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Thread: Shackleford clueless or are airport slots set at sub 80% RTP?

  1. #1
    Something to talk about..

    https://thepointsguy.com/news/ka-chi...-slot-machine/

    Somehow this came up in my feed. If what it says is true then that'd mean airport is 85*.92 .. 8% less than the strip according dbag shackleford. That'd be like 78% Is this possibly right? Are there other places in the US with actual regulated slots that have such returns? (like games from major manufacturers.. not the weird one-off state specific stuff)

    This article isn't worth reading.. but this paragraph is what I'm referencing.

    A 2001 survey by Michael Shackleford, a gambling analyst known as the “Wizard of Odds,” showed slots at McCarran paid out as much as 8% less than “return to player” (RTP) casinos on the Strip. That’s a notable difference in RTP in the slot machine business. One reason for that is that airport slot machines have what industry observers call “a captive audience.”
    It is official. Redietz will never be on Dan Druff's podcast. "too much integrity"

  2. #2
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion View Post
    Something to talk about..

    https://thepointsguy.com/news/ka-chi...-slot-machine/

    Somehow this came up in my feed. If what it says is true then that'd mean airport is 85*.92 .. 8% less than the strip according dbag shackleford. That'd be like 78% Is this possibly right? Are there other places in the US with actual regulated slots that have such returns? (like games from major manufacturers.. not the weird one-off state specific stuff)

    This article isn't worth reading.. but this paragraph is what I'm referencing.

    A 2001 survey by Michael Shackleford, a gambling analyst known as the “Wizard of Odds,” showed slots at McCarran paid out as much as 8% less than “return to player” (RTP) casinos on the Strip. That’s a notable difference in RTP in the slot machine business. One reason for that is that airport slot machines have what industry observers call “a captive audience.”
    The article likely just poorly explains percentages.

    The casino hold on 90% RTP machine is 100% higher than a casino with a hold of 95% RTP ($100 held every $1000 coin in vs $50 held same coin in)

    Likewise a casino with a 90% RTP holds about 8% more than more a casino with a 90.8% RTP. ($100 held every $1000 coin in vs $92 held same coin in)

    The 8% probably refers to the difference in actual money returned and not the difference in hold percentages.

  3. #3
    You have to remember that survey was over 20 years ago when $1 and .25 slots were still huge and penny slots were just starting. The new video slots that control the industry today were mostly nickels. You would see 99% payback dollar banks in strip casinos and licensed games weren’t as popular other than WoF. So when you look at the numbers you had many strip and off strip casinos still averaging overall holds in the mid 90’s over all denominations. Remember VP is also calculated in overall holds and paytables were much better as well then.

    So when Shack stated as much as 8% difference he was looking at 95 versus 87 at the airport. They could have been even 85% on some machines. As stated they had no incentive to be any higher, it’s a captive audience.

    As for “The points guy”, it’s a site that’s a shadow of its old self. The original owner sold out to a corporation, though he writes for them occasionally, and it’s glory days are long gone. In the old days there were great tips to gain miles and points in ways some considered questionable (Think the old free shipping on SBA dollars) but the card companies closed many of the loopholes. Still an occasional good tip but it’s now more hotel and flight reviews. There are still some good opportunities out there to gain extra points and miles but it’s not as easy.

  4. #4
    The airports in Reno and Las Vegas used to have advantage slots and it was easy pickings when I passed thru. Even with the low payback. I've heard its the same way today.
    "More importantly, mickey thought 8-4 was two games over .500. Argued about it. C'mon, man. Nothing can top that for math expertise. If GWAE ever has you on again, you can be sure I'll be calling in with that gem.'Nuff said." REDIETZ

  5. #5
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion
    Are there other places in the US with actual regulated slots that have such returns?
    A year ago I was chatting with a slot tech at a tribal casino in Oregon about the casino's RTP and he said, IIRC, it was 86%.
    What, Me Worry?

  6. #6
    Originally Posted by MisterV View Post
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion
    Are there other places in the US with actual regulated slots that have such returns?
    A year ago I was chatting with a slot tech at a tribal casino in Oregon about the casino's RTP and he said, IIRC, it was 86%.
    Advantages can still be had on advantage slots with an overall 86% return.
    "More importantly, mickey thought 8-4 was two games over .500. Argued about it. C'mon, man. Nothing can top that for math expertise. If GWAE ever has you on again, you can be sure I'll be calling in with that gem.'Nuff said." REDIETZ

  7. #7
    The answers make sense. Boz gave a good one.

    I also read there are like 1200-1700 (I forget) slots in the airport but only 500 or so are on due to covid. I guess staffing the asian lady to sit around and be the slot tech/cashier isn't working so great.

    If I remember I might try to show up early and hustle slots in a larger portion of the airport and not just in my gate's vicinity.
    It is official. Redietz will never be on Dan Druff's podcast. "too much integrity"

  8. #8
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion View Post
    The answers make sense. Boz gave a good one.

    I also read there are like 1200-1700 (I forget) slots in the airport but only 500 or so are on due to covid. I guess staffing the asian lady to sit around and be the slot tech/cashier isn't working so great.

    If I remember I might try to show up early and hustle slots in a larger portion of the airport and not just in my gate's vicinity.
    Note this story was from March of 2021. The slots are now 100% open.

    Pro tip, slots in public areas before security are almost worthless, hustlers everywhere.

  9. #9
    Originally Posted by The Boz View Post
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion View Post
    The answers make sense. Boz gave a good one.

    I also read there are like 1200-1700 (I forget) slots in the airport but only 500 or so are on due to covid. I guess staffing the asian lady to sit around and be the slot tech/cashier isn't working so great.

    If I remember I might try to show up early and hustle slots in a larger portion of the airport and not just in my gate's vicinity.
    Note this story was from March of 2021. The slots are now 100% open.

    Pro tip, slots in public areas before security are almost worthless, hustlers everywhere.
    There might be situations where one might want to purchase a Spirit Airlines ticket for $25 to get access to certain airport plays.

  10. #10
    Originally Posted by tableplay View Post
    Originally Posted by The Boz View Post
    Originally Posted by accountinquestion View Post
    The answers make sense. Boz gave a good one.

    I also read there are like 1200-1700 (I forget) slots in the airport but only 500 or so are on due to covid. I guess staffing the asian lady to sit around and be the slot tech/cashier isn't working so great.

    If I remember I might try to show up early and hustle slots in a larger portion of the airport and not just in my gate's vicinity.
    Note this story was from March of 2021. The slots are now 100% open.

    Pro tip, slots in public areas before security are almost worthless, hustlers everywhere.
    There might be situations where one might want to purchase a Spirit Airlines ticket for $25 to get access to certain airport plays.
    And you guys give Monet a hard time for things he says. 😀

  11. #11
    It's still true. Last summer a friend and I made a couple hundred each off a few games at the Airport when arriving and leaving. Had to pass on a very popular IGT progressive because we had a plane to catch.

    So, you can make a few $ before and after a flight unless you are unfortunate enough to have a flight the same time as another slot ap and be slightly behind them.

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