Editing Slot machine (section)

===Video slot machines===
Video slot machines do not use mechanical reels, but use graphical reels on a computerized [[Display device|display]]. As there are no mechanical constraints on the design of video slot machines, games often use at least five reels, and may also use non-standard layouts. This greatly expands the number of possibilities: a machine can have 50 or more symbols on a reel, giving [[odds]] as high as 300 million to 1 against – enough for even the largest jackpot. As there are so many combinations possible with five reels, manufacturers do not need to weight the payout symbols (although some may still do so). Instead, higher paying symbols will typically appear only once or twice on each reel, while more common symbols earning a more frequent payout will appear many times. Video slot machines usually make more extensive use of [[multimedia]], and can feature more elaborate [[minigame]]s as bonuses. Modern cabinets typically use [[flat-panel display]]s, but cabinets using larger [[curved screen]]s (which can provide a more immersive experience for the player) are not uncommon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/6/8544303/casino-slot-machine-gambling-addiction-psychology-mobile-games|title=Slot machines perfected addictive gaming. Now, tech wants their tricks|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|date=2015-05-06|website=The Verge|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-30}}</ref>

Video slot machines typically encourage the player to play multiple "lines": rather than simply taking the middle of the three symbols displayed on each reel, a line could go from top left to the bottom right or any other pattern specified by the manufacturer. As each symbol is equally likely, there is no difficulty for the manufacturer in allowing the player to take as many of the possible lines on offer as desired – the long-term return to the player will be the same. The difference for the player is that the more lines they play, the more likely they are to get paid on a given spin (because they are betting more).

To avoid seeming as if the player's money is simply ebbing away (whereas a payout of 100 credits on a single-line machine would be 100 bets and the player would feel they had made a substantial win, on a 20-line machine, it would only be five bets and not seem as significant), manufacturers commonly offer bonus games, which can return many times their bet. The player is encouraged to keep playing to reach the bonus: even if they are losing, the bonus game could allow them to win back their losses.