Editing Slot machine (section)

==Legislation==
===United States===
In the United States, the public and private availability of slot machines is [[United States state slot machine ownership regulations|highly regulated by state governments]]. Many states have established [[gaming control board]]s to regulate the possession and use of slot machines and other forms of gaming.

[[Nevada]] is the only state that has no significant restrictions against slot machines both for public and private use. In [[New Jersey]], slot machines are only allowed in hotel casinos operated in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]]. Several states ([[Indiana]], [[Louisiana]] and [[Missouri]]) allow slot machines (as well as any casino-style gambling) only on licensed [[riverboat]]s or permanently anchored [[barge]]s. Since [[Hurricane Katrina]], [[Mississippi]] has removed the requirement that casinos on the Gulf Coast operate on barges and now allows them on land along the shoreline. [[Delaware]] allows slot machines at three horse tracks; they are regulated by the [[Delaware Lottery|state lottery]] commission. In Wisconsin, bars and taverns are allowed to have up to five machines. These machines usually allow a player to either take a payout, or gamble it on a double-or-nothing "side game".

The [[Unincorporated territories of the United States|territory]] of [[Puerto Rico]] places significant restrictions on slot machine ownership, but the law is widely flouted and slot machines are common in bars and coffeeshops.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765596778/Illegal-slot-machines-threaten-Puerto-Rico-casinos.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809124821/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765596778/Illegal-slot-machines-threaten-Puerto-Rico-casinos.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 9, 2016|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|last=Coto|first=Danica|date=August 13, 2012|title=Illegal slot machines threaten Puerto Rico casinos|access-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref>

In regards to [[Native American gaming|tribal casinos]] located on [[Indian reservation|Native American reservations]], slot machines played against the house and operating independently from a [[centralized system|centralized computer system]] are classified as "Class III" gaming by the [[Indian Gaming Regulatory Act]] (IGRA), and sometimes promoted as "Vegas-style" slot machines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://southfloridareporter.com/10-casinos-you-can-gamble-at-in-south-florida/|title=10 Casinos You Can Gamble at in South Florida|last=SouthFloridaReporter.com|date=2018-09-05|website=South Florida Reporter|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> In order to offer Class III gaming, tribes must enter into a [[Tribal-state compact|compact]] (agreement) with the state that is approved by the [[United States Department of the Interior|Department of the Interior]], which may contain restrictions on the types and quantity of such games. As a workaround, some casinos may operate slot machines as "Class II" games—a category that includes games where players play exclusively against at least one other opponent and not the house, such as [[Bingo (American version)|bingo]] or any related games (such as [[pull-tab]]s). In these cases, the reels are an entertainment display with a pre-determined outcome based on a centralized game played against other players. Under the IGRA, Class II games are regulated by individual tribes and the [[National Indian Gaming Commission]], and do not require any additional approval if the state already permits tribal gaming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.glendalestar.com/news/article_ed78ec06-728e-11e5-9c29-23f1fea664a5.html|title=Slot machines ordered; Class II casinos explained|last=Dryer|first=Carolyn|website=The Glendale Star|date=15 October 2015 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jun-21-fi-golden21-story.html|title=New Slot Machines Without Strings|date=2004-06-21|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>

Some [[Instant Racing|historical race wagering]] terminals operate in a similar manner, with the machines using slots as an entertainment display for outcomes paid using the [[parimutuel betting]] system, based on results of randomly-selected, previously-held [[horse race]]s (with the player able to view selected details about the race and adjust their picks before playing the credit, or otherwise use an auto-bet system).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bgdailynews.com/news/kentucky-downs-kicks-off-instant-racing/article_264ec04a-fd72-5506-8462-45852253d045.html|title=Kentucky Downs kicks off instant racing|last=Minor|first=Robyn L.|website=Bowling Green Daily News|date=2 September 2011 |language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>

====Private ownership====
{{see also|United States slot machine ownership regulations by state}}
[[Alaska]], [[Arizona]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kentucky]], [[Maine]], [[Minnesota]], [[Nevada]], [[Ohio]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Texas]], [[Utah]], [[Virginia]], and [[West Virginia]] place no restrictions on private ownership of slot machines. Conversely, in [[Connecticut]], [[Hawaii]], [[Nebraska]], [[South Carolina]], and [[Tennessee]], private ownership of any slot machine is completely prohibited. The remaining states allow slot machines of a certain age (typically 25–30 years) or slot machines manufactured before a specific date.

===Canada===
The Government of Canada has minimal involvement in gambling beyond the Canadian [[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]]. In essence, the term "lottery scheme" used in the code means slot machines, bingo and table games normally associated with a casino. These fall under the jurisdiction of the province or territory without reference to the federal government; in practice, all Canadian provinces operate gaming boards that oversee lotteries, casinos and [[video lottery terminal]]s under their jurisdiction.

[[Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation|OLG]] piloted a classification system for slot machines at the [[Grand River Raceway]] developed by University of Waterloo professor Kevin Harrigan, as part of its PlaySmart initiative for responsible gambling. Inspired by [[Nutrition facts label|nutrition labels]] on foods, they displayed metrics such as volatility and frequency of payouts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guesgen |first=Mirjam |date=2018-09-10 |title=Can 'calorie labels' on slot machines promote healthier gambling? |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/09/10/can-calorie-labels-on-slot-machines-promote-healthier-gambling.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2019-09-24 |website=TheRecord.com |language=en-CA |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202233959/https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/09/10/can-calorie-labels-on-slot-machines-promote-healthier-gambling.html }}</ref> OLG has also deployed electronic gaming machines with pre-determined outcomes based on a bingo or pull-tab game, initially branded as "TapTix", which visually resemble slot machines.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Adler|first=Mike|date=2016-02-17|title=Electronic machines boost bingo business, but raise addiction concerns|url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/6310503-electronic-machines-boost-bingo-business-but-raise-addiction-concerns/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=Toronto.com|language=en-CA}}</ref>

In Ontario, 4 April 2022 saw the re-introduction of the online gambling market. This became possible when the Canadian Criminal Code was amended to allow single-event wagering August 2021. The province is expected to generate about $800 million in gross revenue per year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-s-online-gambling-market-officially-launches-1.5847087 | title=Ontario's online gambling market officially launches|website=Toronto.ctvnews.ca| date=4 April 2022 }}</ref>

===Australia===
In Australia "Poker Machines" or "pokies"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://australiannationaldictionary.com.au/index.php|title=Australian National Dictionary: Pokie|publisher=Oxford University Press | access-date=2 October 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101618/http://australiannationaldictionary.com.au/index.php | archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> are officially termed "gaming machines". In Australia, gaming machines are a matter for state governments, so laws vary between states. Gaming machines are found in casinos (approximately one in each major city), [[pub]]s and clubs in some states (usually sports, social, or [[Returned and Services League of Australia|RSL]] clubs). The first Australian state to legalize this style of gambling was [[New South Wales]], when in 1956 they were made legal in all registered clubs in the state. There are suggestions that the proliferation of poker machines has led to increased levels of [[problem gambling]]; however, the precise nature of this link is still open to research.<ref>[http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/gambling/finalreport/index.html PC.gov.au] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819030433/http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/gambling/finalreport/index.html |date=2006-08-19 }}, see Chapter 8, Productivity Commission Report no. 10</ref>

In 1999 the Australian Productivity Commission reported that nearly half Australia's gaming machines were in New South Wales. At the time, 21% of all the gambling machines in the world were operating in Australia and, on a per capita basis, Australia had roughly five times as many gaming machines as the United States. Australia ranks 8th in total number of gaming machines after Japan, U.S.A., Italy, U.K., Spain and Germany. This primarily is because gaming machines have been legal in the state of New South Wales since 1956; over time, the number of machines has grown to 97,103 (at December 2010, including the Australian Capital Territory). By way of comparison, the U.S. State of Nevada, which legalised gaming including slots several decades before N.S.W., had 190,135 slots operating.<ref>{{cite news|title=One pokie for every 110 of us|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/one-pokie-for-every-110-of-us-20100116-mdf3.html|access-date=28 November 2015|agency=SMH|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=17 January 2010}}</ref>

Revenue from gaming machines in pubs and clubs accounts for more than half of the $4 billion in gambling revenue collected by state governments in fiscal year 2002–03.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/ageing/technicalpapers/technicalpaper10.pdf|title=Gambling revenue|date=12 April 2005|publisher=Australian government Productivity Commission}}</ref>

In [[Queensland]], gaming machines in pubs and clubs must provide a return rate of 85%, while machines located in casinos must provide a return rate of 90%.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} Most other states have similar provisions. In [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], gaming machines must provide a minimum return rate of at least 85% (including jackpot contribution), are prohibited from accepting bills greater than $50 in denomination, and each wager must be manually initiated by the player (thus prohibiting "autoplay" mechanisms).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gambling Regulation Act 2003 |url=https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/gambling-regulation-act-2003/104 |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.legislation.vic.gov.au}}</ref> 

[[Western Australia]] has the most restrictive regulations on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in general. They may only be operated at the [[Crown Perth]] casino resort, which is the only casino in Western Australia, and have a return rate of 90%.<ref name="PokerMachineExclusivity">{{cite web|url=http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid/207941263/scat/c08dd24cec417021/ht/James-Packer-handed-plum-casino-deal-by-West-Australian-government|title=James Packer handed plum casino deal by West Australian government|publisher=Big News Network|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117232853/http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid/207941263/scat/c08dd24cec417021/ht/James-Packer-handed-plum-casino-deal-by-West-Australian-government|archive-date=17 January 2013|access-date=2012-08-02|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Many EGMs operate games that are nearly identical to slot machines, but with modifications to comply with state law: EGMs are prohibited from using spinning reels, and must not use symbols associated with poker machines used elsewhere. Each wager must take at least three seconds to play, and each wager must be initiated by the user.<ref name=":1" />

This policy has an extensive political history, reaffirmed by the 1974 Royal Commission into Gambling:<ref>Western Australia, Report of the Royal Commission into Gambling (1974), pp. 72–73.</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Poker machine playing is a mindless, repetitive and insidious form of gambling which has many undesirable features. It requires no thought, no skill or social contact. The odds are never about winning. Watching people playing the machines over long periods of time, the impressionistic evidence at least is that they are addictive to many people. Historically poker machines have been banned from Western Australia and we consider that, in the public interest, they should stay banned.|sign=|source=}}

Despite the state having praised its restrictions for keeping gaming machines from being widely available to the public as in other states, the machines have faced criticism for being almost indistinguishable to a normal slot machine, and thus having the same addictive qualities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-09-02 |title=WA is proudly poker machine free, but one expert says Perth's casino has the 'most addictive form of gambling' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03/crown-perth-royal-commission-pokie-machines-questions/100429214 |access-date=2022-06-07 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> In March 2022, a [[royal commission]] found Crown Gaming to be unfit to hold a gaming license in WA, citing issues surrounding money laundering, failing to minimise harms from problem gambling, and the regulatory framework of the Gaming and Wagering Commission being considered outdated.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-24 |title=Crown deemed unsuitable to hold WA gaming licence, but will not be stripped of Perth casino |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-24/crown-unsuitable-to-hold-wa-casino-licence-royal-commission/100934322 |access-date=2024-04-10 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> To implement the recommendations of the Commission, EGMs were limited to maximum bets of $10 beginning in July 2023, while also requiring the implementation of weekly limits on play and losses, and the implementation of cashless machines requiring pre-loaded player cards to function.<ref>{{Cite web |title=$10 betting cap in force for electronic gaming machines at Crown {{!}} Western Australian Government |url=https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/%2410-betting-cap-in-force-for-electronic-gaming-machines-at-Crown-20230725 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.wa.gov.au |language=en}}</ref>

[[Nick Xenophon]] was elected on an independent [[No Pokies]] ticket in the [[South Australian Legislative Council]] at the [[1997 South Australian state election]] on 2.9 percent, re-elected at the [[2006 South Australian state election|2006 election]] on 20.5 percent, and elected to the [[Australian Senate]] at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]] on 14.8 percent. Independent candidate [[Andrew Wilkie]], an anti-pokies campaigner, was elected to the [[Australian House of Representatives]] seat of [[Division of Denison|Denison]] at the [[2010 Australian federal election|2010 federal election]]. Wilkie was one of four crossbenchers who supported the [[Julia Gillard|Gillard]] [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] government following the [[hung parliament]] result. Wilkie immediately began forging ties with Xenophon as soon as it was apparent that he was elected. In exchange for Wilkie's support, the Labor government are attempting to implement [[precommitment]] technology for high-bet/high-intensity poker machines, against opposition from the [[Tony Abbott]] [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] and Clubs Australia.

During the [[COVID-19]] pandemic of 2020, every establishment in the country that facilitated poker machines was shut down, in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, bringing Australia's usage of poker machines effectively to zero.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-clubs-to-face-double-hit-with-pokies-downturn-20200316-p54am3.html|title=AFL clubs to face 'double hit' with pokies downturn|date=16 March 2020}}</ref>

=== Russia ===
In Russia, "slot clubs" appeared quite late, only in 1992. Before 1992, slot machines were only in casinos and small shops, but later slot clubs began appearing all over the country. The most popular and numerous were "Vulcan 777" and "Taj Mahal". Since 2009, when gambling establishments were banned, almost all slot clubs disappeared and are found only in a specially authorized gambling zones.

===United Kingdom=== <!-- [[Fixed odds betting terminal]] links here. -->
[[Image:Old fruit machines in Teignmouth 10-08-06.jpg|thumb|right|Row of old fruit machines in Teignmouth Pier, Devon]]
[[Image:Slot machines at Wookey Hole Caves.JPG|thumb|right|One armed bandits at [[Wookey Hole Caves]]]]
Slot machines are covered by the [[Gambling Act 2005]], which superseded the [[Gaming Act 1968]].<ref name=GamingAct>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052776.htm|title=Gaming Act 2005|year=2005|publisher=[[The Stationery Office]]|access-date=2 November 2009}}</ref>

Slot machines in the U.K. are categorised by definitions produced by the [[Gambling Commission]] as part of the Gambling Act of 2005.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Machine category
! Maximum stake (from April 2019)
! Maximum prize (from April 2019)
|-
|A
|Unlimited
|Unlimited
|-
|B1
|£5
|£10,000 or if the game has a progressive jackpot that can be £20,000
|-
|B2
|£2 <ref>{{Cite web |title=Feature article: Impact of B2 stake change |url=https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/authorities/guide/page/la-bulletin-march-2019-feature-article-impact-of-b2-stake-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240217101420/https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/authorities/guide/page/la-bulletin-march-2019-feature-article-impact-of-b2-stake-change |archive-date=2024-02-17 |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=[[Gambling Commission]]}}</ref>
|£500
|-
|B3
|£2
|£500
|-
|B3A
|£1
|£500
|-
|B4
|£2
|£400
|-
|C
|£1
|£100 or £200 If jackpot is repeated
|-
|D (various)
|10p to £8
|£8 cash or £50 non-cash
|}

Casinos built under the provisions of the 1968 Act are allowed to house either up to twenty machines of categories B–D or any number of C–D machines. As defined by the 2005 Act, large casinos can have a maximum of one hundred and fifty machines in any combination of categories B–D (subject to a machine-to-table ratio of 5:1); small casinos can have a maximum of eighty machines in any combination of categories B–D (subject to a machine-to-table ratio of 2:1).

====Category A====
Category A games were defined in preparation for the planned "[[Regional casino|Super Casinos]]". Despite a lengthy bidding process with [[Manchester]] being chosen as the single planned location, the development was cancelled soon after [[Gordon Brown]] became [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]. As a result, there are no lawful Category A games in the U.K.

====Category B====
Category B games are divided into subcategories. The differences between B1, B3 and B4 games are mainly the stake and prizes as defined in the above table. Category B2 games – [[Fixed odds betting terminal]]s (FOBTs) – have quite different stake and prize rules: FOBTs are mainly found in licensed [[betting shop]]s, or bookmakers, usually in the form of electronic [[roulette]].

The games are based on a [[random number generation|random number generator]]; thus each game's probability of getting the jackpot is independent of any other game: probabilities are all equal. If a [[pseudorandom number generator]] is used instead of a truly random one, probabilities are not independent since each number is determined at least in part by the one generated before it.

====Category C====
Category C games are often referred to as '''fruit machines''', '''one-armed bandits''' and '''AWP''' ([[amusement with prize]]). Fruit machines are commonly found in [[pub]]s, [[Nightclub|club]]s, and [[video arcade|arcade]]s. Machines commonly have three but can be found with four or five reels, each with 16–24 symbols printed around them. The reels are spun each play, from which the appearance of particular combinations of symbols result in payment of their associated winnings by the machine (or alternatively initiation of a subgame). These games often have many extra features, trails and subgames with opportunities to win money; usually more than can be won from just the payouts on the reel combinations.

Fruit machines in the U.K. almost universally have the following features, generally selected at random using a [[pseudorandom number generator]]:
* A player (known in the industry as a ''punter'') may be given the opportunity to ''hold'' one or more reels before spinning, meaning they will not be spun but instead retain their displayed symbols yet otherwise count normally for that play. This can sometimes increase the chance of winning, especially if two or more reels are held.  
* A player may also be given a number of ''nudges'' following a spin (or, in some machines, as a result in a subgame). A nudge is a step rotation of a reel chosen by the player (the machine may not allow all reels to be nudged for a particular play).
* ''Cheats'' can also be made available on the internet or through emailed newsletters to subscribers. These cheats give the player the impression of an advantage, whereas in reality the payout percentage remains exactly the same. The most widely used cheat is known as '''hold after a nudge''' and increases the chance that the player will win following an unsuccessful nudge. Machines from the early 1990s did not advertise the concept of '''hold after a nudge''' when this feature was first introduced, it became so well known amongst players and widespread amongst new machine releases that it is now well-advertised on the machine during play. This is characterized by messages on the display such as ''DON'T HOLD ANY'' or ''LET 'EM SPIN'' and is a designed feature of the machine, not a cheat at all.  Holding the same pair three times on three consecutive spins also gives a guaranteed win on most machines that offer holds.

It is known for machines to pay out multiple jackpots, one after the other (this is known as a "repeat") but each jackpot requires a new game to be played so as not to violate the law about the maximum payout on a single play. Typically this involves the player only pressing the Start button at the "repeat" prompt, for which a single credit is taken, regardless of whether this causes the reels to spin or not.  Machines are also known to intentionally set aside money, which is later awarded in a series of wins, known as a "streak". The minimum payout percentage is 70%, with pubs often setting the payout at around 78%.

[[File:Slot machines - kanagawa japan 2024 may 15.webm|thumb|Slot machines in [[Japan]], 2024]]
===Japan===
{{Further|Pachinko}}

Japanese slot machines, known as {{nihongo|'''pachislot'''|パチスロ|'''pachisuro'''|lead=yes}} from the words "pachinko" and "slot machine", are a descendant of the traditional Japanese [[pachinko]] game. Slot machines are a fairly new phenomenon and they can be found mostly in pachinko parlors and the adult sections of [[amusement arcade]]s, known as game centers.