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In our quest to seek out the "loosest slots" in America, Gambling911.com found casinos that routinely end up on top of the list. While we can't independently confirm whether these casinos host the "loosest slots" in the country, there is a common perception, based on gambler feedback, that they do.
Loose slots are those that have a higher theoretical payout percentage.
To compare, a slot with 96–98% RTP is considered relatively loose while a slot with 88–92% RTP would be considered tighter.
Gambling911.com just posted its Top Ranked Land-Based Casinos in Florida Based on Customer Feedback in 2026 and found that a few of these Florida-based casinos were perceived to have "tight slots". Again, this may just be based on perception. But if it's happening again and again with each visit.... gamblers may be onto something.
Las Vegas Loose Slots - Circus Circus
1. Main Street Station Casino
2. The D Las Vegas
3. El Cortez Hotel & Casino
4. Palace Station
5. Rampart Casino
6. Circus Circus
These rankings are per TicketKite.
In regard to Circus Circus, they observe:
"Yup, even the Strip has its moments. Circus Circus might be geared toward families, but slot lovers know this place is quietly home to some of the loosest penny slots around. If you want low-stakes fun with a chance to win big, this is your best bet right on Las Vegas Boulevard."
OnTheStrip concurs:
"Circus Circus has the loosest slots on the Strip. A locals favorite, Magnificent 7's $1 slot machine returns 97.4%. A $1 slot machine on the Strip traditionally returns 95% to 96%."
It's old and dated, yes (part of the casino's unique charm)....but actual gamblers agree the slots are indeed "loose".
jeanniepep on TripAdvisor writes:
"The slots were very loose indeed! Circus Circus was the ONLY place I won during my entire trip. The afternoon totally got away from me and I didn't even realize we'd spent nearly 5 hours in there. I put about $40 total into various slots, and walked away with more than $100 cash, plus in 5 hours of gambling had earned a free t-shirt, giant (and STRONG) frozen drink with a heavy glass souvenir mug, and a very nice little tote bag to lug it all around in. Not exactly a mortgage payment, but not bad for an afternoon's entertainment!
"I definitely would not stay at Circus Circus, too old & dated & way too far away from the center Strip for my tastes. I would for sure come back and throw some money in the slot machines again though! That was a very fun day!"
Resorts World New York City (Nassau OTB area)
This may be more than perception as the average payout here comes in around 96.9% RTP, significantly higher than many U.S. casino averages, and well above the 88–92% RTP considered to be "tight" we cite above.
CasinoCenter.com conducted its own review of the property to arrive at the "loosest slots" outcome.
For the fourth year running, the award for Loosest Slots in the U.S. goes to Nassau OTB at Resorts World New York City in Queens. This year, its 1,000 machines returned 96.94 percent of wagers to players—a little less than last year, but still towering over the rest of the industry.
Reviews of the casino itself are mixed.
JS Schaffel at TripAdvisor felt the slot play was "fair" and the casino decent.
"The hotel is the best place to stay in the JFK area. Reviewing resort world means reviewing the hotel and the casino separately as they are attached only. The hyatt is now the niciest hotel near JFK airport. The attached casino offers wide selection of food services. It is Malaysion owned, not a hyatt propery so do not expect a free room regardless of how much you lose at the casino. Casino does send free comps after the visit in some cases. Casino is massive, no live table games but slots are fair. Large free parking for those that drive in, if they allow long term parking for those who use airport it makes up for the pricey hotel rooms. There is the new TWA hotel, but its expensive and isolated inside airport which is both good and bad."
brooklyn18 writes:
"Place has always been clean when I go, and the slots do pay out. People go with a few hundred dollars and complain they didn’t win, well as with any casino you have to bet some money to win."
Reviews over the years mention malfunctioning slots and machines missing buttons.
"Most slots have been broken for years," notes Trip142674 at TripAdvisor.
Atlantic City - Borgata and Bally's
Harrah’s offera the loosest slots in town at 91. 65 percent and Borgata at 91.03 percent, according to CasinoCenter, though these are entering into "tighter" range perhaps.
Food4Thought on Reddit points out that information pertaining to the "loosest slots" is published monthly by none other than the Department of Gaming Enforcement.
"Harrahs has been #1 loosest on slots every month for years. Ocean is at or near the bottom. Borgata is generally #2.
"The machine you choose does matter, most slots are high volatility meaning you win less often but when you win, you win big. These make the most money for casino. If you really are interested in minimizing the house edge you should stick to slots without grands, majors, minis, etc.
"A big caveat is that the higher denomination you play, the better the return to player is, even on the high volatility machines. You need a big bank roll however.
"If you want to hit it big quick, do high volatility. If you want to play a long time, do low volatility slots, video poker, or table games. I still just assume im going to lose no matter what and just have fun."
Colorado Loosest Slots
CasinoCenter reports that Cripple Creek has their Loosest Slots award for Colorado six years running.
"The dedication of the town’s two casinos to loose slots was verified by the takeover of Johnny Nolon’s Casino and Colorado Grande Casino by Rocky Mountain Gaming, a partnership of Michael Gaughan III and former Coast Casinos executive David Ross. Rocky Mountain Gaming received the Strictly Slots Loose Slots certification early this year.
"The reason is the philosophy of Gaughan and Ross of offering a fair gamble to slot patrons. As proven by the Loosest Slots awards, that has extended to the actual results."
If you visit Johnny Nolon's Casino or Colorado Grande Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, you will likely notice the "Certified Loose" ads posted on the slot machines.
The owners of the casinos, Rocky Mountain Gaming, took over in October of 2024.
“While many casinos promote loose slots and jackpot winners, we wanted to prove it to our guests,” said David Ross, Partner of Rocky Mountain Gaming. “We knew the Loose Slots Certification from Strictly Slots magazine was the most prestigious certification in the industry and felt we were qualified."
Benny Wilkerson concurs:
"The slots are nice and we left full in food and winnings to start our successful 6hour night of casino hopping in Cripple Creek." in his Google review.
- Steve Cooper, Gambling911.com
