Casino Payouts by State: Manage Your Expectations

Casinos are a big business in the United States, with people flocking to them in droves from all over the country. States have different laws regulating casinos, and one of their most important aspects is determining how much the casino pays out to its customers.

In this article, we will look at casino payouts by state and see how they compare so you can figure out the best state to play slots in. Let’s dive in!

Slots Payouts by Venue

Slot machines are programmed to return a specific amount to the players. As we already mentioned, the payout percentages differ between states, but they also change when you compare online with brick-and-mortar casinos.

Online casinos will have fewer overhead expenses, as they won’t have to spend anything on space, servers, dealers, and other staff, equipment, and lighting. Therefore, online venues can afford to have a higher payout for slot machines.

On the other hand, the chance of an online casino turning out to be a scam is much higher, as they are not as closely regulated as land-based establishments.

What Is RTP?

The payout percentage is often referred to as “return-to-player” or RTP. This theoretical number represents how much money wagered on a slot machine will be paid back to players over time. It’s important to note that this number does not necessarily reflect the casino’s payout for slot machines during a single gambling session.

To understand what RTP means for gamblers, you have to know how casinos calculate these percentages. These percentages are achieved when casino developers spin the virtual reels thousands of times and compare the money invested against the prizes won.

Therefore, an RTP of 94% doesn’t necessarily mean the player will get $94 back for every $100 he puts in the machine. The average slot machine payouts are calculated over a high number of spins, and all of the money prizes, including multi-million jackpots, are counted as “returns.”

Therefore, some players will lose their money, others will break even, and some will profit. RTP is used in other forms of gambling as well. If you need advice on RTPs in sports betting, for example, you can read about it in our guide.

Slot Machine Volatility

Volatility or variance can be equally important as RTP rates. The volatility of a machine tells you how often it gives money back. For some players, this stat can be of more use for their game than a slight difference in a casino’s payout percentage.

A machine with lower volatility is going to be better for novice players who would like to get more of their money back in smaller sums so they can continue playing. Those looking for bigger prizes should seek out casinos and machines with higher volatility, as they will offer them a chance for larger jackpots, although such payouts don’t come very often.

Even though casinos don’t advertise volatility nearly as much as they do RTP, you can still estimate which slot machine most likely has a lower or higher volatility rate.

Machines with significant jackpots usually have higher volatility, as they pay out less often, but their prizes will be higher. On the other hand, if the expected winnings are more moderate, that means the machine is less volatile.

Range Variance

Slot machine payout will also vary in accordance with the game’s outcome range. It is usually thought that slot machines with lower denominations have a higher RTP rate and will be a better choice for those who want to play longer.

In the end, the actual payout rate will have to do a lot with the popularity of a certain machine. A slot machine that gets played often will pay out more prizes in the end because the number of spins will be higher and, therefore, closer to the ideal RTP range. This holds even if the entry price for playing is higher.

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Why Casino Payouts are Important for Gamblers

Casino payouts are an essential part of what makes casinos so popular among gamblers. Different states have laws regulating how much casinos have to pay out to ensure players have a fair chance of winning. In general, the higher the payout percentage, the better it is for players.

When you are comparing RTPs, you should know that what this number actually lets you know is the house edge. If the payout for the slot machine is 93%, the house edge will be 7%. It can help you decide and choose a casino where you have better odds of getting your money back or making profits.

So, what does all of this mean for casino players? Well, if you’re looking for the best chance to win some money, you should head to a state with a high slot payout percentage.

Casino Payouts in Different States

In the United States, gambling is technically legal on the federal level, although it’s strictly regulated. Each state has its own laws and a gambling commission. Some form of casino gambling is allowed in all states except Utah and Hawaii. If we compare this with the fact that sports betting is legal in only 30 states, we can say that casinos are much more accepted as a form of gambling in the US.

However, not all states allow traditional casinos. Arizona, Idaho, and Minnesota only allow tribal casinos, for example, and those are not required to reveal their slot machine payback percentages.

Virginia and Kentucky don’t allow traditional casinos; instead, you can only gamble on racetracks. In South Carolina, casinos are available only on cruise ships that must sail out into international waters, where gambling is permitted.

Before we look at our list of casino payouts by state, note that these are average values and that the actual RTPs you find may be higher or lower than those shown on the list. Nevertheless, they do show which states give you favorable chances of winning when you come to play slot machines.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The state of Nevada has a unique history when it comes to gambling. There is no place in the United States where players can experience more gaming variety than the city of Las Vegas.

In Nevada, the State Gaming Control Board presents the statistics for each of the four city areas.

Downtown

The Strip

Boulder Strip

North Las Vegas

On average, with Megabucks machines included, the Boulder Strip has the best slot machine payout percentage in the city of Las Vegas.

It is important to remember that these numbers are only averages and that individual casinos may have higher or lower payouts than those listed here. However, this data can give players an idea of what to expect in terms of payouts when visiting different Las Vegas areas.

Online vs. Land-based Casinos

When it comes to gambling, there are two main types of casinos: land-based and online. Each has its advantages and disadvantages (plus not available/legal in each State or country), and it ultimately comes down to personal preference as to which one is right for you.

Land-based casinos have been the traditional go-to for people looking to gamble. They provide a more social experience, with an opportunity to meet new people and mingle. However, online casinos are becoming increasingly popular, offering a convenient and hassle-free gambling experience.

One of the main advantages of online casinos is that they are available 24/7, so you can play whenever you want. They also offer a more comprehensive range of games than most land-based casinos, and you can often find better deals and bonuses online, as well as the highest-payout slot machines.

Online casinos offer a more convenient and affordable way to gamble. They are easy to access and usually have lower limits than land-based casinos. An online casino is probably your best bet if you’re looking for convenience and affordability.

Bottom Line

Casino payouts are a vital factor to consider when choosing where to gamble. After all, you want the best chance of winning money when you play.

There are only two US states where gambling is not permitted, but there is also a lot of variance in the types of venues where you can gamble. Some states only offer boat casinos or gambling at the racetrack. Also, there are 515 tribal casinos in the US.

Tribal casinos are not obliged to declare the payout percentages of the slot machines used on their premises, but you can trust that it is in their interest to provide the players with a fair chance of winning their money back.

Of course, payout rates can vary from casino to casino, so it’s always worth researching before you commit to any one place.