• How Many Slot Machines In Vegas
• Good Slot Machines In Vegas
• Best Slot Machines In Vegas 2020
• Best Slot Machines In Vegas Casinos Free
• Where Are The Best Slot Machines In Vegas

The Venetian Las Vegas is one of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas and one of the best ones, so if you choose to go to this hotel and try your luck you will find thousands of slot machines and enjoy great awards. They are placed on two casino floors, so you can play on numerous slots available and choose one of the most popular games you. Oct 22, 2019 Penny slots are the most popular games on the casino floors in Las Vegas and around the country. Even though independently created themes like Buffalo are popular, the branded themes get the most attention. (Don’t worry, there are 3-5 new Buffalo games coming to casinos).

Introduction to Nevada Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Nevada slot machine casino gambling consists of 163 casinos of which 66 casinos are within the city of Las Vegas including 24 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip as well as:

• Nine casinos in Henderson
• Eight casinos in Lake Tahoe
• Nine casinos in North Las Vegas
• Eleven casinos in Reno
• Five casinos in West Wendover
• Two tribal casinos in Laughlin and Moapa
• 127 casinos throughout Nevada, especially on its borders to neighboring states

Nevada gaming regulations have established a theoretical minimum payout limit. Actual return statistics are quite comprehensive and publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Nevada*

The minimum legal gambling age in Nevada does not depend upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21
• Poker Rooms: 21
• Bingo: 21
• Lottery: 21
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 21

Gaming regulations developed by Nevada, both in terms of state employees as well as challenges contributed by lawyers, advisors and academic studies, have been the standard for the whole world through its 80+ year history.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Nevada

It is legal to own a slot machine privately within the state of Nevada, without any legal restrictions regarding its date of manufacture.

Gaming Control Board in Nevada

The Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission regulates gaming in Nevada. The gaming regulations found here reflects Nevada’s global leadership role in the gaming industry. Put another way, it’s thorough and comprehensive.

For more on Nevada’s global influence on gaming regulations, see my article Five Ways Nevada Leads World Gaming Industry.

Casinos in Nevada

There are 161 non-tribal casinos and two American Indian tribal casinos in Nevada, the most casinos of any U.S. state.

The largest casino in Nevada is Red Rock Casino Resort Spa located in Las Vegas with 2,860 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Boulder Station Hotel & Casino located in Las Vegas with 2,800 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Nevada

Amargosa Valley (91 miles northwest of Las Vegas) in Nye County

Battle Mountain (215 miles northeast of Reno) in Lander County

Beatty (120 miles northwest of Las Vegas) in Nye County

Boulder City (22 miles southeast of Las Vegas) in Clark County

Carson City (32 miles south of Reno) an independent city and the state capital

Elko (289 miles northeast of Reno) in Elko County

How Many Slot Machines In Vegas

Ely (317 miles east of Reno) in White Pine County

Fallon (61 miles east of Reno) in Churchill County

• Bonanza Inn & Casino

Gardnerville (45 miles south of Reno) in Douglas County

Hawthorne (138 miles southeast of Reno) in Mineral County

Henderson (15 miles southeast of Las Vegas) in Clark County

Jackpot (448 miles north of Las Vegas near state border to Idaho) in Elko County

Jean (22 miles southwest of Las Vegas near state border to California) in Clark County

Lake Tahoe (58 miles southwest of Reno near state border to California) spread across Washoe County, Douglas County, and Carson City

Las Vegas in Clark County Including Downtown, The Strip, and More

Laughlin (100 miles south of Las Vegas near the state border to Arizona) in Clark County

Mesquite (77 miles northeast of Las Vegas on the state border to Arizona) in Clark County

Minden (42 miles south of Reno) in Douglas County

North Las Vegas (5 miles northeast of the Las Vegas Strip) in Clark County

• Bighorn Casino

Pahrump (59 miles west of Las Vegas) in Nye County

Primm (25 miles southwest of Las Vegas near the state border to California)

Reno (58 miles northeast of Lake Tahoe near the state border to California) in Washoe County

Searchlight (58 miles south of Las Vegas) in Clark County

• Terrible’s Road House – Searchlight

Sparks (1 mile east of Reno) in Washoe County

Verdi (4 miles west of Reno near the state border with California) in Washoe County

Wells (338 miles northeast of Reno) in Elko County

West Wendover (363 miles north of Las Vegas near the state border to Utah) in Elko County

Winnemucca (164 miles northeast of Reno) in Humboldt County

Yerington (60 miles southeast of Reno) in Lyon County

Tribal Casinos in Nevada

The two tribal casinos in Nevada are:

• Avi Resort & Casino in Laughlin, located 100 miles south of Las Vegas near the state border to Arizona
• Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza in Moapa, located 51 miles northeast of Las Vegas

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Nevada slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Nevada is:

• North: Idaho Slots and Oregon Slots
• East: Arizona Slots and Utah Slots
• West and South: California Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Nevada.

Casinos on Nevada’s borders to neighboring states provide access to Nevada gaming for nearby residents of those states including:

• Arizona-Nevada border:
  • Laughlin
  • Mesquite
• California-Nevada border:
  • Jean
  • Lake Tahoe
  • Primm
  • Reno
  • Verdi
• Idaho-Nevada border:
  • Jackpot
• Utah-Nevada border:
  • West Wendover

Our Nevada Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Nevada? If so, join our new Nevada slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Nevada. Join us!

Payout Returns in Nevada

Nevada’s state gaming regulation 14 states the minimum theoretical payout for gaming devices “must not be less than 75% for each wager available for play on the device.”

With regards to actual returns, monthly statistics for slot machines in the form of Win% are available from the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission within their Statistical & Publications site under Gaming Revenue Information.

Nevada return statistics are comprehensive and organized by:

1. Table Games versus Slot Machines
2. Slot Machine Denominations
3. Duration (month, 3-month, and 12-month)
4. The district within the state

There are 25 districts within the state, including several for the city of Las Vegas in Clark County. They are:

1. Statewide
2. Carson Valley Area
3. Churchill County
4. Clark County
5. Clark County Downtown Las Vegas Area
6. Clark County Las Vegas Strip Area
7. Clark County North Las Vegas Area
8. Clark County Laughlin Area
9. Clark County Boulder Strip Area
10. Clark County Mesquite Area
11. Clark County Balance of County
12. Douglas County South Shore Lake Tahoe Area
13. Elko County
14. Elko County Wendover Area
15. Elko County Balance of County
16. Humboldt County
17. Lyon County
18. Nye County
19. Washoe County
20. Washoe County Reno Area
21. Washoe County Sparks Area
22. Washoe County North Shore Lake Tahoe Area
23. Washoe County Balance of County
24. White Pine County
25. Balance of Counties

The return statistics provided by the state of Nevada are a percentage of how much a casino has won. To determine how much players won, subtract the Win% provided from 100%.

For downtown Las Vegas, the percentage won by players in February 2020 by slot machine denomination (see page 8 of the report) was:

• 1-cent or penny slots: 100% minus 9.35% equals 90.65%
• 5-cent or nickel slots: 100% minus 4.17% equals 95.83%
• 25-cent or quarter slots: 100% minus 5.27% equals 94.73%
• 1-dollar: 100% minus 5.94% equals 94.06%
• 5-dollar: 100% minus 6.05% equals 93.95%
• Multi-denominational: 100% minus 4.88% equals 95.12%

Based on these February 2020 return statistics, the highest return in downtown Las Vegas went to 5-cent denomination slot machines at a player win percentage of 95.83% closely followed by multi-denominational machines at 95.12%.

The lowest return went to penny slot machines at 90.65%. Overall for downtown Las Vegas, the return for all slot machines was 93.28%

As a comparison, let’s examine return statistics for the Las Vegas Strip. Also for February 2020 (see page 12 of the report), these were:

• Penny slots: 89.09%
• Nickel slots: 90.95%
• Quarter slots: 89.36%
• 1-dollar: 91.38%
• 5-dollar: 94.26%
• 25-dollar: 93.94%
• 100-dollar: 91.10%
• Multi-denominational: 93.57%

Based on these February 2020 return statistics, the highest return in the Las Vegas Strip went to 5-dollar denomination slot machines at a player win% of 94.26% closely followed by 25-dollar machines at 93.94%.

The lowest return went to penny slot machines at 89.09% which was 1.56% less than downtown Las Vegas. Overall for the Las Vegas Strip, the return for all slot machines was 91.86% or 1.42% lower than downtown Las Vegas.

Summary of Nevada Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Nevada slot machine casino gambling consists of 163 casinos. Of these, 66 are in Las Vegas including 24 casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The remainder, including two tribal casinos, are located throughout the state.

The minimum payout limit for slot machines in Nevada is 75% per gaming device. Return statistics are comprehensive and available online.

Annual Progress in Nevada Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, Resorts World Las Vegas has had its opening delayed to the end of 2020. Once opened, it’s expected to be the largest casino in Nevada.

Given the vitality of the gaming industry in Nevada, it is challenging to keep an updated and accurate list of every open casino as well as their current names and owners.

Also, all Megabucks slot machines were removed from every casino located in downtown Las Vegas as well as the Las Vegas Strip.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Nebraska Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: New Hampshire Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

• Factoid: Most large Las Vegas hotel-casinos have more than 2,000 slot machines.
• Factoid: The slot machine was invented in 1895 by Chares Fey in San Francisco.

It is not accidental that two-thirds of every casino is littered with row-upon-row of slot machines of every type imaginable. The reason is that they provide the most profit to a casino ...and billions of dollars in tax revenue to the state. (The state of Nevada collects a $250 annual tax plus a $20 quarterly license fee per slot machine plus a percentage - about 5% - of gaming revenue.)

Slots account for more revenue to a casino than all other gambling games combined. Their formula for success is simple. They make money by paying out less than they take in. They are popular because players don't need any gambling knowledge and slots require only a very small bet. There are more than 200,000 slot machines in Las Vegas.

Most slot machines work the same way. The player pulls a handle or presses a button to spin a series of reels (typically three) that have pictures printed on them. You win when certain combinations of pictures line up with a pay line in the middle of a viewing window. The payout depends on which pictures land along the pay line. Some machines have multiple pay lines. A pay table (chart) tells you the amount of the payout. It is usually found on the front of the machine, above or below the area containing the wheels. While you can lose your money faster, the payout percentages are always better if you bet the maximum amount of coins on each “pull.”

All slot machines in use today in casinos are electronic (computerized) rather than mechanical. As a general rule, reels, handles, sound effects and other attributes are there to make them appear to be like older, more familiar, mechanical machines.Themed slot machines that require the manufacturer to pay a license fee (such as one named after a movie star, cartoon character, TV show, etc.) generally have lower payouts since the additional cost must be recouped. So stick with the traditional machines (such as the Double Diamond, Blazing 7s, and Red, White and Blue) that pay back more.

As a general rule, slot managers place their most popular - and best paying - machines in areas that generate excitement - such as near the front entrance and other high traffic areas. Some popular slots - such as nickel machines - are placed in the rear of the casino to get people to walk to the back. High payback machines are also sprinkled throught the casino floor.

Be aware that the higher the cost per 'handle pull,' the higher the payout. According to one industry insider, the so-called 'hold percentage' on the Las Vegas Strip averages 11% for nickels (that is, 89% is paid back), 6.5% for quarters, 4.5% for dollars, and 3.5% for five dollars and above. (The Nevada Gaming Control Board has a slighty different figure. See below.)

The payback percentage for Las Vegas (and all Nevada) slot machines are a known factor. Because they are taxed, all machines are strictly controlled and keep track of 'coin in' and 'coin out' which, overall, is a matter of public record. Manufacturers program each machine to payback a specific percentage which is based on a span of ten million handle pulls! Any slot can (and does) pay out more or less over a shorter period. It might pay out 400% today ...or 20% for a week.

A good website on slot machine gambling is located here ... and they have no advertising whatsoever.

The newest wrinkle in slot machines is coinless slots. They use bar-coded paper tickets instead of coins and are known as “ticket in/ticket out” ('TITO') machines. The traveling coin gal (and coin cups) are fast becoming a thing of the past. You feed bills and get paid in vouchers which are redeemed at the cashier’s cage. Don't forget to redeem the tickets! Some have expiration dates on them.

Although poker machines have been around since 1964, video poker did not become popular until 1979 when International Game Technology (IGT) introduced its electronic “Draw Poker” machine. Video poker adds the element of skill and players are given decision-making options that regular slots don’t offer.

Video poker slots work the same way as regular rotating wheel machines. Instead of a reel, they have changing playing card images. They are generally based on five-card draw poker.

A series of five cards are generated from a freshly shuffled 52 card deck for each play and shown on the screen. The player discards some (or all of the cards) and replacements for the remaining cards are drawn. While you are deciding which cards you want to hold, the remaining 47 cards are constantly shuffling. After you decide and hit the button again, the cards stop shuffling and the x-number of cards you need to fill your draw hand come off the top and occupy the vacated positions.The objective is to get the best poker hand. Again a chart indicates the amount of the payout.

The most basic version pays on two jacks or better, but there are variations, such as “wild” cards.

All video poker is not alike. Be certain you are playing a “full pay” game which pays out 99.5% of incoming coin. They are known as a “9/6 JoB” machines – which stand for a payout of 9 coins for a full house and 6 coins for a flush with one coin inserted. (JoB stands for “Jacks or Better.”) The paytable for a full-pay or 9/6 JoB machine looks like this:

A casino can tighten a Jacks-or-better video poker machine by simply paying out less for a full house and flush. The most common way that a casino increases it's win is to pay only 8 for the Full House and 5 for the Flush. This is a short-pay 8/5 machine. The casino keeps an extra 2.2% on these machines.

A “10/7 DB” video poker machine (Full House=10 coins, Flush=7 coins) is better yet Payout (when played perfectly and max-credits) is 100.1%. Double Bonus Poker (DB) is a variation on video poker in which the payout for two pair is reduced from two to one in exchange for greatly increased payouts for other hands ...like a payout of 4000 for a Royal Flush.

The best place to play video poker is downtown or at such off-strip properties as Sam’s Town. A great video poker website is VideoPokerReview.com.

A couple of playing hints: Never keep a high card kicker with a pair; draw three cards. Hint No. 2: Always go for the Royal Flush if you have four of the five needed ...even if it means giving up a high pair. The odds are one in 52 that you will hit the needed card ...and Royal Flushes pay up to 4,000 to one if you put in the maximum number of coins.

All slot and video poker machine models are tested by the state of Nevada to be certain that all results are based on a random number generator (RNG.) A new machine can’t be introduced until it meets all state regulations and technical standards. Because gross revenue is taxed, every machine keeps track of the money paid in and the winnings paid out.

Winning at slot machines is pure luck. And there is no such thing as a machine being “ready to hit.” The chances of winning never change whether it is the first or one hundredth pull. And a machine that hasn't paid recently is not due to win.

While winning combinations are determined on a totally random basis, the overall payback percentage is set on a standard machine. A casino tells the slot machine manufacturer what percentages it wants specific machines to pay back and that amount is programmed in. So, some machines are “looser” than others over the long haul.

The payback percentage is determined by state-approved computer chips which are installed by the manufacturer. The RNG in these microchips continuously generate hundreds of randomly chosen numbers every second the machine is on ...even when not being played. Each number corresponds to a set of symbols on the wheel. There are many approved chips for every machine type and the chip can be changed by casino technicians to “tighten” or “loosen” the machine payout. But this is hardly ever the case. It is easier just to change out the machine programmed by the manufacturer.

The state of Nevada requires that every machine pay out a minimum of 75 percent of the money it takes in. Due to competitive pressures, however, the overall payout percentage is much higher. Slot machines are typically programmed to pay out around 82 to 98 percent of the money that goes into them as winnings. Most pay around 92 to 96 percent ...certainly not the worst bet in the house. (Don’t be taken in by casinos that advertise winnings of “up to 99 percent.” They might only have one machine out of 2,000 set to pay that rate.) Hint: Playing the maximum coins always pays more per “coin-in” and reduces the house advantage.

According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, $1 slots pay out an average of 95 percent of receipts. (25 cent slots pay back an average of 93 percent, 5 cent machines: 90 percent.) And where you play the slots makes a difference. The payout on machines located on the Strip is about one or two percent lower than downtown or other off-strip properties ...a fact well known by the locals. Hotel-casinos frequented by Nevada residents on a regular basis (such as Sam’s Town) pay better than tourist hotels whose guests are there for only three days.

The newer and more luxurious hotels, have the poorest overall slot payout ...especially on under $1 machines. The poorest then would be the Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay and new Wynn Las Vegas. The best paying slots on the Strip are the older properties on the North Strip. Generally, avoid slots at the airport, convenience stores, restaurants and “restricted” operations ...that is, those with less than 15 machines.

Many veteran slot players believe that the loosest (best paying) machines are located in high traffic areas, such as near elevators, buffets, aisles, showrooms, registration areas, etc. Theoretically, frequent payouts are good advertising and entice others nearby to play. Typically, slot machines with a similar payout percentage are grouped together in the same area. In any event, the payback percentages on Nevada slot machines are the highest of any state ...and probably the highest of any country in the world.

Progressive slots are exactly what their name implies; with each bet made, the jackpot grows. Progressive jackpots (such as Nevada's “Megabucks”) can pay astronomical amounts ...always in the millions of dollars. Their payout system is different from a standard machine and steadily increases as players put more money into it. To get the high jackpot, multiple machines and casinos are linked together to form one giant payout. Just about every Las Vegas casino participates in Megabucks.

The cardinal rule is to always play maximum coins at a progressive machine since they only pay the top jackpot if you bet max. Megabucks is a $1 slot so you must play 3 coins ($3.00) to hit the jackpot. When someone wins, the jackpot is reset to a starting value ...$7 million for Megabucks.

In the long run, the chances of winning a progressive jackpot are very, very remote and the overall payback is much lower than the standard $1 machine. Statistically, they are a very poor bet. In the short run, however, anything can happen and the “Megabucks” jackpot does get hit by someone about twice a year. (The odds of winning are one in 50 million.) The payout averages more than $10 million each time it does. It might be worth one $3 play.

Most casinos offer free memberships in “slot clubs.” They exist to attract, reward, and ultimately retain slot players. You join at the casinos slot booth and get a membership card - otherwise known as a “comp card” (as in “complimentary.”) It looks like a plastic credit card. The purpose of these clubs is to keep players from wandering from one casino to another. The card tracks your play and are the Vegas equivalent of frequent flier miles.

Whenever you sit down at a slot machine, insert the card in the slot at the top of the machine. At a table game, you give it to the dealer or the floorman. The machine (slots) or casino personnel (table games) then keeps track of how much you bet and how long you have played. A word to the wise! Never place your handbag on the floor when you are playing the slots. Keep it in sight at all times.

There are two schools of thought about applying for slot card membership. One is to apply for as many as you can because you will get a sign-up bonus prize on the spot for enrolling ...sometimes even a little free 'match play' gambling money to get you started. Joining a player’s club also identifies you as a gambler and gets you on their mailing list of upcoming offers. There are dozens of different slot clubs in Las Vegas.

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The second theory is to concentrate your gambling - even if it is conservative - on one casino. You won’t get any “comps” (free meals, rooms, upgrades, shows or other offers) with just a few points at a dozen casinos. But they will add up when you gamble using a single slot card.

My recommendation is, at the minimum, to apply for Players Club membership at the two largest Las Vegas casino operations: MGM Mirage and Harrahs Entertainment. This way you can gamble at many of their owned casinos and still receive credit toward on your card. MGM Mirage recently merged with the Mandalay Bay Group. And Harrahs recently acquired Caesars Entertainment, Inc. These two companies will soon control nearly two dozen of the largest hotel-casinos ...about half the hotel rooms on the Strip.

Best Slot Machines In Vegas 2020

Slot tournaments can be fun, take no skill to play and are offered at many casinos to their slot club members ...some by invitation only. The idea is to get the most “credits” by continually pushing the slot’s spin button. Sometimes the contest is free to enter ...but usually there is a small ($10 to $25) entry fee. The people who get the top scores wins a prize ...sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars. Participants frequently get freebies and offers (sometimes worth more than the entry fee) just for entering the tournament.

The rules are simple. Generally you are assigned a certain machine, a time to play and a beginning amount of “credits” which must be played during a specified time period. For example: you might get to play a beginning 1000 credits in 15 or 20 minutes. The tournament is managed by casino personnel and there can be several tournament sessions to accommodate all who want to play. Many tournaments have hundreds of participants.

You just keep tapping the maximum bet button as fast as you can. Three credits are deducted each time. The machine has a special meter that keeps track of winning credits which can not be replayed. At the end of the time period, the machine locks up and play is over. An important objective is to use all your credits since they are lost if you do not. After you finish playing, you wait at your machine until a tournament official comes by and records your score. The scores on the winning meters determines the winners. It is that simple.

Slot tournaments are held in certain designated casino areas on specially programmed and outfitted machines that generate many more jackpot combinations than normally the case.

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One advantage of a slot tournament is that you know ahead of time that your maximum loss will be the amount of the entry fee. (You should probably avoid the slot tournaments that have large entry fees ...those more than $100!) Winning them is totally pure luck ...the only skill needed is to be able to push the spin button quickly.

Where Are The Best Slot Machines In Vegas

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