Gaming machines: differences between VLTs, FOBTS, and slots

The world of gaming machines is bigger than you may think, in fact, the Gaming Technology Association (GTA) estimates that the number of authorised gaming machines installed worldwide in 2019 was 7,431,125.

It is normal to feel a little bit confused about what kind of gambling cabinet will suit your needs the best. Especially because all of them are frequently called “slot machines” in the industry.

The UK Gambling Act 2005 says a gaming machine is the one “designed or adapted for use by individuals to gamble.” So this includes all types of cabinets for betting businesses...

So, how do we differentiate a slot from a video lottery terminal or a FOBT (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals)? Which one do you need to answer your players’ needs and take your business to the top?

Video Lottery Terminals and FOBTs

A video lottery terminal or VLT is an electronic gaming machine that offers the possibility of gambling in a selection of different games, like roulette - which is the most famous one- Keno or slots.

In some countries, like the United Kingdom, for legal reasons, these cabinets do not work through a Random Number Generator (RNG). Instead, they offer results based on fixed odds. This is why VLTs are known as FOBTs in the UK.

FOBTs are usually found at smaller betting shops or bookmakers. They tend to have a more basic design than the most modern VLTs cabinets, and they are cheaper than the ones that can be seen in Vegas or other important casinos worldwide.

Four differences between VLTs and slots

Slots are gambling machines that create a game of chance for players, thanks to a RNG associated with a combination of different symbols.

The first big difference, then, is that video lottery terminal games are preprogrammed to pay a certain number of times, while slot winnings are unpredictable. Also, when betting in a slot, there is just one player, who can win against the casino. VLTs are connected so several players “compete” to be the winner or winners. The number of potential winners is also fixed before the game starts.

As mentioned above, slots are focused on just one game, while VLT / FOBT gambling allows different games betting, being also called multi-game machines, sometimes.

The stake and prize rules are also different, according to the Gambling Act 2005. This is why slots and VLTs even belong to different sub-categories on the Gambling Commission classification.

So… quite similar at first sight but no so much when you go deeper into the issue.

VRTech is your Video Lottery Terminals expert and could help you choose the best cabinet for Virtual or Sportsbetting to suit your needs, satisfy and engage your players, and make you improve your revenue.