The average slot machine payout can range anywhere from 85% to 99% of all coins bet.

Because the casino wants to make a certain amount of money per hour with its slots, the lower the denomination of the machine, the lower the payout.

With a one dollar slot, the casino payback can be perhaps 98%, whereas with a machine at a lower denomination, such as dimes or nickels, the payout must be much lower to achieve the same hourly return for the casino.

A payout percentage of 98% means that 98%, on average, of all money that is inserted into the machine is being paid back to the player. In other words, the casino makes a 2% profit.

On average, you ask. Well, it varies with the geography, Hank, and you didn't mention where you play. But, to keep my rep as a nice guy, here are ballpark averages you will typically find across the U.S.of A.

For nickel machines, paybacks are generally 91%; for quarter machines, 93%; fifty-centers, 94%; for dollar machines, 95%; and for $5 slots, payback approaches 97%.