NEVADA GAMING COMMISSION and STATE GAMING CONTROL BOARD

If you have a question about slot machine malfunctions that may be appropriately answered on the Gaming Control Board's website, please submit it to the Webmaster at  gcbwebmaster@gcb.nv.gov   e-mail

1. Why do slot machines malfunction (tilt)?

There are over 209,000 slot machines normally operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week in Nevada and unfortunately, on rare occasions, there are malfunctions. Malfunctions occur for a variety of reasons including, improper tampering, coin jams, empty hoppers, switch failures, computer chip failure, power outages and accidental contact (bumping).

2. What happens when a slot machine malfunctions?

When a malfunction occurs the slot machine will normally not accept additional coins nor play existing credits, the lights on top will flash, the readout on the face of the machine will likely flash or display an unusual number or code (example: 3300 code), the reels may stop briefly then rotate or spin slowly, or there may be an on-screen indication of the problem, such as "hopper empty" or "call attendant."

3. Why are people denied a jackpot payment when a slot machine malfunctions?

With each pull of the handle, or push of the button, a slot machine begins the process of randomly selecting the next alignment of symbols. If a slot machine malfunctions it cannot complete the random selection process, and therefore reverts to a "tilt" mode. When a malfunction occurs some slot machine manufacturers, for engineering purposes, set the reels to stop briefly in a "jackpot" position. When this happens a player may see the reels momentarily stop at a jackpot alignment and then go into a slow spin. This often causes the player to believe a jackpot has been won. In recent years slot machine manufacturers have changed the "stop" location to other than a jackpot alignment to help prevent the misunderstanding.

4. What do I do when a slot machine I am playing malfunctions?

The first thing you do is contact a casino employee. If there is a question of whether or not you have won a jackpot and you dispute the casino's response you may telephone the Gaming Control Board's Enforcement Division. An agent will arbitrate the dispute. If your dispute with the casino is for $500 or more, and cannot be settled, the casino is required to notify the Gaming Control Board.

The Gaming Control Board's Enforcement Division has five offices throughout the state:

The goal and objective of the Nevada Gaming Control Board is to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly and competitively and the public has confidence and trust in the gaming industry. In other words, we want the games to be fair and patrons to have a good time.

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