Video Gambling Machines FAQs
To be approved for play in Montana, a video bingo, keno, poker, and line game can have a maximum bet of $2.00 per game and a maximum award of $800 per game.
All game types must have a minimum theoretical return percentage of 80%, and video line games must have a maximum theoretical return percentage of 92%. Return percentages include all applicable game features such as free and bonus games.
Theoretical return percentages are values obtained after millions of games played. It’s common to see return percentages below 80% or over 100% initially after software is installed on a VGM. After millions of plays, however, the return percentages will settle around their theoretical values.
Return percentage, expected payback, and credit ratio all refer to the same thing, which is the value of money awarded divided by the value of money wagered. This is not the same as payout percentage, which is the value of money paid out divided by the value of money deposited.
For example:
A player puts $1.00 into a video gambling machine (VGM), plays one game at a $1.00 wager, and is awarded $0.90. The player plays another game at a $0.90 wager and is awarded $0.80. The player plays one final game at a $0.80 wager, is awarded $0.75, and cashes out for $0.75. The return percentage for this session of play would be the total amount wagered, $2.70, divided by the total amount won, $2.45, or 90.7%. The payout percentage for this session of play would be the total amount cashed out, $0.75, divided by the total amount deposited, $1.00, or 75%.
Per rule, the theoretical return percentage for all video line games must be approved by a qualified independent testing service, licensed through the state of Montana. Return percentages are primarily found by performing millions of game simulations. Return percentages include all applicable game features such as free and bonus games.
The law does not allow for a bonus game to become the predominant game compared to the corresponding video bingo, keno, poker, or line game. This means that the return percentage for a bonus game must be less than 50% of the overall return percentage of the game.
Again, these are theoretical return percentages over millions of games played. For any single game played, the bonus can pay more than the main game.
Because free games are an approved game type (video bingo, keno, poker, or line) and meet all laws/rules/requirements for their game type, their return percentages are included with the return percentage of the main game.
Here are some examples:
A line game has a main game that can trigger free games and a bonus game and has an overall return percentage of 91%. The return percentage breakdown is: main game = 26%, free games = 20%, and bonus game = 45%. This game would be allowed because the return percentage of the main + free games is 46% and the bonus game is 45%.
A line game has a main game that can trigger free games and a bonus game and has an overall return percentage of 91%. The return percentage breakdown is: main game = 25%, free games = 20%, and bonus game = 46%. This game would not be allowed because the return percentage of the main + free games is 45% and the bonus game is 46% (bonus can’t be higher than main + free).
While the two terms are often used interchangeably in the gambling industry, they are two different things in Montana law.
Free games must be the same game type (video bingo, keno, poker, or line) and must meet all laws, rules, and requirements as the game that triggered them. As with paid games, each free game can award up to $800, meaning a group of 10 free games can potentially award $8000.
Bonus games cannot be video bingo, keno, poker, or line games, and the award from the bonus game must be combined with the award from the triggering game when considering the $800 cap.
For example:
A keno game awards $500 and triggers a bonus wheel spin. The maximum the wheel spin can award is $300, putting the total award at $800.
An example of a bonus game is a wheel spin, where each wedge of the wheel can award credits or free games. Bonus games cannot display or simulate illegal gambling activities like blackjack, craps, or roulette.
No, all games outcomes must be determined by a random number generator (RNG) so the odds of winning are the same for software that was just installed compared to software that has been running for months.
Games may include a meter that is increased, based on defined game outcomes, and offer a reward (e.g., credits, free games, bonus games) when the maximum meter value is reached. The meter may begin at any specified level when the software is installed.
For example:
A keno game includes a game marked spot that, when hit, will increase a meter by one value. Once the meter reaches a value of 50, the player is awarded 10 free games. The meter starts with a value of 25, to encourage play, but resets to 0 after free games are awarded.
Games may include a meter that is increased, based on defined game outcomes, over a set number of games, and award an advantage in the final game of the series.
For example:
A keno game includes a game marked spot that, when hit, will increase a meter by one value. The meter can be increased for 9 games, and on the 10th game, the player will get an extra draw for every time the meter was increased. After the 10th game, the meter resets to 0.
For answers to more common questions on how VGMs operate, view the Inside Video Gambling Machines Brochure released by the Montana Council for Problem Gambling.