Do Leased Slot Machines Have a Higher Hold Percentage?

Following up on today's question about owned and leased slot machines, you said that casinos usually lease machines that have themes that are more expensive to license. You also said, "Most leased slots have a higher hold percentage than casino-owned slots (again due to the high licensing fees)." I'm assuming that means leased machines have a higher house edge. So, would it be fair to say that a machine based on a popular TV show might have a higher theme licensing cost, thus is more likely to be leased and is more likely to have higher house edge and should be avoided (for anything other than entertainment value)?

Yes, it's our understanding that leased machines have a higher hold/house edge than casino-owned machines, due to higher back-end costs, especially the fees for licensing rights on intellectual properties.

But we should also add that in our way of thinking, all slots should be avoided due to their high house advantage -- for anything other than entertainment value.

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Comments

David Miller Jan-21-2019

Entertainment value

 "Entertainment value" = the feeling of "entertainment" you get while being robbed.

Dave Jan-21-2019

Yeah, but....

If you extend that thinking to it’s logical conclusion, you should avoid the casino entirely.

gaattc2001 Jan-21-2019

Well, everyone draws the line somewhere...

#8 in the LVA "Top Ten Values" list is the $1.00 Blackjack game at Hooters where "naturals pay even money on bets of $1-$4." I omit the calculations, but the house advantage here is 2.5% more than a 3-2 game with otherwise identical rules. I guess that's entertainment value.

Straski Jan-21-2019

What goes to Vegas stays there

Just watched CNBC show The Profit on television where Marcus Lemonis went to Las Vegas and spent $21,000 on a three day gambling and spending spree. The Caesar Palace representative who was assigned to him kept telling Marcus (who was losing and spending money non-stop) that Las Vegas is not set up for the customers to make money but to experience the excitement of Las Vegas. Well, I am sure all of us can agree with that theory (not make money that is).

Vickar Jan-21-2019

Entertainment Value

What I find interesting is that the previous comments were made by people who obviously read the LVA, are members and have probably used the MRB coupons to enhance their Vegas experience. So why all the negativity?  You know casino games have a house advantage and you're not going there to make a living unless you're an AP.  If you get lucky, all well and good.  If you don't, the "entertainment value" (the cost of losing) is totally up to you and you alone.  Chill-lax. Have fun. But know it's going to cost you.

O2bnVegas Jan-21-2019

Surprised

I must say I'm surprised that Marcus Lemonis would stoop so low (LOL, just joking) as to risk money gambling, though 21K is probably pocket change to him.  And for it to be 'news' to him that casinos aren't in the business to let customers win?  I do enjoy that show now and then.

David Miller Jan-21-2019

Chill-lax ?

Vickar - it is one thing to know that the casino has a house advantage, but it is another to hear a casino rep rub your face in it while you are losing.

Kevin Lewis Jan-21-2019

A common misconception

I think the best way to think about the themed slots is that they offer novelty and the added amusement factor of cultural references that may resonate with you. Playing slots at all will cost you about 10% of your coin-in, so you could probably add another 2% or so to that and call it the marginal cost of playing a themed slot rather than a "regular" slot.

David Sabo Jan-21-2019

NOT ALL IN BUT NOT AVOIDING ALL

Way to simple of answer to say avoid all. Especially considering that Huntington Press was the publisher of "Robbing the one arm bandits". Skill players are profiting from Centipede, Race Ace, and
Texas Tea pinball just to name a few skill based slot machines. Another avenue wiuld be the realm of banking machines such as Harley Davidson, Ocean Magic, and Golden Egypt to name a few. Huntington Press published 2 different editions of "Robbing the one arm bandits". How soon these card counters forget! I'd teach you but I'd have to charge. LOL!

Question of the Day - 21 January 2019

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