Illegal gambling machines

Florida.

I was kind of surprised and also not surprised by this factoid. I stopped at a truck stop a couple times where they have (or had) games in the backroom area.

Quote:

Seizures: In 2025 alone, regulators seized over 6,700 illegal slot machines and $14.5 million in associated funds from locations like gas stations and bars.

I haven't been in a bar in Florida in a long long time.

Also, I was wondering about the "string" cutting games. You can win a $100 and we have them in the local mall. Sure does look like a gambling machine. I see kids playing them. But apparently, it's classified as a skill game. And yet, the scissors don't automatically cut the string. So, that's not skill, is it?

https://www.fox13news.com/news/port-rich-casinos-shuttered-illegal-gambling-police



How did the illegal casino get their hands on Fire link machines?
Thought slot manufacturers had strict controls and only sold to licensed casinos?

Quote: 100xOdds

https://www.fox13news.com/news/port-rich-casinos-shuttered-illegal-gambling-police



How did the illegal casino get their hands on Fire link machines?
Thought slot manufacturers had strict controls and only sold to licensed casinos?
link to original post

A lot of machines are sold to financing distribution companies and then they resell them. If a small casino can't afford to buy the 15 machines they want for $30k a piece, a third party company will finance the $450k for them and sell them the machines.

A VFW I sometimes go to on Saturdays just recently installed 8 or so video slot machines. They are $1 machines max bet is $5 I heard and wins are capped at $599. Each machine has around 12cdifferent themed games like pink panther,buffalo,USA themed etc. they used to have about 8 different pull tab dispenser. Some were instant others racing for cash or the like. All those are gone except for one. I hear you don't have to be a member to play. Racing for cash their are cars number 1-15. After all the tickets are sold one number under the seal for $100. Usually one $50 instant 2 25s and about 20 $5 instants in the box.

Casinos sell off their old machines. Anyone can buy them.
But illegal machines do not have to be real slot machines. Companies produce clones of real games for non-casino market.

like these "skill games":
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Ultimate-Fire-Link-8-In-1_1601460012308.html
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/43inch-Curved-Capacitive-Touchscreen-Display-Game_1601436376791.html

Quote: itsmejeff

Casinos sell off their old machines. Anyone can buy them.
link to original post

Depends on the jurisdiction. In California, for example, only machines 25 years old or older can be sold/owned privately, as they are considered antiques.

Also, while anyone can own a machine, I doubt that just anyone can set one out in the open and pocket the profits.

Some games, like Broadway Poker, are legal to own in NY and are often placed in bars, bodegas, social clubs, and the like. They are legal to own and to play. What is illegal is to pay off winning hands. Payouts are usually done discreetly, especially if there are strangers around.

Quote: itsmejeff

Casinos sell off their old machines. Anyone can buy them.
But illegal machines do not have to be real slot machines. Companies produce clones of real games for non-casino market.

like these "skill games":
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Ultimate-Fire-Link-8-In-1_1601460012308.html
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/43inch-Curved-Capacitive-Touchscreen-Display-Game_1601436376791.html
link to original post

Those boards and cabinets appear to be substantially different than the confiscated cabinets.

As for "How did an unlawful operator get their hands on...", the Bally logo on the footrest suggests to me that these are old cabinets... possibly retired from a more reputable establishment.

Pinball used to be illegal in NYC. The NYPD would confiscate them, and a firm was hired to destroy them. So many went out the back door that the cops started destroying them on the spot and leaving the storeowners to dispose of the remains.

Quote: billryan

Pinball used to be illegal in NYC. The NYPD would confiscate them, and a firm was hired to destroy them. So many went out the back door that the cops started destroying them on the spot and leaving the storeowners to dispose of the remains.
link to original post

I like to joke that this is still what they do in California whenever they come across a "bingo pinball" machine.