Is Downtown's Slot Return Percentage Lower than the Strip's?

I read the following in the Royal Flusher blog. "Many people, myself included, feel that the downtown slot takeout percentage is actually lower than that on the Strip and that the bump is only realized because of better VP paytables. If downtown decides to get rid of those, then people will see just how poorly they're being treated in casinos run by Boyd, Tilman Fertitta, and the Stevens brothers." My question is, are downtown slots actually tighter than on the Strip, when video poker stats are removed from the equation? Also, how do downtown slots compare with Reno and South Lake Tahoe?

Nevada Gaming Control Board senior research analyst Michael Lawton says that the NGCB breaks down statistical information by machine denomination, not type of game. (Table games, however, are carefully broken down by genre of game.)

Thus, it doesn’t compare slots to video poker per se. Rather, it lumps reel slots, video poker, and video keno together in one hold percentage per geographic location.

The hold percentage on the Strip is 8.12%. In downtown Las Vegas, it's 7.64%. On the south shore of Lake Tahoe it's 6.86%. The best overall gambling-machine value is found in Reno, where the hold averages 5.46%.

So it could be that the .48% difference in hold between the Strip and downtown is due to video poker, but it's impossible to tell by state statistics.

That's why we also sought the input of Michael “Wizard of Odds” Shackleford.

He replied, “I've always said that you can tell how stingy a casino's slots are by how they set their video poker and video keno machines, which are quantifiable. In 2017, I did a survey of both games at all the major casinos in Las Vegas. The average Strip payback percentage for video poker was 97.01%, for video keno 89.97%. Downtown, it was 96.63% and 91.34%.

“So, the Strip was looser for video poker, but downtown for video keno. For purposes of that test, the result is inconclusive.

"My personal opinion is the downtown angle has switched from better gambling odds to being more affordable than the Strip. It doesn't surprise me that there isn't a significant difference in the survey. It just goes to show that you should consider the individual property as opposed to where it is geographically.”

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Reno Faoro Apr-25-2019

sowntown

thanks for data on the machines . live KENO is considered the worst gamble . However , KENO machines rated the BEST return , downtown. Anyone want my 8 numbers  ????   rf ty,tyvm

Jerry Patey Apr-25-2019

Downtownslotpsyback

Your evaluation of payback strip by downtown is laughable. You say strip has higher payback on video poker is in error. Everage does not mean crap. You play the best paytables on booker you can find thus the 97.3 machines you ignore and don’t play. There are booker machines downtown that pay 100.17 %. JOB 9/6 pays 99.56. 9/6 DDB pays about 99%. I challenge you to find a machine on strip that pays these percentages. Please exclude the 5 10 25 and 100 dollar because the average jo does not play these machines. All online tutorial and booker sites emphases you play the best paying machine. Why would I play a 97.3 payback machine when I can play one with payback of 100.17. Averages mean absolute nothing. The payback on strip on 25 cent machines is 90-92%. Downtown 94% or more. Diff casinos have diff machines and you obviously play at casinos with the best machines. To single out Boyd shows bias. although they hVe changed their comp system we are talking payback here not comp system.

Jerry Patey Apr-25-2019

Downtownvp

Continue my comment on downtown   I never play vp on strip there is not a single playable vp machine at 25-1 dollar on strip. Good machines are downtown and local casinos. A good web site is vpfree. It give all the casinos vp stat about entire USA. Sign up and they email you changes via email. It gives best games at all casinos plus location. Very helpful web site. Again you do not justwalk up to any vpoker  machine and play. You find ones with best paytables. The screen tells you best machine and you know the payback   On strip you might as well give the money at door. Simply wanted to correct a lot of erroneous info in this article. Go to vpfreevand see for yourself. Believe me downtown casinos are roping no one off. Perhaps guy is on salary by strip casinos. When we first started going to Vegas -990 average payback on strip was about 94% downtown 95 % or higher local casinos. Now strip average is 88 -91%. Don’t forget pennies!!! Pennies make dollars. Educate yourself before gambling

Dan McGlasson Apr-25-2019

I appreciate you Mr. Shackleford!

MIchael - now another comment in a different vein.  I appreciate your input to this article and value it, no matter what others may say.  You are the best I know of when it comes to mathematical interpretation and statistics of gaming.  Please keep up your fine work and great newsletter, which I look forward to each time you publish.  You are an asset for LVA, right along with Deke!

O2bnVegas Apr-25-2019

Wizard fan here

Ditto what Dan McGlasson said.

Anthony Curtis Apr-25-2019

Response to Jerry

This information is neither laughable nor erroneous. It's an accurate depiction of the overall payback percentages in the designated areas. The meat of your input is also correct -- at dollars and below, you can find better returns downtown. However, that wasn't the question, so that wasn't addressed.

Fumb Duck Apr-25-2019

Education

Jerry's last comment, "Educate yourself before gambling" is right on the money (I'll take full credit for the pun). I wonder how many players actually take the time and effort to learn the nuances of the game they play. Like anything else, the devil is in the details.

The casinos are betting that most players don't bother to educate themselves. And that is a good bet.

[email protected] Apr-25-2019

Thank you for answering my question!

I do agree that comps should be mentioned to.  With the one notible exception of the Four Queens which i have been comped very well by, the rest of the properties are quite poor in this regard.  As much as I might dislike CET, the many room comps over the years, have been quite impressive.  The Diamond/Seven Star's Benefits are better than what Boyd offers in all areas. Does Boyd even still offer a Silver/Gold Comp card?  The D, Plaza, Golden Nugget, El Cortez and Golden Gate, offer poor players card programs and comps.  So my take is Reno is the best for play, cash back, and comps, followed by Four Queens (real cash back) and even CET for Diamond & above benefits.

[email protected] Apr-25-2019

Anthony Curtis, what happened with your App?

The top prizes for your app, which included a VIP stay at the Palms and another award for a VIP hosted dinner with you have vanished.  Whats going on, is the game going away?

Anthony Curtis Apr-27-2019

Comp City Slots

We were dealing with lots of attempts to fraudulently claim those prizes, so pulled them down for now. We'll look at them again the next time we revamp the rewards for the Comp City Slots app.

Question of the Day - 25 April 2019

Comments