If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas and love playing slot games, you might be wondering if the machines still use actual coins. The answer is yes and no.
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While some casinos still have coin-operated slot machines, most have moved on to ticket-in/ticket-out systems. Here’s what you need to know:
What are Coin-Operated Slot Machines
Coin-operated slot machines are exactly what they sound like – machines that require players to insert coins in order to play. These machines used to be very popular in casinos, but they’ve become less common over the years.
When you played a coin-operated slot machine, you would put your money into a slot and pull a lever or push a button to start the game. If you won, the machine would dispense coins into a tray at the bottom of the machine.
Why Did Casinos Move Away from Coin-Operated Slot Machines
There were several reasons why casinos started moving away from coin-operated slot machines:
- Maintenance Costs: Coin-operated machines required frequent maintenance to keep them in good working order. They often jammed or broke down, which required technicians to come in and fix them.
- Theft: Because these machines dispensed actual coins, there was always the risk of theft.
People would try to cheat by using fake coins or slugs (metal discs that looked like real coins).
- Inconvenience: Players had to carry around heavy buckets of coins if they won big jackpots. This was inconvenient for both players and casino staff.
What is Ticket-In/Ticket-Out
Ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) systems were introduced in the late 1990s as a way to make playing slot machines more convenient for players and less expensive for casinos. With TITO, players insert bills into the machines instead of coins.
When they’re done playing, they can print out a ticket that shows their winnings. They can then take this ticket to a cash-out machine or a cashier’s cage to exchange it for cash.
There are several advantages to using TITO systems:
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: Because there are no coins involved, TITO machines require less maintenance than coin-operated machines.
- Increased Security: With TITO, there’s no risk of theft or cheating with fake coins or slugs.
- Convenience: Players don’t have to carry around heavy buckets of coins if they win big jackpots. They can simply print out a ticket and take it to a cash-out machine or cashier’s cage.
Do Any Casinos Still Use Coin-Operated Slot Machines
While most casinos have switched over to TITO systems, some still have coin-operated slot machines for nostalgic purposes. These machines are often found in older casinos that want to preserve the traditional slot machine experience for their customers.
If you’re interested in playing coin-operated slot machines, you’ll need to do some research ahead of time. Check out online forums and casino websites to see which ones still have these types of machines.
The Bottom Line
In general, you’re more likely to find ticket-in/ticket-out slot machines at modern casinos than coin-operated ones. But if you’re a fan of the old-school experience, you can still find coin-operated machines at some casinos. No matter which type of machine you prefer, remember to gamble responsibly and have fun!
