Dear Mark,
Who controls the payback of a slot machine, the slot
manufacturer or the casino? Jim K.
Today’s slot machines contain a random number generator
(RNG) that controls the payback percentage of each machine.
When a casino purchases a slot machine it tells the
manufacturer what percentage it wants that particular
machine to return to its customers. That amount is pre-programmed
into the RNG at the plant. A casino can always change
the payback percentage, but it must go back to the manufacturer
and have them reprogram the RNG.
Dear Mark,
Almost every weekend I visit the casinos in Joliet.
My brother-in-law believes they tighten the slot
machines on weekends because the crowds are much
larger. How do I know for sure that a casino won’t
change the return on their machines. Dirk C.
Fear not,
Dirk. Illinois, having rigid gaming regulations,
requires two keys just to open a slot machine. One
is held by a casino employee, the other by a state
gaming regulator. This prevents changes in a machine’s
payout rate.
