PS 76: Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A)

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

PS 76: Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slots in 2019 Opening

Hello! Today’s episode #76 of the Professor Slots podcast includes special events winning slots strategies as well as a slots-related question and answer session. Plus, in this episode I’ll be covering the current state of slot machine casino gambling in the great U.S. states of Indiana and Iowa.

Thank you for joining me for the Professor Slots podcast show. I’m Jon Friedl and this is the podcast about slot machine casino gambling. It is where I provide knowledge, insights, and tools for helping you improve your slot machine gambling performance. On Last Week’s Episode…

In case you missed it, on my last episode I went over how American Prohibition was the Golden Age of Slot Machines.

Further, I reviewed Idaho and Illinois slot machine casino gambling in 2019.

I hope you enjoyed listening to my last episode as much as I enjoyed making it for you. Call to Action #1 (add sound effect afterward)

Remember to visit professorslots.com/subscribe to get my Free Report Revealing … The top 7 online resources for improving your gambling performance, including the one I’ve used as a top-tier slot machine casino gambler. YouTube Q&A Session from February 1, 2020

Here’s the audio recording of my latest live Q&A session. Call to Action #2 (add sound effect afterward)

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Up next is the second segment of the show on slot machine casino gambling. Here, I provide a brief overview of the current state of gambling in two U.S. states, territories, or the federal district emphasizing, by far, anything of interest to slot machine casino gamblers.

Up next is Indiana slot machine casino gambling in 2019. Here goes!

Indiana slot machine casino gambling consists of eleven commercial casinos, two pari- mutuel wagering racetracks, and one tribal casino.

Indiana does not offer payout limits but does provide annual and monthly return statistics for its non-tribal casinos. Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Indiana

The minimum legal gambling age in Indiana depends upon the gambling activity:

• Casinos: 21 • Poker Rooms: 21 • Bingo: 21 • Lottery: 18 • Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Indiana’s 1851 constitution banned lotteries, historically interpreted by courts to mean all gambling. In 1988, Indiana approved a constitutional amendment removing this ban. Within months, cities with economic difficulties had casino proposals.

In 2007, Indiana allowed horse tracks to have as many as 2,000 electronic gaming machines. Further, the state legislature approved land-based casinos in 2015. Also, in 2015, the state legislature approved a measure allowing riverboat casinos to move into a land-based casino facility if located on their current property.

The state of Indiana has a federally-recognized American Indian tribe. In 2015, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians successfully negotiated a tribal-state compact subsequently approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.

By the compact’s terms, the tribal casino could only have Class II bingo-style gaming machines. In early 2018, the tribe opened its first tribal casino. Slot Machine Private Ownership in Indiana

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Next up is a usually short statement about slot machine private ownership, which I have included in case you live in this U.S. state and are considering owning a slot machine. Here it is:

In Indiana, it is legal to own a slot machine privately if it is 40 years old or older. Gaming Control Board in Indiana

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) regulates gaming in Indiana. The IGC offers comprehensive annual reports on all aspects of legal gaming in Indiana. Indiana’s two other gaming commissions regulate the Hoosier Lottery and Indiana Horse Racing.

The Indiana Gaming Commission has a law enforcement arm called the Gaming Control Division. Its primary role is to investigate illegal gambling. Enforcement of illegal gambling at bars and taverns is by the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. Casinos in Indiana

In this section, I’ll discuss Indiana gambling establishments.

There are eleven commercial casinos, two pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, and one American Indian tribal casino in Indiana.

The largest casino in Indiana is Horseshoe Casino Hammond with 2,123 gaming machines, 116 table games, and a 34-table poker room.

The second-largest casino is Indiana Grand Racing Casino with 2,020 gaming machines. Non-Tribal Casinos in Indiana

Indiana’s thirteen commercial casinos include its original ten riverboat casinos, an additional land-based casino, and two pari-mutuel wagering racetracks with slot machines.

As usual when there are too many casinos to mention here, a complete list along with links to their websites, assuming they’ve set one up, is available on my website blog article for this state at professorslots.com/IN. American Indian Casinos in Indiana

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Indiana’s tribal casino is the Four Winds Casino South Bend located 150 miles north of Indianapolis directly east of Chicago on the border to Michigan. It offers 1,800 Class II competition-style gaming machines alongside live poker tables.

Poker has been interpreted in Indiana as a skill-based game and, therefore, just another Class II game. It is considered a competition-style game as players bet against each other and aren’t betting “against the house” or casino. Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Indiana slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Indiana is:

• North: Michigan • East: Ohio • South: Kentucky • West: Illinois

To visit any of my articles on these U.S. states, simply visit ProfessorSlots.com followed by its two-letter postal designation. For example, my Michigan slots article is available at ProfessorSlots.com/MI. Our Indiana Slots Community Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Indiana? If so, join our Indiana slots community on Facebook at professorslots.com/FBIN. All you'll need is a Facebook profile to join this private Facebook Group freely.

There, you'll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Indiana. Again, use this convenient link I’ve created to go directly to our Group on Facebook: professorslots.com/FBIN. Join us! Payout Returns in Indiana

Indiana has not set minimum or maximum theoretical payout return limits. Monthly and annual return statistics are available, although none are available from the tribal casino. The annual reports detail return statistics by slot machine denomination.

The IGC’s 2019 annual report has Electronic Gaming Device (EGD) COIN-IN on page 41. The next page has EGD Win. Divide WIN by COIN-IN, then subtract the result from 100% to calculate a player’s win percentage.

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

For your convenience, I have calculated the mid-2018 through mid-2019 player win percentages for each casino below. In addition to an annual report, the Indiana Gaming Commission also offers monthly revenue reports by the 11th of the following month.

Again, use COIN IN and WIN to calculate the player’s win percentage. Unlike the annual reports, these monthly reports do not contain return statistics by slot machine denomination.

The mid-2018 through mid-2019 statewide annual player’s win percentage is 90.52%. The monthly statewide player’s win% was slightly less at 90.45%. Further, I’ve calculated and placed the latest annual and monthly player win percentages for each casino in my article at ProfessorSlots.com/IN.

The casino with the highest annual return was French Lick. The highest monthly return went to Rising Star. It’s worth mentioning that French Lick had the second-highest annual return and Rising Star the third-highest in the previous year.

The casino with the lowest annual return was, once again, this year, Tropicana Evansville. Its monthly return was the second-lowest while Majestic Star II had the lowest. Summary of Indiana Slots in 2019

In summary, Indiana slot machine casino gambling consists of 10 riverboat casinos, one land-based casino, two pari-mutual racetracks with slot machines, and a tribal casino with Class II bingo-style gaming machines.

Indiana’s casinos don’t operate under theoretical payout limits. However, non-tribal casinos have annual return statistics by casino and slot machine denomination. Monthly return statistics are by the casino only. Annual Progress in Indiana Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, Horseshoe Casino Hotel Southern Indiana became Caesars Southern Indiana. Hoosier Park has become Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Call to Action #3 (add sound effect afterward)

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Introduction

Up next is the second state comprising this episode segment: Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019. Here goes!

Iowa slot machine casino gambling consists of 16 riverboat casinos, four tribal casinos, and three pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines.

Payout return minimum and maximum limits have been legally set for four tribal casinos, but none exist for the 19 commercial casinos. However, payout return statistics are available for these commercial casinos. Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Iowa

The minimum legal gambling age in Iowa does not depend upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21 • Poker Rooms: 21 • Bingo: 21 • Lottery: 21 • Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 21

Iowa has had a steady progress toward various forms of legalized gambling, sometimes the first state in the nation to offer them via constitutional amendments. This timeline includes:

• 1972: Games of change such as bingo and raffles • 1983: Pari-mutuel wagering at racetracks • 1985: State lottery • 1989: Excursion boat gambling approved • 1991: Riverboat gambling boats opened (first in the nation) • 1992: Tribal-state compacts approved for tribal casinos • 1994: Slot machines allowed at pari-mutuel wagering sites • 2004: Permanent mooring of riverboat casinos allowed • 2005: Many new licenses granted for new riverboat casinos

Iowa is at the forefront of the gambling industry with regards to legalized gambling. It was the first state to legalize riverboat casinos. Also, they were the first to legally allow both slot machines and table games at pari-mutuel racetrack facilities. By doing so, they created the first so-called racinos.

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

In mid-2017, the IRGC requested gaming market analysis studies from two independent contracting companies. These comprehensive Iowa gaming market studies became publicly available in October 2017.

The negotiated and approved tribal-state gaming compacts for Iowa’s three federally- recognized tribes is available at Indian Gaming Compacts within the Indian Affairs Division of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Slot Machine Private Ownership in Iowa

Regarding slot machine private ownership, in Iowa it is legal to own a slot machine privately if it is 25 years of age or older. Gaming Control Boards in Iowa

The Iowa legislature created the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) with the passing of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act of May 1983. The IRGC administers this Act and the Exclusive Boat Gambling Act of 1989, which legalized riverboat casinos. Casinos in Iowa

There are 16 riverboat casinos, four American Indian tribal casinos, and three pari- mutuel wagering racinos in Iowa.

The largest casino in Iowa is Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino with 1,682 gaming machines and 50 table games.

The second-largest casino is Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs with 1,526 gaming machines and 26 table games. Non-Tribal Casinos in Iowa

There are 19 commercial casinos in Iowa, including riverboat casinos and pari-mutuel wagering racetracks with slot machines.

The three tribal casinos in Iowa are:

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

1. Blackbird Bend Casino in Onawa located 35 miles southeast of Sioux City near the Nebraska border. 2. Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama located 64 miles northeast of Des Moines. 3. WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan located 27 miles south of Sioux City near the Nebraska border. Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Iowa slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Iowa is:

• North: Minnesota • East: Wisconsin and Illinois • South: Missouri • West: Nebraska and South Dakota

To visit any of my articles on these U.S. states, simply visit ProfessorSlots.com followed by its two-letter postal designation. For example, my Minnesota slots article is available at ProfessorSlots.com/MN. Payout Returns in Iowa

No payout return statistics are available from Iowa’s tribal casinos. However, both minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits exist. These limits are 80% and 99%, respectively, over the expected lifetime of the device.

No legal limits exist for theoretical payout returns on slot machines for Iowa’s commercial casinos. However, the IRGC makes return statistics available at Casino Payback Percentages. This one-page PDF document provides an average payout return for each casino for the last three months.

For the last three months ending in November 2019, the highest return went to Prairie Meadows at 91.8%. This casino’s player’s win percentage was a full point higher than the next casino return. Lakeside Casino had the lowest player’s win percentage at 89.0%.

The IRGC also makes return statistics for commercial casinos available at Gaming Revenue Reports. Here, monthly hold percentages are available by both casino and slot machine denomination as Slot Revenue Percentage. Remember, convert this casino hold% to player win% by subtracting it from 100%. Summary to Iowa Slots in 2019

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Iowa slot machine casino gambling consists of 23 commercial and tribal casinos including pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines.

Theoretical payout limits are 80% and 99% at the four tribal casinos, but no theoretical limits exist for the commercial casinos. However, monthly payout return statistics are available for each commercial casino and slot machine denomination. Annual Progress in Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel fell from the second-largest casino in Iowa to the fourth-largest. Both the Horseshoe and Ameristar casinos in Council Bluffs have surpassed Meskwaki Bingo. Call to Action #4 (add sound effect afterward)

Part I of the next episode of the Professor Slots podcast is mostly likely going to be a live Q&A session on YouTube.

Remember, my weekly Q&A session on YouTube is on Saturdays from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. ET. Bring whatever slots questions you have, and I’ll do my best to answer them. An easy-to-remember link to my YouTube channel is ProfessorSlots.com/Live. Feel free to stop by anytime during my hour-long Q&A.

To suggest a topic or ask a question which might end up as a blog article or on a podcast episode, email it to [email protected] where Jon is spelled J-O-N.

Part II of the next episode of the Professor Slots podcast is another brief overview of the current state of gambling in two U.S. states, territories, or the federal district. Next time, I’ll be talking to you about the great U.S. states of Kansas and Kentucky in 2020. Closing (closing music)

That’s the end of another great episode of the Professor Slots podcast. Thanks so much for listening!

Questions and More Questions (Live Q&A) | Indiana and Iowa Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019

Show notes for this episode are now available within most podcast Apps, but are also available on my website at professorslots.com/episode76.

I plan to have the next episode come out very soon for you, where I’ll have more amazing content for the show.

Until the next episode: Have fun, be safe, and make good choices! Bye.

320-character description:

With Super Bowl held today, I started yesterday’s live Q&Q session with reviewing two of my winning slots strategies which take advantage of special events and holidays promoted at casinos. Quite a few slots players joined, so we switched over to questions, questions, and more questions! Plus, Indiana & Iowa slots in 2019. 156-character description:

With Super Bowl today, I reviewed event-based strategies. We switched over to questions, questions, and more questions. Plus, Indiana & Iowa slots in 2019.