Laughlin Buzz: Laughlin Slot Machine Hold Percentages are just behind the Vegas Strip

Sep 28, 2018

Laughlin Slot Machine Hold Percentages are just behind the Vegas Strip

Laughlin, NV

People often ask about the best place to play the slots (and win). Because Laughlin has been viewed as a inexpensive destination, a common misconception seems to be that Laughlin has looser slots. Statistics are showing this is not true.

A recent publication by the UNLV Center for Gaming Research reported slot hold percentages of the eleven largest (by revenue) reporting areas in Nevada.

As expected, Las Vegas Strip has a significantly higher hold than other reporting areas. Surprisingly, Laughlin is ranked second.

Slot hold is the average slot hold percentage (or win percentage) for the period in question as released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board in its
Gaming Revenue Reports.

This is basically the amount the Casino takes as their gaming revenue on the slots. A higher hold percentage means less payout to players (over time).

For the period 2004-2018 the Las Vegas Strip slot hold (average) was 7.32%.
Laughlin was just behind them at 7.10%

See the percentages from the source document* below.

The report from UNLV also shows the slot hold percentage by year. Laughlin hold percentages are once again higher than all the other areas in recent years.

A quick look at the statistics shows that Laughlin slot holds for 2018 are at the upper tier of all the areas, with only the Las Vegas Strip having a higher hold for most months.

This is not a good trend, especially when combined with the introduction of resort fees in Laughlin, higher room rates, increases in prices at restaurants.

The value destination advantage that Laughlin once enjoyed is seemingly diminishing. Especially when the gambling, at least as far as slots, is tight.

Laughlin Buzz
LaughlinBuzz.Com

*Source document:
https://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/nv_slot_hold.pdf