How Does The Slot Machine Profit In Illinois Work

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How does the RNG software work on a slot machine. Each time you press the spin button, the slot machine will generate a random sequence of numbers that determine the outcome of that spin. The RNG happens independently every single time you play. While it can seem that sessions go in streaks, this is not the case.

Readers ask if quick reflexes are the key to winning

By John Grochowski

How Does The Slot Machine Profit In Illinois Work In

I keep a list of questions that I’m most often asked about slot machines. You could probably tick off some of them: “Are games programmed to go cold after a big win?” “Do you get less payback when you use your rewards card?” And the big one, “Can you tell me how to win?”

Those have been standards ever since I started writing about casinos and casino games 20 years ago. But recently, another question has been shooting up the charts. I have it all the way up at No. 2 on the readers’ hit parade:

“I’ve noticed on a lot of video slot games that if I hit the button a second time while the reels are spinning, they stop right away. I was wondering if I could use this to my advantage. If I see the bonus triggers or the jackpot symbols at the top, should I quickly hit the button again and try to stop the reels?”

How does the slot machine profit in illinois work at home

I had that thought myself the first time I accidentally double-hit a button and saw the reels click to an immediate halt. Could this be an answer to the chart-topping question, “how to win on the slots?”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. In nearly all slot games that allow you to stop the reels, there is no skill or timing involved on your part. The random number generator has already determined your outcome when you hit the button to spin the reels, and you’re going to get the same result regardless of whether you stop the reels early, or let them halt in their own time.

When you play a slot machine, the game isn’t actually being played out on the reels, whether it uses “real” reels or video reels. It’s being played internally, on the game’s random number generator. The reels are just a player-friendly interface, and are told where to stop by the RNG. If there’s a malfunction and the reel display doesn’t match the numbers generated, it’s the RNG that counts. Large jackpots can be denied—and have been denied—if a check shows the random numbers on the internal computer chip don’t match the winning symbols on the reels.

But this is extremely rare. The engineering is good enough that almost all the time, the RNG and reel display are going to match up. This doesn’t change if you double-hit the bet button. If the RNG has spit out a random number that tells the first reel to stop on a single bar, then you’re going to get a single bar—regardless of whether you hit the button a second time for a “quick stop,” or just let them take their own sweet time.

There are rare exceptions. When I’ve answered similar questions in the past, I’ve mentioned IGT’s Reel Edge games. In their original incarnation, Reel Edge games enabled players to touch and stop the reels one at a time. There was actual skill involved. Your timing in stopping the reels determined the outcome. The reels spun very, very fast, so it was going take a keen eye and sharp reflexes to get better than random results, but it was possible.

I gave it a try, and found my reflexes just weren’t fast enough to generate more than my normal share of winners. In the original three-reel Blood Life game, I identified a green 7 as the easiest symbol to pick out as it whizzed by. I touched each reel individually as I saw a green 7 reach the top of the slot window, and managed to stop 7s on all three reels. Alas, I failed to land them all on the same payline. Some younger folks with quicker reactions may have been able to do better.

I don’t know if any of the first generation of Reel Edge games remain on casino floors. They were never widespread, and I don’t get lists from casinos or manufacturers telling me what games are available in any given casino. The new generation of Reel Edge puts the skill-based portions of the games in the bonus events.

Blood Life’s updated video incarnation, Blood Life Legends, allows you to test your skill with a joystick to guide a bat through the ups, downs, twists and turns of a cave as you try to collect gems for bonuses. There is actual skill involved, but it’s not the reel-stopping experience readers have been asking about.

On most slot games, even in the bonus events you’re getting an illusion of skill rather than actual skill. And when it comes to stopping the reels, it’s the random number generator, not your reflexes, that determines the results.

What about my readers’ other top questions?

To answer another—no, games are not programmed to go cold after big wins. Results remain as random as humans can program a computer to be. As long as the RNG keeps doing its thing, any big jackpot, any hot streak, and any cold streak eventually fade away into statistical insignificance, and the machine comes very close to its expected payback percentage.

No, you don’t get less payback when you use your rewards card. The player rewards system doesn’t interact with the RNG.

And no, with rare exceptions, there is no way to beat the slots except by being in the right place at the right time. There have been opportunities for small profit on games with banked bonuses such as the old WMS game Piggy Bankin’, where the sharpies would start to play only when there were enough coins in the bank to give the player an edge.

Such games are not common. Just as with stopping the reels early, your results are up to chance and the RNG.

The Basics

How Does The Slot Machine Profit In Illinois Work At Home

  • What is adding VGTs to my establishment going to cost me?

    There is no upfront cost to submitting an application to the IGB. Once you have been approved by the IGB, the yearly cost will be $100 to maintain a valid establishment license. In addition to the IGB fee you may also be required by the city you are located in to pay a yearly “sticker fee” for each VGT. This rate varies by city, please contact IGS for the exact cost for the city you are located in.

  • Why should I add video gaming to my establishment?

    The average IGS client will generate $116,235 per year. Adding video gaming can help assist you in meeting your financial goals. This income has allowed many of our clients to make additional investments in their locations, further enhancing their overall establishment.

  • How long is the application process? Is there a way to expedite the process?

    On average the process takes three to four months from application submittal to licensure. There is no way to expedite the licensing process, although some terminal operators may claim that they can- this is false.

  • How do you assist during the application process?

    IGS has experienced staff that will walk you through the entire application process. We are able to assist in applying for a local or state liquor license, gathering and notarizing the forms needed for the IGB application and submitting the IGB application on your behalf.

  • The first step after submitting your application is to get fingerprinted, this includes any owner with 5% or more of ownership, any officers and the video gaming manager. The IGB will then process your application and have a field agent conduct a site visit. IGS personnel will ensure you know who needs to be fingerprinted and the closest location to accomplish this.

  • Once my application is submitted to the IGB, how long does it take for machines to be active in my establishment?

    Once an application is submitted the IGB, it may take as little as 30 days to approve your application. Once approved, machines will be moved into the establishment expeditiously, typically within 1-5 days. Once machines are in your establishment, IGS submits documentation to establish an appointment with the IGB to activate machines – this appointment is granted within 14 days of the request. This appointment date is set by regulatory protocol and outside of the terminal operator’s control. On the date of the appointment, your machines will “go live” allowing them to be played.

  • You will be required to renew your license annually with the IGB.

  • What is the maximum number of machines you are allowed in your establishment?

    Per the IGB, each licensed establishment is allowed to have up to six VGTs.

  • What are the requirements to become a licensed establishment?

    You will be required to have a valid local and state liquor license before you are eligible to submit your application to the IGB. If you are applying to become a licensed truck stop establishment there are additional requirements.

  • When and how do I get paid from having gaming machines at my establishment?

    IGS will electronically transfer the funds to your bank account weekly.

  • Depending on the available space of the establishments and the number of machines, the overall gaming area that recommended is 140 square footage. The gaming area will include the VGTs, chairs and tables and the payout device. IGS suggests the machines to be properly spaced for comfort and privacy and will develop a custom layout for your establishment.

  • IGS takes great pride in properly integrating video gaming to fit into your establishment. By creating a private gaming area, not only are you providing privacy to your gaming patrons, but also providing a barrier from your establishment to separate the gaming from your existing customers.

  • That is entirely up to you. Many of our clients choose not to add additional staff. Others, in effort to focus on exceptional customer service, have added additional staff. Employees responsible for serving or overseeing the gaming area must be over the age of 21.

  • What are the most important attributes for a successful establishment?

    Although there are a number of attributes to a successful gaming establishment, the most important are cleanliness, customer service, layout, design, hours of operation and machine mix.

  • You are required to have an on-premise liquor license, which allows you to pour beer, wine or liquor to be served at the establishment.

  • The majority of counties and municipalities in the state of Illinois do allow video gaming. To see if your municipality allows video gaming, please call IGS at 312.544.9856.

  • Will my employees have to redeem winning tickets for cash?

    No, your employees will not need to redeem any tickets or handle any cash. IGS utilizes a kiosk payout device which is accessible by each video gaming patron.

  • Can one terminal operator offer me more than others financially?

    No. The IGB has a very clear and defined no inducement policy. The revenue split is written in Illinois law and mandates 28% to the state, 5% to the municipality, 33.5% to the establishment and 33.5% to the terminal operator. Furthermore, it is a direct violation of the inducement policy to accept anything of value in exchange for signing with a terminal operator.

  • Are there requirements to become a licensed truck stop establishment?

  • Are there limits on the hours of operation of VGTs?

    Hours of operation of VGTs must coincide with the legal hours of operation for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises. However, a licensed truck stop establishment that does not hold a liquor license may operate VGTs on a continuous basis.

Service & Support

How Does The Slot Machine Profit In Illinois Work Comp

  • Yes, IGS service reaches throughout the entire state of Illinois.

  • What happens if one of my machines is down or is broken? What is the response time?

    Even with proper maintenance, a machine in your facility will occasionally need repair. In these cases, you are asked to contact IGS through our technical support line. Our dispatcher will contact you, assess the problem, and offer technical assistance. In most cases, the repair and/or question can be handled remotely – the Dispatcher can access your machines remotely and restore the machine into operation. Other times, a technician will be sent to your establishment and the repair will take place.

  • Do you provide marketing and advertising support?

    Yes, we work with you to develop strategic marketing plans. In accordance with IGB regulation, we can participate in financial co-op programs. IGS offers graphic design assistance on all marketing items, ensuring brand consistency. Think of us as your one stop ad agency!

  • Will I have a point of contact if I ever needed non-technical support?

    Yes, you will have a dedicated Account Manager who will work closely with you.

  • Do you provide staff training once machines are installed and active?

    Once machines are active, your IGS Account Manager will conduct on-site training with you and your employees. This training will cover the most commonly encountered questions from players and extensive training on how to serve gaming customers. IGS has developed key tactics in customer service to foster loyalty and repeat business and has developed a comprehensive training manual for our clients to refer back to. As staff changes we will retrain as necessary.

  • How is the cash in the VGTs and payout device managed and handled?

    IGS is partnered with Thillens who provides an armored car and secure cashing carrying services.

  • What is the process for installing and activating machines?

Performance & Profit

  • IGS provides a client portal for in-depth reports and analyses.

  • IGS establishments earn an average of $116,235 per year, which is two times the sate average!

  • What makes IGS different from other terminal operators?

    With more than 25 years of experience running high performing gaming establishments much like your own, we know the needs of the establishment and the gaming guest better than anyone. We translate this knowledge into action plans for our clients helping them outperform in their respective markets. IGS clients earn nearly two times more than clients of other terminal operators.

Glossary Terms

How Does The Slot Machine Profit In Illinois Work Zone

  • Gaming machines similar to slot machines. Each VGT offers different games depending on manufacturer and type including video poker and line games.

  • NTI is defined as the difference between cash wagered on each machine less the cash won on each machine. This amount is then split in accordance with the Video Gaming Act between the state, city/county, Establishment and Terminal Operator.

  • Money that is placed into each VGT by players.

  • The Illinois Gaming Board is responsible for regulating the gaming industry in Illinois.

  • M3t is the manufacturer of the payout device used by IGS as well as the back-end data analytics system. The M3t kiosk serves as an ATM, bill breaker, VGT ticket redemption machine and will serve as the Player Rewards portal in the future.

  • A game manufacturer used by IGS offering slot titles such as Blazing 7’s Hot Shot, Mega Spins, Hot Rocks, and American Original.

  • A game manufacturer used by IGS offering slot titles such as Big City 5’s, Smash the Pig, The Big Easy, and The Wildlife.

  • A game manufacturer used by IGS offering slot titles such as Diamond’s O’Dublin, Invaders from the Planet Moolah, and Count Money.

  • A game manufacturer used by IGS offering slot titles such as Kitty Glitter, Golden Goddess, Black Widow, and Stinkin’ Rich.