Video Lottery Terminals
A Video Lottery Terminal or VLT is a gambling machine that allows gamblers to bet on the outcome of a video game.
A VLT is similar to a slot machine, except that it is connected to a centralized computer system that determines the outcome of each wager using a random number generator. Although the outcome of each wager is random, VLT operators are able to program in advance the total amount and number of payouts that its central computer system will allow at its connected VLTs. In this manner, VLTs can be thought of as computerized scratch-off lottery tickets.
Canada
VLTs were introduced by Canadian provinces in the early 1990s, and as of 2005 all provinces permit VLTs due to the massive revenues they generate. VLTs are located in licenced establishments that are not accessible to minors.
The prevalence of VLTs in Canada has prompted massive criticism both domestically and abroad. VLTs are considered to be the crack cocaine of gambling because of their ability to cause gambling addictions for significant segment of the population. Some critics contend that the massive social costs brought on by VLTs actually cause the provinces to lose a greater sum than is generated by the machines.
The payouts offered by VLTs are invariably poor. For example, in Las Vegas most slot machines offer a theoretical payout of approximately 98 cents for every dollar they take in (98%). By contrast, Canadian VLTs pay out 74% of their intake, on average. This varies by province - in Saskatchewan, the average payout is 53%.
United States
In 1990, West Virginia introduced the concept of racinos when it allowed MTR Gaming Group to add VLTs to Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester.
Some U.S. states do not allow VLTs and those that do have attracted the same criticism the Canadian provinces have. However, some non-players have expressed tolerance for the machines, calling them "a tax on the stupid" or something similar.
Other terminology
In certain jurisdictions, VLTs are known as Class II slot machines or video slot machines, although they differ from traditional slot machines in that slot machines do not rely on a centralized computer system to detmernine the outcome of a wager. They are also known as poker machines and fruit machines in some areas.
See also
External links
- Euromat - the European Gaming and Amusement Federation represents the amusement machine industry as a leisure industry division at the European level.
