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A Video Lottery Terminal or VLT is a gambling machine that allows gamblers to bet on the outcome of a video game.
A VLT is similar to a slot machine, the difference being that the outcome of a VLT game is determined entirely by a computer. This allows VLT operators to reduce payouts by a substantial margin.
Canada
VLTs were introduced by Canadian provinces in the early 1990s, and as of 2005 all provinces permit VLT's due to the massive revenues they generate. VLTs are located in licenced establishments that are not accessible to minors.
The prevalence of VLTs in Canada has prompted massive criticism both domestically and abroad. VLTs are considered to be the crack cocaine of gambling because of their ability to cause gambling addictions for significant segment of the population.
The payouts offered by VLTs are invariably poor. For example, in Las Vegas most slot machines pay out approximately 98 cents for every dollar they take in (98%). By contrast, Canadian VLTs pay out 74% of their intake, on average. This varies by province - in Saskatchewan, the average payout is only 53%.
United States
In 1990, West Virginia introduced the concept of racinos when it allowed MTR Gaming Group to add VLTs to Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester.
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