Why do people keep playing unlicensed, illegal slot machines?

[mu_enrico]

across town, another type of gambling continued much as it had since the coronavirus shutdown. A customer sat at the back of a gas station and peered into the video terminal of an electronic gaming device, one that's often referred to as a "prereveal" or "no chance" game. These look and sound like a regular slot machine, but they manage to skirt the gray area of what kind of gambling is authorized in Missouri.

...

Cobb, owner and president of ACME Music & Vending in St. Joseph, said it's common for his employees to report seeing these electronic devices when stopping in some gas stations to get snacks. There are an estimated 14,000 of the devices statewide, tucked into convenience stores, truck stops and fraternal organizations.

Source.

Also, "Utah man makes $8 million a year in cash from illegal gambling machines"

This machine is dangerous since the result would likely be rigged, no RTP information, no certification, no provably fair, etc. But the business keeps booming. Is this because of a mere convenience? Or something else? Nowadays, people can play from their mobile phones, online, on legit casinos.

[swogerino]

I think this is mostly because of the convenience of doing so.People like to play when they are taking a snack,they like playing a fast session in this convenience stores or gas stations because it is a gambler habit.I used to do this but it is 100% sure these machines can be rigged as I have seen such thing a few years ago,they can be opened and made to give out a hit ratio of less than 10% and to lose people money.

[dimonstration]

I haven't tried that machine, I'm not sure if it's even available in my country. But some do wants to play more in illegal way as sometimes there a lot of chance probably for them to earn, as well may due to the thrill they feel. Some illegal machines offer more than rewards maybe than what the normal ones operated by legal casino can give as it is regulated by law. I'd rather play legally than be more at risk in playing in such machine as gambling is already risky  I don't want to make it more riskier due to it's being illegal.

[avikz]

Illegal casinos are available in almost every countries. In my country, gambling is legally banned. But the number of illegal casinos are in thousands. They are mostly open by invitation only and not for any common people. So it makes sense for such countries where gambling is banned.

But where gambling is legal and people have the option to play in legal casinos, it doesn't make sense to have illegal casinos where the machines can be rigged. Convenience can't be only thing that plays major role here. It's possible method used by commoners to funnel the dirty money to white money.  Because in illegal casino, there will be no KYC requirement so essentially you wouldn't need to answer anyone on the funds you using on gambling. That's what happens to my country as well, mostly black money holders play in such illegal casinos!

[Jating]

This machine is dangerous since the result would likely be rigged, no RTP information, no certification, no provably fair, etc. But the business keeps booming. Is this because of a mere convenience? Or something else? Nowadays, people can play from their mobile phones, online, on legit casinos.

The only reason I can think of is that they can't really control themselves not to gamble in this kind of machines. So it boils down to human psychology 101, and the operators very much know this, so it's a win-win situation.

They've simply open up, and someone walks, here the sounds of a very attractive slot machine, you get hooked, and then voila, you are trap. And you don't know maybe you are losing 10$-100$ quickly and you thought you can get back and chase your losses, very bad but you can't exit. So I would agree that it's dangerous to play this kind of illegal machine and it will take a lot of control not to fall for this trick.

[AicecreaME]

Yes, it is surely about the convenience. Casinos who are licensed required a lot of things before someone can enter, and you can't even play there with only a few buck in your pocket, or you'll be discriminated (or even get kicked out) while on the illegal slot machines, doesn't care how much you have or who you really are, and no taxes included when withdrawing your wins, unlike in casinos.

The other thing is that you have your personal space when playing, you can focus on the game and your only opponent is the machine. I guess that's the other factor why people preferred it than a legal casino.

[kryptqnick]

across town, another type of gambling continued much as it had since the coronavirus shutdown. A customer sat at the back of a gas station and peered into the video terminal of an electronic gaming device, one that's often referred to as a "prereveal" or "no chance" game. These look and sound like a regular slot machine, but they manage to skirt the gray area of what kind of gambling is authorized in Missouri.

...

Cobb, owner and president of ACME Music & Vending in St. Joseph, said it's common for his employees to report seeing these electronic devices when stopping in some gas stations to get snacks. There are an estimated 14,000 of the devices statewide, tucked into convenience stores, truck stops and fraternal organizations.

Source.

Also, "Utah man makes $8 million a year in cash from illegal gambling machines"

This machine is dangerous since the result would likely be rigged, no RTP information, no certification, no provably fair, etc. But the business keeps booming. Is this because of a mere convenience? Or something else? Nowadays, people can play from their mobile phones, online, on legit casinos.

I've never played one of those because I was too young to play when similar machines were around, and then there came the legislation putting them out of sight. The machines didn't look like that, but there are other similar things in my country. Like those machines where you can get a toy from a box. And there are also similar things for kids, actually. Like, where you pay for the visit, get tokens, play small games on various machines, get tickets for winning and if you get enough tickets to redeem some prize, you do that in the end. I don't know if it's just in my country or around the world, but I don't think it's illegal. Although it kind of introduces gambling to kids, so it probably should be.
As for why people play, it's because it's a simple click of a button or something with a small bet amount and an outcome available shortly. It looks safe and easy, so this can motivate people.

[acroman08]

it's most likely either convenience or they gambler doesn't know that it doesn't have a license. just like what swogerino said gamblers/people " People like to play when they are taking a snack,they like playing a fast session in this convenience stores or gas stations because it is a gambler habit." I myself have probably played to an unlicensed slot machine without me knowing it.

[Bttzed03]

If I see a slot machine in a gas station and I'm not familiar with licensing and other paper/technical works, I'd most likely think that it's okay to play. With a few change to spare, I might as well take my chances.

These illegal slot machines probably makes money money from thousands of customers who thinks that^ way.

[ethereumhunter]

I agree with some members say it's about convenience. When people feel comfortable, they will still play gambling, no matter if the games are legal or illegal. But we don't know what their reason is to select the casino, which is unlicensed or illegal slot machines, and I think many don't care about that. They will only play gambling without thinking it is legal or illegal. But I don't know if that machine is available in my city because I don't visit that place in this pandemic.

[arwin100]

across town, another type of gambling continued much as it had since the coronavirus shutdown. A customer sat at the back of a gas station and peered into the video terminal of an electronic gaming device, one that's often referred to as a "prereveal" or "no chance" game. These look and sound like a regular slot machine, but they manage to skirt the gray area of what kind of gambling is authorized in Missouri.

...

Cobb, owner and president of ACME Music & Vending in St. Joseph, said it's common for his employees to report seeing these electronic devices when stopping in some gas stations to get snacks. There are an estimated 14,000 of the devices statewide, tucked into convenience stores, truck stops and fraternal organizations.

Source.

Also, "Utah man makes $8 million a year in cash from illegal gambling machines"

This machine is dangerous since the result would likely be rigged, no RTP information, no certification, no provably fair, etc. But the business keeps booming. Is this because of a mere convenience? Or something else? Nowadays, people can play from their mobile phones, online, on legit casinos.

Gamblers would really not take that seriously since the provable reason why people select to gamble on those illegal slots is due to convenience as well the other what it can offer that legal ones doesn't have. Also documentation of winnings or something related on it what makes people choose the illegal slot that's why we see the numbers of players rise even if theirs a danger on it since its illegal.

[mu_enrico]

Illegal casinos are available in almost every countries.

Yea, but this is not even a casino. It's like sporadically putting "pre-reveal" machine in the convenience store or gas station.

The only reason I can think of is that they can't really control themselves not to gamble in this kind of machines. So it boils down to human psychology 101, and the operators very much know this, so it's a win-win situation.

Win-win if the outcome is fair mate, if it's rigged than it's more like a robbery.

Anyways, if you guys haven't see this "pre-reveal" game in action, this is a nice video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbnsV4Com14

Lmao a rekt machine!

[Kupid002]

I agree with some members say it's about convenience. When people feel comfortable, they will still play gambling, no matter if the games are legal or illegal. But we don't know what their reason is to select the casino, which is unlicensed or illegal slot machines, and I think many don't care about that. They will only play gambling without thinking it is legal or illegal. But I don't know if that machine is available in my city because I don't visit that place in this pandemic.

There are other possible reasons maybe they just enjoying playing it then in long term turn to be addiction since they are doing it regularly and without any restrictions beacause its not legal  . They can play anytime they want and they can use what ever amount they have unlike bill licensed casino where there are limitations for players that can enter .

[Sadlife]

Could be a way of advertising by the owner itself, cause no sane man would play in unverified machines that could be design to steal money.
Unless, he's really desperate in wanting to play some gambling games, then it should understandable why he keeps on playing or he might just really found a way to exploit the machine.

[jademaxsuy]

It is because most of the machines that are not getting a license would be come from a casino that may only cost a little fee for gambler to use the machine. This is a tax evasion for the owner of the slot machine for not registering it and not disclosing the gains or profits of that machine. Well, we couls not blame too the casino because they wanted too to gain high profits by not overspending in getting permit for the slot machines. For them they think they couls get pass through with it if not getting caught by the agency who had the supervision to regulate over it.

[crwth]

For the guy who wins a lot, it could be that he knows something we don't or something that they know how to rig back as well. Imagine playing in an illegal place and you still manage to win money with just that. Either you are a lucky SOB or you are part of it and making it look that it's profitable. These types of events would be the invitation to people who are greedy and want to win on their own as well.

Personally, I think it has always been illegal even if it's legal in the place. Imagine playing out on the street with some playing cards and you would immediately be considered gambling even if you don't have money involved. I guess that's just the society we live in.

Gambling is going to mobile because it's the platform that everyone has, it's probably the reason and make greedy people even more greedy. 

[yazher]

Our neighbor had this kind of slot machine and they called it "Bar Bar" it is one of the exact slot machines you are talking about. In our village, people always want to play this game, and lots of kids are addicted to this. that's why the authority won't allow this game and whoever caught having this in their house will be fined and sometimes if they caught, they served months of sentence in jail like what happened to our neighbor. You can see in this picture what I am talking about. note: these are not my neighbors, there are different people but the same illegal activity.  

[acroman08]

Our neighbor had this kind of slot machine and they called it "Bar Bar" it is one of the exact slot machines you are talking about. In our village, people always want to play this game, and lots of kids are addicted to this. that's why the authority won't allow this game and whoever caught having this in their house will be fined and sometimes if they caught, they served months of sentence in jail like what happened to our neighbor. You can see in this picture what I am talking about. note: these are not my neighbors, there are different people but the same illegal activity.  

there is also a machine called video karera. these illegal gambling machines were operating illegally and were popular in my area before police started raiding them. me being a curious person(especially on a gambling game that I haven't heard/tried before) have played the game several times(just to try it out) on different places and of course, all of the places I have played are illegally operating.

if anyone is curious what video karera is, here's a simple explanation from wiktionary of what it is https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/video_karera and here's a mayor destroying video karera machines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoPCmAK5nPM

[AjithBtc]

Illegal slot machines are found much in the African countries, but this has happened in USA. This is something unexpected, and making $8 million out of the illegal business is really big compared to the revenue earned by a small scale gambling site. In Africa more and more number of slot machines can be seen on the streets. Often police used to seize and in some cases the owners give bribe to the police and run the machines.

[abel1337]

Our neighbor had this kind of slot machine and they called it "Bar Bar" it is one of the exact slot machines you are talking about. In our village, people always want to play this game, and lots of kids are addicted to this. that's why the authority won't allow this game and whoever caught having this in their house will be fined and sometimes if they caught, they served months of sentence in jail like what happened to our neighbor. You can see in this picture what I am talking about. note: these are not my neighbors, there are different people but the same illegal activity.  

there is also a machine called video karera. these illegal gambling machines were operating illegally and were popular in my area before police started raiding them. me being a curious person(especially on a gambling game that I haven't heard/tried before) have played the game several times(just to try it out) on different places and of course, all of the places I have played are illegally operating.

if anyone is curious what video karera is, here's a simple explanation from wiktionary of what it is https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/video_karera and here's a mayor destroying video karera machines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoPCmAK5nPM

I remember this video karera game, Our place used to have this way back when I was younger and though it's illegal there are many gamblers devoted to playing it. People who are addicted to playing it most likely won't care if it is illegal and has a chance of being rigged as long as there's a change of winning.

Some people don't have the luxury of paying the casino entrance fee, It's one of the reasons why some gamblers just chose to play on these unsafe machines. We can't blame them for choosing it, They probably see the convenience playing on these illegal machines.