The 5 Worst Casino Bets Last week we told you about saving money in Las Vegas by making the right wagers. Playing games with a smaller house advantage extends your bankroll and gives you a better chance to win in the casino. The Worst Hotels in Las Vegas and the Reasons to Be in This List August 9, 2019 Ken Johnson. Usually, when we think about Las Vegas, many and different images pop out in our minds And none of them is ugly. We think of beautiful hotels, glamorous casinos.
- Jun 14, 2015 No casino in Las Vegas epitomizes those negatives more than Circus Circus, MGM Resorts' worst performing resort and the most hated property on the Las Vegas Strip. 411 out of 1,174 reviewers on.
- Mar 25, 2015 It should also be no surprise that hotels with bad reputations are some of the least profitable in Las Vegas, at least as measured by EBITDA (a proxy for cash flow from a casino). In 2014, Circus Circus generated just $23.6 million in EBITDA, the worst among MGM's resorts.
- See full list on bestuscasinos.org.
By now, most of the gamblers who visit Las Vegas every year know the Strip is a tourist trap of sorts. Sure, you'll enjoy world-class dining options and an endless array of entertainment, but casinos there are notorious for goosing up their own house edge.
The traditional 3:2 payout for landing a natural 21 in blackjack is watered down to a 6:5 rate, more than tripling the house's inherent edge in that classic card game. Roulette players will almost never find single-zero European wheels.
As for the slots, players have long reported that machines found along Las Vegas Boulevard are typically 'tighter' than elsewhere in Sin City. The idea of tight and loose machines is actually a myth, but tight and loose casinos are quite real.
With that in mind, I put together a list of the seven worst casinos for tight slot machines on the Las Vegas Strip, which you can read down below.
If you're planning on gambling outside The Strip, no worries! I also hit the worst tight slots off the Las Vegas Strip, so be sure to check out it to give you an idea of all your options.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
How do we know these are the tightest slots casinos on the Strip? Well, thanks to the payback percentage surveys conducted by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) every year, you'll see that our recommendations are based off of fact.
Las Vegas Slot Machine Payback Percentage Rates (by Coin Denomination and Region)
1¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 88.38% |
| Downtown | 89.15% |
| Boulder Strip | 90.38% |
| North Las Vegas | 90.88% |
5¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 91.64% |
| Downtown | 93.40% |
| North Las Vegas | 95.29% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.21% |
List Of Las Vegas Casinos
25¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 89.35% |
| Downtown | 94.25% |
| North Las Vegas | 96.41% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.13% |
$1 Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 92.43% |
| Downtown | 94.63% |
| North Las Vegas | 95.39% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.13% |
$1 Megabucks Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 87.83% |
| North Las Vegas | 55.52% |
| Downtown | 89.07% |
| Boulder Strip | 91.35% |
All Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 91.47% |
| Downtown | 92.67% |
| Boulder Strip | 94.34% |
| North Las Vegas | 93.53% |
Below, you'll find the seven worst places on the Strip where tight slots are the norm, based on each venue's overall average payback percentage rate.
1 – The Venetian
Owned and operated by billionaire ghoul and anti-online gambling pariah Sheldon Adelson, the Venetian is the centerpiece of his Las Vegas Sands Corp. Internet casino games.
And while Sands isn't as invasive as fellow casino corporations MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, which collectively own most of the properties along the Strip, Adelson's greed still seeps through into every aspect of the Venetian. That includes the slot parlors, where players are up against the steepest climb anywhere on the Strip by virtue of an atrocious 86.66% average payback rate.
For comparison's sake, that figure is nearly 5% worse than the Strip's overall average of is 91.47%. And remember, the average is already lower than everywhere else in Las Vegas. So, unless you're playing slots at McCarran Airport (85.02%), you simply can't find a worse place to play slots anywhere in Sin City than the Venetian.
2 – Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Like the Venetian, the Bellagio disguises its intentions by using ornate marble floors, vaulted ceilings, art exhibits, and gold plating to make visitors feel in awe of their good fortune. Caesars benefitsnow login.
And while staying at the Bellagio is certainly a true luxury experience, gambling here is a losing bet based on the slot selection's 87.42% payback average. Don't be fooled by the expansive offerings, which include more than 2,300 machines for one of the Strip's largest slot lineups.
Quantity doesn't beat quality in this case, so while you'll likely find all of your favorite games here, the Bellagio carefully balances them with tight machines to ensure its property-wide payback rate is as low as possible.
This is likely because the Bellagio's corporate overlords at MGM Resorts have studied the numbers in and out, so they know their average guest has enough expendable income to weather the storm. In other words, if you're wealthy enough to afford a week at the Bellagio, maybe you just won't notice that the slots there are among the tightest in town.
3 – Mandalay Bay
Another property owned by MGM Resorts, the Mandalay Bay is a curious inclusion on this list. Other than the gold-plated windows that give off a distinctive vibe, the Mandalay Bay isn't exactly on par with the Venetian or the Bellagio in terms of luxury accommodations.
Even so, this eminently average casino still tries to gouge customers with a low 88.87% payback rate on slots.
You might save a few bucks trading out your Bellagio reservations for a Mandalay Bay stay, but the slot gameplay here is still just as awful.
4 – Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
The flagship property of Caesars Entertainment is, obviously, Caesars Palace. It's one of the original monuments of Las Vegas excess found on the Strip.
And sure enough, Caesars Palace is home to the award-winning, world-class Bacchanal Buffet, a thriving poker room, and top-notch amenities across the board.
If it wasn't for that pesky 89.05% average payback rate on slot play, I'd probably stay here every time I head out to the desert for a little fun. Unfortunately, that payback rate is far too low to be considered competitive, so do yourself a favor and consider Caesars Palace the perfect place to shop, eat, and catch a show—but never to spin the slots.
5 – The Mirage
I used to love the Mirage back in the 1990s, when famed tiger tamers Siegfried and Roy wowed audiences nightly and the poker room was home to World Champion pros. Tunefab screen recorder 1 0 6 download free.
Things have changed though, as they always do. Today, the MGM Resorts-owned Mirage is widely considered to be 'middle of the road' fare for casinos on the Strip. Everything at the Mirage is just 'meh,' right down to the 89.30% average payback rate for slot players.
6 – Treasure Island
Another holdover from the ‘90s glory days, Treasure Island (or 'TI' after a disastrous rebranding effort) was sold by MGM Resorts to billionaire Phil Ruffin in 2008.
And like any billionaire worth his salt, Ruffin quickly set to work stripping his new acquisition for parts, swapping out loose slots for tight machines that combine for an 89.32% average payback.
Today, the Treasure Island experience can best be described as a bargain basement affair, with Ruffin showing no qualms about underserving his customers to better serve himself.
7 – Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Last but not least, Harrah's is one of the 'middle of the road' offerings under the Caesars Entertainment corporate umbrella.
Oxygen not included mac download. Everything here is fine, no better and no worse, which seems to be what Harrah's is all about.
I might pass through while looking for a decent meal, or maybe some shopping with the wife, but I wouldn't be caught dead competing against Harrah's low 89.325 average payback for slots.
Paris Las Vegas
Las Vegas Slot Machine Payback Percentage Rates (by Coin Denomination and Region)
1¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 88.38% |
| Downtown | 89.15% |
| Boulder Strip | 90.38% |
| North Las Vegas | 90.88% |
5¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 91.64% |
| Downtown | 93.40% |
| North Las Vegas | 95.29% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.21% |
List Of Las Vegas Casinos
25¢ Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 89.35% |
| Downtown | 94.25% |
| North Las Vegas | 96.41% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.13% |
$1 Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 92.43% |
| Downtown | 94.63% |
| North Las Vegas | 95.39% |
| Boulder Strip | 96.13% |
$1 Megabucks Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 87.83% |
| North Las Vegas | 55.52% |
| Downtown | 89.07% |
| Boulder Strip | 91.35% |
All Slot Machines
| Region | Average Payback |
|---|---|
| The Strip | 91.47% |
| Downtown | 92.67% |
| Boulder Strip | 94.34% |
| North Las Vegas | 93.53% |
Below, you'll find the seven worst places on the Strip where tight slots are the norm, based on each venue's overall average payback percentage rate.
1 – The Venetian
Owned and operated by billionaire ghoul and anti-online gambling pariah Sheldon Adelson, the Venetian is the centerpiece of his Las Vegas Sands Corp. Internet casino games.
And while Sands isn't as invasive as fellow casino corporations MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, which collectively own most of the properties along the Strip, Adelson's greed still seeps through into every aspect of the Venetian. That includes the slot parlors, where players are up against the steepest climb anywhere on the Strip by virtue of an atrocious 86.66% average payback rate.
For comparison's sake, that figure is nearly 5% worse than the Strip's overall average of is 91.47%. And remember, the average is already lower than everywhere else in Las Vegas. So, unless you're playing slots at McCarran Airport (85.02%), you simply can't find a worse place to play slots anywhere in Sin City than the Venetian.
2 – Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Like the Venetian, the Bellagio disguises its intentions by using ornate marble floors, vaulted ceilings, art exhibits, and gold plating to make visitors feel in awe of their good fortune. Caesars benefitsnow login.
And while staying at the Bellagio is certainly a true luxury experience, gambling here is a losing bet based on the slot selection's 87.42% payback average. Don't be fooled by the expansive offerings, which include more than 2,300 machines for one of the Strip's largest slot lineups.
Quantity doesn't beat quality in this case, so while you'll likely find all of your favorite games here, the Bellagio carefully balances them with tight machines to ensure its property-wide payback rate is as low as possible.
This is likely because the Bellagio's corporate overlords at MGM Resorts have studied the numbers in and out, so they know their average guest has enough expendable income to weather the storm. In other words, if you're wealthy enough to afford a week at the Bellagio, maybe you just won't notice that the slots there are among the tightest in town.
3 – Mandalay Bay
Another property owned by MGM Resorts, the Mandalay Bay is a curious inclusion on this list. Other than the gold-plated windows that give off a distinctive vibe, the Mandalay Bay isn't exactly on par with the Venetian or the Bellagio in terms of luxury accommodations.
Even so, this eminently average casino still tries to gouge customers with a low 88.87% payback rate on slots.
You might save a few bucks trading out your Bellagio reservations for a Mandalay Bay stay, but the slot gameplay here is still just as awful.
4 – Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
The flagship property of Caesars Entertainment is, obviously, Caesars Palace. It's one of the original monuments of Las Vegas excess found on the Strip.
And sure enough, Caesars Palace is home to the award-winning, world-class Bacchanal Buffet, a thriving poker room, and top-notch amenities across the board.
If it wasn't for that pesky 89.05% average payback rate on slot play, I'd probably stay here every time I head out to the desert for a little fun. Unfortunately, that payback rate is far too low to be considered competitive, so do yourself a favor and consider Caesars Palace the perfect place to shop, eat, and catch a show—but never to spin the slots.
5 – The Mirage
I used to love the Mirage back in the 1990s, when famed tiger tamers Siegfried and Roy wowed audiences nightly and the poker room was home to World Champion pros. Tunefab screen recorder 1 0 6 download free.
Things have changed though, as they always do. Today, the MGM Resorts-owned Mirage is widely considered to be 'middle of the road' fare for casinos on the Strip. Everything at the Mirage is just 'meh,' right down to the 89.30% average payback rate for slot players.
6 – Treasure Island
Another holdover from the ‘90s glory days, Treasure Island (or 'TI' after a disastrous rebranding effort) was sold by MGM Resorts to billionaire Phil Ruffin in 2008.
And like any billionaire worth his salt, Ruffin quickly set to work stripping his new acquisition for parts, swapping out loose slots for tight machines that combine for an 89.32% average payback.
Today, the Treasure Island experience can best be described as a bargain basement affair, with Ruffin showing no qualms about underserving his customers to better serve himself.
7 – Harrah's Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Last but not least, Harrah's is one of the 'middle of the road' offerings under the Caesars Entertainment corporate umbrella.
Oxygen not included mac download. Everything here is fine, no better and no worse, which seems to be what Harrah's is all about.
I might pass through while looking for a decent meal, or maybe some shopping with the wife, but I wouldn't be caught dead competing against Harrah's low 89.325 average payback for slots.
Paris Las Vegas
Conclusion
The Strip deserves its title as the world's gambling capital, and without it, Las Vegas would still be a dusty outpost seldom visited by outsiders. Sugarhouse casino reviews. Neon lights, superstar entertainers, and unique tourist destinations combine to make strolling down Las Vegas Boulevard a once-in-a-lifetime experience for newcomers.
On the other hand, corporatization has turned the Strip into a money pit for budget-minded visitors and sharp gamblers alike. When you know the score regarding payback percentage comparisons, playing slots at the well-known casino resorts listed above simply doesn't make financial sense.
August 9, 2019 Ken JohnsonUsually, when we think about Las Vegas, many and different images pop out in our minds… And none of them is ugly. We think of beautiful hotels, glamorous casinos, gowns and tuxedos, official dinners, sightseeing, gambling, fun, fun, fun. But the reality is different in some spots there. In the Makkah of gambling, some venues earned a space in our list of the worst hotels in Las Vegas of all time! Anyway, if you are planning a trip, let us give you a few tips on where to go. Or better, where to never go!
1. Tropicana
Tropicana is the hotel that grabbed our attention with… with their lack of attention. And therefore, it is the first among the worst hotels in Las Vegas An old and unmaintained facility with paint and wallpapers peeling away. From problems with the appliances to troubles with the offered services, everything in the hotel screams ‘Stay away!'!
2. Harrah's
Another name that should ring a bell in your head. The bell sings ‘Never spend your money there'! According to visitors, the place was overall dirty. Many complaints stated that the rooms had a peculiar odour… in simple rules, it stinks! And on top of it all, the employees seem to behave quite rude with the customers.
3. Stratosphere
It is a pity that this hotel has to enter our list because the tower is one of the memorable things about Vegas. But still, the hotel's management is on the rude site and the services are below any level. Most people who experienced the Stratosphere shared that the place doesn't even seem safe and some reported that their belongings were stolen.
4. Treasure Island
Something that was born as an innovation but was left to rot is the hotel Treasure Island. Remember when we talked about glamorous casinos, luxury and so on? Yeah, well, you will not find it here. The best that you can get is impolite behaviour, old structure with many, many faults, garnished with a bit of smell.
5. Circus Circus
For a hotel with such a name, we would expect Circus Circus to grant some fun to its customers. And maybe it does… Maybe it gets funny when the people leave, and in years remember the terrible experience, you know, on a family gathering or something. Because visitors are not satisfied with the welcoming, the rooms, the noise… Generally, nothing works with this hotel.
6. The Luxor
Strangely enough, also this hotel enters our list. And we were quite disappointed, taking into account all the photos of people in front of its pyramid. But apparently is better to stay out of the hotel, since nor the accommodation, nor the services matched even an acceptable level for the ridiculously high prices.
7. Travelodge
Worst Casino In Vegas
This is a visibly old venue that is in desperate need of renewal. And while it really offers quite low prices, compared to the rest of the hotels around Vegas, it easily jumped in the ranks of these awful hotels, with reviews of stinky rooms and bathrooms, broken showers, dirty bedsheets and so on.
8. Hooters Casino Hotel
The biggest problem of this hotel appears to be the security, which is somehow missing… There are some faces moving around the Hooters, which you would prefer to stay away, according to visitors' reviews. Plus, the rooms are not the cleanest and they are way too small to be appealing.
9. Siegel Slots and Suites
This is a wallet-friendly option and many people did the mistake to let their guard down because of the prices. Unfortunately, what you pay is too much for what you get. Except for the visible problems of the building, like old and unpleasant walls, floors and even furniture, the staff can hardly be called polite. But the biggest problem of the hotel is the noise that simply never stops.
10. Excalibur
If you are a fan of swords or castle-looking hotels, Excalibur, without a doubt, will sparkle your interest. But you should be aware of what you are getting yourself in. Except that it really needs renewal, it needs some cleaning too. The facility and the services are not at all what they should be and the overall experience of customers is worryingly low.
We hope that our brief introduction to the worst hotels in Las Vegas will be of help the next time when you are wondering where to go for a trip. If you are in the mood for Vegas, but you are also put down by these awful hotels, you can check out our page about the best online casinos around.
