The first time I saw people use member cards for slot games, I didn’t know what they were. I asked the man sitting next to me and he explained a few details about the rewards club. But he wasn’t using a card himself.
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When I asked him why, he said he once had a card but stopped winning when he played with the card. He thought the casino was monitoring his playing and adjusting the slot game results.
This rumor has circulated both online and offline for many years. It’s normal for people to hear something repeatedly and wonder if there is truth to it. But I’ve never found any proof that casinos can change the way slot games play by flipping a switch.
What makes it difficult to combat this idea and other rumors about slot machines is the many different markets where you find them. Slot machine games are regulated by each country. Complying with different regulations may mean that a slot maker must change how its games work.
The clearest example I can give is how slot games are decided in the United States. Class II slot games decide the outcome on the basis of one random number then configure the display to match that result. Class III games use several random numbers to control the reels.
How Modern Slot Machine Games Work
There aren’t many physical slot games left. They’re all electronic now, and the electronic machines use random number generator chips to decide results.
But there is more involved than just generating a random number. The “slots” in the slot games are spaces on reels. The computers now simulate these reels.
Former and current slot machine manufacturing employees answer questions about game design on several websites including Quora. This answer was posted in September 2014, and it explains how the simulated reels are managed by software.
The programs to simulate the reels and assign the random numbers are etched into ROMs, Read-Only Memory chips. These ROMs must be physically changed by a technician to change how the game payout percentages work.
Legitimate Online Casino Operators Lease Games From Service Providers
There are over 2,000 online casinos. It’s impossible to be sure about how they all manage their slot games. But what is known about the most popular casinos is that they don’t run their slot games from their own servers.
Instead the online casinos lease game services from secure data centers. These gaming platforms are run by companies like Blue Ocean and EveryMatrix. Some of the game design companies also run their own servers, leasing resources to online casinos.
Although it would be simple for online gaming companies to switch things up, they would risk losing independent certifications if they allowed the games to be rigged.
There’s no need for casinos to adjust the percentages. They can order the percentage breakouts for house edge and return to player that they want to offer. This way, they maintain competitiveness and support long-term profitability.
Many Games Publish the Theoretical Return to Player
Some slot games include the theoretical return to player in their help screens.
If the players see that RTP has been adjusted downward, they can play elsewhere. If players only suspect that the RTP has been adjusted without proper notification, they might still leave.
Casinos need players. The best strategy to grow their customer base is to keep game rewards high enough to make the risk worthwhile.
Some Governments Regulate Return to Player Percentages
Licensed gaming casinos must comply with local laws governing their businesses. Some countries provide more regulation than others.
In the United States, commercial land-based casinos are regulated by their states. However, Native American casinos are mostly regulated by the tribal governments that own them. Each jurisdiction has the authority to set minimal RTP percentages to ensure the casinos don’t make too much money.
The 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act creates the legal framework used by tribes to protect their traditional gaming activities from state regulatory laws. The act also defines the three classes of gaming and how they are to be regulated.
Class II games are regulated by the tribes but only in states that allow any kind of gaming. Only Class III games are subject solely to state regulation.
True slot machine games are Class III games. Native American casinos offer Class II bingo games that are made to look like slot games. The game cabinets must display the casino bingo games that are used to determine wins.
Class II slot machines may have reels and bonus games but they’re not really slot machine games as defined by federal law.
How Do You Determine the Odds That a Slot Game Pays?
Casinos may or may not be required to declare the return to player for their slot games. Some casinos place a plate or sticker on their slot games with a notice. Other casinos leave it to the game help screens (thus, the manufacturers) to inform players.
The games’ odds may be reported as a theoretical RTP percentage, but they could also be reported as a ratio, similar to the way lottery games declare chances of winning a prize. Either way, these games don’t have to tell you how often to expect to win a prize of any amount.
Some players merely judge the looseness of slot games by how much money they win or how often they win as they play the games.
Some players judge the looseness of slot games by how popular they appear to be. This observational strategy assumes that the crowd knows more than the individual.
One of my friends tells me he only plays slot games with low jackpots. His reasoning is that players need to lose less money for someone to win $10,000 than for someone to win $20,000.
Slot Machines May Have Programmed Payout Limits
In another post on Quora from 2016, someone claimed to have industry experience in the Caribbean.
In his post, he said that a machine won’t pay more than it has accumulated after the first month of operation. That first month establishes the limit based on the profit the machine made.
The system is designed to be random within a range of percentages. The software decides when and how much to pay but won’t go over the monthly limit.
It should be obvious that this limit could be reset.
The Games Are Designed to Be as Random as Possible
People who design and repair slot machine games express much trust in the random number generator chips these games use. The RNGs, as they are called, use the latest available algorithms at the time they are manufactured.
Math has not yet progressed to the point where truly random numbers can be generated. Mechanical devices require input from an outside source to be truly random.
The way slot game designers handle this limitation is they design the chips to generate thousands of random numbers every second. The random numbers each take a turn at being available for use by the game.
Because of the percentage payouts and internal limits they use, slot machine games don’t have to be reprogrammed to improve casino profits. Everything is designed to run with as little intervention as possible.
And that is better for the casino because the more they can intervene in a game’s function, the more likely they’ll face regulation over that intervention.
Casino game techs often say that replacing chips in slot machines must follow a special procedure (in the United States). They are closely monitored and every part must be accounted for. So, it’s less expensive for casinos if they don’t tweak the games.
Conclusion
An honest casino doesn’t need to control who wins at a slot game. They already control who can play a slot game. They can ask anyone to leave for any reason.
Naturally, casinos don’t do that. Instead. they purchase gaming systems that are designed to create an entertaining experience for patrons while legally retaining a profitable percentage of wagers.
No matter how much one’s frustration tempts a player into wondering about Big Brother Casino tweaking the game, it’s more profitable for the casino to let nature take its course.
Introduction to New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
New Mexico slot machine casino gambling consists of 22 tribal casinos plus another five racinos with racetracks. Further, there are over 50 non-profit sites offering slots. New Mexico has many more slot machines per state resident than any other U.S. state.
Tribal casinos, commercial racinos, and non-profit organizations have set a minimum theoretical payout limit. None publicly report return statistics.
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 New Mexico*
The minimum legal gambling age in New Mexico depends upon the gambling activity:
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- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: No age limit
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Pari-mutuel wagering has been legal since the 1930s, having a thriving industry until the late 1980s when Texas legalized pari-mutuel wagering. Recovery and stability occurred when New Mexico legalized offering slot machines in their racinos.
In 1995, the state and 25 federally-recognized American Indian tribes or pueblos negotiated thirteen identical state-tribal gaming compacts eventually approved after various delays. Each tribe is associated with at least one Indian casino in New Mexico.
Several amendments made to the 1995 state-tribal compacts include a requirement that the tribal casino reports a net win amount. These compacts currently expire in 2037.
Each of New Mexico’s five racinos can have up to 750 gaming machines, including 600 of their own and another 150 leased for a different racino. For these racinos, the state collects 26% of the Net Take in monthly gaming taxes.
Further, 20% of the Net Take from racino gaming machines must go to horsemen’s purses, which has been a significant amount: In fiscal year 2014, horsemen’s purses received over $50M from gaming revenues.
Finally, a thriving charitable gaming industry exists in New Mexico. Dozens of non-profit organizations legally offer electronic gaming machines like the slot machines found at New Mexico’s racinos.
*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 New Mexico
Privately owning a slot machine has only recently become available. Legal restrictions on obtaining it are highly limited to the following terms:
- It must be purchased from a distributor or manufacturer licensed to distribute and manufacture slot machines in New Mexico.
- Only such New Mexico licensed distributors and manufacturers may transport gaming machines in New Mexico.
- The homeowner may not make a profit from having the slot machine.
- Persons who play on the machine can play for winnings only.
- The homeowner may not offer the slot machine for resale without a license.
- The homeowner may not transport a slot machine from one location to another without a license.
- A homeowner charging a fee to play or keeping a portion of monies for any reason would be commercial gambling which, without a gambling license, is a felony.
As an exception, an antique gambling device can be legally owned without restriction, provided it was manufactured before 1970 as well as is not used in gambling.
Gaming Control Board in New Mexico
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In 1997, the state legislature established the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. The control board’s website is both highly comprehensive and easy to navigate, include maps of:
Casinos in New Mexico
There are 22 American Indian tribal casinos and five commercial racinos in New Mexico.
The largest casino in New Mexico is Sandia Resort and Casino with 2,300 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Route 66 Casino Hotel with 1,900 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in New Mexico
The five commercial pari-mutuel wagering racinos with slot machines in New Mexico are:
- The Downs Racetrack and Casino in Albuquerque.
- Ruidoso Downs & Billy The Kid Casino found 186 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
- Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino found 9 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, near the border to Texas.
- SunRay Park and Casino in Farmington found 182 miles northwest of Albuquerque near the state’s northwest corner near the border to Colorado.
- Zia Park Race Track & Black Gold Casino in Hobbs found 317 miles southeast of Albuquerque near the state’s southeast corner near the border to Texas.
Tribal Casinos in New Mexico
The 22 tribal casinos owned and operated by 25 tribes and pueblos with state-tribal gaming compacts in New Mexico are:
- Apache Nugget Travel Center and Casino in Dulce found 193 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Black Mesa Casino in Algodones found 25 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe.
- Casino Apache Travel Center in Ruidoso found 181 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
- Cities of Gold Casino Hotel in Santa Fe.
- Dancing Eagle Casino and RV Park in Casa Blanca found 53 miles west of Albuquerque.
- Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock found 131 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Arizona.
- Flowing Water Casino in Shiprock found 209 miles northwest of Albuquerque near Four Corners.
- Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino Apache in Mescalero found 213 miles south-southeast of Albuquerque.
- Isleta Resort Casino in Albuquerque.
- Northern Edge Casino in Upper Fruitland found 185 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Ohkay Casino Resort in Ohkay Owingeh found 92 miles north-northeast of Albuquerque.
- Palace West Casino in Albuquerque.
- Route 66 Casino Express in Albuquerque.
- Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.
- Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque.
- Santa Ana Star Casino in Santa Ana Pueblo found 21 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Espanola found 193 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Sky City Casino Hotel in Acoma Pueblo found 64 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Taos Mountain Casino in Taos found 132 miles northeast of Albuquerque.
- Tesuque Casino in Santa Fe.
- Wild Horse Casino in Dulce found 193 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying New Mexico slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering New Mexico is:
- North: Colorado Slots
- East: Oklahoma Slots and Texas Slots
- South: Texas Slots and Mexico
- West: Arizona Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to New Mexico.
New Mexico also offers slot machines at licensed Veterans and Fraternal non-profit organizations. Over 50 non-profit gaming licensees are spread throughout the state.
Our New Mexico Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in New Mexico? If so, join our new New Mexico 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 New Mexico. Join us!
Payout Returns in New Mexico
The theoretical payout limit for all slot machines in New Mexico is 80% whether at a tribal casino, commercial racino, or a non-profit Veteran and Fraternal organization.
Return statistics are unavailable from commercial racinos, tribal casinos, and non-profit organizations.
Summary of New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
New Mexico slot machine casino gambling consists of 22 tribal casinos, five commercial pari-mutual racetracks with slot machines, and over 50 Veteran or Fraternal organizations spread across the state.
All slot machines have a theoretical payout limit of 80%. There are no legal requirements that tribal casinos, racinos, or non-profits publicly provide return statistics for electronic gaming machines.
Annual Progress in New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, the Tesuque Casino opened in Santa Fe.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: New Jersey Slot Machine Casino Gambling
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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC