Best Paying Slots In Atlantic City
Our annual report on the most generous slots in the USA
Welcome once again to our annual report on where to find the best, loosest slots in America.
They tend to be where a lot of people are around, but just far enough since it's brings players to the slots thinking they'll get lucky. Atlantic City Casinos have to have minimum of 85% payout in the slots vs. 90±% in Las Vegas. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is home to some of the most diverse slots and slot games in Atlantic City. Offering hundreds of slot options, Borgata is also home to some of the highest jackpots in Atlantic City. Accepting denominations as little as a penny or as large as five hundred dollars, you can enjoy a casino floor of sophistication. Additionally, Prairie Meadows in Iowa hold the reigns for top in the state, getting the loosest slots crown at 91.78 percent. In Atlantic City, it was Harrah’s that topped the list across 2017 with a 91.73 percent payback. Harrah’s was followed closely by Borgata at 91.63 percent and Bally’s Atlantic City with 91.03 percent. Caesars Atlantic City Slots give poker a run for its money as the most popular game here. But the casino is home to World Series of Poker circuit events and to Three Card Poker Six Card Bonus, a. Ocean Casino Resort offers you a wide variety of slot machines, from reel-spinning and video reel to video poker machines. Enjoy our 1,937 state-of-the-art slot machines at any level of play. Come by our casino floor to play these and all your favorite games in Atlantic City!
It has long been the mission of Strictly Slots to arm players with everything they need to have the best chance of winning. And when it comes to the slots, it’s about knowing where to play, and which casino have loose machines.
Many of you may not realize it, but it was actually our sister publication, Casino Player, that invented the notion of “loose slots” by publishing charts showing the overall payback percentages of slot floors monthly back in 1988.
At the time all casinos in Nevada and Atlantic City had been required to publicly report their “slot hold,” the portion of slot wagers kept from players after all of the dust had settled and the accounting was done. Casino Player’s editors decided to take those numbers and flip-flop them to achieve a “payback percentage?’
At first the casino operators were horrified that such information was now a part of the public domain. But it wasn’t long before they realized they could use this to their advantage and began aggressively advertising their “loose slots:’
Alas, the system wasn’t quite perfect. The payback percentages for any one month were not truly instructive when looking at how generous a casino was with its players. Payback percentages are set at the factory, the result of how many numbers each symbol was assigned in the program. So it takes several months of play for a slot machine to begin to approach its “true” theoretical payback.
This was particularly true when it came to the higher denominations. For example, if a few lucky players happened to hit the $10 or $25 slots for a couple of sizeable jackpots, the monthly payback percentage number could be more than 100 percent, reflecting a number that obviously would be unviable for casinos in the long run. Within several months, enough players would lose on these machines to even out the percentage and reflect the comparatively small house advantage.
So the real gauge of “loose” would instead come in the statistics for an entire year. Casino Player started compiling 12 months of data for the year 1993, publishing the first “Loosest Slots” awards in 1994. And a few years ago, Strictly Slots took over the survey and report.
Players love the report because it is based on historical fact, as opposed to manufacturers’ estimates of theoretical payback. While those theoretical numbers—included in our “Slot Spotlight” section—are accurate for individual machines the actual statistics on which this report is based reveal the casinos that went the extra mile for their players in placing the games with the highest theoretical payback on their floors.
Welcome to the 2018 edition of our Loosest Slots report. For decades, this report has been viewed by casino operators as a competitive gauge for marketing purposes, but more importantly, it has afforded players a good picture of which casinos, by policy, offer a fair shake to the players on their slot floors.
As always, let’s first tackle a few answers to the questions that we always get about the report. First of all, we can’t cover everyone’s favorite casinos. Our results, both in our monthly payback charts and in this annual report, are based on publicly available statistics. And casinos report their hold numbers publicly only if required by law.
That’s the reason why so many Native American-owned casinos are excluded from the report. Indian nations are sovereign nations and are not subject to state gaming laws requiring that they report their slot hold numbers publicly, unless it is part of the agreement, or compact, between a tribe and the state (as in Connecticut).
It’s also why you will not find denominations broken out in many locations, such as New Jersey, where regulators stopped reporting denominations years ago.
And last but not least, the way the numbers are reported publicly is the reason video poker paybacks are not broken out in this report. No jurisdiction reports separate numbers for video poker. As a rule of thumb, though, you’ll find that the casinos with the highest overall paybacks consistently offer the highest-returning pay schedules on video poker.
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
There are many parts of our annual survey that result in no surprises. The top of the survey is one. For yet another year, Reno, Nevada, gets the award for Loosest Slots in the Nation.
The combined 2017 payback of Reno’s gaming halls—led by Grand Sierra, Atlantis, the Peppermill, the Eldorado and others—was 94.69 percent. The second- and third-highest slots in the nation, again repeating last year, are also in Nevada, with Balance of County second at 94.48 percent and Boulder Strip third at 94.34 percent.
(“Balance of County” refers to off-Strip casinos like the Orleans, Hard Rock, The Palms, Gold Coast, Palace Station, Silverton, South Point, M, and the Primm casinos. “Boulder Strip” refers to those casinos on and around Boulder Highway— Sam’s Town, Boulder Station, Cannery East, Arizona Charlie’s, etc.)
While the three Nevada regions were each remained “looser” than any other region in the nation, when it comes to highest payback among casino jurisdictions that list the number of individual winners there is one notable change from previous years. Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Illinois has long held the title of loosest slots among individual casinos. But this year, that accolade was taken by Dover Downs in Delaware which posted a payback of 92.57 percent, while Casino Queen posted a respectable 92.45 percent.
Other notable results this year can be found in Pennsylvania where the top three casinos were Parx Casino (90.96 percent). Valley Forge (90.80 percent) and Mount Airy (90.30 percent).
Over in Indiana, Rising Star took top marks with 91.67 percent, followed by Hoosier Park with 91.63 percent and French Lick coming in third for the state at 91.61.
Additionally, Prairie Meadows in Iowa hold the reigns for top in the state, getting the loosest slots crown at 91.78 percent.
In Atlantic City, it was Harrah’s that topped the list across 2017 with a 91.73 percent payback. Harrah’s was followed closely by Borgata at 91.63 percent and Bally’s Atlantic City with 91.03 percent. Additional awards go to Cripple Creek in Colorado, Foxwoods in Connecticut, Baton Rouge in Louisiana, Ameristar St. Charles in Missouri, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos.
Congratulations to all of our winners—you’ve proven that you give your players a fair shake. And thanks to our readers for allowing us to give you the industry’s most comprehensive report on slot percentages for the last 25 years.
Click the link below to see the winners by region:
Regional Winners
Playing slots in Atlantic City is a thrill. There’s nothing like hitting a big winner, hearing the buzzer go off and driving home with a fatter wallet in your pocket.
Best Paying Slots In Atlantic City Ny
However, it’s not always feasible to drive to America’s Playground. Life can get in the way.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to stop playing your favorite slot machine games. NewJersey is home to nearly two dozen online casinos, and all of them have several great slot titles available.
In fact, you can find versions of some of your favorite slot machines online.
So, here’s a handy guide that will both help you find your preferred games and, when you want to explore, pick new ones to try.
As it turns out, playing on a slot machine is not just about pulling a lever or pressing a button. Well — it’s mostly that, but not entirely so.
Online casinos with Atlantic City slots
Home to 22 online casinos, New Jersey is one of the most well-established online casino markets in the US.
Players in the Garden State have been able to access games with their mobile devices since 2013.
Naturally, every single one of the online casinos in NJ offers slot titles.
While some of these games are unique to online play, and sometimes the online casino itself, many of the games are either versions of or similar to actual slot machines found in Atlantic City’s nine casino properties.
Top 5 AC slots available online
So, here are some of the best-known Atlantic City slot games that you can also find online.
Many of these games are available on multiple sites, so you don’t have to restrict yourself to any particular online casino to find your favorite game.
By no means is this list meant to be exhaustive. The range of online slot titles is staggering and far too great to list.
For instance, the Golden Nugget online casino has 644slottitles under its banner.
Most of the other online casinos in New Jersey have at least 100 games.
The list of games below, therefore, are just a few of the choices you have for Atlantic City slot titles that appear online.
1. Quick Hits – A classic from Bally
Quick Hits is a series of slot games designed by Bally and Scientific Games. The game is quite popular because of its simple action and old-school sensibilities.
In fact, Quick Hits’ games are some of the few remaining slot titles to make extensive use of reel symbols like cherries, bells, bars and 7s. Other symbols that appear on the reels are wilds and the Quick Hit, the latter of which portends bigger slot payouts.
So, players who favor Quick Hits have a decidedly retro sensibility. The game itself is a five-reel machine with 30 paylines and an RTP just over 94%.
Quick Hits also has a bonus symbol that may appear from time to time on the middle three reels. Securing this symbol on all three reels in a single spin will trigger the free spin slot bonus.
2. Siberian Storm – The original Multiway Xtra slot machine
Siberian Storm is a winter-themed game that features jewels, tundra and most prominently, tigers.
The IGT slot game is a staple in both Atlantic City and online casinos throughout New Jersey.
However, Siberian Storm’s allure is not simply its theme. Players can also win big on the game, both through its free game system and its “Multiway Xtra” feature.
The bonus system and its free games are triggered by players who manage to land five bonus symbols on their reels. The free spins begin at eight, and can potentially add up to a player receiving a whopping 240 free turns at winning.
The “Multiway Xtra” feature explodes the number of paylines up to 720. That, combined with a 94.22% RTP, makes Siberian Storm worth a look.
3. China Shores – A Konami favorite for slot players
China Shores is, as its name implies, an Asian-themed slot title that is nearly ubiquitous in both online and land-based casinos.
The panda mascot is recognizable from across the room, and the game’s higher-than-average RTP keeps players loyal.
One of the signature features of China Shores is its free spins bonus. Like many slot games, players who manage to scatter three or more bonus symbols — in this case, yin-yangs — across the reels will result in the player winning at least eight free turns.
The difference is that players will have a choice between taking the free spins and selecting an option known as the credit prize.
The creditprize is a range of guaranteed wins that players can choose if they don’t want to take the free spins. The prize can end up being either a better or worse deal than if the player had simply spun, but the idea of locking up a secure win is quite attractive.
The Konami game features 30 paylines, five reels and an RTP of 96.1%. So, in general, your slot dollars will go longer at China Shores than most other machines.
4. Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania – Follow Larry in versions 1, 2 and 3
Atlantic City is a coastal town, so it makes sense to play a slot game that evokes the feeling of being out on the water. Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania (and its variants) does exactly that.
Lucky Larry’s is a popular creation from game developer IGT. It features the game’s namesake attempting to collect treasure as he explores lighthouses and fishes for lobsters in locales around the world.
One of the most notable features of Lucky Larry’s is its animation, which is brightly colored and reminds players of SpongeBob SquarePants. However, what keeps players coming back is the potential for big wins.
Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania is a five-reel game with 40 paylines. Players can win opportunities for multiple bonuses, free spins, and multipliers while they play this 94.14% RTP title.
5. Wheel of Fortune – A staple in any online casino
Wheel of Fortune is a marquee title, no matter where you’re playing.
The slot machine version of the long-running game show, a product of powerhouse developer IGT, continues to draw crowds wherever it is.
Part of the game’s lasting appeal is its signature bonus, which features the eponymous wheel itself. Players spend multiple games in an attempt to trigger this famous bonus, which pays out every time and can potentially result in a jackpot for the player.
There are so many iterations of Wheel of Fortune, both online and live, that it would be impossible to detail how each one works. However, no matter which version you play, it is always a good thing when the game chants “Wheel of Fortune” at you.
The different versions of Wheel of Fortune bear a wide range of RTPs and paylines. However, they are usually five-reeled games and will always return 94% or better for every person who plays.
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What does RTP mean?
By now, if you’ve read this far, you’ve seen the acronym RTP.
If you’re unfamiliar with slot machines or have never given them much thought beyond pulling the lever (a reasonable position to take), you may be wondering what RTP is, and why it matters.
RTP is short for return to player. Simply put, it’s the percentage of money that a player can expect to get back from a slot machine in the long run.
Believe it or not, despite their reputation as “one-armed bandits,” slot machines are designed to not keep most of the money that they receive as wagers.
You can usually find the RTP information of any slot machine you play by either looking around the machine or asking a customer service representative. In fact, some machines even use their high RTPs as a selling point.
Of course, the RTP figure that you receive is the theoretical RTP. In other words, it’s the return that you would receive if you had an infinite amount of money and time to play.
In the short run, your actual return can and does vary wildly. Many times, you receive nothing in return. However, we all play for those times that the return goes over 100%.
Atlantic City slot machine payouts
As it turns out, New Jersey regulates the minimum RTP that a slot machine can produce. By regulation, no slot device in the Garden State can return less than 83% of its wagers.
Furthermore, operators are limited in how much they can reward players for betting higher. In other words, low-limit players cannot be penalized for their play by more than 100th of a percentage point unless the game itself has a low drop in RTP.
Atlantic City slots vs. online slots
Of course, both Atlantic City and online slot games in New Jersey must abide by this same regulation. However, the difference between the two is the ease of gaining information.
Most online slot games have their RTPs front and center in the information they provide. A simple click can reveal not only the player’s expected return but also the maximum bet level and the maximumwin possible.
This transparency means that online slots cannot afford to have many games approaching the legal limit for RTP. The power of competition yields a situation where it’s a challenge to find an online slot with an RTP below 94%.
Atlantic City slots have a bit more leeway in terms of competitive pressures. It’s just not as easy to change one’s game or casino so that you might see lower RTPs here and there. In general, AC casinos have average RTPs that hover between 91.5%-92.5%.
Regardless of whether you’re playing live or online, you should generally gravitate toward games with a higher RTP. Otherwise, you’re giving up extra percentage points to the house. Trust us; they have plenty of those already.
Can I earn comps at AC casinos for playing online?
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Yes, but it varies from casino to casino. Some online casinos in New Jersey have loyalty programs that allow you a direct or indirect route to perks at Atlantic City properties.
For instance, Golden Nugget players are automatically enrolled in the site’s Ultimate Rewards program when they register. Players receive perks and benefits based upon their level of play.
Should a player earn 5,000 Golden Points, he or she becomes a member of Golden Nugget’s VIP Rewards Club. One of the benefits of the club is complimentary perks at Golden Nugget Atlantic City, so playing online can certainly turn into real-life amenities.
Similarly, Tropicana online has its online VIP loyalty program.
Though the program is reserved for high-wagering, high-volume players, it is possible to receive comped getaways to the hotel in Atlantic City, tickets to major events, and luxury dining experiences as a result of your play.
However, the path to comps is not always as clear at every online casino. For example, players at Borgata online can earn iRewards Points from their play. Still, unless they convert these to Express Comps, there’s no direct connection to any of Borgata or MGM’s amenities through its online casino loyalty program.
Some casinos are even more segregated.
Instead of involving real-world components, they simply award cash back to players for achieving certain levels of play.
There are even some online casinos in New Jersey who eschew loyalty programs and comps altogether. They choose to serve their customers in other ways.
If receiving comps for your play is a big deal to you, you will need to shop around New Jersey’s various online casinos.
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The most important thing is to find a scheme that is right for you and makes you comfortable.
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In conclusion, we are blessed to live in an era where it’s not always necessary to travel to play our favorite slot games. Thanks to the online casinos in New Jersey, Atlantic City aficionados can choose between thousands of games from the comfort of their homes.