Questions: Can Seminole Tribe claim loosest slots in America

Thursday, January 31, 2013  

"Can casinos really control how tight or loose a machine is?

Heck, yes. Every slot machine offers a variety of payback options, determined by the computer chip that management decides to insert. Each machine has about six different chips. For the popular slot machine Stinkin' Rich, the payback rate — the amount of every dollar that gets returned to players over a period of time — can range from 85 to 98 percent. The average is about 92.5.

Who checks these things out?

In Florida and most other states, an independent firm, Gaming Laboratories International, tests the machines and confirms the payback rates. It then tapes a security sticker over the chip. If the state ever checks a machine and finds a broken sticker, well, there'll be hell to pay for the casino. Tampering is not allowed.

How many slots are we talking about at Classic?

Seminole Classic cordoned off a section of 29 slots, many with $1 minimum bets, and calls it "the Loosest Slots in America.""

Get the Story:
Does Hollywood casino really offer the 'loosest slots in America'? (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 1/30)