Responses to paybacks at Indian casinos

My word. Reading your last e-mail column, I was astounded to read "I don't trust Indian casinos" and other such defamatory nonsense. We have always done much better at these casinos than in the more competitive casinos nearby.

On a recent trip to South Dakota, we stopped at a casino on the Pine Ridge Reservation and came out with a lot more than we went in with. We did well several times on the same nickel machines, and some of the penny machines. I prefer nickels as they don't lull you into thinking you have more than you actually do.

But it's time people realized that we took everything away from the Native Americans, so why do they resent the fact that they can run their own casinos and businesses without government interference? It's about time!

And no, I am not Native American, I am Irish...100%!

John,

I agree with your assertion that the slot paybacks are less at Indian Casinos due to a lack of nearby competition as opposed to more nefarious reasons. They still have to comply with the law, and they are not rigged beyond legal limits.

I won an in-house progressive at an Indian casino once for close to $175,000 about five years ago at an Indian casino. I have won smaller jackpots as well ($2,500, $300, $1,600, etc.) and have been pleased with the availability of being able to go to a casino in between Vegas trips (where I have won far fewer and much smaller "jackpots"). The comps are decent, although like every place else they used to be better.

Just my experiences and two cents.

Charles

Thank you both for writing about your winning experiences at Native American casinos. I rarely hear from winners.

It's funny. I frequently get letters from people who are convinced that the slot machines at a casino are rigged because they lost.

I've yet to hear from someone who thought the machines were rigged because they won.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.