• Video poker
• Video keno
• Live card games
• Sports pools
• Casino nights for non-profits

Montana has a long history of slot machines, blackjack and roulette. When gambling was made illegal, it wasn’t enforced by authorities in Montana until the late 1940’s. Once the State Supreme Court found it illegal, it took over 30 years to make a comeback. The Gambling Control Division was established in 1989 and they license, audit and enforce laws within gaming establishments.

Prior to the creation of this division, gaming was regulated on a local basis. Local governments had the ability to levy a gambling tax and lower the number of machines in the area. The Gambling Control Division collected all revenues, taxes and laws into a single governing body.

The gambling tax is split two-thirds to the state government and one-third to the local government. The state governing body allowed local agencies to extend gaming closing hours and restrict gambling in specific geographic areas by utilizing local zoning regulations.

The Gambling Control Division within the state of Montana employs only 36 individuals. Aside from creating gambling laws, they also test different gaming machines against the standard. Also, they grant, deny, renew, revoke and suspend licenses through a judicial review. Within the division is an auditing branch that examines tax records and scrutinizes other financial issues. Their primary focus is compliance of the law.

There are currently 11 total states that have gaming commissions but do not allow casinos. In many of these states the commission only overseas charitable, non-profit gaming. Other states regulate Native American gaming, card clubs and various smaller-scale gaming operations.

Montana is a unique gaming state in that it doesn’t allow any casino’s; only smaller establishments. These are highly-regulated and taxed at the federal level. Many of these establishments are in taverns that offer video poker, keno, card games and sports pools. Others, such as fundraisers (non-profit) are also regulated. Perhaps one day the gaming commission will elect to allow casino operations into their state.

The Old Design

The original slot machine design had both feet and toes and was completely made of cast iron. The toes soon disappeared from the design leaving feet which were tremendously detailed. The first machine also had reels, similar to those available today. The reels had actual playing cards (king, queen and jack) instead of bars. Also, each time a player won the spin, a bell would ring. This has since been replaced by a bell that sounds when the max jackpot is won.

The New Design

It’s interesting to note that many current slot designs continue to be based on the design of 1907. Many older machines were limited to 20 symbols that could be achieved. The newer machines contain computer memory that can store hundreds of randomly generated symbols. Also the three reels are rarely still used. Instead many machines currently provide five reels.

Operation Bell

In 1910, the Operation Bell slot machine was introduced. The design was based on the Liberty Bell. It contained a coin entry with various fruit symbols. Many machines were modeled after Operation Bell. The slot machine weighed over 100 pounds and sold over 30,000 units.

Wooden Machines

The design of the machines changed again in 1915 to wooden material. The wooden material provided a quieter gaming environment in addition to lower costs and an easier production cycle. A double jackpot was also added to the machines. In 1931 Mills added color and began producing the first themed machines to improve the fun factor. As a result Lion Head, War Eagle and Roman Head were released to the market.

It took thirty years from conception for the slot machines to become popular with the gambling community. Bugsy Sigel first introduced slot machines into the Flamingo Hilton Hotel during the 1940’s. At first the main players were females as it gave them something to pass the time while waiting for the high rollers to finish playing.

Slot machines have had many different designs over its 100 year time frame. It began with heavy cast iron material and has become a lightweight electronic machine designed to please the senses. Since slots comprise 2/3’s of U.S. casino’s revenue, the designs will continue to be innovative and appeal to the masses.

The Risks of Gambling at an Online Casino

The majority of online casinos have several methods of protecting your private information, such as encryption, which jumbles your credit card number making it hard for a hacker to steal. However, there is always a small risk when submitting personal information online. Internet hackers can steal your private information. Your computer is also at risk. Worms and viruses are common on the internet, as well as online casinos. Worms can steal your personal information or take control of your computer, making it a gateway for hackers. Viruses can literally destroy the components of your computers hard drive.

How to Protect Your Computer When Gambling Online

Before gambling online chose an online casino that uses heightened security methods, most casinos will list this information on their website. Be sure the online casino has a contact number for their business so you can get help if you need it. It is essential that you only work with a casino that makes security a top priority. If you are unable to locate any information on their website which discloses the means in how they protect their clients, this is a severe warning sign.

Gambling at an online casino that has security measures in place to protect you is only half the battle. There are also software programs you can download and install on your computer for added protection against viruses, Trojans, and worms. Install an anti-virus software program that has routine or automatic scans. These programs will search your computer for any possible threat and remove it before it becomes a problem.

How to Come Out a Winner at the Slot Machines

Play Multiple Pay Lines

Machines with multiple pay lines offer more chances to win. However, they also offer more chances to loose. You have to be realistic when playing this type of slot machines, but if you play smart, you stand to win a lot more then you would on a standard reel slot machine.

Play Higher Denomination Machines

The quarter and dollar machines typically offer more pay outs then the nickel and penny slots. If your bankroll can afford it, stick to the higher denomination slot machines. You can also move up to the higher slot machines once you have increased your bankroll on the smaller machines.

Do not Spend Your Winnings

One of the easiest ways to ensure you walk away a winner at the slot machines is to save what you win. Anytime you win, cash out of the machine and start over with new money from your bank roll. This way you are ensuring that you only spend your bankroll, meaning you take away some money from the slot machine when you leave.

Do not Play a Slot Machine That is not Paying

A lot of slot players will stay on one slot machine, even if it has not paid out, under the assumption that it will eventually pay them big. Sometimes, a slot machine can go from not paying at all to hitting a jackpot, but slot machines are not designed this way on purpose. All slot machines have to pay out a certain percent of the time, but there is no guarantee on when that will happen. If the slot machine you are playing has not paid you in several rounds, then move to another machine. Your odds are much higher in moving then staying at the same slot.

What are Community Slot Machines?

Community slot machines are a both one large slot machine and several individual slot machines. Typically, the community slot machine is made up of several individual slot machines tied together in front of one larger, interactive screen. In community slot machines, players have a shot at winning individual bonuses as well as sharing in the communal bonuses when it comes around.

How do Community Slot Machines Work?

When a player sits down at a community slot machine, they will notice that they have a small independent slot screen in front of a much larger bonus screen. The player will start playing the smaller slot screen. This works as any slot machine, offering payouts and bonuses. However, the larger screen will all give out bonuses, (some community slot machines offer more then one.) While the player is plugging away on his or her own slot, the bonus screen will start at random. Any bonus achieved on the community screen is paid out to every player participating in the game based on his or her betting amount.

What is the Upside to Community Slot Machines?

For one, community slot machines dish out far more bonuses then standard slot machines. However, most players enjoy the community slot machines for the sheer fun of it. A community slot machine can be as active as a poker table, with players routing for each other and joining in on the phone. In addition, since these slot machines are state of the art, the game play is highly interactive and most of the slot feature popular movies, companies, or themes like Monopoly and Ebay.

Overall, the community style slot machine was a huge step forward for AC Coin & Slot. The games draw in many players, both for the community aspect as well as the highly recognizable themes. For example, the Monopoly based community slot machine has bonuses based around the popular board game that many players are drawn too. The games are fun to play and worth checking out at the casino.

How Does a Coin-Less Slot Machine Work?

A coin-less slot machine uses a paper voucher instead of a coin slot and dispenser system. With a coin-less slot machine a player will sit down and the machine, insert their player’s card and insert cash in to the receptacle. The player can then play at will. When they are ready to leave the player will select the “cash out” button on the controls or on the slot machine itself. The slot machine will then print out a cash voucher. This voucher can be taken to another machine and played or redeemed for money. Typically, the player must take the voucher to a cashier to collect their winnings, but more casinos are starting to offer ticket-redeeming machines that eliminate the need to stand in line at the cashier booth.

What are the Up-Sides to a Coin-Less Slot Machine?

A coin-less slot machine benefits the casino by cutting down on the amount of human interaction they have to do with the slot machines. Players are visiting the cashier’s desk less often because they do not have to carry around buckets of quarters. The casino also no longer has to keep track of all of these quarters going in and out of the machines, freeing up their time for other tracking activities.

Coin-less slot machines also have benefits for players. Players are better able to enjoy the game when they have less to worry about, such as keeping track of loose quarters. Players also find the ticket system more efficient, as they are able to hop from machine to machine without having to collect, count, or head to the cashier’s desk.

Coin-less slot machines are the wave of the future, there is no doubt that more, and more casinos will continue to switch to these devices. Coin-fewer slot machines are safer, more efficient, and better for both the players and the casino.

How a Progressive Slot Machine Works

Typically, progressive slot machines work similar to communal slots. There is often a row (or several rows) of the same type of progressive slot. These machines are tied together in to one big pot. Every time a player places a bet, a portion of that money is added to the pot. The jackpot is paid out on a scale depending on how much the player is betting.

The Three Types of Progressive Slot Machines

Stand Alone Progressive: A Stand Alone Progressive slot machine operates independent of other progressive slots. In a Stand Alone Progressive machine, the player’s bet increases the jackpot on that machine alone.

In-House Progressive: An In-House Progressive is a series of slot machines owned by the casino. These machines can either be tied to other similar machines in the casino or tied to a larger network of machines in several casinos owned by the same company. An In-House Progressive slot machine’s jackpot is shared by every machine.

Wide Area Progressive: A Wide Area Progressive slot machine is linked to many slot machines all owned and operated slot machine company. In a Wide Area Progressive slot, every slot machine on the grid adds to the jackpot pool. These types of slot machines generally have the highest payout, and the lowest odds of striking the jackpot.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Progressive Slot Machine

Progressive slot machines offer the highest jackpots of any slot machines in the casino. These jackpots are often as enticing as a big poker tournament win. However, to qualify for the full jackpot, a player must be betting the maximum amount on every spin. If they are betting less then the maximum and hit the jackpot, then the payout will be much lower then anticipated. For this reason, it is only a good idea to play progressive slot machines if you can bet the maximum on each spin, otherwise a player should stick to a multiplier slot machine.

Tips for Playing Slot Machines in an Online Casino

Play a Variety of Slot Machine Games

Slot machine games online are different from the ones you play in the brick and mortar casino. Try several of these games out to get a feel for the differences in style. Bear in mind that while virtual slot machines use advanced flash players that rarely lag, it will feel much different playing a slot machine online then it would playing in a brick and mortar casino. Take some time to get used to this as well.

Keep an Eye on Your Bankroll

It can be easy to spend more then you intended in an online casino. This is due to two factors. For one, your online casino bankroll account is typically linked to your credit card, and some people have a hard time remembering that their credit card is actually money. Online casinos also use virtual banks instead of chips. This can make it even harder for people to keep track of their bankroll. Keep a close eye on your money numbers while you are playing, and make sure you do not spend more then you intended.

Remember that Online Casinos Move Quickly

Typically, games in an online casino move faster then games in a brick and mortar casino. Most players will not notice the faster play. This can spell disaster with your bankroll. By playing faster you are spending more, and going through your bankroll quickly. Keep track not only of how much you are spending but how much you are playing.

Read the Rules

Every casino lists their pay out scales and basic rules for all of their slot machine games. The same is true of online casinos. Be sure to read all of the instructions and pay out scales provided on each game you play. The game may have specific requirements to get a bonus, or hit the full jackpot, and you would not want to miss out on that opportunity just because you did not read the instructions before hand.

The Three Types of Betting Systems

The Positive Progression

A positive progression, or let it ride, betting system is based on riding out a winning streak. It is a simple “go big or go home” theory. In a positive progression, a player will start out with smaller bets, then once the player starts to win they will increase their bet until they loose again. Once the player looses they will go back to their original bet or start to decrease their bets in increments depending on the positive progression betting system they are following. A positive progression is a good way to bet as it much safer then other betting systems.

The Negative Progression

A negative progression betting system works the exact opposite of a positive progression betting system. A player will start with a minimum bet, often of their choosing. If the player wins, they will keep their bet the same. If the player looses, they will increase their bet. Negative progression systems work on the theory that the game must turn around, and when it does the player’s higher bet will work out in their favor. However, the game does not always turn around and player’s can loose big this way.

The Insurance System

The insurance betting system is often considered the safe bet in the casino. With an insurance betting system, a player will start with a high bet. If the player wins, then they will lower their bet. This guarantees that the player will keep some of their winnings regardless of the next hand. Since the odds are at least one round will be a winner, the insurance betting system can be a safer bet. However, if the player hits a loosing streak they can run through their bankroll quickly by betting those high bets.

The Five Types of Slot Machines

Progressive Slots

In a progressive slot machine, several slot machines in a row are linked together. When a player at one of these slots places a bet, a portion of that money is added to a pot. The pot continues to rise as each player bets. One player at the stream of progressive slots can win the big pot if they land on a certain pay line.

Buy-a-Pay

In a Buy-a-Pay slot machine, payouts are determined by the amount a player is betting. For example, if a player is betting the minimum bet, he or she will only collect if the machine shows lemons and will not collect if the machine shows cherries or oranges. In order to collect on all the payout lines, the player must be betting the maximum bet.

Multiple Pay line

Multiple Pay line slot machines are one of the most common slots in a casino. In a Multiple Pay line slot, there is more then one payout line (typically up to nine lines.) The player can activate each payout line by raising his or her bet. For example, if a player is betting the minimum, he or she will only win on one payout line. To win on all nine payout lines they must be betting nine times the minimum bet.

Multiplier

In a Multiplier slot machine, payouts are multiplied by the amount of the player’s bet. For example, if the Multiplier slot machine uses a lemon as a winning symbol and the player is betting five times the minimum bet, then he or she would win five times the standard payout for the lemon symbol.

Bonus Multiplier

The Bonus Multiplier slot machine works the same as the Multiplier slot machine. A player is paid a multiple of his or her bet for winning symbols. However, the Bonus Multiplier slot machine offers a chance to win a bigger bonus for certain symbols. The only catch is the player must pay an extra coin on every bet to qualify for the bonus.

Take time to look at each slot machine in the casino before choosing one to play. By comparing how much you want to bet with the different types of slot machines, you can greatly increase your odds of winning.