Hi Folks:

Consider this the first of a series of reviews for the Ontario (Canada) Race track slots. The size of these race track slot casinos can range from 100 machines to over 2000 machines. I will review the "commercial Ontario casinos" in a separate entry.

There are some generalities I can make about the Ontario Race Track slots. The payback percentage on a nickel machines run around 91.5% (this is by my own observation as slot techs are working on a machine). At the time of this writing (Aug 2007), virtual all machines at all locations have been converted to a coinless environment. The machines still tend to run behind the release of new machines in the US. The Ontario racetrack slots were once about 2 years behind the release of US machines. This has been improved to a much better 6 month delay for installing new machines. The racetrack slots have been slow to adopt multi-denomination machines. Certain manufacturers, such as WMS, KONAMI and ATRONIC have been able to place their machines very aggressively in the Ontario racetrack slot floors. The delay for machines installed by these manufacturers is much less (if any). The slot layout can make (or break) a good slot place ... so check out my review of some of the popular destinations (BTW - all of the race track slot operations are non-smoking):

MOHAWK - There are around 750 machines at this location. In the spring, this place underwent a needed infusion of new machines -- along with more one cent and some new two cent denominations. This is a good place to get a variety of machines ... but it is rare to have more than two of any multi-line machines. The restaurant here is cafeteria style. The food is edible, but full service would be a welcome bonus. There are "high roller" areas -- and the low denomination paybacks are poor (as they are at most sites -- that's why they are so popular with casinos). There are machines (like old multi-line quarters by IGT) ... or new multi-line quarters which get no play. I thought they would learn from the multi-line WMS games which were never played --- but they don't get the message --- a max nickel bet of $5 a spin will drain your bankroll quickly enough ... most people do not need to lose $25 a spin. Multi-denom machines will make everyone happy ... but until then, it will likely continue to fall on deaf ears (how about a nickel version of Texas Tea, My Rich Uncle, I Dream of Jeannie, Texas Tina, or Super Sally's Shrimpmania??). Regardless, there is plenty of overall variety (and we realize nobody is perfect). The 2 cent Giant "Wheel of Fortune" has 40 lines, but you have to double your bet to qualifyfor the big wheel. Can you say, big money? The minimum bet is $1.60 per spin -- much more than the bargain price of "2 cents" sounds. The Monopoly 9-line (but you have to play 12 lines to qualify for the bonus game) are almost irresistably innovative. While I love the idea ... and it is fun ... to be sure ... it's similar to a progressive, without the huge payback potential ... so I mostly avoid playing for more than a few $20's.

There is a live band that plays on Friday and Saturday nights (the busiest times at Mohawk). While the banks play a study diet of serviceable cover songs, it is loud -- and if you like to hear your machine over another version of "Margaritaville" --- I would suggest you steer clear. On these nights, you are luckly to find many machines available.

Overall, this slot destination was tired for a long time ... but it is now one of the better Ontario racetrack slot destinations.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

If you are from Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge or surrounding areas, you are likely familiar with the Elora Racetrack slots. This was one of the last operations to finally go "coinless". There are approximately 200 machines, so it is a rather small, rectangular sized room. There is one set of cashiers at on the back wall. There is one of each machine ... mostly multi-line nickels (which is the lowest denomination). There are some linked progressives here (Bally's QUARTERMILLIONS machines). This is primarly an IGT shop, however, there is a sampling of Konami, Aristocrat and WMS machines. There are a number of the "luke warm" WMS single line machines (quarter and dollars) ... and a group of "pathetic" Bally multi-lines (quarters and dollars) which are self-contained progressives which play a lot like making paint dry (does Bally really lack the ability to close the technology gap).

Elora was likely just not built large enough for the demand in the area. There is plenty of variety as long as you like multi-line machines. If you like large denomination machines, there is not much variety here. The restaurant is nice -- it's best described as small and tasteful. Don't look for the machines to turn over very often here ... but there are plenty of favourites here.

Overall ... it's a nice place, decent selection for the size ... great ... as long as your expectations are not too high.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

If you are a slot machine fan who lives close to the Hamilton, Ontario area, there is a good chance you have visited Flamborough Raceway (the home of Flamborough slots). Once an independant race track, it is now owned by the Ontario Jockey club (the same owners as Mohawk and Woodbine Raceway in Toronto).

Flamborough has an Arabian theme, and it is very similar in size to Mohawk Raceway. At one time, Flamborough was a little ahead of the "racetrack slot" pack in bringing in new multi-line machines. The influx of new machines now seems to be "Willy Nilly" -- and is plagued by the same problems as Mohawk. There are too many "unpopular" titles, and not enough of the popular multi-line machines. While this location has been coinless for a while, there are still some Bally multi-lines which look like antiques. The layout of Flamborough is strange ... with some new machines all the way at the back of the casino floor (where many people do not even bother to investigate). There are no big "draws" like the "BIG WHEEL WHEEL OF FORTUNE" or the "MONOPOLY" Community betting games. So, it is a bit of ho-hum. The location is also a bit "out of the way" for most people ... although, the place is busy enough ... mostly, I assume, from the Hamiltonian traffic. There are more progressive slots than other locations -- and this might appeal to some.

There is nothing wrong with this location ... but there is nothing that really stands out as a destination. Surrounded by Mohawk and the Brantford Charity casino, it's difficult to find an excuse to go out of the way.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

If you lived in London, Ontario ... there is a good chance you were put off by the original 200 slot fascility ... with a low ceiling and smoking (and barely a nickel machine to be found).

A few years ago, a new fascility was built, with 700 slots, and Wester Fair did it right. This is perhaps the best of the Racetrack slots ... at least for a medium sized venue.

There is a carnival theme (think midway rides) ... with nice open spaces at the London slots. There is a proper restaurant in the casino ... which does a pretty good job (other locations, take note).

The most important thing about this location is that the person who orders the games really knows what they are doing. New games come in regularly, while older games are retained. Some older WMS single and multi-line machines were kept ... because they were popular -- last I checked, they still had some Monopoly, WMS Winning Streak ... and plenty of Atronic, IGT, etc games. There are still some banks of 25-cent and 1 dollar traditional games which are never played (eg. Betty Boop) -- but nobody is perfect. The layout is so great, this layout recognized the popularity of lower denomination machines, while other casinos continued to order based on old biases (showing a lack of understanding for what is fun).

There is only one cashier area ... but it has two lines, centrally located ... and it is great.

This is a fun location. For a medium sized venue, this is a great one to consider. Perhaps the best of the Racetrack slots.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

If you have a cottage north of Toronto, there is a good chance you have seen the Georgian Raceway ... just outside of Barrie, Ontario. This is a small/medium sized venue, which is about 450 slots. For the size of the venue, Barrie leads the way in newer machines ... with some unique titles which are rare at other racetrack slots. There are lots of WMS machines, including the newer WMS HOT HOT SUPER JACKPOT, KONAMI's Multi-denomination Hexagonal Reel games and plenty of popular Aristocrat machines. Surprisingly, IGT is under represented on this casino floor -- and what is available is often less popular multi-line quarter machines.

For the size, this is a worthwhile stop --- but if you are on your way to cottage country, Casino Rama (with over 2000 machines -- and full table gaming is some stuff competition).

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

Everyone likes something different in their slots. That why there are multi-denomination, video slots, reel slots -- plenty of variation to keep things interesting.

The slots at Clinton, Ontario and Hanover, Ontario contain few more than 100 slots. It's like "big box" slot gaming. Sure, you might find a few of Bally's "Blazing Sevens", IGT "Enchanted Unicorn" or WMS "Jackpot Party", but the selection of games is much less. Although the conversion to a coinless environment has taken place.

As a destination, these "shoe box" designs are pretty useless, but serve well as a locals destination in these small towns. Strategically located by the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation, it means that slots are close to the majority of Ontario residents.

These are not destinations many visitors from outside of Ontario are likely to seek out.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

The Shamus states that at Mohawk the payback on 5 cent machines is 91.5% How can that be possible when the track extracts 25% of the GROSS revenue to pay to horse people, and also 5% of GROSS to the municipality where racetrack resides. They also pay 2% of GROSS for helping gambling addicts. The operator also must get its cut to build the facility etc. ????

Hi Kharipeart:

The percentages you are quoting sound okay ... but you are taking the percentage from the wrong place.

The typical nickel slot machine in Mohawk would keep about 8 to 9% of every dollar put in. In Ontario, it is illegal to keep more than 15%.

So the casino has their 8.5% "take" from slot operations. From this, they pay for the building, the employees ... the fixed operating costs. The "take" is not "REVENUE" until the expenses are extracted.

After all of the costs are paid, they will have revenues left over. From this, they will pay the percentages you are talking about. It is important to note that the racetrack slots are in competition with the Commercial Casinos (Windsor, Rama, Niagara Falls/Fallsview). Although it is all overseen by the OLGC, they want to attract the most people to their own location. More importantly, the Canadian Casinos have to compete against US casinos for patrons (Seneca in NY) ... or LAS VEGAS. The nickel slot play in Ontario is very competitive with Las Vegas ... and superior to Atlantic City.

Hope this clarifies things.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\

Thanks Shamus- In business, I always thought that Gross revenue is total sales before expenses, dividends etc.

Hi Kharipeart:

It's tricky business to calculate the casino's revenue from slots, because the slot manufacters will build a slot and have several payback percentages they can choose from. They will order the machine and the manufacturer will ship with that percentage. However, the manufacturer will only guarantee the payback percentage accurate to 1 decimal place ... and it takes 10 million spins before it gets to that point.

A machine which has paid out a number of jackpots coual actually pay out substantially more money than was put in it. A machine which has been very "tight" could hold lots of money one month --- that doesn't mean it will not lose money the next. Therefore, from month-to-month, calculating the income (subtract "coin out" from "coin in" on each machine) involves a fair amount of experience to get it right.

One thing we know for sure ... that in the long run, these machines are going to take in more money than they pay out. Casinos don't look like they are losing $$ to me.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\