Image: pixabay Progressive jackpots are not restricted to online slots, though. The largest ever payout on a slot machine came back on March 21, 2003, when a 25-year-old engineer from Los Angeles. On a Class II slot machine, the reel result represents the pattern filled in on the bingo card if you filled in a winning pattern. If you didn't fill in a winning pattern, the reel result is a randomly chosen losing combination. Each spin on a Class II slot machine is really a separate bingo drawing.
Slot machines seems to work on a fairly simple concept. Anyone who’s ever played one is probably quite sure that they know exactly how they work, at least on a basic level. You pull the lever or push the button and the reels spin. When the reels stop, if they land in one of a number of predetermined positions, you win something. Simple, right?
What if I told you, though, that not all slot machines work that way? Many gamblers don’t know that in the U.S. there are two different type of slot machines. They are known as class II and class III slots.
The divide between the two came about because of the U.S. federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This act establishes different classes for different types of gambling, with class II being defined as, “the game commonly known as bingo (whether or not electronic, computer, or other technological aids are used in connection therewith) and, if played in the same location as the bingo, pull tabs, punch board, tip jars, instant bingo, and other games similar to bingo.” Class III gaming is defined as any gaming not already labeled class I or class II.”
The basic result of this law is that in most jurisdictions where gambling is legal and regulated, you’ll find class III slots and games. In Indian casinos, however, they can only offer games based on bingo. So whether you realize it or not, if you’re playing slot machines in an Indian casino, you’re actually playing bingo.
Of course this split doesn’t refer to USA online money slots.
The Birth Of Class II Slot Machines
Originally, Indian casinos did just what the law stated. They offered bingo in large warehouse-type halls. These bingo games were generally high stakes, offering much bigger risks and rewards than typical bingo games held all over the country. Still, it was only bingo. The games just didn’t provide the excitement that many gamblers were looking for. Eventually, the Indian casinos decided that if they were going to survive and thrive they needed to find a way to recreate the real Las Vegas experience.
The Hard Rock properties operated on Seminole land in Florida worked especially hard to devise a way to bring the slot machine experience into casinos where slot machines were technically illegal. They enlisted the help of engineers who had previously worked with some of the biggest class III slot machine production companies to design a backend system that would keep them within regulations. At the same time, they needed to work with slot manufacturers to design machines that would work with their new system.
The Inner Workings Of Class II Slot Machines
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Today, class II and class III slot machines look virtually identical. The giveaway that you’re playing on a class II slot machine is the presence of an LED bingo card in the corner of the screen that shows results with each spin.
The reason that little bingo card is there is because that’s what is really determining whether you win or not. You’re not actually playing a slot by yourself the way you would in a Vegas casino. You’re playing along with a pool of players, in a game of bingo.
The Vice President of Operations at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino explains how it works like this, “We have a 20-millisecond window, and anyone (in the casino) pushing the Play button during that window is put in the game for that common ball draw. It must be at least two players, but the maximum is unlimited. If it is a minimum of two, one of them gets a bingo—a winning pattern.”
So, in reality, it is the bingo draw that determines if you win, not the reels. The symbols that land on the reels are really just reporting the bingo results in a way that replicates the class III slots. They are not based on an individual random number generator unique to that machine like their class III counterparts. Now, cleverly and perfectly disguised, we have a class II game that replicates the results and experience of class III gaming.
Class II Slots Vs. Class III Slots
Some people feel that class III slots are somehow “more fair” to the player because they are standalone machines that deliver results based on their own random number generator. In reality, however, the payout percentages on both types of machines are basically identical.
The class II systems can be programmed to replicate the payout combinations and rates of any class III machine. Just like there are certain odds of any one winning combination hitting on a class III slot machine, there are certain odds of any winning combination occuring in a bingo game. The programmers can match the different bingo results with the hit rate and payout scheme of any class III slot to replicate results exactly.
The bottom line is that neither type of slot is “more fair” than the other. Players will get the same odds and payouts on both type of machines. The only difference is in how the results are determined. Think of it as two roads that both go to the same destination.
To find out more about slot machines and how they work, check our Slots Guide page. Meanwhile, here are the best online casinos to play slots. Btw, online, all slots can be considered Class 3 slot machines.
Best Online Casinos to Play Slot Machines
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Introduction to Alabama Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Alabama slot machine casino gambling consists of six casinos including one pari-mutuel racetrack, one simulcast betting facility, three American Indian tribal casinos, and a cruise ship.
I’ve dedicated this weekly series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself as you master casino slots and win your way to success by using this State-By-State Online Resource to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Alabama*
The minimum legal gambling age in Alabama depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: Not available
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
The legal nature of Alabama gaming machines has been relatively stable and accepted by state authorities since Victoryland reopened in 2016 after multiple raids over the decade.
Alabama has no state lottery.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Alabama
Private ownership of a traditional, Vegas-style, Class III slot machine in Alabama is illegal. However, it is legal to own a competition- or bingo-style, Class II gaming machine privately.
Gaming Control Board in Alabama
Regulation of Class II, bingo-style tribal casinos in Alabama is by the federal IGRA. In part, the IGRA allows tribes to offer types of games not prohibited by the state.
Alabama’s constitution once banned all forms of gambling, until amendments allowed for pari-mutuel racing in 1971 and charitable bingo in 1980. Therefore, the federal IGRA allows Alabama’s federally recognized tribes to offer bingo in the form of gaming machines. Alabama still prohibits Vegas-style slot machines and table games.
Alabama has four racing commissions located in Birmingham, Greene County, Macon County, and Mobile County. Each commission regulates pari-mutuel wagering and simulcast betting in their local municipality.
Casinos in Alabama
Alabama has one commercial pari-mutuel racetrack, one simulcast betting facility, three American Indian tribal casinos, and one Carnival cruise ship sailing from the Port of Mobile to international destinations.
The largest casino in Alabama is Quincy’s 777 Casino and Victoryland Greyhound Park with 3,200 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka having over 2,520 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in Alabama
Alabama has three commercial casinos. Bingo-style gaming machines are available for play at a pari-mutuel racetrack and a simulcast betting facility.
- Quincy’s 777 Casino and Victoryland Greyhound Park in Shorter, 25 miles east of Montgomery.
- Greenetrack Bingo & Racing in Eutaw, 81 miles southwest of Birmingham.
- Carnival Sensation cruise ship with its onboard casino departs from the Port of Mobile for destinations in the Caribbean and Panama Canal.
Vegas-style slot machines are available on Carnival Sensation while cruising in international waters.
Tribal Casinos in Alabama
The three tribal casinos in Alabama with Class II competition-style gaming machines include:
- Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Atmore, 50 miles northeast of Mobile.
- Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Wetumpka, 20 miles northeast of Montgomery.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Alabama slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Alabama is:
- North: Tennessee Slots
- East: Georgia Slots
- South: Florida Slots
- West: Mississippi Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Alabama.
Our Alabama Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Alabama? If so, join our Alabama slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group community.
Slot Tricks For Winning Machines
There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in Alabama. Join us!
Payouts and Returns in Alabama
Gaming regulations in Alabama, either commercial or tribal, do not include legal limits for theoretical payouts. Further, return statistics are unavailable to the public.
Summary of Alabama Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Alabama slot machine casino gambling consists of six casinos. Only the five land-based casinos offer Class II bingo-style gaming machines.
Annual Progress in Alabama Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, there have been little change to Alabama’s gaming industry.
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Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC