Are Slot Machines Rigged?

If you have tried and tried and tried the slot machines in Vegas casinos to no avail, you may begin to feel like the odds are stacked against you intentionally. And, when you have invested so much time and money into a game with very little reward, no one can blame you for feeling like that.

But is it really true? Are slot machines in casinos really rigged? Is it legal for casinos to rig them if they are? We will answer all of your questions about rigged slot machines in the article below. So, if you’re interested, read on for more! 

Are Slot Machines Rigged?

In short, yes. Slot machines in casinos are indeed rigged. However, don’t stop reading just yet, because they’re not rigged in the way you might think. 

Most people who have played the slots will tell you they didn’t win, leading many people to conclude that they’re rigged. But the truth is, most players are supposed to lose, and only very few are supposed to win.

Every slot machine in every casino is programmed to pay less than what was paid into it, which ensures that, in the long run, the casinos are always making a profit. 

This can be anything from a 3% advantage on the best machines in the venue, or a 10% + advantage on some of the slots that offer a big money jackpot. 

However, just because slot machines are designed to favor casinos, that does not necessarily mean you cannot win anything from them, or even win big.

If patrons don’t win, then this is not advantageous for casinos either because people would eventually catch on and stop playing. Plus, where’s the fun in it?

It is also important to note that gaming commissions would not permit casinos to run games that would be impossible to win. 

How Do Slot Machines Work?

Let’s take a closer look at how exactly slot machines are rigged. This will help you to understand that you can also win, even though the house always wins. 

All slot machines have game odds (see also “Best Slot Machine Odds“), and they will all use a similar way of paying-out jackpots. 

What Is Slot Machine RTP?

Slot machine RTP is an acronym for “return to player.” RTP is a percentage that represents the amount of money a player can win back, based on the amount they put in. 

For example, if the RTP of a slot machine was 95%, this means that for every £100 you bet on a slot machine, you will win back £95.

 However, it does not mean you will win back £95 every time you bet £100. It simply means that the house will return £95 to every player spinning the reels at all casinos that offer that slot machine. This also includes the small losses and wins every player gains on a spin. 

Long-term, it also means that the casino makes £5 on every £100 that was bet on that specific machine or game. 

So, it is clear that slot machines are rigged in favor of the house, but not in absolute terms. You are not guaranteed to lose and you can win money, but you will not win in the long run. 

Jackpots are often smaller on slot machines with a higher RTP because patrons have a better chance of winning money on these slots. 

The Random Number Generator

Slot machines will pay out based on an RNG, also known as a random number generator. An RNG is a software that puts out many numbers every second, so if it puts out a number associated with a jackpot, you may just win big! 

This means the chances of winning a jackpot are hidden behind a random number, this could be 2 spins, 57, or 236. Therefore, there is no way to cheat on slot machines, online slot machines in particular. 

Of course, the developer of the slot machine can control it through programming (see also “What Is A Bonus Slot Machine?“). However, while they can control the RPT, they cannot control the RNG. 

How To Win At The Slot Machines 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you win on slot machines! 

Choose Slot Machines With A Bigger RTP

The higher the RPT, the more likely you are to win. Slot machines with higher RPTs will give more back to players long-term (see also “Are Slot Machines Honest?“). So, even if the jackpots are smaller, you are better off playing them. 

Here are some examples of jackpots with high RTPs:

• NextGen: Wolfpack Pays – 97.8%
• NetEnt: Kings of Chicago – 97.8%
• Betsoft: Good Girl, Bad Girl – 97.8%
• Cryptologic: Rags To Riches -98%
• NetEnt: Blood Suckers: 98% 

Not only do these slots have high RTPs, but they also have okay jackpots and great bonus features!

Choose The Correct Volatility For Your Bankroll

Volatility is a good indicator of how often slot machines will pay as well as the average amount of the payout (see also “How Much Is A Credit Worth On A Slot Machine?“). You must understand slot machine volatility because it will tell you what slots are suitable based on your bankroll, and which ones you should avoid (see also “How Much Do Slot Machines Cost?“). 

The breakdown is as follows: 

• High volatility slots will pay less frequently. Wins are better.
• Medium volatility slots pay often. Wins are fair.
• Low volatility slots will pay very often. Wins are small. 

So, if you have a small bankroll, such as £25, then it is best to start with a low volatility slot to build up your bankroll. Once you have achieved this, you can move on to medium and high volatility slots that have bigger payouts. 

Final Thoughts 

Slot machines are rigged, but not in the way that you think (see also “Are There Slot Machine Strategies?“). Slot machines are rigged to ensure that while patrons can still win, it is the house that will win in the long term (see also “Can You Win On Slot Machines?“). 

However, patrons can still win big on the slot machines, because it would not be advantageous if they did not. People would eventually catch on and stop going to casinos, thereby forcing the casino’s profit to decrease anyway. 

We hope this article taught you all you need to know about casino slot machines!

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