Honestly ... the word "SCAM" comes to mind. All of the machines could be outfitted with "multi denom" capability ... but the casinos are "fixing" the slot floor with 1-cent machines ... and the payback is horrible.

I was at Niagara Fallsview last night -- and that casino has not spent much on replacing their machines over the past year. On the bright side -- this could be a positive ... as there are plenty of multi denom machines still on the floors. My local casino racetracks are still installing multi-denoms as well.

Bottom line -- casinos are feeling the pinch ... the number of patrons in many areas is flat ... the casinos can not increase the number of machines (and it is unclear whether that would really increase the bottom line). Lowering the denomination is a way to increase revenue ... or at least try to keep flat ... or (like Tropicana), stay in business.

As fellow degenerate gamblers ... are going to be ticked off enough to go to the casino less? Maybe the casino is finally finding a way to cure gambling addictions?

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

So Shamus or anyone else for that matter, I still haven't been able to wrap my head around this: Are multi-denom video machines better with the payback percentages than fixed penny machines? Or are the payback percentages the same on 1 cent but increase as you increase the denom? Is there a difference in payback percentage just because they are multi-denom in the first place?

Hi Deb:

Nobody on this site can likely tell you first hand whether the payback percentage is different between 1-cent slot ... and 1-cent denomination on a multi-denom machine. I would make the assumption they are the same ... but I don't know this.

My argument is based on the fact that players are MAX BETTING penny machines, when they could be accomplishing the same total bet at a higher denomination ... and therefore, we assume, a better payback percentage. Even a two-cent denom is likely to be better than a penny machine.

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

Thanks Shamus, that is pretty much what I thought.

Hi Deb:

By not giving players a choice ... the casino is making you decide between playing the game (with lousy odds), or not playing the game.

As the alternatives leave the casino doors (an increasing number of fixed 1-cent denoms) -- players are thinking twice before going to the casino. For regulars, the payback percentage has become noticable ... I hear it over and over on this board.

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