Difference Between Slot Machine And Video Lottery Terminal

One of the casino games which is very popular among all types of players is video poker. Its gameplay is very straightforward but at the same time challenging which makes the game a great source of entertainment. Video poker is so widespread that you can enjoy it in various places, including land-based and web-based casinos, supermarkets and even restaurants. What makes this game so appealing and interesting is the fact that it requires not only luck but also skills. You can influence the outcome of every hand significantly if you use a reliable strategy thanks to which you can make wiser decisions whether to hold or substitute your cards. This way, you can decrease the house edge and improve your odds of winning.

Slot Machines Vs Video Lottery Terminals. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have the same appearance as slot machines. VLTs must receive winning outcomes. Electronic Table Games (ETGs) offer video versions of popular casino games like roulette, craps, and baccarat.

However, you should know that this is not always the case as some places offer the so-called video lottery terminals which work on a completely different principle. They don’t give you the chance to have an impact on the final result as they don’t use the same mechanism as video poker machines. If you love playing video poker, then you should be able to tell the different types of video poker apart as this way you will be able to play on only beneficial machines.

May 26, 2020 Some of you may know it as a video gaming terminal, video slots, or the video lottery, but it all boils down to the same thing. Such machines are usually located in casinos owned by Native Americans, as well as at licensed establishments like certain bars or restaurants where you can play games like lotto, bingo and scratch cards. In the state of West Virginia, Video Lottery is the legal use of player interactive gaming machines similar to those commonly known as “slot” machines in the casino industry. As of 1994, video lottery was approved, with restraints set forth by law, at West Virginia’s four thoroughbred and greyhound racetracks.

Video Poker Overview

The huge popularity of video poker is partly because of the machines the game is played on. The standard video poker machines use a Random Number Generator thanks to which you can rest assured that the dealing of the cards happens completely random. If it wasn’t for the RNG, you wouldn’t be able to influence the outcome of the game with the same success. It is not programmed to follow a particular pattern, meaning that if you win one hand, you can certainly win one more and vice versa.

Difference Between Slot Machine And Video Lottery Terminal St Thomas

The Random Number Generator is entirely legitimate and it is used by every reputable online casino as it offers a fair gameplay. Thanks to this one-of-a-kind device if you apply an efficient strategy, you can make the difference between winning and losing. The RNG is the main principle on which the video poker machines operate.

Video Lottery Terminals Overview

As previously indicated, it is possible to play video poker on a particular type of machines which differ from the standard ones in several ways. In the gambling world they are known as video lottery terminals /VLTs/ and they are class II machines. What sets them apart from the traditional video poker machines, is the fact that all of the terminals are connected. By having a common computer system, the video lottery terminals can be easily supervised by the respective gaming authority. The number of winners is predetermined in advance, meaning that these machines are programmed to pay out only according to a preset pattern.

Difference Between Slot Machine And Video Lottery Terminal 4

Some terminals operate by using a RNG, however more often than not, this type of machines don’t have it. The outcome of the game is in accordance with a fixed pool. As their name hint, the way they function can be compared to a lottery scratch ticket as when you start playing, the machines select a positive or a negative outcome from the preset pool. This pool contains a certain number of wins and losses and after some time, it is reset.

In general, in these games you actually compete against others and if you become a winner, you are required to announce your victory. This makes video lottery terminals much more interactive than video poker machines.

Differences between Video Poker and Video Lottery Terminals

In order to determine which machines are more beneficial, it will be best to compare both types. Perhaps, the most noticeable and major difference between video poker machines and video lottery terminals, is that the latter doesn’t give you the chance to influence the outcome of the game by applying a strategy. In these games, you rely predominantly on luck as the winner is chosen randomly, regardless of the skills and knowledge one may have.

All of the hands you will get during the game are programmed in advance to be either winning or losing ones and no matter what you choose to do, the outcome will be the same. As you might have gathered, this factor puts a lot of players off as it takes away all of the fun of trying to improve every hand. In this sense, the video lottery terminals are almost the same as the slot machines as the only difference is that they are operated by a central computer system.

Another significant difference is the fact that video lottery terminals are linked to one another, whereas video poker machines are entirely independent. When you play on a standard video poker machine, you can get a particular winning combination such a Royal Flush a couple of times or you may not get it at all, regardless of how much time you will spend on that machine. The reason why is that the RNG doesn’t follow a pattern as it always deals the cards in a completely random manner.

Speaking of this device, it can be considered as another thing which sets these machines apart. Most of the video lottery terminals don’t use this type of mechanism. Instead, they operate by having a fixed number of winners who are selected on a random principle. In general, whenever you play on such a machine, there is always going to be a winner, however you can never figure out who and when. It all depends on whether you will be lucky enough to ‘draw the winning ticket’. Also, bear in mind that your odds of winning are extremely low every time and they don’t change.

While it is true that these machines have a preset number of losses, whenever someone loses, unfortunately their number remains the same.

Further Thoughts

Taking into account the above-mentioned information, we can conclude that the video lottery terminals are not as advantageous as the standard video poker machines. Thus, it is best for you to avoid them as your skills and strategy won’t make a difference. However, telling these two types of machines apart can be quite difficult due to the fact that they look very similar. One thing which you can do is to check the gambling regulations regarding VLTs the state you reside in have.

Difference Between Slot Machine And Video Lottery Terminal Numbers

It should be noted that the VLTs are not legal in all states. If the case is that the usage of these machines is forbidden, you can conclude that there is no chance to bump into them. However, if this is not the case and you don’t have a clue which machine is a VLT, then you can look for several indicators. For instance, if the machine has a button labelled as automatic hold, then it most likely belongs to this type. Also, if you are deprived of the opportunity to exchange your cards during your last hand, this is often a sign which hints that you are playing at a video lottery terminal.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that since video lottery terminals offer games which are predetermined in advance, it is best to avoid them if you are able to spot them. This is the reason why it is really important to look this matter through carefully in order to make sure that you are aware of the main differences between video lottery terminals and video poker machines. Partly, what makes video poker such a great game is the fact that you can have fun by trying different approaches and strategies for your hands. However, when you play the game on a VLT, you are deprived of this opportunity.

Gaming

Approved independent testing laboratories for commercial and video lottery gaming facilities:

• Gaming Laboratories International, LLC (GLI)

• BMM Testlabs

Video Lottery Terminals and Electronic Table Games: Similar in appearance to classic slot machines or as simulated classic table games, these terminals are linked to a centralized system maintained by the Gaming Commission that tracks the game play and earnings for each game.

• Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) have the same appearance as slot machines. VLTs must receive winning outcomes transmitted by the central system.

• Electronic Table Games (ETGs) offer video versions of popular casino games like roulette, craps, and baccarat. ETGs are capable of generating winning outcomes at each table.

Video lottery gaming operations began in 2004 at Saratoga Gaming & Raceway in Saratoga Springs and have since expanded to eight additional facilities. As of January 1, 2013, there were 17,213 such machines operating in New York State.

Indian Gaming: In 1988 Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act permitting federally recognized Indian tribes the ability to conduct gaming activities under certain circumstances. This law allows traditional Indian gaming, bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games on tribal land. However, it requires a Tribal/State compact for all other forms of gaming. Three tribes have lawful gaming in New York State:

• The Seneca Nation of Indians operate the Class III Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, the Class III Seneca Allegany Casino, the Class III Seneca Buffalo Casino in Buffalo, and Class II bingo on both their Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservation lands

• The St. Regis Mohawks operate the Class II Mohawk Bingo Palace and the Class III Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, which also houses Class II poker games

• The Oneida Indian Nation of New York operates the Turning Stone Casino, which houses both Class II bingo and poker, as well as its Class III gaming operations.

The Gaming Commission maintains a constant twenty-four hour presence within the gaming facilities of the five Class III facilities to maintain the integrity of all activities conducted in regard to Class III gaming, and to insure the fair and honest operation of such gaming activities. Additionally, the State conducts background investigations on all employees of the casino and enterprises who conduct gaming related business with the casino to ensure their suitability. Pursuant to each Compact the State jointly regulates Class III gaming facilities with a Nation or Tribal Gaming Agency, respectively. Class II gaming activities, e.g., bingo, pull tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, and certain card games, are regulated by the Tribe in conjunction with the National Indian Gaming Commission, although tribes, under certain circumstances, may self-regulate these activities.

Voluntary Self Exclusion

To voluntarily exclude from New York State gaming facilities, including casinos, horse racing, off-track betting, video lottery gaming and interactive fantasy sports activities in New York State pursuant to Title 9 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York and New York Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law section 1404(1)(d):
Please complete the form:
Request for Voluntary Self-Exclusion from All Gaming Facilities and Entities Licensed, Permitted or Registered by the New York State Gaming Commission.
The notarized form, with photograph as per instructions, should be mailed to:
New York State Gaming Commission
Director of Education & Community Relations
PO Box 7500
Schenectady, New York 12301-7500
Individuals may also self-exclude at licensed gaming facilities across the state.

Commercial Gaming Reports

TIOGA DOWNS CASINO

2384 W River Rd
Nichols, NY 13812-1406
1-888-WIN-TIOGA
1-888-946-8464
visit website

Monthly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

Weekly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

DEL LAGO RESORT AND CASINO

1133 Route 414
Waterloo, NY 13165
315-946-1777
visit website

Monthly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

Weekly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

RIVERS CASINO & RESORT

1 Rush Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
518-579-8800
visit website

Monthly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

Weekly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

RESORTS WORLD CATSKILLS

888 Resorts World Drive
Monticello, NY 12701
833-586-9358
visit website

Monthly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel

Weekly Financial
Report
download PDF
download Excel