mississippi

Mississippi Gaming Commission does not have statistics on the level of theoretical return in some casinos, only limited data by region. This state has several casinos. Their video slots have RTPs of about 91% - 95%.

Missouri

Missouri also has more than a dozen casinos. The Local Gaming Commission regularly receives information about the average return level in the state's casinos. Rates vary from 89% to 91.5%. They include not only slot machines but also video poker, electronic keno, and some other games.

Slot machines in Missouri casinos

Michigan

In Michigan, there are seventeen Indian and three private casinos in Detroit. As we mentioned in the first part of the article, the law does not require the tribes to disclose the theoretical return of slot machines in their casinos. However, it requires a minimum payback of 75%. Thus, any information on the Detroit casinos is also absent.

Montana

In Montana, bar owners can install up to twenty video poker, bingo, or keno machines. They offer checks to cash out winnings, and the maximum bet is $2. You can win up to $800 per round. The minimum return must be 80%.

Additionally, the state has seven casinos owned by indigenous communities. They may have slot machines with bets of up to $5 and a payout of up to $1,000. 

New Jersey

The New Jersey Gaming Commission regularly publishes data on the average return in casino games located within the state. According to the latest report, it varies from 89.3% to 91.7%.

New York

In New York State, there are ten Indian casinos. They typically do not disclose the theoretical return of their video slots. Since 2001, slot machines at racetracks have also been allowed. Their payback is a little more than 90%.

New Mexico

New Mexico has several Indian casinos offering customers a variety of slot machines and table games. Their return must be at least 80%. Video slots can also be installed on the racetracks and in the clubs. Their return is set at the minimum level of 80% and can reach a maximum of 96%. In this case, there is also no actual data.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, there is only one casino. The Cherokee tribe owns it. It has slot machines required to return from 83% to 98%.

Harrah's Cherokee Casino in North Carolina

North Dakota

You can play blackjack in more than eight North Dakota casinos, sending revenue to charity. The state also has six Indian casinos with such games:

  • blackjack,
  • poker,
  • roulette,
  • craps,
  • video poker,
  • and video slots.

For many games, the set range is from 80% to 100%, and in video poker and blackjack, it should not be less than 83%.

Ohio

Gambling in Ohio has been allowed since 2009. The law permits one casino in each of the four largest cities in the state. The theoretical average return in these casinos is 90% - 91%.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, there are only Indian casinos with different slot machines. There is no data on their return.

Oregon

Oregon authorities permit video slots in bars. One casino can offer customers no more than six slots. In racetracks, up to ten slots are allowed. The average return on them is about 92.5%.

The state also has nine Indian casinos, but data on them is unavailable.

Pennsylvania

Eleven casinos operate in Pennsylvania. Their paybacks vary from 89.5% to 90.6%.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, there are several types of gambling:

  • blackjack,
  • video slots,
  • keno,
  • and video poker.

The payback in the state casinos is about 91%.

Texas

Texas has only one casino owned by the Indian community. You can play poker, bingo, slot machines, and video blackjack. There is no statistical data on games.

South Dakota

You can play slot machines in South Dakota in Deadwood casinos (about 91 % return). Data on nine Indian casinos operating in the state is not available.

South Carolina

In South Carolina, gambling is permitted only on two ferries that sail to neutral waters. No information is available about the theoretical returns of their games.


Conclusion

In the final part of this series, we will talk about the situation with gambling in Nevada casinos, where, as you know, there is a lot of gambling entertainment.

Frequently asked Questions

❔ In which states are slot machines completely prohibited?

While many U.S. states have embraced some form of gambling, including slot machines, there are a couple of states where all forms of gambling, and consequently slot machines, are entirely illegal. These are Utah and Hawaii, both of which maintain strict prohibitions against gambling activities within their borders, reflecting unique cultural or social considerations that differentiate them from the majority of the nation.

🔞 What are the common age restrictions for playing slot machines in American casinos?

The most prevalent age restrictions for engaging with slot machines in American casinos are either 18 or 21 years old. The majority of states with a significant casino presence, such as Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, require individuals to be at least 21 to participate in any form of casino gambling, including slot machines. However, in some states, particularly those where gambling might be limited to specific types of venues like tribal casinos or where state lotteries are the primary form of gambling, the minimum age could be 18. It is always prudent to verify the specific age requirements for any particular casino or state before planning a visit.

🎡 How do tribal casinos fit into the U.S. slot machine landscape?

Tribal casinos play a substantial role in the U.S. slot machine landscape, operating under the framework of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in states that have entered into compacts with Native American tribes. These compacts, which are agreements between tribal nations and state governments, dictate the scope and type of gaming allowed, often including a wide array of slot machines. States like California, Oklahoma, and Florida have a robust tribal casino presence, where these establishments contribute significantly to the overall gambling market and are often subject to a unique regulatory structure established through their compacts rather than standard state commercial gaming laws.

✅ Could you elaborate on state-specific slot machine regulations beyond simple legality?

Beyond the fundamental legality, state-specific regulations for slot machines delve into various intricacies. For instance, in Nevada, the regulatory framework distinguishes between "restricted" licenses for establishments with a limited number of machines, such as bars and convenience stores, and "non-restricted" licenses for full-scale casinos, each with distinct operational requirements. Pennsylvania recently adjusted its gaming laws to allow Category 1 and Category 2 casinos to operate with a reduced minimum of 1,000 slot machines, reflecting an adaptive approach to market demands. New Jersey maintains tight control over slot machine ownership, generally restricting it to licensed casino operators, manufacturers, and approved gaming schools, with a specific carve-out for antique machines manufactured before 1941. In contrast, Florida's slot machine operations are confined mainly to eight pari-mutuel facilities in two specific counties and tribal casinos, with state law stipulating a minimum payout percentage of at least 85% for machines in these venues. Florida also strictly prohibits the private ownership of slot machines, even for non-profit or amusement purposes, highlighting the diverse and often stringent regulatory approaches taken by individual states.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
  • casino operations
  • management
  • gambling analytics
  • RTP
  • volatility
  • regulation
  • trends
  • reviews
  • editorial
  • expertise
Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
Write a comment
Typed 0 synbols, min 50, max 2000
Rate
You rated
0/10