Ask the Slot Expert: Can slot machines only be changed at the factory?

23 May 2012

By John Robison

Hello John,

Today your column was about free spins/payouts. You mentioned the club might have changed the payout program.

I have always been told the machines can only be changed at the factory. The payout is set at the factory.

I don't believe all this.

We went to a small casino in Southern Colorado to a Motorcycle Club Bike Rally. We arrived a week early and went to the casino each day. The machines were more than liberal. We had good results at any machine.

The day the rally officially started, it was full house, all machines occupied. NO PAYS!

I know and have seen at other casinos where a row of machines were shut down for routine maintenance the repair people say. But, why would tables be set up to lay notebooks, electronic equipment, manuals and other equipment? All machines in that row would be standing open with what looked like testing equipment connected inside. Then, the people doing the routine maintenance say the machines can only be changed and set at the factory. (The row shut down was not where the Bike Rally was.)

This is what I know about slot machines. Try to change my knowledge and my way of thinking.

My regards,
Gary

Dear Gary,

Different jurisdictions have different rules regarding changing payback programs on slot machines. Nevada is probably the most liberal. You need a Manufacturer's License to change payback programs. Every casino has a Manufacturer's License, so every casino can change payback programs on its machines. Still, the state wants to ensure that it is getting its share of the slot win, so the change must be reported to the state. Casinos do not change payback programs at whim.

In other jurisdictions, someone from the gaming commission must witness the change or possibly even make the change. In still other jurisdictions, no changes are allowed by anyone.

So, it's not true that the machines can only be changed at the factory, but Colorado's rules may prohibit changes in the field.

It doesn't seem strange to me that tables with notebooks, manuals and equipment were set up near machines undergoing routine maintenance. The technicians need to have their tools and reference materials close by during the maintenance procedure.

It's impossible not to think that a change in a machine's generosity after a technician does something to it is not due to the technician's action. It seems though that machines only stop paying after technicians work on them. I've rarely had someone say that a technician "loosened" a machine.

Jackpots for all,
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.

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net.

Ask the Slot Expert: Can slot machines only be changed at the factory? is republished from CasinoCityTimes.com.

Language: English Location: Currency: > edit my preferences Home Online Slots Live Dealer Games Online Casinos Online Poker Online Bingo Games Lotteries Sports & Racebooks Fantasy Sports Forex Betting Exchanges Spread Betting Binary Options Exclusive Bonuses Weekly Newsletter Online Gaming News Payment Methods Gaming Software Gaming Site Owners Gaming Jurisdictions		Bonuses! New games! Gossip! And all the player news you can handle. Sign up NOW! View the current issue John Robison John Robison is an expert on slot machines and how to play them. John is a slot and video poker columnist and has written for many of gaming's leading publications. Hear John on "The Good Times Radio Gaming Show," broadcast from Memphis on KXIQ 1180AM Friday afternoons. You can listen to archives of the show online anytime. More about John Robison More articles by John Robison Books by John Robison: The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots More books by John Robison
	Ask the Slot Expert: Can slot machines only be changed at the factory? 23 May 2012 By John Robison <a href='https://ad.casinocity.com/adclick.php?n=a21efcd1'><img src='https://ad.casinocity.com/adview.php?what=-site:vendors/width:250/RON&n=a21efcd1' border='0' alt='' /></a> Hello John, Today your column was about free spins/payouts. You mentioned the club might have changed the payout program. I have always been told the machines can only be changed at the factory. The payout is set at the factory. I don't believe all this. We went to a small casino in Southern Colorado to a Motorcycle Club Bike Rally. We arrived a week early and went to the casino each day. The machines were more than liberal. We had good results at any machine. The day the rally officially started, it was full house, all machines occupied. NO PAYS! I know and have seen at other casinos where a row of machines were shut down for routine maintenance the repair people say. But, why would tables be set up to lay notebooks, electronic equipment, manuals and other equipment? All machines in that row would be standing open with what looked like testing equipment connected inside. Then, the people doing the routine maintenance say the machines can only be changed and set at the factory. (The row shut down was not where the Bike Rally was.) This is what I know about slot machines. Try to change my knowledge and my way of thinking. My regards, Gary Dear Gary, Different jurisdictions have different rules regarding changing payback programs on slot machines. Nevada is probably the most liberal. You need a Manufacturer's License to change payback programs. Every casino has a Manufacturer's License, so every casino can change payback programs on its machines. Still, the state wants to ensure that it is getting its share of the slot win, so the change must be reported to the state. Casinos do not change payback programs at whim. In other jurisdictions, someone from the gaming commission must witness the change or possibly even make the change. In still other jurisdictions, no changes are allowed by anyone. So, it's not true that the machines can only be changed at the factory, but Colorado's rules may prohibit changes in the field. It doesn't seem strange to me that tables with notebooks, manuals and equipment were set up near machines undergoing routine maintenance. The technicians need to have their tools and reference materials close by during the maintenance procedure. It's impossible not to think that a change in a machine's generosity after a technician does something to it is not due to the technician's action. It seems though that machines only stop paying after technicians work on them. I've rarely had someone say that a technician "loosened" a machine. Jackpots for all, 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. This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net. Ask the Slot Expert: Can slot machines only be changed at the factory? is republished from CasinoCityTimes.com.