Legal To Own Slot Machine

You can find as many objects to collect as you can find collectors, but some of the most interesting collectibles are slot machines. You can buy them used, but the legality of owning a gambling machine varies from state to state. This page takes a look at some of the issues involved in buying a used slot machine to start or expand a collection of your own.

Ownership of slot machines, used or otherwise, is illegal in those states. Other states have no legal restrictions on slot machine ownership as long as you’re not using them to run a gambling business. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Is it legal to own a slot machine in illinois

Where Do You Live?

The first thing you should understand is that no matter where you live, if you’re using a slot machine to offer gambling to other people, you need a license. In some states, gambling is completely prohibited. Chances are you’re an individual collector and don’t have a gambling license, so don’t let people gamble on your games unless you have a high risk tolerance for illegal behavior.

In some states, even collectors aren’t allowed to own a used slot machine. These states include Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Ownership of slot machines, used or otherwise, is illegal in those states.

Other states have no legal restrictions on slot machine ownership as long as you’re not using them to run a gambling business. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The other states have specific guidelines based on the age of the machine. For example, in California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, it’s legal to own a slot machine as long as it’s at least 25 years old. Other states have higher or lower age limits—in Florida you can own a slot machine as long as it’s 20 years or older, but in Massachusetts, it has to be at least 30 years old. And still other states base it on what year the machine was built; in Illinois and Iowa, for example, it’s only legal to own slot machines that were constructed before 1950.

To the best of my knowledge, this information is complete and accurate, but before buying your own used coin-op slot machine, you should check with local legal authorities to make sure you have the most up to date information. You should always obey the laws in whatever jurisdiction you reside.

What Kind of Dealer Are You Dealing With?

You’ll find plenty of people selling used slot machines on the Internet. Many of these are third-party sellers. That means they don’t offer slot machines directly; instead, they just take your order and then buy the slot machine from someone else and have it shipped to you. You’ll often notice that these third party dealers use stock images or pictures that were stolen from direct dealers’ websites.

It’s better to deal with a direct dealer when you can. These dealers will often offer a warranty on the machines they sell. They’ll also be able to help you over the phone if you’re having a problem operating your game. Third party dealers aren’t able to offer you this level of service.

One way to be sure you’re dealing with an actual dealer instead of a third party is to ask them if you’re able to visit their showroom or warehouse. Third party dealers, for obvious reasons, don’t have showrooms or warehouses.

What Kinds of Used Slot Machines CAN I Buy?

Most dealers offer reconditioned machines that have been retired from use in Las Vegas style casinos. Many of these are the same IGT (International Game Technology) manufactured games that you’re used to seeing in the casino, only older and more primitive. Most dealers also provide replacement parts and repair services.

One thing to look for when considering buying a machine from a dealer is whether or not they use real glass or plexiglass. Real glass is superior as plexiglass fades over time. You can expect to pay a little more for a machine with real glass, but it’s worth the extra cost. If you’ve ever seen a faded plexiglass screen on a used slot machine, you’ll know what I mean.

Many of these games can be set up to enjoy on “free play” mode. You don’t have to insert any kind of money in order to play these games. You can even modify these games to pay out tickets.

Examples of some of the popular and well-known games available for sale on the Internet include titles like Cleopatra, Double Diamond, Munsters, Red, White, and Blue, Sizzling Senves, Tabasca, Texas Tea, and Wild Cherry slots. Many other titles are available besides these, but you’ll recognize a lot of these brand names as still being available (albeit in newer models) in casinos today.

How Much Should I Spend?

Used slot machines are collectibles, and they’re priced accordingly. Shipping is usually going to be expensive, too. You can probably expect to pay at least $600 for a good machine and $200 for shipping. Video slots will cost twice that or more, and you’ll sometimes have the option of upgrading to a new LCD monitor when buying a video slot machine. Those are expensive, too–$400 or $500.

Other upgrades you can pay for include stereo sound packages, coin in coin out functionality, and/or backlit reels (on mechanical or electro-mechanical machines). These upgrades generally cost between $100 and $200 each.

Of course, these prices apply to relatively newer slot machines. Older antique slot machines can cost more or less. I’ve seen slot machines from the 1930s and 1940s that were beautifully refurbished for sale for as little as $325. Some of these older machines are barely recognizable as slot machines, but they make beautiful, conversation-worthy collections.

Conclusion

Buying a used slot machine can be a fun way to start a new hobby of collecting gaming machines, but do some research first. You want to make sure that it’s legal to do so before you get started. You also need to do some research into dealers before spending any money. Avoid third-party dealers, and find a direct dealer with a warehouse who offers warranties and telephone customer support.

Introduction to Wisconsin Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Wisconsin slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 American Indian tribal casinos having over 20,000 slot machines. Illegal video gambling machines exist in bars and taverns throughout Wisconsin.

Their tribal-state compacts have set a minimum and maximum theoretical payout return limit. Publicly available financial gaming reports can be used to determine actual payout returns per year for all tribal casinos.

This post continues the weekly series Online Resource: A State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts to success. Each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or the federal district.

Keep Reading … or Listen Instead!

This audio contains commentary not found anywhere else!

Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Wisconsin*

The minimum legal gambling age in Wisconsin depends upon the gambling activity:

Land-Based Casinos: 21
Poker Rooms: 18
Bingo: 18
Lottery: 18
Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Wisconsin has tribal casinos with tribal-state compacts. Each city or county must agree to both the development of a tribal casino as well as the games offered there.

Wisconsin has no racetracks in operation, but off-track betting (OTB) is at two pari-mutuel wagering facilities Oneida OTB in Green Bay and St. Croix Meadows in Hudson, located 18 miles east of St. Paul on the border to Minnesota.

Otherwise, many bars and taverns in Wisconsin have illegal video gaming machines. Having up to five machines results in civil forfeiture without legal repercussion while more than five machines are, instead, a criminal offense.

Anyone playing pay-to-play, bar-based slot machines must be at least 21. Otherwise, owners break a different law, this one having severe legal consequences for their business.

Electronic gaming machines in bars and taverns which are free to play with no prizes of any value are not illegal under Wisconsin’s gaming regulations.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Wisconsin

It is legal to own a slot machine in Wisconsin privately if it is 25 years old or older.

Gaming Control Board in Wisconsin

The Gaming Division of the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration focuses on gaming regulatory responsibilities, including:

Licensing procedures
Background investigations
Regulatory enforcement activities

The Division’s two areas of focus are tribal and charitable gaming, and has offices for each:

A provision of tribal-state gaming compacts was the creation of a state-run Indian Gaming Office. Its purpose is to ensure regulation of Class III games at casinos operated by Wisconsin’s eleven federally-recognized American Indian tribes, all of which have gaming compacts with Wisconsin.

Casinos in Wisconsin

There are 24 American Indian tribal casinos in Wisconsin owned and operated by eleven federally-recognized American Indian tribes.

The largest casino in Wisconsin is Potawatomi Hotel & Casino having over 2,500 gaming machines and 99 table games.

The second largest casino is Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells having 2,200 gaming machines and 48 table games.

List of Casinos in Wisconsin

There are no non-tribal casinos in Wisconsin.

List of Tribal Casinos in Wisconsin

There are 24 tribal casinos in Wisconsin:

Bad River Lodge Casino in Odanah, located 45 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota.
Grindstone Creek Casino in Hayward, located 140 miles northeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls located 110 miles northwest of Madison.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa located 50 miles north of Wausau.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Tomah located 81 miles north of Madison.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo located 40 miles northwest of Madison.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg located 30 miles east of Wausau.
Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac du Flambeau located 225 miles north of Green Bay.
Legendary Waters Resort & Casino in Red Cliff located 80 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota.
Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena located 40 miles northwest of Green Bay.
Mole Lake Casino & Lodge located 100 miles northwest of Green Bay.
North Star Mohican Casino Resort in Bowler located 55 miles northwest of Green Bay.
Oneida Casino – Irene Moore Activity Center (IMAC) in Green Bay.
Oneida Casino – Main-Airport in Green Bay.
Oneida Casino – One-Stop Packerland in Green Bay.
Oneida Casino – Travel Center in Pulaski located 12 northwest of Green Bay.
Oneida Casino – W. Mason in Green Bay.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee.
Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel in Wabeno located 85 miles north of Green Bay.
Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge & Convention Center in Hayward located 75 miles southeast of Duluth, Minnesota.
St. Croix Casino – Danbury located 62 miles south of Duluth near the border to Minnesota.
St. Croix Casino – Hertel in Webster located 83 miles south of Duluth near the border to Minnesota.
St. Croix Casino – Turtle Lake located 76 miles northeast of Minneapolis near the border to Minnesota.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Wisconsin slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Wisconsin is:

North: Michigan Slots
East: Lake Michigan
South: Illinois Slots
West: Iowa Slots and Minnesota Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that neighboring state to Wisconsin.

Payout Returns in Wisconsin

Each tribal-state compact has set minimum and maximum payout limits. However, there are two sets of limits, both of which apply over the expected lifetime of the game.

Games of chance (Class III slot machine games): 80% and 100%
Skill-based electronic games (such as draw poker and blackjack): 83% and 103%

Tribal casinos must report, for each machine, both its theoretical and actual payout return statistics to the state of Wisconsin. However, this valuable information is not available to the public.

What is available is an annual payout return statistic for all tribal casinos in Wisconsin. The Gaming Division provides Tribal Net Win and Handle Data by year. These financial reports can be used to calculate an annual player win% for Wisconsin’s tribal casinos.

The most recent year’s values available are from 2017, which shows a Tribal Net Win of $1.23 billion and a Gross Tribal Handle of $16.35 billion. Dividing these values provides a 2017 casino hold% of 7.52% while subtraction from 100% gives the equivalent 2017 player win% of 92.48%.

Our Wisconsin Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Wisconsin? If so, join our new Wisconsin slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Wisconsin. Come join us!

Summary of Wisconsin Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Wisconsin slot machine casino gambling consists of 24 tribal casinos. Wisconsin also has many bars and taverns with illegal slot machines, where only five or more machines can result in a criminal offense.

Tribal-state gaming compacts between Wisconsin and it’s eleven federally-recognized tribes establish two sets of payout return limits over the expected lifetime of a game. For games of chance slot machines, these limits are 80% and 100%. For skill-based electronic games, these limits are 83% and 103%.

Overall, Wisconsin’s tribal casinos had a 2017 win% of 92.48%.

Annual Progress in Wisconsin Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, the newly renovated St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake has reopened.

Archive: Wisconsin Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

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