Slot Machines and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)

Slot machines and VLTs are among the most popular forms of gambling these days. There are many similarities between these two types of gaming, and the process seems very simple—just take a seat, insert your money, and let the reels take it away. However, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. Let’s explore what really occurs when you play these types of games.

These types of games offer play in various denominations from $0.01 - $25.00 pending on the machine you select. Some machines now offer multi-denomination where the player can choose which denomination to play within a given range. These denominations reflect the cost of one credit and when you put money into a machine, it will display your “money-in” as credits for that game. For example, if you were to put $5.00 into a $0.01 machine, you would have 500 credits, but if you were to put the same $5.00 into a $1.00 machine, you would only have 5 credits to play with. Each machine will have a range of preset bets allowing the player to choose how many credits to wager during each game. Once credits are actively wagered, they are automatically removed from your displayed credit balance. If the game is a win, your credits will go up by the winning amount, However, it is possible to win less than your initial bet. Though this may seem like a loss, the machine will still count and celebrate that play as a win for the player.

Both slot machines and VLT operate using a Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine the outcome of each play. These RNGs cycle through hundreds or thousands of numbers per second and the result of a player’s spin depends on what number is generated in the exact instant they initiate a bet (Pulling the slot handle or pushing the spin button). The RNG makes the outcomes of each play unpredictable and completely independent from past and future pulls. Even with the significance of the RNG, it’s helpful to read and understand the gaming rules and information before playing. Rules of play and pay out information is available by pressing the help, information, or pays button on the machine.

Many of these games will offer bonus games where skill may appear to influence the outcome such as touching clouds on the screen, popping balloons, or even additional reel spins. While skill may seem to be factor, the RNG from your initial bet actually determines whether you play a bonus game and what amount is available for you to win. 

1. For VLTs Specifically: Select the maximum amount of time from the options that are available that you wish to play before you are reminded to take a break. Your options are 15, 30,45 or 60 minutes. After the selected amount of time has elapsed, you will be asked if you would like to cash out or select one of the time amounts again. If you select time amount you will have to cash out once that second amount of time has elapsed.
2. All casinos, racing entertainment centers, and VLT retailers offer coinless slot machines and VLTs. Bill acceptors take $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100 bills. To play the machines, insert the bill or bills into the bill acceptor. The maximum credit that you can insert into a VLT is $100.00. VLTs will also not accept any additional cash from players when the terminal cash balance is $250 or more.
3. You can then select how many lines, and how many credits per line, you wish to bet. Different machines will have different credit values and offer various betting options and multipliers. By pressing the button displaying the least number of credits to wager, you’ll wager minimum amount of money for each game played. By pressing the Max Bet, you’ll bet the maximum wager allowed on that machine for that specific game. For VLTs, the max bet is $2.25 regardless of the game being played
4. Pull down and release the arm on the side of the slot – or press the Spin button. All slot machines and VLTs display the number of credits won based on the results of the reel spin.  
5. When you’re ready to cash out, press the Cash Out button and you’ll receive a ticket. For slot machines, that ticket can be redeemed at the cashier, Ticket Redemption Kiosk, or can be inserted into another slot machine regardless of amount. For VLTs, cash-out tickets can only be redeemed and re-inserted into other terminals. Tickets under $1,250 can be redeemed at the VLT location where it was produced. Cash-out tickets over $1,250 can be redeemed at a designated cross-validation which the VLT retailer can direct you to. Both slot machine and VLT cash-out Tickets are valid for 30 days.

Slot machines and VLTs offer many types of games including themes like reels, keno and video poker. Though games will all have different rules, instructions, and pay outs, an RNG is still active in each terminal making the outcomes unpredictable. Some machines will pay smaller prizes more often or have more bonus games, while others play out less but may have bigger prizes. Be sure to review the game instructions when playing on a new machine.

Bet: The amount of money wagered on a single spin. Players can often adjust the bet size per spin.

Bonus Round: An additional game feature that provides extra opportunities to win, often activated by specific symbols or combinations.

Classic Slots: Machines with three reels and simple gameplay, often featuring traditional symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens.

Free Spins: A feature where the player is awarded a certain number of spins without having to place additional bets.

Jackpot: The highest payout available on a particular slot machine, which may be either a fixed or progressive amount.

Max Bet: The highest amount a player can wager on a single spin, sometimes required for eligibility for the biggest jackpots.

Multi-Line Slots: Machines that allow bets on several paylines at once.

Pay Table: A chart displaying the value of each symbol and the winnings for various combinations.

Payline: A line across the reels where matching symbols must appear to create a winning combination. Modern slots may have multiple paylines.

Progressive Slots: Slot machines with jackpots that increase every time the game is played and not won, often networked across multiple machines.

Reel: The vertical columns that spin when the slot machine is activated. Traditional machines have three or five reels, each displaying a series of symbols.

Spin: The action of initiating the reels to turn, either by pulling a lever or pressing a button.

Slot Tutorial: Ready to put your knowledge into practice? Check out the GameSense Interactive Slot Tutorial for some hands-on exploration into the operation of Slot machines. 
Slot Machine Tutorial
 

Slot machine denominations seem small and feasible, however there are very few machines that allow you to only bet a single credit. Most machines provide a choice in wagers ranging between minimum and maximum bets that cost multiple credits. Over time these costs can add up quickly pending your playing style and machine preference. Check out the Cost of Play Calculator below to see a cost-estimate of hourly and yearly slot play with a few basic assumptions.