Slot Machine Monitoring

When people lose at the slot machines, more often than not they want to blame the casino. They say that the slot machines are rigged, or that while they were playing them the casino changed the payout somehow. These accusations are unfounded as slot machines are regulated and monitored quite closely.

In order for a casino to change the payout on a slot machine, or really to change anything about their slots, they have to gain permission from the gaming control board that regulates their state. Each slot machine is state regulated, no matter whether it is on tribal ground or otherwise.

How much they pay out might vary from state to state, but there is a set amount that they must pay back. Each state has a minimum, usually somewhere around 85% that the casino must pay back to the patrons. Whether or not the casino puts it that low is up to them, and many payout much higher than that.

In some states, if a change is to be made, an independent laboratory will come in and evaluate the slot machine before any change can be made. They will look at the history of the slot machine and make a determination as to whether or not they will allow the change.

Each of the slot machines are fully tested and inspected before they are allowed to go on the gaming floor, and once there they are subjected to spot inspections as well. The state carefully keeps track of everything having to do with the slot machines, so unfortunately if you have lost money, you don’t have anyone to blame but yourself.
 

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