You can find as many objects to collect as you can find collectors, but some of the most interesting collectibles are slot machines. You can buy them used, but the legality of owning a gambling machine varies from state to state. This page takes a look at some of the issues involved in buying a used slot machine to start or expand a collection of your own.
Where Do You Live?
(2) “Slot machine or device ” has the same meaning as “slot machine or device ” as defined in Section 330.1, or “gambling device ” as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 1171 of Title 15 of the United States Code.
The first thing you should understand is that no matter where you live, if you’re using a slot machine to offer gambling to other people, you need a license. In some states, gambling is completely prohibited. Chances are you’re an individual collector and don’t have a gambling license, so don’t let people gamble on your games unless you have a high risk tolerance for illegal behavior.
In some states, even collectors aren’t allowed to own a used slot machine. These states include Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Ownership of slot machines, used or otherwise, is illegal in those states.
Other states have no legal restrictions on slot machine ownership as long as you’re not using them to run a gambling business. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The other states have specific guidelines based on the age of the machine. For example, in California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming, it’s legal to own a slot machine as long as it’s at least 25 years old. Other states have higher or lower age limits—in Florida you can own a slot machine as long as it’s 20 years or older, but in Massachusetts, it has to be at least 30 years old. And still other states base it on what year the machine was built; in Illinois and Iowa, for example, it’s only legal to own slot machines that were constructed before 1950.
To the best of my knowledge, this information is complete and accurate, but before buying your own used coin-op slot machine, you should check with local legal authorities to make sure you have the most up to date information. You should always obey the laws in whatever jurisdiction you reside.
What Kind of Dealer Are You Dealing With?
You’ll find plenty of people selling used slot machines on the Internet. Many of these are third-party sellers. That means they don’t offer slot machines directly; instead, they just take your order and then buy the slot machine from someone else and have it shipped to you. You’ll often notice that these third party dealers use stock images or pictures that were stolen from direct dealers’ websites.
It’s better to deal with a direct dealer when you can. These dealers will often offer a warranty on the machines they sell. They’ll also be able to help you over the phone if you’re having a problem operating your game. Third party dealers aren’t able to offer you this level of service.
One way to be sure you’re dealing with an actual dealer instead of a third party is to ask them if you’re able to visit their showroom or warehouse. Third party dealers, for obvious reasons, don’t have showrooms or warehouses.
What Kinds of Used Slot Machines CAN I Buy?
Most dealers offer reconditioned machines that have been retired from use in Las Vegas style casinos. Many of these are the same IGT (International Game Technology) manufactured games that you’re used to seeing in the casino, only older and more primitive. Most dealers also provide replacement parts and repair services.
One thing to look for when considering buying a machine from a dealer is whether or not they use real glass or plexiglass. Real glass is superior as plexiglass fades over time. You can expect to pay a little more for a machine with real glass, but it’s worth the extra cost. If you’ve ever seen a faded plexiglass screen on a used slot machine, you’ll know what I mean.
Many of these games can be set up to enjoy on “free play” mode. You don’t have to insert any kind of money in order to play these games. You can even modify these games to pay out tickets.
Examples of some of the popular and well-known games available for sale on the Internet include titles like Cleopatra, Double Diamond, Munsters, Red, White, and Blue, Sizzling Senves, Tabasca, Texas Tea, and Wild Cherry slots. Many other titles are available besides these, but you’ll recognize a lot of these brand names as still being available (albeit in newer models) in casinos today.
How Much Should I Spend?
Used slot machines are collectibles, and they’re priced accordingly. Shipping is usually going to be expensive, too. You can probably expect to pay at least $600 for a good machine and $200 for shipping. Video slots will cost twice that or more, and you’ll sometimes have the option of upgrading to a new LCD monitor when buying a video slot machine. Those are expensive, too–$400 or $500.
Other upgrades you can pay for include stereo sound packages, coin in coin out functionality, and/or backlit reels (on mechanical or electro-mechanical machines). These upgrades generally cost between $100 and $200 each.
Of course, these prices apply to relatively newer slot machines. Older antique slot machines can cost more or less. I’ve seen slot machines from the 1930s and 1940s that were beautifully refurbished for sale for as little as $325. Some of these older machines are barely recognizable as slot machines, but they make beautiful, conversation-worthy collections.
California Legal Slot Machines
Conclusion
Buying a used slot machine can be a fun way to start a new hobby of collecting gaming machines, but do some research first. You want to make sure that it’s legal to do so before you get started. You also need to do some research into dealers before spending any money. Avoid third-party dealers, and find a direct dealer with a warehouse who offers warranties and telephone customer support.
Introduction to California Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
California slot machine casino gambling consists of 65 tribal casinos, the third-largest number of casinos in any U.S. state after Nevada and Oklahoma.
I’ve dedicated this weekly series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself as you master casino slots and win your way to success by using this State-By-State Online Resource to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in California*
The minimum legal gambling age in California depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 18 or, if serving alcohol, 21
- Poker Rooms: 18 or, if serving alcohol, 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Slot Machine Private Ownership in California
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in California if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in California
The California Gambling Control Commission supports the regulation of tribal gaming through oversight activities as defined in California’s 61 tribal-state compacts.
Further, the Bureau of Gambling Control within California’s Department of Justice provides state law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over gambling activities.
Non-slots-related gaming control boards include the California Horse Racing Board and the California Lottery Commission.
Casinos in California
California has 65 American Indian tribal casinos, ten racetracks without gaming machines, numerous card rooms also without gaming machines, and cruise ships with onboard casinos to Hawaii, Alaska, and international destinations.
The largest casino in California is San Manuel Casino having 4,800 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Pechanga Resort Casino with 4,000 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in California
There are no commercial casinos with slot machines in California.
Tribal Casinos in California
California’s 65 tribal casinos are:
- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Palm Springs, 115 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, 115 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Augustine Casino in Coachella, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Barona Resort & Casino in Lakeside, 15 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Bear River Casino Resort in Loleta, 10 miles south of Eureka;
- Black Oak Casino Resort in Tuolumne, 100 miles southeast of Sacramento.
- Blue Lake Casino Hotel in Blue Lake, 10 miles north of Eureka.
- Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, 35 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Cahuilla Casino Hotel in Anza, 30 miles south of Palm Springs.
- Casino Pauma in Pauma Valley, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Cher-Ae Heights Casino in Trinidad, 25 miles north of Eureka.
- Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown, 100 miles southeast of Sacramento.
- Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, 35 miles north of Fresno.
- Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, 40 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.
- Colusa Casino Resort in Colusa, 75 miles north of Sacramento.
- Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley, 115 miles north of San Francisco.
- Desert Rose Casino in Alturas, 100 miles north of Susanville.
- Diamond Mountain Casino Hotel & Brewery in Susanville, 160 miles northeast of Sacramento.
- Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, 60 miles southeast of Fresno.
- Elk Valley Casino in Crescent City, 84 miles north of Eureka.
- Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Feather Falls Casino & Lodge in Oroville, 100 miles north of Sacramento.
- Fort Independence Travel Center & Winnedumah Winns Casino in Independence, 90 miles east of Fresno.
- Garcia River Casino in Point Arena, 130 miles north of San Francisco.
- Gold Country Casino Resort in Oroville, 100 miles north of Sacramento.
- Golden Acorn Casino Travel Center in Campo, 40 miles southeast of San Diego.
- Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, 50 miles north of San Francisco.
- Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Sacramento at Fire Mountain in Wheatland, 36 miles north of Sacramento.
- Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Havasu Landing Resort & Casino in Havasu Lake, 200 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Hidden Oaks Casino in Covelo, 150 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort in Jackson, 50 miles north of Los Angeles.
- Jamul Casino in Jamul, 10 miles east of San Diego.
- Konocti Vista Casino Resort in Lakeport, 120 miles north of San Francisco.
- Lucky 7 Casino Hotel in Smith River, 100 miles north of Eureka.
- Mono Wind Casino in Auberry, 30 miles northeast of Fresno.
- Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Pala Casino Spa and Resort in Pala, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, located 50 miles north of San Diego.
- Pit River Casino in Burney, 190 miles north of Sacramento.
- Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven, 170 miles east of San Diego.
- Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, 250 miles north of Sacramento.
- Red Earth Casino in Salton Sea Beach, 114 miles southeast of Riverside.
- Red Fox Casino in Laytonville, 150 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, 40 miles east of Sacramento.
- Redwood Hotel Casino in Klamath, 65 miles north of Eureka.
- River Rock Casino in Geyserville, 75 miles north of San Francisco.
- Robinson Rancheria Resort, Casino & Bingo in Nice, 115 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- Rolling Hills Casino Resort in Corning, 115 miles north of Sacramento.
- Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake, 120 miles northwest of Sacramento.
- San Manuel Casino in Highland, located 65 miles east of Los Angeles.
- San Pablo Lytton Casino in San Pablo, 15 miles north of Oakland.
- Sherwood Valley Casino in Willits, 130 miles north of San Francisco.
- Soboba Casino Resort in San Jacinto, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, 130 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon, 10 miles east of San Diego.
- Table Mountain Casino in Friant, 15 miles north of Fresno.
- Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, 50 miles south of Fresno.
- Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, 35 miles northeast of Sacramento.
- Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms, 125 miles east of Los Angeles.
- Twin Pine Casino & Hotel in Middletown, 100 miles north of San Francisco.
- Valley View Casino & Hotel in Valley Center, 35 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine, 25 miles east of San Diego.
- Wanaaha Casino in Bishop, 130 miles northeast of Fresno.
- Win-River Casino & Resort in Redding, 163 miles north of Sacramento.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying California slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering California is:
- North: Oregon Slots
- East: Nevada Slots and Arizona Slots
- South: The country of Mexico
- West: Pacific Ocean
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to California.
Our California Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in California? If so, join our California slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group community.
There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in California. Join us!
Payouts and Returns in California
Tribal-state gaming compacts negotiated between the state of California and its 61 tribes do not include theoretical payout limits nor require public reporting of return statistics.
California Legal Slot Machine For Sale
Summary of California Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
California slot machine casino gambling consists of 65 tribal casinos generally located on remote tribal reservations throughout the state.
Annual Progress in California Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, Thunder Valley Casino Resort has fallen from second-largest casino to fourth largest after San Manuel Casino, Pechanga Resort Casino, and Graton Resort & Casino.
Also, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain has, at long last, opened.
Finally, one casino has permanently closed and another underwent a name change:
- Lucky Bear Casino in Hoopa has permanently closed.
- Paiute Palace Casino in Bishop is now the Wanaaha Casino.
Related Posts from Professor Slots
Pa Slot Machine Laws
Other States from Professor Slots
Slot Machine State Laws
- Previous: Arkansas Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Colorado Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Slot Machine Casinos In California
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC