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Experts Debate on Slot Odds

NEVADA – As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal: "…With gamblers reporting `time on device,' or the amount of time they can gamble with a given amount of money, as their top concern, how Northern Nevada odds stack up to tribal properties is crucial in competing for bettors.

"Casinos can manipulate the hold, or percentage they win, on reeled slots to increase or decrease the odds for bettors, a practice commonly referred to as loosening or tightening the machines.

"Experts differ on how Northern Nevada compares with Thunder Valley Casino, which opened in June outside of Sacramento. But most agree that because the California casino lacks significant competition, it could get away with much tighter machines.

" `My guess is that Thunder Valley wouldn't be as generous,' said Dennis Conrad, president of Raving Consulting Co. in Reno, which advises both tribal properties and Nevada casinos.

"…But the rule that tribal casinos are tighter than Nevada might not hold at Thunder Valley, which is managed by Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas, known for loose slots at casinos that cater to locals.

"…Nevada law requires a minimum 75 percent payback on slots, but most machines are not even available that tight because gamblers would not play them.

"A separate device inside slot machines ensures all outcomes are random. The microchip increases or decreases the likelihood of winning combinations turning up, but does not directly predict when a machine will hit a jackpot.

"…Experts say gamblers can't know the tightness of a machine they are playing because of the random nature of the game — but they can get an idea of it.

"…Because most people walk away losers, casinos must fight that image to keep customers coming back and feeling like they got a fair entertainment deal…"

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