Why do people keep playing unlicensed, illegal slot machines?

[Insanerman]

~
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 reason might be because most of them are winning on these kind of slots? They're enjoying and some might be addicted into it. Most of the time, convenience stores near gas stations are just one, there's no other establishments near from it. So this is becoming a stop by area of some drivers that are exhausted or are wanting to have some fun after their long trip. If they don't like the machines, probably they will not continue playing it.

~
I myself have probably played to an unlicensed slot machine without me knowing it.

There is always a mark stickers or something on the machine that proves that it is licensed, better to check that before playing to avoid getting caught by some raids for illegal gambling. Better to check than one out to make sure you're not violating the law.

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.

Thanks to your concerned neighbors, that was raided. Just to ask, are there no slots like that that has been operating again even though the area has been raid? Because on our place it is common, slots will just operate days or weeks after being  raided. LOL.

[harizen]

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.

"Would likely" means we aren't sure if that's the case when you played in an illegal slot machine.

Back then when gambling regulations are not that strict here in our country (literally, you can see gambling everywhere), I have experience playing in an unlicensed and unregulated gambling place. No such thing as how to verify the fairness of the machine but there are "winners". That reason alone is enough for people to think that everything is random and chances of winning are always possible.

Aside from that, it's more fun to play there compare to the professional approach in regulated casinos. The odds are just the same, either you play on regulated ones, so people tend to choose the most convenient way. However, as the government changes, strict gambling terms imposed and with the pandemic, these become heavily prohibited.

I don't know if situation like that will happen once we get back in the usual "normal".

Right now, there are several unregulated online gambling here in our region that started during the pandemic. One-tap deposit and withdraw, totally no difference to regulated ones wherein KYC is mandatory so these gambling type became a hyped to most people here.

[dunfida]

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.

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.

No one can tell if those are rigged ones or totally fair or does have big house edge but the thing here is that people do continue to play without even minding if it does really show out some fair outcomes or not.I cant imagine nor even expect that these machines will be found on convenience stores which is unusual for these
machines to be placed but somehow i didnt see this one coming.Those numbers mentioned on how many machines operated then its odd that it havent been
controlled or something unless if gambling is really not prohibited or owner of these machines does have license or permission then it wont really be that much of an issue.

[nelson4lov]

This isn't the first time I've seen such machines being patronized by people. While I've not tried it before,  I've actually seen people who have and eventually won at those games. The funny thing is that, they enjoy playing with those slots machines. It's not clear why people prefer to play such games but I feel it's because it's easier to access and requires little technical "know-how" to participate compared to using regulated gambling games where you have to worry about the deposits, withdrawals, etc. I believe that's part of the reason why they're targeted at people  who live in rural areas.

Unregulated gambling like this has existed for as long as I can remember and would continue to do so.

[chaser15]

Becomes trendy because those illegal machines are sometimes user-friendly, meaning to say, people are actually getting profit out from playing at those so the doubt if it's rigged or not isn't a question to them.

Just mentioned on a few posts back, those examples are usual here in my country.

Gambling operators no need to spend lots of money to start as machines are quite cheap. No need also for licensed as if they will comply with legal terms, expect that there are lots of things needed before they can operate. People likely wants to gamble here because it's cheap. The minimum amount to bet can as be lowered as $1 (if converted to our currency) so not a problem at all to those common people.

[adzino]

There might be few reasons. Probably the government of that country doesn't allow or is strictly regulating casinos, hence due to lengthy process of getting a license or being expensive, there are "less" legal slot machines and more illegal slot machines. Thus people don't want to travel around looking for legal licensed casino and they end up playing any of those illegal ones near them. Again, those illegal once probably provides more rewards since they don't have to pay extra fee or anything. But then again, I doubt many people care if a casino has a license or not.

[dothebeats]

Or people who play themselves are using exploits on the machine in order to cash out big from them. Since these are unregulated, whatever rigging that is done cannot easily be attended to or noticed by the operators. Of course there might be lookouts around but managing to get that amount from an unknown e-games machine speaks much about tight regulation in general. Also, it provides easy access with no strict rules, making the players much more comfortable and 'in the zone' rather than being cramped inside a venue where the smell of smoke, booze and nasty perfumes linger about.

[STT]

Anywhere people are waiting around with a minute to spare, that'll probably be prime real estate for a game like this.  Me personally I'd rather play pinball but thats not likely to see many places because it wont make the money that a gambling machine can.   I dont mind paying for a game I enjoy but  I wouldn't play a game I dont recognise or understand at all, Im too much of a pessimist I'd just presume I'd lose not gain so ironic being negative expectations helps me avoid this kind of unfair game I guess.

[Quidat]

There might be few reasons. Probably the government of that country doesn't allow or is strictly regulating casinos, hence due to lengthy process of getting a license or being expensive, there are "less" legal slot machines and more illegal slot machines. Thus people don't want to travel around looking for legal licensed casino and they end up playing any of those illegal ones near them. Again, those illegal once probably provides more rewards since they don't have to pay extra fee or anything. But then again, I doubt many people care if a casino has a license or not.

Majority wont really care that much about on having a license or not.One of the factors or reasons i do saw on why people do end up on using these illegal machines is on its accessibility.
You wont need to go into those casual casino places for you to play if you do just tend to spend a little dime on a little time while youre gassing up or into other venues which can really
give out some small or spare time for you to spend up without compromising much of the money you do had.They wont care if those machines are fair or not as long they do able to
play without minding much of things.When it comes to operations of these machines then it does depend on the countries law itself because they wont just let these machines
do operate without being noticed.

[goinmerry]

They keep playing on these unlicensed or unregulated gambling place due to "they are everywhere!".

Unlike those regulated ones that mostly found in the capital or main business areas, these small unregulated gambling games can be accessed easily. No checking, no security guards, you can enter even with a dirty shirt and slippers, everything was simple.

About the fairness of those machines, honestly, those people won't think of that as everyone wants to win. When they lose, instead of questioning the machine's fairness, they will seek instead a way how to have money again to bet. This kind of gambling culture and behaviour will never be changed.

[posi]

People play unlicensed slot machines because of different reasons but I will only mention a few thats most common.
1) Pleasure - the enjoyment they usually when gambling which is the reason the machine is usually put in gas stations, stores etc.to make people play at their convenient time.
2) Curiosity - there's nothing bad in trying, this has make a lot of gamblers to explore different game machines/ online casino.

[Wexnident]

Most possibly because of convenience and well, plain coincidence? Not that I'm being nonchalant about deciding this but as you said, gamblers would've played on casinos through their mobiles or pcs which at least provides that they are possibly fair, as well as proper procedures that you can pretty much make sure are legal. However, for those that are not into gambling, finding a slot machine could provide curiosity, as well as a venue of entertainment while at a convenience store, since as we all know, those places are kind of waiting areas for a lot of meetups (or at least, in my place).

I call it coincidence since not a lot of people intentionally go to that slot machine to play BUT a lot of people do come ot the convenience store. They see the slot machine coincidentally, and some would of course be quite curious and try it out.

[akhjob]

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 legality regarding gambling in my country is still in the grey area. Although we cant find slot machines in gas stations, most of them are running illegally without license and people still love to gamble in them. Unlicensed and illegal gambling is what the common can afford and have chance at winning. So I believe that's the reason why they are not much worried about the licensing and stuffs.  

[mu_enrico]

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.

Dude, the guy who makes millions of dollars, is the maker of those machines.

"Bar Bar"

video karera

Thanks guys, for the valuable information


From the feedbacks here, I realize people just want to play, and since poor people don't have access to casinos and stuff, they play this machine, even though mostly rekt. Hopefully, these guys can use their mobile phone and play on legit online casinos. It's better than playing those stupid machines.

[maxreish]

Sounds interesting since I haven't actually tried to play on that unlicensed slots machines. But of course, when someone experienced some good wins, whether that  slot machine is licensed or not, aside from that of being a convenient one, the main purpose of a gambler is to win, to gain extra money. That's the reality.

[rhomelmabini]

That guy for sure knows the tricks on how he can get those wins. I remember this kind of machine back in the days the local government wasn't strict on my area but right now this will never be back in town for sure unless it will be kept in secret.

The incident was reported on USA and this guys still trying to pull some rugs to peoples pocket, I don't know the sanction they'll get on it but hope a bigger one will be impose on these people especially those who made those. The name "no chance" is surely a warning not to play it.

[Astvile]

I have played one illegal slot machine once, video karera here in my country and I can see why people keep playing on those machines. Because you can easily access it and it is open for everyone who wants to play with it. But the thing about illegal slot machines is you can be jailed for playing it and owning one so I don't suggest to play on it frequently I think one time experience is enough and just stick with legal slot machines in casinos.

[Kong Hey Pakboy]

I have played one illegal slot machine once, video karera here in my country and I can see why people keep playing on those machines. Because you can easily access it and it is open for everyone who wants to play with it. But the thing about illegal slot machines is you can be jailed for playing it and owning one so I don't suggest to play on it frequently I think one time experience is enough and just stick with legal slot machines in casinos.

I also had played that illegal gambling machine called video karera here in the Philippines when I was in high school. Still, this kind of unlawful gambling machine is genuinely not fair because I only win one time out of 10 bets. I think some people keep going back to these gambling machines because it is entertaining, and you can win a considerable amount of money with only a small amount of bet when you are lucky enough to win.

[Slow death]

I will talk about my country, these machines were seized in my country:



What is strange about all this is that these machines were on any street and people were thronged to play, but the government did absolutely nothing, it also has the question of how the machines arrived in my country without the government knowing. But in the end leaving this aside I will talk about why people play a lot on these machines:

1 - Most people, I venture to say that 90% of the people in my country did not know that they were illegal machines

2 - These machines were on the streets and informal salespeople are doing nothing all day, these machines appeared for them to occupy the time and they did not waste the opportunity to have fun, that's what happened in the case of my country.

I also had played that illegal gambling machine called video karera here in the Philippines when I was in high school.

I was curious and tried to get closer to learn to play, but I didn't have enough courage to go play and now that the government has learned the machines, my opportunity to use the machine is gone forever

[mersal]

Some people wants to gamble but doesn't know about fairness in the results or any knowledge related to gambling and slot machines so they just try where ever they get chance to play.

Or people think it is more expensive to play slots on a casinos than a slots on some regular shops.

Or they just think online gambling is complete scam so they tend to believe those unregulated slots.