Difference Between Class 2 And Class 3 Slot Machines

7/5/2022

If you’ve ever visited a Native American casino, chances are you’ve seen a Class II slot machine. They’re the games that display a bingo card somewhere on the screen.

So what are Class II slots and how are they different from the slot machines you’d find in Las Vegas?

Today, class II and class III slot machines look virtually identical. The giveaway that you’re playing on a class II slot machine is the presence of an LED bingo card in the corner of the screen that shows results with each spin. The reason that little bingo card is there is because that’s what is really determining whether you win or not.
Understanding The Difference Between Class III and Class II Slots UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASS III AND CLASS II SLOTS In many of the strategy articles about gaming machines– video poker, video keno, slot machines, etc.–we emphasize the role of the random number generator (RNG) and with good reason.
Strategy #2- Difference between class II and class III slot machines. One of the hidden secrets in the gaming industry is the use of class II slot machines instead of class III machines. Class III slot machines are known as “Vegas-style” slot machines. They’re the machines that most people think of when they think of a slot machine.

A Brief History

In 1988 the United States enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), establishing the framework governing Native American gaming laws. The act established 3 classes of gaming:

Not all tribal casinos use Class II games. Most slot machines in Native American casinos are Class III, which are the same as RNG games in commercial casinos. But tribal compacts in some states have limits on numbers of Class III slots. A few casinos use only Class II games, but more often, casinos use both classes on the same floor.

Class I: traditional and social games for minimal prizes
Class II: games of chance based off bingo
Class III: a catch-all category of games that can’t be considered Class I or II, like slots, roulette, blackjack, etc.

Knowing the hurdles Native American casinos faced to allow Class III slots, gaming companies began developing Class II gaming machines: games that play like regular slots but are technically fancy versions of bingo.

Difference between Class II Games and Regular Slots

Regular (class III) slots use a random number generators (RNG) that generate thousands of random numbers each second. When you hit spin, that RNG locks in the value at that moment. Then the slot assigns reel positions to parts of the random number and evaluates your win (if there is one). We covered this in more detail here.

To be legally considered as such, class II slots have to be based on bingo. This is where class II game developers have been creative, often implementing different approaches. On some, like WMS and Multimedia Games, your machine’s “bingo card” remains constant and the drawn numbers change each time. On others (like VGT), you stay in the same game while your card randomly changes each spin.

The implementation doesn’t especially matter. What matters is that the game has the necessary elements required to be bingo: more than 1 player (class II slots must be networked together) and a set of numbers drawn that must match a pattern to result in a win that ends the game (a game-ending pattern).

Difference Between Class 2 And Class 3 Slot Machines

The fact is Class II slots still rely on RNG to generate the cards and drawn numbers. It doesn’t matter if the RNG is creating simulated bingo cards/numbers on a class II game or virtual reel positions on a class III slot – the results are still random. Payouts are determined on regular slots by adjusting the reels and likelihood of landing on any position. Payouts on class II slots are defined by specifying the bingo patterns that must be matched and within what number of numbers drawn.

Why NA Casinos Prefer Class II

While many modern NA casinos have a mix of class II and III games, the numbers almost always skew heavily towards class II games. Why?

For one, the IGRA granted tribes the power to self-regulate Class II gaming, whereas tribes have to enter state compacts to offer class III games.

But the big reason NA casinos prefer class II games is that tribes don’t owe taxes on class II revenue like they do on class III games.

Licensed slots and most of the fancy new, popular games aren’t available in class II form, so NA casinos keep a mix. However, slot manufacturers are taking an increased interest in offering Class II games. Aristocrat bought Oklahoma-based bingo game developer VGT and used their technology to start offering some Aristocrat favorites in Class II form.

The Bottom Line on Class II Games

Modern class II games can look, act, sound, and feel like typical class III, Vegas-style slots.

Class II games are sometimes criticized for their mysterious nature, leading some to believe they can be rigged. They’re networked together as a central server determines the wins.

Class III slots go through rigorous third-party and government testing to ensure their randomness and resistance to rigging. Class II slots go through some of the same tests, but the self-regulating nature and lack of transparency of NA casinos have historically raised questions about their fairness.

Though their back-end operates different, both class II and class III games still ultimately rely on RNG. Casinos don’t need to rig the machines because the games’ math is already in their favor. That’s not to say their games’ programmed payout percentage is going to be to your liking, but the notion of some casino worker selectively deciding who’s going to win and lose on class II games is just a myth that doesn’t make sense.

Your Take

Do you love or hate class II slots? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below!

Introduction to Oklahoma Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Oklahoma slot machine casino gambling consists of 131 American Indian tribal casinos, casino resorts, travel centers, and “gasinos” along with two pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines.

No theoretical payout limits have been set for tribal casinos in Oklahoma. In addition, no return statistics are publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

Keep Reading … or Watch Instead!

Or … Listen Instead!

Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Amazon Audible Gaana Stitcher Pandora iHeart Radio Tune-In SoundCloud RadioPublic Deezer RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!

Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Oklahoma*

The minimum legal gambling age in Oklahoma depends upon the gambling activity:

Land-Based Casinos: 18
Poker Rooms: 18
Bingo: 16
Lottery: 18
Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

In November 2004, Oklahoma residents approved a State-Tribal Gaming Act through a referendum. This vote enacted a model tribal gaming compact allowing tribes to use new gaming machines and card games. Based on this generic model, 31 tribes negotiated state-tribal compacts with the state of Oklahoma.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Oklahoma

It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Oklahoma if it is 25 years old or older.

Gaming Control Board in Oklahoma

Difference Between Class 2 And Class 3 Slot Machines Youtube

Oklahoma’s state-tribal compacts regulate tribal gaming in Oklahoma. However, the state of Oklahoma provides oversight under these compacts, which is the legal responsibility of Oklahoma’s Gaming Compliance Unit.

Based on the Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit Annual Report 2018, Oklahoma’s casinos prefer offering more Class II games due to Class III games requiring up to an extra 6% of revenue to the state.

The state also collects exclusivity fees from Class III machines. In 2015, 57% of all gaming machines in Oklahoma were Class III games.

Casinos in Oklahoma

Difference Between Class 2 And Class 3 Slot Machines 2020

As of mid-2019, 31 American Indian tribes operated 131 facilities offering Class III gaming through tribal-state gaming compacts with the state of Oklahoma. These locations include two racetracks offering pari-mutuel wagering and slot machines.

The largest casino in Oklahoma is also the largest casino in the world. This WinStar World Casino and Resort has 7,400 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Durant with 4,300 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has no non-tribal, commercial casinos.

Tribal Casinos in Oklahoma

The 106 largest tribal casinos in Oklahoma, including two pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, are:

7 Clans Casinos – Chilocco Gasino in Newkirk, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
7 Clans Casinos – First Council Casino Resort in Newkirk, near the border to Kansas.
7 Clans Casinos – Paradise Casino in Red Rock, 82 miles north of Oklahoma City.
7 Clans Casinos – Perry Casino, 65 miles north of Oklahoma City.
7 Clans Casinos – Red Rock Gasino, 82 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Ada Gaming Center – East, 85 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Ada Gaming Center – West, 85 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton, 86 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Artesian Hotel Casino Spa in Sulphur, 84 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Black Gold Casino in Wilson, 112 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Border Casino in Thackerville, 124 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Casino Oklahoma in Hinton, 55 miles west of Oklahoma City.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Ft. Gibson, 80 miles east of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Grove, 100 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Ramona, 30 miles north of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Roland, 175 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Sallisaw, 160 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – South Coffeyville, 70 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Tahlequah, 83 miles southeast of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – West Siloam Springs, 85 miles east of Tulsa.
Cherokee Casino & Hotel – Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, 30 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Chickasaw Travel Stop – Davis West, 75 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Chickasaw Travel Stop – Wilson, 112 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Chisholm Trail Casino in Duncan, 79 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Broken Bow, 235 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Durant, 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Grant, 200 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Idabel, 240 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – McAlester, 130 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Pocola, 195 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts – Stringtown, 163 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Cimarron Casino in Perkins, 60 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Comanche Nation Casino in Lawton, 86 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Comanche Red River Hotel Casino in Devol, 125 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Comanche Spur Casino in Eldon, 75 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Comanche Star Casino in Walters, 25 miles southeast of Lawton.
Creek Nation Casino Bristow, 60 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Creek Nation Casino Eufaula, 135 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Creek Nation Casino Holdenville, 75 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Creek Nation Casino Muscogee, 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
Creek Nation Checotah Casino, 120 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, on the border of Oklahoma with Missouri and Kansas.
Duck Creek Casino in Beggs, 35 miles south of Tulsa.
Gold Mountain Casino in Ardmore, 100 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Gold River Casino in Anadarko, 60 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Golden Pony Casino in Okemah, 72 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Goldsby Gaming Center in Norman, 21 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Grand Casino Hotel Resort in Shawnee, 38 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Grand Lake Casino in Grove, 80 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa in Catoosa, on the outskirts of Tulsa.
High Winds Casino in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Indigo Sky Casino & Resort in Wyandotte, 90 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Ioway Casino in Chandler, 40 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Kickapoo Casino Harrah, 31 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Kickapoo Casino Shawnee, 38 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Kiowa Casino Carnegie, 94 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Kiowa Casino Hotel Red River in Devol, 125 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Kiowa Casino Verden, 57 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Canton, 60 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Clinton, 85 miles west of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Concho, 35 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Concho Travel Center, 35 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Hammon, 120 miles west of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Star Casino Watonga, 70 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Lucky Turtle Casino in Wyandotte, 90 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Madill Gaming Center in Madill, 122 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Native Lights Casino in Newkirk, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Newcastle Casino in Newcastle, 19 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Okemah Casino, 72 miles east of Oklahoma City.
One Fire Casino in Okmulgee, 45 miles south of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Bartlesville, 50 miles north of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Hominy, 44 miles northwest of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Pawhuska, on the outskirts of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Ponca City, 50 miles northwest of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Sand Springs, on the outskirts of Tulsa.
Osage Casino Hotel Skiatook, 17 miles north of Tulsa.
Prairie Moon Casino in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Prairie Sun Casino in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Quapaw Casino in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Remington Park Racing Casino in Oklahoma City.
River Bend Casino Hotel in Wyandotte, 90 miles northeast of Tulsa.
River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa.
Rivermist Casino in Konowa, 75 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Riverwind Casino in Norman, 12 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Sac and Fox Nation Casino in Stroud, 60 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.
Saltcreek Casino in Pocasset, 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.
Seminole Nation Casinos – Seminole Nation Casino in Konawa, 60 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Seminole Nation Casinos – Trading Post Casino in Wewoka, 60 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Southwind Casino Braman, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Southwind Casino Kanza in Braman, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Southwind Casino Newkirk, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
The Stables Casino in Miami, 89 miles northeast of Tulsa.
Stone Wolf Casino in Pawnee, 106 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton, 55 miles west of Oklahoma City.
Texoma Casino in Kingston, 130 miles south of Oklahoma City.
The Black Hawk Casino in Shawnee, 40 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Thunderbird Casino Norman, 21 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Thunderbird Casino Shawnee, 38 miles east of Oklahoma City.
Tonkawa Gasino, 91 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Tonkawa Hotel & Casino, 91 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Trading Post Casino Pawnee, 57 miles northwest of Tulsa.
Treasure Valley Casino & Hotel in Davis, 75 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Washita Casino in Paoli, 52 miles south of Oklahoma City.
WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, 124 miles south of Oklahoma City.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Oklahoma slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Oklahoma is:

North: Colorado Slots and Kansas Slots
East: Arkansas Slots and Missouri Slots
South: Texas Slots
West: New Mexico Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Oklahoma.

Our Oklahoma Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Oklahoma? If so, join our new Oklahoma slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Oklahoma. Join us!

Payout Returns in Oklahoma

No theoretical payout limits are legally set by Oklahoma’s state-tribal compacts. Further, no return statistics are publicly available.

Summary of Oklahoma Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Oklahoma slot machine casino gambling consists of over a hundred tribal facilities with electronic gaming machines existing as casino resorts, casinos, convenience stores, travel centers, bingo halls, and more.

Gaming regulations come from a generic tribal-state compact, used by 31 tribes in Oklahoma to legalize Class II bingo-style and Class III Las Vegas-style gaming. It does not include theoretical payout limits nor require that tribes make return statistics publicly available.

Annual Progress in Oklahoma Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, Bordertown Casino and Arena closed when the Eastern Shawnee Tribe decided to reassess its business plans and close the facility in December 2019. Also, the Texoma Gaming Center in Kingston became the Texoma Casino.

In early 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt of the State of Oklahoma demanded the state’s tribes update their tribal-state compacts. At issue was an attempt to improve the state’s gaming revenue by increasing income from exclusivity payments for monopoly casino rights. Ultimately, Oklahoma’s tribes united against the Governor, resolving the “bitter feud.”

conttodicep1979.netlify.com