Can they shut down a progressive machine?

Under a new rule that could be implemented, they are talking about shutting down every other machine. As an example, shutting down 4 of 8 machines tied into the progressive which still allows gamblers to play 4 remaining machines. My question, doesn't a player who has lost or has put money into a machine with a progressive that has been closed has a right to play that machine? Or will they alternate the machines that is open and closed each day or week to be fair.

Temporarily, I'm sure they'll be allowed to. Maintaining "social distancing" to increase player safety supersedes a player's right for continuous access to a progressive.

Section 5.110 5. of NV Gaming Regulations

(e) The Chair, upon a showing of exceptional circumstances, approves a reduction, elimination,
distribution, or procedure not otherwise described in this subsection, which approval is confirmed in writing.

So either certain progressives will get shut down indefinitely until it's safe to turn all machines back on. The progressives will still remain on the machine waiting to be won when they can resume play. Or units will alternatively be turned on and off periodically to allow different progressive machines to be played. I could see casinos doing either of these.

Progressive amounts over and above the standard pays must remain for the players to win. They can't be "absorbed" (my term) by the casino.

Simple example: $1 video poker game, standard royal is $4,000. Progressive is $5,000 so the extra $1,000 must remain for the players to win.

Options:

The $1,000 can remain on the machine until the machine is in play again.

Or, the $1,000 can be moved to the jackpot on another machine.

My thoughts:

I don't think a casino would intentionally lock a progressive machine since these games typically provide more profits for casinos with their reduced pay tables. Remember the players funded the progressive and not the casino. Casinos don't care if the progressives are hit.

The machines are shut down temporarily and that is it. Progressive money is going nowhere. I will say what a casino does and what gaming does is not in broad daylight. Things can happen where you feel they're cheating and you cannot do a thing about it.

I regularly stick to playing 3 particular machines on a 6 bank progressive. After I hit a Royal, I usually will switch to one of the other two machines and stay on it until I hit another. I like to play machines that I know is known for dealing Royals and I like to keep track how many hands have been played. Now I know it could pay out a Royal on the machine that Im currently focusing on while I'm away but I will throw that out of play since I have no control. So when the shut down occurred. I know which machine I was on.

Quote: Vegasrider

I regularly stick to playing 3 particular machines on a 6 bank progressive. After I hit a Royal, I usually will switch to one of the other two machines and stay on it until I hit another. I like to play machines that I know is known for dealing Royals and I like to keep track how many hands have been played. Now I know it could pay out a Royal on the machine that Im currently focusing on while I'm away but I will throw that out of play since I have no control. So when the shut down occurred. I know which machine I was on.

Is this progressive networked? In that case shutting units off doesn't affect value to the player at all. They will likely just pick 2 or 3 machines to shut off. I possibly say 2 because they might leave all the end units open if it's a rectangular bank.

It just takes twice as long to hit a progressive, but the same amount of time if you are playing by yourself.

It just takes twice as long to hit a progressive, but the same amount of time if you are playing by yourself.

Quote: tringlomane

Is this progressive networked? In that case shutting units off doesn't affect value to the player at all. They will likely just pick 2 or 3 machines to shut off. I possibly say 2 because they might leave all the end units open if it's a rectangular bank.

3 on each side, for a total of six. Its the only progressive of its kind.