As a disciple to the math that surrounds all forms of gambling, there are only a few good things I have to say about the slot machines.
Cinderella games online, free play. Perhaps if the airport authority had sold the slot concession to the Chamber of Commerce there might be some sort of 'welcome to Vegas where you can really win' attitude of loose slots, perhaps not. Remember the money in Vegas is made at the hotels, bars, clubs and casinos, its not made at the airport. With the press of a button, a slot machine can make an average player into a millionaire, or give the customer an affordable and responsible amount of fun on the Las Vegas casino floor. With some of these tips that differentiate the better slots in Las Vegas, slot machines can become more of a calculated game than intended. Airport Slots - Las Vegas Forum. United States; Nevada (NV) Las Vegas; Las Vegas Travel Forum; Search. Browse all 295,168 Las Vegas topics » Airport Slots Watch this Topic. Dining (UPDATED 2017) - Las Vegas.
They require no thought, can provide a short-term jackpot that's unattainable in most other games, and they are undeniably fun.
Visitor wins more than $870,000 on slot machine at Las Vegas airport. By CODY MILLER, KSNV. Tuesday, July 21st 2020. A A (Photo: KSNV). Gaming at McCarran When you land at McCarran International Airport you know you're in Las Vegas when you see and hear the sights and sounds of slot machines. If you're over 21, enjoy one of Las Vegas visitors' favorite pastimes and spend a few minutes at one of our slot machines located throughout the airport.
In the end though, they will take all of your money and are physically programmed to return about 90 cents of every dollar put into them, but that's doesn't mean I'm totally immune to their temptations.
A recent layover in Las Vegas provided two hours to hit the machines because, hey, it's all they have inside the airport (although a poker room would be a huge hit). And it provided a scenario that allowed an opportunity to actually answer one of the most common questions to hit my inbox.
Can you ever win at McCarran International?
The machines have a notorious reputation as that last ounce of blood money to be squeezed from the wallets of outgoing tourists. At certain casino properties, the slot payout percentages are openly advertised, although this is getting rarer by the day. The airport staff won't tell you theirs either, because, frankly, they have no idea because there are more than 1,300 units spread throughout the facility. All the attendant could tell me was they were regularly inspected by state regulators.
I've probably spent more than 40 hours waiting for flights inside the terminals without ever hearing the rings of a super jackpot. Free google slots.
But they do happen.
According to a report from winthebet.com, six-figure wins aren't overly rare, and a record $3.9 million jackpot was hit on a 'Wheel of Fortune' progressive machine inside a terminal. The same attendant who couldn't tell me the payouts admitted she did witness a $350,000 win her third month into the job.
There is a teeny, tiny bit of bad news that comes with winning big, though. You'll probably miss your flight and have to book another one after doing the required paperwork.
So with my two hours to burn, I plopped a $50 bill into a 'penny' machine that is legally allowed to be grossly mislabeled when the minimum bet was 80 cents per spin (that increased in those increments) with the option for as much as $3.20 max-bet spin.
According to a report from winthebet.com, six-figure wins aren't overly rare, and a record $3.9 million jackpot was hit on a 'Wheel of Fortune' progressive machine inside a terminal. The same attendant who couldn't tell me the payouts admitted she did witness a $350,000 win her third month into the job.
There is a teeny, tiny bit of bad news that comes with winning big, though. You'll probably miss your flight and have to book another one after doing the required paperwork.
So with my two hours to burn, I plopped a $50 bill into a 'penny' machine that is legally allowed to be grossly mislabeled when the minimum bet was 80 cents per spin (that increased in those increments) with the option for as much as $3.20 max-bet spin.
I forget the name of the game, but it had a vibrating seat and was Aztec themed, had 3-D graphics and a tree frog shot balls out of its mouth at targets while the traditional slot reels churned combinations. Swinsian 1 13 3 – music manager and player.
The minimum was wagered the first 10 spins as I settled into the game, with only a few free spins won. But it looked like something was about to happen, so I pressed to the 160 bets to chase the losses and my $50 was down to about $10.
That was when the first good payout hit, about $35, getting almost back to even.
I pressed again to the 240 after another dose of nothing spins. The machine went slightly insane, spewing coins into my till at a feverish pace.
I applied my gambling math wits and cashed out for about $100. A small profit that's nothing to brag about, but in the world of notoriously stingy airport slots, any win is a win.
Las Vegas Airport Casino
cblount@express-news.net
Twitter: @chuck_blount
Mccarran Airport Las Vegas Slots
I'll never forget my first trip to Las Vegas. When I walked off the ramp into the airport and heard the musical, electronic sound of slot machines, a huge smile crept over my face. I'd never been greeted with that sound at an airport before. Walking through the airport from my gate to baggage claim, I passed clusters of slot machines here and there and found myself in awe. This has to be the most fun airport ever! I thought. I've pretty much had that same reaction every trip since. There's nothing that says 'Welcome to Las Vegas' quite like the sight and sound of slot machines.
How to play the slot machines at a casino. I'm usually in too much of a hurry to get to my hotel when I land to think about lingering in the airport to play them, but on my trip home, it's a whole other story. I mean, really, picture your typical airport experience. You get to the airport early, as is recommended, and by some miracle, you zip through security quickly. You still have an hour and 45 minutes until your flight. Now what? Read the book you brought with you? But if you read it now, what will you read on the plane?
So you wander through your terminal—slowly—in and out of each shop that's trying to sell you last-minute souvenirs, snacks, books and magazines. That takes about 15 minutes. Now what? Maybe grab a meal at one of the restaurants, assuming you haven't already eaten. But at McCarran International Airport, you can extend your Vegas vacation right up until the minute you board your plane by playing the slot machines.
Las Vegas Airport Slots Odds
I'll bet you have some questions about gambling at the airport. I know I did. So let's tackle the big ones, shall we?
Airport Slot Machines
Where can I find slot machines at McCarran International Airport?
There are approximately 1,300 slot machines at McCarran, in baggage claim, the shopping areas, in terminals near gates—even in the car rental center. Trust me, you can't miss them.
Has anyone ever actually won playing slots at the airport?
Shockingly, yes. According to Chris Jones, Acting Manager of Public Affairs and Marketing at McCarran, two players at McCarran won $392,000 and $259,000 respectively within four days of each other in May 2008. One lucky traveler won $3.9 million at a progressive Wheel of Fortune machine in January 2005. I've also seen many reports on TripAdvisor's Vegas forum from people who won enough money at the airport to make them happy. Personally, I've never won anything on the machines at the airport. Then again, I don't usually win in the casinos, either.
Does that mean the slots are looser at the airport?
Er, no. Conventional wisdom has long held that you should avoid playing slots at the airport because the payout is lower than average. (Although given how tight the machines have become on the Strip in recent years, I don't see much of a difference any more.) As with playing all slot machines, you should be prepared to lose, because you probably will. Gambling should be a form of entertainment, like going to the movies. It's just a fun way to kill time. . .with a (very) slight chance of winning back some of your money.
How do I get paid if I win or want to cash out?
As is the standard with most casinos these days, the slot machines at McCarran Airport feature TITO (or Ticket In, Ticket Out), meaning when you cash out, you get a ticket. There are no bill breaker machines here to exchange your ticket for cash, so you'll have to look for the uniformed attendant to make the exchange. There is one stationed at or near all slot locations. Best casino social slots.
Do I have to fill out an IRS form if I win over $1,000, like at the casinos?
Sadly, yes. Uncle Sam always wants his cut.
How long does it take to get paid? Will I miss my flight?
This probably depends on how close you're cutting your play to when your flight boards. There are ticket attendants on hand to pay you your winnings. If you win a couple of hundred bucks, they can probably pay you quickly with the money they have on hand. But if you win a big jackpot—say a couple hundred thousand or a million—they won't have that money on hand. So it will take longer to get paid, and yes, you may miss your flight. But if you won that much money, really, would you care???
How do you feel about playing the slots at McCarran? Would you do it to entertain yourself while waiting for your flight, or do you think it's a sucker's bet? Have you ever played there–and won?
