Gas Station Slots
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- What Gas Stations Have Slot Machines
- Gas Station Slot Machines Near Me
- Pa Gas Station Slots
- Illinois Gas Station Slots
Outside of Nevada, slot machines have largely been relegated to casinos. After all, most states don’t want slots in every nook and cranny.
More recently, though, some states have seen slot machines pop up in gas stations and convenient stores. These slots allow you to enjoy gambling when you’re making a quick trip to get gas and/or buy snacks.
Looking for the best slot machine locations? The SlotDawg locations app allows you to search bars in your area to find the best fit for you. I use to be a slot machanic and I worked for a slot manufacturer when I was younger It depends on who is running the slot route. Slot machines are rarely owned by the gas station anymore.
Of course, gas station slot machines (a.k.a. skill games) are still relatively new concepts. You may not be used to them if you strictly play casino slots.
If you’re interested in playing gas station slots, then you can read the following guide. It covers how these games work and if they’re ultimately worth trying.
- A gas station slot machine is virtually the same as any slot found in a land-based or online casino. The key difference, though, is that these games often include skill elements. The skill factor can be as.
- In fact, PennLive suggest the state’s major convenience store and gas station chains have yet to make a decision on their legality. However, smaller towns in Pennsylvania and the many independent convenience stores and gas stations.
Basics of Gas Station Slot Machines
Convenience store slots play like casino slot machines for the most part. They feature spinning reels and bonus rounds just like regular slots.
If you’ve played a casino slot before, then you won’t have any trouble getting started with these games. You insert your cash to get credits and push the spin button to play.
The reels will begin spinning after you hit the spin button. The goal is to line up matching symbols in paylines and win prizes.
Gas station slots seem just like those in casinos so far, right? The twist, though, is that there’s a skill element involved.
Gas station slot machines require you to use skill in some capacity while playing. The skill-based factor differs based on the individual machine.
Some types of slots games merely require you to select a winning payline in order to collect the payout. Others offer in-depth bonuses, such as memory games.
In many jurisdictions, the slot machines need to contain skill to avoid being considered pure gambling. In this manner, they survive in a legal gray area.
How Gas Station Slots Differ from Casino Slot Machines
Convenience store slot machines may closely resemble casino slots, but they also have notable differences. Here’s a more in-depth look at how gas station slots are unique.
Skill Element
Skill is a defining characteristic of a gas station slot machine. It requires you to use some type of skillful action during the course of play.
The skill level varies based on the game.In the most basic sense, you merely need to manually select winning paylines. After tapping the winning lines, you’ll collect the relevant payouts.
Of course, these slots can also feature skill-based bonuses that are rather involved. You might, for instance, need to drive a race car. Your finish will determine how many credits you earn.
Found at Convenience Stores
You no longer have to visit casinos to play real money slot machines. Gas stations in certain states now feature slots.
The average state has a convenience store for approximately every 2,000 residents. This means that you likely live within 1-3 miles of the nearest gas station.
Assuming you’re also in a state with convenience store slot machines, then you’ll have easy access to these games. You might even be able to walk to play them.
Legal Grey Area
The legality surrounding convenience store slots varies depending upon the jurisdiction. Some states completely ban all forms of gambling (e.g. Utah) regardless of if the slots contain skill or not.
Others have loopholes that allow skill games to thrive. Gas station slot machines are normally available in these jurisdictions.
Of course, most convenient stores don’t have to obtain a gaming license to operate like casinos do. They license/purchase games that allow them to offer gambling through legal loopholes.
Little Info Available on the Games
You’re not going to see famous slot machines like International Game Technology’s (IGT) Megabucks or branded games like Game of Thrones in gas stations. Instead, you’ll find lots of generic slots in convenience stores.
These games aren’t well-known throughout the gaming world. That said, you won’t have a lot of information on these gambling machines.
You’re almost never going to find a payout percentage for them. Of course, very few casino slots offer return to player (RTP) in their help screens either.
No Established VIP Programs
Many convenience stores have loyalty programs that offer savings on gas and other items. Every purchase you make at these stores can result in points.
However, gas station slots aren’t subject to any defined a VIP program. You might get points for playing the slot machine too, but you won’t receive traditional casino comps like free drinks, meals, and limousine rides.
Contrast this to land based casinos, which boast elaborate loyalty programs. These VIP plans allow you to pick up everything from three-course meals to hotel stays.
Jackpots Aren’t As Large
Many convenience store slot machines offer jackpots. You might be able to win thousands of dollars through some of these games.
However, you’re not going to be chasing multimillion-dollar prizes. Such jackpots are reserved for land-based and online casinos.
Some progressive slot machines in casinos offer top prizes worth six or even seven figures. The online slot Aztec’s Millions, for example, features a $4.4 million jackpot at the time of this writing.
Are Gas Station Slot Machines as Clean as Casino Slot Machines?
This wasn’t as big of a concern before 2020 as it is now, but you always need to consider how clean the slot machines you’re playing are. While every business is supposed to be cleaning things on a regular basis, some businesses aren’t doing as much as others.
The few gas stations I’ve played slot machines in do a decent job of cleaning, but they’re not doing as good as the casinos. This can be a real issue, especially if you get sick from playing slots in a gas station.
This is a personal issue, but I’ve always disliked sitting down at a slot machine that was dirty. You don’t have any idea who played on the machine before you, and what kind of germs they left behind.
Of course, this isn’t just the case with gas station slot machines. Some smaller casinos don’t do a good job keeping their machines clean. I got in the habit of carrying a small container of cleaning wipes before 2020, and I won’t go to play slots anywhere without them now.
Should You Play Slots at a Casino or Gas Station?
If you had all the time in the world, then casinos would be your best option for playing slots. They feature of the largest game selections, biggest jackpots, and detailed loyalty programs. You can visit a casino and enjoy lavish comps while playing for jackpots worth up to seven figures.
However, you might still consider gas station slot machines due to the convenience factor. They’re readily available and may be located near your house.
Then again, not all states tolerate slots in convenience stores. If you live in one of these states, then you either need to visit land-based or online casinos to play.
Of course, you can always alternate your play between one setting and the other. Sometimes you might feel like a big trip to the casino. In such cases, you’ll be able to play countless slots and enjoy resort amenities.
Other times you may simply feel like playing a quick slots session without any hassles. Skill games are perfect for these purposes.
You shouldn’t need to travel long to find convenient store slots if your state offers them. This option allows you to save on both time and travel costs.
Conclusion
Casinos have long been the most-popular spots to spin the reels. They’ll likely remain favorites among gamblers into the foreseeable future.
However, gas station slot machines make for suitable alternatives to land-based casino slots. They don’t require as much travel and still feature exciting games.
You might even appreciate the opportunity to try a different type of slots. Convenience store games require a skill element that’s rarely seen in casino slot machines.
Of course, not every state allows slot machines in its gas stations. They like keeping slots where they belong in online and land-based casinos. If your state does allow skill games, though, then you should consider giving them a try.
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Casino slot machines feature varying payout percentages. For the most part, though, they all fall into a certain range regarding return to player (RTP).
Land-based slot machines typically offer between 90% and 95% RTP. Online slots, meanwhile, usually feature between 95% and 97% RTP.
But what about gas station slots? Slot machines in convenience stores are a fairly new concept. Therefore, you may wonder how well they pay.
The following guide discusses the basics of gas station slot machines (a.k.a. skill games). It also covers their RTP in comparison to casino slots.
What’s the Deal With Gas Station Slot Machines?
A gas station slot machine is virtually the same as any slot found in a land-based or online casino. The key difference, though, is that these games often include skill elements.
The skill factor can be as simple as tapping wild symbols to ensure that they apply. It can also be complex, such as a memory game that requires memorizing card values before they’re flipped over and concealed.
Developers who supply gas station slot machines must include these skill elements for legal purposes. After all, states with legal gambling require casinos to obtain licenses. Such licenses allow casinos to legally offer gaming.
Convenient store chains specialize in selling gasoline and snack items. They don’t, however, plan to become full-fledged casinos.
That said, these chains offer slot machines through legal loopholes. By introducing skill into the equation, they can feature slots without being considered full-blown gambling establishments.
Skill Affects Your Winnings to a Degree
Depending upon your skill level, you can win more money with convenience store slots. If you’re really good at a memory game, for example, you’ll enjoy higher RTP than the average player.
Even something as simple as tapping the wild symbols can pay dividends. Provided you’re alert, you’ll always spot the wilds and ensure that they’re activated.
What Gas Stations Have Slot Machines
Of course, you can’t expect to win huge profits due to the skill factor alone. Developers still program these games to give the house an advantage.
A slot machine may offer up to 96% RTP. However, the skill might only account for 4-5% of the payback. If you’re really bad at the bonus round, for instance, then you might only be looking at 92% RTP.
What Is the RTP of Gas Station Slots?
If you’ve played slot machines in land-based casinos, then you may realize that they don’t usually supply RTP information. Instead, you merely need to guess on the payout percentages.
Unfortunately, skill games aren’t much different in this regard. You probably won’t find a gas station slot machine’s RTP in the help screen or elsewhere.
Of course, this isn’t always the case. You may be able to find the payout percentage by accessing the help/info screen.
But unlike with real money online slots, this information isn’t always going to be available. If you’re used to playing slots in land-based casinos, though, then this aspect shouldn’t be foreign to you.
Why Don’t Gas Stations List Payout Percentages?
Are the developers trying to hide the payback from you? No. Much like with land-based casinos, these developers can let convenience stores choose from a list of payout percentages.
Gas Station Slot Machines Near Me
For example, one slot machine might feature options for 93%, 94%, and 95% RTP. Considering that gas stations select from different options, the developer can’t list a uniform payout percentage.
Given the lack of RTP in most cases, you can only guess on the payout percentages. A good way to make this guess involves looking at how much casino slot machines normally pay.
States with legal casinos set guidelines on the minimum payback. The average state requires casino slots to offer at least 80% RTP.
Of course, gambling establishments have learned over the years that they can keep customers happier with higher payout percentages.
That said, few casinos have any games that offer less than 88% RTP. Most land-based slots feature 90% payback or better.
Should You Fear Skill Games Due to the Lack of Regulation?
As covered above, you can use casino slots for guidelines on how our gas station slot machines pay. But then again, you also can’t guarantee that this is how skill games will be.
After all, convenience stores don’t need to obtain licensing to offer slot machines. They feature skill-based games to exploit legal loopholes.
You can never guarantee if these machines are completely fair. Just like with casino slots, though, slot game developers realize that low RTP doesn’t draw repeat customers.
Therefore, you can likely expect at least 90% RTP with these games. Some skill games probably provide up to 95% payback or better.
Which Pays Better: Casino or Gas Station Slot Machines?
Both casino slot machines and skill games leave mysteries regarding their payout percentages. Land-based slots developers supply games to many casinos or convenience stores.
They allow customers to choose from a range of RTP options. This fact prevents them from offering the same payback across the board.
Again, you simply need to make educated guesses on how much either gas station or casino slots pay. As to which type pays better on average, the answer likely varies.
Some casinos are generous with RTP compared to others. The Palms and Gold Coast, for example, are two of the best Las Vegas casinos when it comes to high-paying slots. Meanwhile, the Bellagio and Venetian have a reputation for offering the worst-paying games.
Convenience stores aren’t as easily defined in terms of skill game payout percentages. But the same general concept applies here.
Certain gas stations will feature better-paying machines than the competition. Of course, you may have difficulties figuring out which ones.
If you frequently play slots, then you might be willing to do some experiments yourself. You may find that certain gas station slot machines pay more consistently than others.
Volatility always makes it difficult to judge slots RTP through experience alone. However, you’ll have more luck in this endeavor by playing a high volume on a few local machines.
Can You Get Slots Comps at Gas Stations?
Comps are one of the best aspects of playing casino slot machines. They include free drinks, meals, spa passes, nightclub passes, hotel stays, and more.
You won’t find such robust VIP programs at convenience stores. The latter almost always offer some type of rewards plan, but they don’t give out traditional comps.
Gas station loyalty programs offer points when you buy fuel, food, candy, drinks, and more. You can then redeem these points for free merchandise.
Whether skill games fall under these programs depends upon the convenience store. I suggest looking for gas stations where your slots play qualifies for rewards. This way, you can earn points that’ll save you money on fuel, food, and other items.
Another Reason to Avoid Gas Station Skill Based Slot Machines
I might be the only gambler that has this problem with playing skill based slots games in casinos, but I doubt it. The thing that bothers me the most about playing slots in gas stations is the machines can be dirty.
Of course, you can’t see germs, but you can see dirt and grime. And this is what I’ve found on many gas station skill based slots games.
If you’re concerned about picking up germs when you’re gambling like I am, you want to be careful about playing in gas stations. Most gas stations don’t do a good job keeping everything clean. Casinos seem to do a better job at keeping their machines clean.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the RTP on gas station slot machines isn’t usually available on the info screen. That said, it’s hard telling if these games pay well or not.
Skill games likely pay in the same neighborhood as casino slots (90% to 95% RTP). Therefore, they aren’t terrible bets in the overall scheme of gambling.
Given that you can’t find exact payout percentages, though, I suggest not going crazy with these games in the beginning.
You might feel out certain games to ensure that they do indeed deliver wins. If you’re comfortable with one or more gas station slots, you might gradually begin dedicating more play to them.
Pa Gas Station Slots
