YOUR GUIDE TO PLAYING SLOTS

SLOTS - HOW TO PLAY?
How to Play
What You Need to Know
1.Read the display for betting instructions.
Slot machines are among the most
popular and exciting games at
slots and casino facilities in Ontario.
Understanding how slot machines
work is the first step towards a more
rewarding playing experience.
2.Insert a bill or ticket into the bill validator to
obtain machine credits.
YOUR GUIDE
TO PLAYING
SLOTS
3.Bet one Button: Push this button once to bet 1
credit; twice to bet 2 credits, etc.
4.Spin Button/Handle: Use either of these to spin
the reels.
5.Cash/Credit Button: Push this button to cash
out winnings on your machine. This includes
credits from winnings or from bills inserted
into the validator.
Will my chances of winning increase,
if I play on more than one slot machine
at a time?
By playing more than one machine you may win
more often but you will also spend and ultimately
lose more. Remember for most people it will cost
1-888-230-3505
www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca
All slot machines have a random number generator.
Your chances of getting a win will always stay the
same no matter how little or how big you bet.
different slot games and depending on the one
you choose, the cost-per-play can range in
denominations from 1 cent to 100 dollars.
• Slots are programmed to take in more money
than they pay out. In other words, the more you
play, the more you will pay.
• There is no skill required to play a slot machine.
• It doesn’t matter what machine you choose or
what time of day it is, slot machine outcomes
are random and unpredictable.
them money over time.
If I bet just one credit, will more
winning combinations be generated?
Everything you
need to know.
• In Ontario, gaming sites offer dozens of
KnowYourLimit.ca
To obtain this brochure in French
and other languages please call
1-800-387-0098 or visit:
KnowYourLimit.ca
• There is no such thing as “investing” money
into a slot machine; your chances of winning
are not related to how long you play.
• Always set a budget, and stick to it. When your
entertainment money is spent, it’s time to call
it a day.
knowyourlimit.ca
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What are the odds? Payout odds for slot machines vary based on what machine you play.
The odds of hitting the top award vary greatly by machine. Odds of winning the top prize on
some games are around 1 in 4,000 spins, while odds of winning the top prize on other games
may be as high as 1 in 16,000,000 spins.
How do Slot Payouts work?
In Ontario, the payout for slot machines has to
be set at 85 per cent or higher. This figure is
set and controlled by the Alcohol and Gaming
Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the independent
body that regulates specified OLG activities.
Eighty-five per cent is the minimum payout rate
Who decides when the slot machine
should pay out?
I think slot machines used to pay out
more than they do now. Is that true?
A computer memory chip determines when slot
No. Slot machine payouts are – and have always
machines will pay out. Inside the machine, a random
been - strictly regulated by AGCO. Machines are not
number generator is constantly coming up with
set up to pay out more when they are first installed
numbers at a rate of thousands per second, even
and then change to pay out less as time goes on.
when no one is playing. All these numbers have an
determine the game outcome.
The symbols were so close to lining up
for the big jackpot, I must be close to
winning, right?
Since each outcome is random, it is impossible to
Since each outcome is not influenced by previous
equal likelihood of being selected at any one time to
predict which number might be generated at any
one time. Someone who uses the machine right
after you and wins, did not win your jackpot. This
is because pushing the spin button at the exact
and most machines are preset for higher levels.
moment the random number generator comes up
Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean that for every
not how long someone’s been playing for.
$10 you put into a slot machine that you will get
$8.50 returned to you. The payout of 85 per cent
is based on the long-term return of the machine,
which could include hundreds of thousands or
with a winning number is what determines a jackpot,
Slots are never “due for a win” and they don’t
“go cold” after a win. So it’s feasible to place one
bet on a slot machine and win a large amount, or
even millions of spins.
you could play for two hours and end up with a loss.
The figures below outline slot payout percentages
Can a casino employee adjust slot
machines to pay out less?
at slots and casino facilities in Ontario:
Once the machine’s payout rate is set, gaming
employees can not adjust a slot machine without
following AGCO’s strict rules and very specific
technical procedures. Slot seals are put in place over
85%
MINIMUM
PAYOUT
91.8%
AVERAGE
PAYOUT
99.1%
MAXIMUM
PAYOUT
top of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the slot
machine. For a gaming venue to change the payout
rate, it has to submit a request to the AGCO and
receive approval. Then, the AGCO must be on site to
inspect and approve the change to the game.
outcomes, “almost” winning does not mean that you
are any closer to a win than you were before.
If I play long enough on one machine,
am I more likely to win?
No. Each play is an independent event with the same
odds of winning or losing as every other play on that
game. The result of your last play or series of plays
has absolutely no bearing on what happens on your
next play.
Checklist for keeping slot play
fun and safe:
Set a money limit for how much money
you’ll spend
Set a time limit for how long you will play
Don’t spend more than you can afford
Don’t try to win back what you’ve lost
Always remember that playing slot
machines is entertainment and not a
way to make money
For more information about slot
machines, speak to a slot attendant or
visit www.KnowYourLimit.ca. You can
also drop by the Responsible Gaming
Resource Centre (RGRC) near the entrance
of any Ontario slots or casino facility.
RGRCs are independently operated by
the Responsible Gambling Council.
If you think you or someone you
care about may have a gambling
problem and are looking for
information or someone to talk to,
contact the Ontario Problem Gambling
Helpline (OPGH) at 1-888-230-3505
or by email or online chat at
www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca.
This service is free, confidential, and
available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, in over 140 different languages.