Are Casinos able to change their payback based on day, time or specific situations?

 Does Casino Payback Change based on Day, Time, or Special Situations?

One of the most difficult urban legends about casinos is that they track what you are playing and adjust the odds. Or, they raise/lower your paybacks based upon time of day or special occasions.

Slot Machine Basics

Since the introduction of Vegas-style (Class II) slots, it has been difficult to alter the paybacks. Paybacks on older machines would be determined by the specific chip that was placed in the machine. Installing a new chip on an older slot machine would allow it to change its payback. It would also be necessary to install a new chip if the machine was being reset.

You can also be added to a game. Others have rules regarding how long a machine must remain idle before it can be used again. Numerous casinos employ multiple staff to adjust the machines. This allows for an audit trail, and eliminates one person being responsible for every machine that is altered. It isn't like a machine that just reboots after a change. There is a lengthy verification process before any single bet can take place on it. The average slot machine in Nevada takes over half an hour to update and reset. Most casinos do not make frequent changes, except when new games are added or machines are moved around.

An operator of a casino can improve their fortunes quicker by switching out low-performing games with better ones. These paybacks are earned over many spins and not one night or one weekend. Casinos could lower their payback by 1% but not receive any benefits because they had more than average jackpots. That is the random number generator in action. However, they can improve their fortunes by taking an idle machine and dropping it in a game that is more popular.

Slots other than Vegas-Style

What about machines whose outcome is determined outside of the game? Theoretically a casino could offer Bingo games with lower payouts and fewer winners or a state-run program that lowers the payback percentage for the video lottery terminals.

Bingo games in Native American casinos don't have to report paybacks. This is one possible outcome. Most casinos won't reduce paybacks as they don't believe you can win. For casinos to keep returning customers, they need positive gambling experiences. Due to increasing competition, people will gamble where they feel they have a better chance. Casinos must also work within this framework. Going Bonkers on the Slots