Like yourself, I also like the bigger machines and like to avoid "phantom income" tax issues. One nice thing about playing the video gaming machines in New York (i.e $25.00 Double Diamond near NYC) is that in New York state only wins that are more than 300 times your bet are reportable. So, with a $50 max bet on a 2 credit $25.00 machine if you hit Red 7's with one double symbol which pays $8000 there are NO TAX CONSEQENCES. They don't report it, nothing to sign...nothing at all. You just get a white paper, go to the cashier and get the money. It is also helpful on the $5 machines which I play more of (i.e Triple Double Dollars, Triple Lucky) where a $3600 hit on a $15 bet is tax free

There are really no comps to speak of, but for a 10 day trip perhaps spend some time in Manhattan where there are lots of things to do besides the machines