How Much Does a Slot Machine Make Per Day?

Slot machines are a powerhouse industry and make up the vast majority of casino gaming revenue around the world. A recent survey from Global Market Insights pegs the value of the slot machine industry at almost $25 billion by 2032.

But how much do these slots make daily? What factors affect how much revenue these games bring in? Slots show no signs of losing popularity and players around the globe love spinning some reels and playing some bonus games. The sheer size of the industry offers a look at how slots’ popularity grows right along with the gaming industry.

In general slot machines can make anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. A 2021 study by the University of Nevada Las Vegas pegged the average daily revenue for the average casino at $360,544. The amount a property makes on slots can be affected by numerous aspects and those are covered in this article.

Keep reading to learn more about slot machine revenue and how much these games can make per day.

Factors Influencing Slot Machine Revenue

There are some major considerations when it comes to how much a slot machine can make. Some of those key factors include:

• Casino location – Differences in revenue can certainly vary by geographic location. A casino on the Las Vegas Strip will bring in more revenue than casinos on the outskirts of the city.

• Type and popularity of the slot machine – Modern slots feature dynamic graphics, sound effects, and themes. Players love the animations, bonus games, and progressive jackpot opportunities. The industry has come a long way from the mechanical reels of early games. 

• How different types and themes attract players – Modern games have a wide range of themes – from Asian and Irish to animals and mythology. Today’s slots even feature humor, pop culture, and narrative elements. The more popular games keep players coming back for more.

• Casino size and foot traffic – The number of visitors making their way into a casino certainly has an impact on machine usage. Some of the larger casinos in Las Vegas may see thousands of visitors a day and a big percentage of those are playing slots.

• Operational hours – This certainly affects slot machine revenue. Not all properties stay open 24/7. Those open all hours will have significantly higher slot revenue than limited-hour venues.

Average Daily Revenue of Slot Machines

So, how much does a slot machine make per day? The answer isn’t straightforward—it depends on various factors. But some data can help paint a clearer picture.

Small-Scale Venues: Insights from Illinois

Let’s start with video gaming terminals (VGTs) in Illinois, where slot-like machines operate in bars, restaurants, truck stops, and more. According to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB):

• In 2023 the average annual revenue per establishment was over $104,000

• For April 2024, establishments earned an average of $9,300 in gross revenue.

Breaking it down:

• A truck stop with 5 machines could bring in about $1,860 per day.

• A venue with 10 machines might average $930 daily.

These figures don’t include expenses like electricity, leases, or maintenance, but they give a good sense of potential earnings.

Large Casinos: Nevada's Numbers

What about bigger venues? Nevada offers some clues. For the quarter ending June 2024, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported:

• 151,017 licensed slot machines statewide.

• $1.29 billion in quarterly slot revenue

This averages out to about $8,518 per machine per quarter or roughly $95 per day per machine.

What This Means

Revenue can vary widely:

• Small venues like truck stops can earn steady daily revenue.

• Large casinos (especially on the Vegas Strip) bring in significantly more, thanks to foot traffic and premium locations.

From small businesses to mega-casinos, slot machines prove they’re not just fun—they’re financial powerhouses, generating consistent cash one spin at a time.

Return to Player (RTP) and House Edge

Some key contributors make slot machines profitable for casinos. Slots have a built-in house edge on slots that can run as high as 15-20% or more. That is extremely favorable for the casino and guarantees winnings without even having to hire a dealer to run the games. That’s one of the reasons casino operators love slots as they are the key drivers of revenue and add significantly to profit margins.
The American Gaming Association reports on the games’ popularity, noting: “

Casino slots and table games collectively generated $49.37 billion in revenue (in 2023), a 3.3 percent increase compared to 2022.

RTP (return to players) also has a major impact on the revenue casinos make from slots. This is a percentage based on how much a casino keeps out of each dollar wagered on slots. A casino with a 90% RTP is sending 90 cents of every dollar back to players as winnings.

Lower RTPs can mean higher daily earnings as the casino is not giving back as much money to players as winnings. The higher the RTP, the better it is for players.

Operational Costs and Net Profit

While no dealers are required for operating slots, there are some expenses to consider when analyzing how much these machines make. Some overhead casinos must account for include:

• Machine maintenance and repairs – Machines break and must be maintained.

• Licensing and software fees – Costs associated with acquiring games and updates.

• Electricity and utilities – A cost of doing business.

• Staffing and security – Personnel costs impact profits.

• Marketing and advertising – To keep players coming to the casino.

These are just a few of the expenses that casinos must fork over to keep the slot reels spinning. When considering how much a casino profits from slots, consider the following calculation as with any other business: Gross revenue - expenses = net profit

Revenue Models: Owned vs. Leased Machines

When it comes to revenue models, there are generally two that casinos utilize when it comes to slot machines. Here’s a quick look at both of those.

• Casino-owned machines – In this model, the gaming venue owns all the slots. The property thus retains the full revenue from the machines, minus expenses. However, this may come with higher setup costs as well as a larger initial capital outlay. The casinos must also regularly require more cash to purchase new machines.

• Leased machines – This is seen widely in modern slots, and casinos share revenue with manufacturers. The casino corporation has less of a capital outlay, but these agreements also mean more revenue heads to the manufacturer over a long-term agreement. 

These models may also be seen on online gaming platforms. Some platforms lease games and software from developers, while also creating their exclusive games.

Seasonal and Temporal Variations

As with any industry, numerous variables can affect revenue. For example, busier times of the year can mean more slot players and more revenue for casinos.

For example, summer can be a peak season for Las Vegas casinos. This can bring higher foot traffic and just a sheer larger number of players in town.

Revenue can also spike during holidays, such as New Year’s, and special events ranging from major concerts to sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula One race. Major conventions also bring in players who are in town for business but may mix in some slot play. On weekends, more slot players tend to be seen in town as well.

During off-peak periods, revenue may slide. During some times of the day, such as mornings earlier in the week, casinos can expect lower revenue from slots although some players enjoy playing during these quieter moments.

Technological Advancements and Their Impact

Today’s slots are truly technological marvels. A trip to the casino will offer a real view of how far the industry has come and the major game advancements that have boosted revenue for casinos and made slots the most important part of the gaming industry. Some of those innovations include:

• Progressive jackpots – These games allow players the possibility to win multi-million dollar payouts and help draw more players with these eye-popping payouts.

• Advanced graphics, sounds, and more – Games have come a long way from mechanical devices with limited pay lines. Now players will find numerous ways to win, high-definition graphics, advanced sound systems, multi-screen slot cabinets, player interaction, and more.

• Integration of skill-based elements – This is a newer element brought to the world of slots and meant to attract younger demographics. These players may be more accustomed to playing traditional video games on a home system like Xbox or a mobile phone. Skill-based games regularly feature more player interaction in the gameplay.

• Wide range of story elements and bonus games – Developers have gotten much more creative over the last decade, and players will find a wide range of narrative elements, humor, pop culture, and bonus features in slots that really resonate with players.

• Online slots – Gaming companies are now extending their reach beyond physical casinos with online slots available in legalized jurisdictions. Players can often find their favorite games right on their home computer or mobile phone. Many gaming companies are also linking rewards and experiences for players between live casinos and online platforms, offering an omni-channel marketing approach to acquire players and drive revenue. Players have also embraced free-to-play social gaming casino play, such as Jackpot Party.

Comparative Analysis: Slot Machines vs. Other Casino Games

As noted, slot machines can be the largest driver of casino revenue and a quick look at monthly reports from the Nevada Gaming Control Board offers a glimpse into that.

For example, in September 2024 the state saw overall gaming revenue of $1.3 billion. Of that, here’s how that breaks down among the two main gaming categories:

• Table games – $412.9 million

• Slot machines – $894.7 million

Slots accounted for more than double the revenue produced from table games. Blackjack is the most popular table game, checking in at $97.5 million. Baccarat, a game favored by many wealthy players who prefer high-stakes games, follows that at $93.7 million.

By comparison, slots are classified based on the denomination played. Multi-denomination machines are the most popular among these categories and brought in $623 million in September 2024, according to the report. Penny slots came in second at $191.5 million.

Slots are popular with casinos not only for their popularity but also because of the limited staffing needed to manage the games. While a typical craps game may need four dealers as well as a pit boss, slots require no one to take a bet, run a game, and pay out, although there are a few slot attendants to assist players with issues and make hand payouts for large wins. By contrast, dealers at table games may be at a game without any players for long periods.

These numbers above offer a look at just how profitable slots are in live casinos, but recent numbers in New Jersey also point to just how popular online gaming has become. In October 2024, iGaming produced more revenue than live casino gaming for the first time in the Garden State

A look at Pennsylvania gaming numbers for the same month gives a look at the surge online slots have seen in recent years. Online slot play has expanded greatly in Pennsylvania and other states in recent years. Here’s a look at online gaming revenue by category.

• Online slots – $140.9 million (up 28.3% from October 2023)

• Online table games – $45.9 million (up 7.8% from October 2023)

• Online poker – $2.2 million (down 5.9% from October 2023)

Online slots are extremely popular and account for more than three times the revenue from online table games and much more than poker. This form of gaming will probably only continue to grow and more states and countries have considered legalization over the last few years.

Conclusion

Slot machines remain the most popular form of gaming and a critical driver of revenue for casino companies around the world. There are many factors that affect slot machine revenue and how much a slot can make per day. Some of those can include:

• Location and foot traffic

• Seasonal influences

• RTP (return to player)

• Popularity of individual games

• Whether the casino owns or leases slots

Casinos love slots because there is a smaller staff requirement and a high house edge. That means more profits. That has also carried over to playing online. Despite the advantage held by the house, players continue flocking to Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, and other gaming destinations – as well as online – to play what has become the world’s favorite casino options.