Slot Machines in Macau

(Last updated: November 3, 2023)

It’s very surprising that Slots is the second most profitable game in Macau, accounting for 7.4% of total gaming revenue in 2022.  The machines never seem to be busy, nor is there any high stake action to speak of, with most minimums topping out at only $10 or $20 Hong Kong dollars.  Compare that to the scene in Vegas, with their outrageous $50 and $100 US dollar limits, and the difference is like night and day.

Regardless, Macau’s plethora of 5, 10 and 25 cent slots outperform much higher minimum table games like Blackjack, Sic Bo and Caribbean Stud Poker, and the reason probably lies in the sheer number of them, with 12,000 currently in operation. 

The question of just how good they are is still unknown, as no one has launched a full scale investigation into slot machine returns, the same way the Wizard of Odds did in Vegas about 20 years ago.  I’d love to be the first one to do it, but I lack both the bankroll and know how to analyze them. 

Until those two issues get rectified, we’ll have to be content with assuming the worst (which is probably 100% correct by the way), that slots in Macau are almost assuredly the poorest bet in the house.

I base this partly on how hideous video poker was back in the day, when Macau still had it.  Hardly any machines returned more than 95%, which could be why it never caught on.  Generally speaking, when video poker is tight then slots are too, and considering how much money they bring in, it’s fair to conclude that they’re sticking it to players in obscene ways. 

In other words, one armed bandits in Macau are notoriously skillful, so you’d best stick to games like Craps, Blackjack and Baccarat which offer far better odds.

For all you need to know about Texas Hold Em in Macau, just follow the link below!