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Slots Spin Casino Profits

FLORIDA – As reported by the Miami Herald: "Slots in slot machines are disappearing, supplanted by 'embedded bill acceptors.' One-armed bandits are losing their arms, replaced by 'spin buttons.' Beating a single machine is evolving into a contest against networks of 'progressive jackpot' temptations.

"But one thing remains constant in slot machine design and operation, a business unabashedly dedicated to separating you from your money through flashy images, familiar sounds (``Wheel of Fooortuunnne') and seductive, six-second dreams of wealth:

"Casino bosses love slot machines, particularly Vegas-style slots.

"…In Tuesday's referendum, voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are being asked to authorize slot machines -- presumably Vegas-style slots -- at five racetracks and two jai-alai frontons. The parimutuel industry is betting that they will.

"…Americans slide at least $1 billion into slot machines every day, according to industry surveys. It's so easy -- no complicated rules or strategies. Just place your bet, and pull a lever or press a spin button.

"…The 'house edge' associated with slots is far larger than the take from other forms of casino gambling, experts say, and slots now account for at least 70 percent of all casino revenue.

"'Slots are pushing out some of the table games,' said John Robison, a nationally recognized monitor of the industry and author of The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots. `Table games involve a lot of labor and training, but slot machines work for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.'

"…Not long ago, slots were the game of choice for older, lower-income gamblers. Now, according to Strictly Slots magazine, research suggests that the typical player is college-educated, between 41 and 50 years old and earns more than $51,000 a year.

"Experts say the objective, simply enough, is to keep them playing and losing -- and yet entertained…"

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