Not to be confused with slot game machines, a VLT is a Video Lottery Terminal, a type of fixed-odd betting station used to take a chance on a lottery, instant win card or a game such as video poker or bingo. The main difference between the two is that in slot machines, players are competing alone, with no guarantee of a win. In VLT slots, players play each other on a network, where there is a guaranteed number of winners amongst them. A VLT may be a land-based machine or may be accessed online. Click here to read more.
VLTs as Class II Betting Machines
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act 1998 regulates all gambling that takes place on Native American soil, which includes all of Las Vegas. This act splits gambling games and machines into three classes, I, II and III. Class I refers to traditional Native American games whilst Class II includes fixed odds such as instant win, bingo and some forms of video poker and therefore includes VLT slots. Class III games cover everything else from lotteries and racing to table games such as baccarat, roulette and slot machines.
How do they work?
VLT machines are linked together, so that players are truly playing against one another. These games have a fixed number of wins and losses and often have wins pay out at designated times. There is still some element of randomness in VLTs but not in the same way as slot machines, which are powered by random number generators. In a fixed-odd VLT, for example, there may be one jackpot winner per day allowed, but in a slot game, a jackpot may be won any number of times. Although this sounds like a win is LESS likely, on the plus side there is a guarantee that someone will win at some point. In a slot machine or game, however, there is no guarantee of a big win occurring within a certain time frame.
VLTs are similar to scratch cards in this sense and, in fact, they often work in the same process. There may be 50 machines in a given network. Players at each machine buy ‘tickets’ each time they play a game. Each ticket has its own unique number and it will be predetermined which one has certain wins on it. This is the case, whether the machine is operating an instant win scratch-card game, video bingo and some forms of video poker. On some VLTs, players are betting on the outcome of a lottery, but not actually entering the lottery.
Return to Player
The Return to Player in VLT slots is generally lower than in video slot machines, ranging from 80-92% (as opposed to 90-98%).
Where might I find VLTs
It’s likely that you will find physical VLT slots in similar locations to slot machines, such as land-based casinos, bookies, bingo halls and on occasion in pubs too, although pubs are more likely to house slot machines (known in the UK as a ‘fruity’ and in Australia as a ‘pokie’).
Whether you prefer the thrill of a slot or the fixed odd of a VLT comes entirely down to personal preference and the best way to find out is to give both a go and see what you prefer.
