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STOP (Slot Totals Offend Players) Awards 2007.
Before 2007 gets away from us, it’s time to nominate the STOP Awards for the worst payouts offered in the US Slots Playground.
These 'selective' awards include only those land-based gaming areas that report and regulate their payouts, thereby allowing a conclusion based on published statistics.
To tabulate these awards, we used the last 7 months of total slot payouts percentages to include slots, video poker, keno—all slots, for each casino or gaming region depending on the method of reporting. Therefore, some STOP’s are nominated by region rather than a specific casino.
Additionally, for the first time, we list the top 3 STOP Awards and the average % for 7 months.
I know there are many other casinos in the US and Canada that deserve a STOP award, however, if these casinos choose not to report (another rant for another time), then we cannot include them.
It comes down to, "If they don’t report, we can’t decide."
The previous STOP awards for 2006 are published below for comparison.
Here are the results with the average % for 7 months:
Atlantic City: Showboat=90.5%, Caesars=91.0%, Bally’s=91.0% (tie for 2nd and 3rd)
Note that all three casinos are Harrah’s properties. The Sands, in third place last time, closed in 2006 and it looks like both Caesars and Bally’s have taken its place.
Illinois: Harrah’s Metropolis=90.4%, Harrah’s Joliet=91.95%, Par-a-Dice=92.0%
In 2006, Harrah’s Joliet jumped out replaced by Hollywood Aurora, but what a difference a year makes as Joliet jumps in again.
Indiana: Resorts=90.5%, Aztar Evansville=91.2%, French Lick=91.3%
Some good news for Harrah’s as the Horseshoe is out of 2nd place, but Resorts and Aztar return for another nomination.
Iowa: Horseshoe=90.6%, Ameristar 2=90.95%, Harrah’s=90.98%
While both Harrah’s properties are in this space again, Ameristar 2 has nudged in the middle tossing out Catfish Bend.
Louisiana: Lakes Charles=91.95%, Shreveport/Bossier=91.96%, New Orleans=91.98%
Although, Baton Rouge is not on this list, there is only .02% difference between the other three gaming areas in this category, so I wouldn’t be in a hurry to play at casinos in Baton Rouge.
Also note, that once again Lake Charles is the first on the list. I want to be sympathetic because Louisiana has endured one long nightmare since Katrina, but the whole state is ‘not a good bet’ for slot players currently.
Missouri: Aztar Caruthersville=90%, Harrah’s, N. KC=91.1%, Ameristar St. Charles=91.2%
If you’ve already peeked at the top STOP award, you will understand this line-up. But, there’s good news for Mark Twain who is replaced by Ameristar...there’s that name again, see Iowa.
Nevada: Lake Tahoe=92.7%, Vegas Strip=92.98%, Mesquite=93.1%.
First and second remain the same, but Laughlin is replaced by Mesquite. In an odd twist, I noted that Mesquite is at the top of the payouts report for Nevada this month, but then we know that one month does not a trend make, right?
Colorado: Blackhawk=93.4%, Central City=93.6%, Cripple Creek=93.9%
Central City is finally out the top spot, but by only .2%.
Mississippi: N. River=92.61%, S. River=93.08%, Coastal=93.43%
I commented last time that perhaps North River – Tunica area casinos were changing their ways, but alas I was optimistic. Yet again, the best place to play in MS is the Coastal region.
Connecticut: Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun=91.3% - a tie.
Normally, I don’t publish the two CT. casinos as their payouts are so close every month, but with this analysis over 7 months, I found it astounding that there is an exact tie. Hmm. Conclusion?
Top 3 Stop Awards: The casinos that are the worst overall from first to third:
The winner is - Aztar Caruthersville, MO at 90%
Second: Harrah’s Metropolis at 90.4%
Third: Harrah’s Showboat, A.C and Resorts, IN. tied at 90.5%
In conclusion, for the second year, Harrah’s properties are named for at least one STOP award for each gaming jurisdiction except 3--Indiana, Colorado and Connecticut.
I invite your comments and/or nominations and hope this report has assisted with your slot playing choices.
Below, find the STOP Awards for 2006 for comparison.
Atlantic City: Showboat, Caesars and Sands.
Tropicana and Trump Plaza are back in ‘better payouts’ territory but this research begs the question, "What happened to Harrah’s Caesars?" I remember when Caesars was tops for payouts and comps.
Illinois: Harrah's Metropolis, Hollywood Aurora and Par-A-Dice.
Harrah's Joliet is better than last year, but attention should be paid to Metropolis.
Indiana: Resorts, Harrah’s Horseshoe and Aztar, Evansville.
Blue Chip is out of the line-up from last year’s results.
Iowa: Harrah’s Bluffs Run, Harrah’s Council Bluffs and Catfish Bend.
A double whammy by Harrah’s tosses Mississippi Belle 2 into the ‘better’ column.
Louisiana: Lake Charles area yet again. Yikes--after 4 nominations, you would think there might be some improvements.
You guessed it--Harrah’s does have a casino in this area, however to be fair; there is also Isle of Capri and L’Auberge du Lac.
Missouri: Aztar, Caruthersville, Mark Twain and Harrah’s.
Harrah’s again knocks out St. Jo Frontier per last year.
Nevada: Lake Tahoe, Vegas Strip, and Laughlin.
These three nominees are the same as last year with a difference. Tahoe is now first in STOP.
Hmm - doesn’t Harrah’s have properties in all three areas? I report, you decide.
Colorado: Central City region includes: Fortune Valley, Doc Holiday and Famous Bonanza/Easy Street. Same ol’, same ‘ol CO nominee.
Connecticut: Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun seesaw back and forth, so I declare a tie.
Between the two casinos, there is a gigantic inventory of slots, yet the overall payouts are consistently in the 91-92% range! Prime candidates for a STOP Award in my judgment.
Mississippi: Vicksburg, Natchez and Greenville take the top STOP award in a big change from the last two reports when North-Tunica area was nominated.
Have the North casinos being listening to ranting slot players? We can hope, can’t we?
Got a rant or comments? Send us an email or post at www.yourcasinovoice.com
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