When visiting a large resort in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, the terminals you use are all built on similar math. Yet, if you travel to an Indian reservation casino or racinos, the machines might look identical, but they are legally and mathematically different. In the United States, slot machines are divided into distinct legal categories, the two major types being Class 2 and Class 3 machines. Learning the distinction helps you understand the odds, since it dictates how the game decides if you win.
When most people think of a slot machine falls under Class 3. These are the traditional, independent machines used in massive commercial resorts.
Class II gaming devices are most commonly found in Indian casinos. Under federal law (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act), these games are federally permitted without state agreements. While they look exactly like Class III slots, they are fundamentally bingo machines.
| Mechanic | Class 3 | Bingo Slot |
|---|---|---|
| Who You Play Against | You play against the machine’s internal computer | Other gamblers |
| The Mechanics | The internal RNG picks a random result instantly | Networked bingo game |
| The Tell | Just spinning reels | Look for the bingo card in the corner |
When hitting play on a Class 2 game, you purchase a quick bingo ticket. The central server instantly draws balls, if your card wins, the graphics trigger to reflect the bingo payout. The reels are purely for show; the actual game is bingo.
For most people, the class of the machine makes no noticeable difference. Both versions use advanced math models to guarantee the house edge, and both look amazing. However, if you want to understand the game, simply look at the glass or the screen. If a digital bingo card is visible, you are playing bingo. If there is no bingo card, you are experiencing a standard independent slot.
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