Unlike other casino games, a slot machine is a mechanical device that spins reels to award winning combinations. The winning combination is then rewarded with credits based on the paytable.
Typically, a pay table is listed in the help menu or on the machine’s face. The credit meter displays the amount of money currently on the machine.
There are four basic types of slot machines. Traditionally, the three reel machines have one, three, or five paylines. The more lines the machine has, the greater the chances of winning.
In addition, there are “multi-line” machines. These are similar to traditional three-reel machines, but they have more than one pay line.
The pay tables are usually listed on the machine’s face or below the area where the wheels are located. A single-line machine may have a maximum theoretical payout of 1,000 times the bet, while a multi-line machine has a maximum theoretical payout of 15,000.
The U.K.’s Gambling Commission classifies the different types of slot machines. A traditional three-reel machine is typically classified by the Gambling Act 2005 as a “one-armed bandit” and has a paytable that lists credits when a symbol lands on a pay line.
Japanese slot machines are regulated by integrated circuits, and have six levels. The lowest level offers a rough outcome of 90% to 160%, while the highest offers a rough outcome of 200%.
These types of slots are designed to take advantage of non-gamblers, and are useful for those who have never gambled. In fact, some experts have found a link between the use of video slot machines and gambling addiction.