Maryland Casinos seek to lower slots payouts

[OTABILL]

While this relates to slots, obviously VP could be impacted. BTW, nice statistics regarding payback in neighboring states.

Casinos seek to lower minimum slots payouts

[alpax]

I agree with the opinion stated on the article that players will notice that the machines have gotten tighter.

It is not merely working towards a solution, but making the existing problem even bigger. I think ko king's stories about Tunica, MS shows enough proof of that.

[notes1]

really good article. i believe most states include VP stats in their overall slot percentages. with VP having a lower net win for casinos, even if it is a small impact, i think it seems fair to estimate that slot holds are within the range of upper 80's to right aroung 90% in the states mentioned in the article. and, it woud not surprise me if the holds were higher in some areas.  nevada not included.   i keep hearing that competition will keep the casinos from taking too much from the customer, and competition does provide the best free market method of getting the consumer the most for their money. but, just look at the airlines over the last few years. they learned their lesson from having price wars. all it did was cost the entire group money. you do not see price wars anymore and even though fuel dropped a great deal, they kept their prices in line. just like the days of getting a wide variety of locations offering 98-99% payouts for VP are gone, slot players are seeing their payouts drop from the low 90"s to less than 90%.

[alpax]

I get the American Casino Guide book every 3 years, and for the state of Nevada it breaks down the payout by denominations. For other states it is grouped into a single percentage. Usually higher denominations will payout at a higher percentage.

Video poker usually have better payouts at the higher denominations. But upping the denominations increases the loss per hour rate. The trade off is you will get increased comps for stepping up in denomination.

My budget is comfortable with quarters, but with the disparity of paytables being so much, I do dollars with less frequent trips as a remedy.

[notes1]

I get the American Casino Guide book every 3 years, and for the state of Nevada it breaks down the payout by denominations. For other states it is grouped into a single percentage. Usually higher denominations will payout at a higher percentage.

Video poker usually have better payouts at the higher denominations. But upping the denominations increases the loss per hour rate. The trade off is you will get increased comps for stepping up in denomination.

My budget is comfortable with quarters, but with the disparity of paytables being so much, I do dollars with less frequent trips as a remedy.
 most gambling experts confirm higher demoniations have better payouts. considering that the most juisdictions group all VP and slots together, no matter the denomination, it would make the payout on the lower denom slot machines, even lower. would not be surprised to see some of the more glitzy slot machines with holds as high as 15%. that is likely what MD is trying to be able to do.

[alpax]

I can tell you first hand that 85% holds are atrocious beyond belief, I was not able notice it until the losses could not be overcome from multiple visits. Those multibillion dollar Las Vegas strip casinos that started early in 1999 are that tight and the seats are usually empty. Those that play it for a couple of hours will immediately have a casino host come by and be introduced to some offers. I am certain they've had a bankroll to withstand some big losses.

I've mentioned how well California casinos are doing. Their slots (though not disclosed to American Casino Guide or the public) are much looser. I personally see people winning a few hundred dollars on slots with a small by than I ever have in Vegas by a large ratio. Ultimately slots is a big time losing game, but when the winning does not happen soon enough, people will be less encouraged to play.

High limit slots will keep you in the game longer for its lesser hold and lower variance, but the losses will be almost as great as a penny player.

[Vman96]

I don't think this will affect VP much, if at all. The lowest payout I have seen for any VP game in a casino is 94.18%.

From the article..."It's really about flexibility and how we can change and create unique and distinct gaming opportunities at our casino,"

What a load of BS...

[notes1]

I don't think this will affect VP much, if at all. The lowest payout I have seen for any VP game in a casino is 94.18%.

From the article..."It's really about flexibility and how we can change and create unique and distinct gaming opportunities at our casino,"

What a load of BS...
 agree with you regarding the line you quoted, the casinos just want to make more. let's remember the tax burden the casinos pay in MD, is outrageous. and, they pay it with players money. in most states, there is no one looking out for the players, we are just another revenue source.  but, regarding your belief that VP will not be affected. just wait, we will gradually see lower and lower paytables. right now, the casinos are going where the real money is, the slots.  i do not think we can avoid the obvious, more and more folks want 'stuff' from the government, but raising taxes is political suicide, so they get us through stealth taxes/fees and casinos are a good target. combine that with less revenue at many casinos due to overbuilding and the players are getting less and less for each dollar wagered. 

[Lucky Larry]

Glad we played Maryland Live last month.

Competition decreases take so casinos expand to take more market share, but the arms (expansion) race increases debt and so casinos cut costs and raise the house hold. Markets get tighter. Then the casino takes on even more debt to grow to draw more players and the cycle continues. One hopes that at some point the players will realize they don't have a decent chance or enough money to play.

[notes1]

i am no casino owner advocate and no one has posted more about the ill effects of excessive debt. i started a thread about CET debt. but, no entity has more control over the casino business than the government. they decide where they can be built, they decide who will build/run them and they dictate the taxes they will pay, via a stealth tax paid by the players. the casino business in most states, is hardly an example of the free market.   casinos are a revenue source for states/tribal owners. i believe it has been pointed out by others that the tax on slots in MD, is in excess of 50%.