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Gamblers in multiple states have the opportunity to wager on two types of gaming: parimutuel-powered games and casino slots.
Both types of gambling offer the prospect of big wins and the thrill of playing games of chance. However, the similarities largely end there. Odds and payouts are calculated differently, and the way games are presented varies significantly between the two styles of gambling.
Comparing parimutuel-powered games and casino slots
| Feature | Parimutuel-powered games | Casino slots |
|---|---|---|
| Odds | Determined by players' pooled bets | Predetermined by operator |
| Payout | Changes based on betting pool | Constant based on odds |
| User experience | Typically a physical or online ticket, then watch the race | Casino cabinet or online slots screen. Players click "spin" or pull a handle to activate a betting round. |
| Based on live events | Yes, in most cases | No |
| Bonuses | Only for parlays | Yes, but number, type, odds and payouts vary by game |
How betting odds work in PPGs and slots
PPGs and online slots have very different odds structures. When you place a PPG bet, you get the odds at the time of your bet, but those odds can change because your wager enters a pool that fluctuates as other bets are placed. As a result, your odds-based payout can change depending on how many people bet on the same outcome.
Casino slots work differently: Machines, whether physical or virtual, have a set odds structure programmed into the game.
In general, savvy PPG bettors can try to influence their odds by placing bets closer to the start of a race, while the odds for a slots bet are fixed and remain the same regardless of when you play.
How your winnings are calculated
PPG payouts can vary based on how much action a particular bet receives. For example, if a horse is a long shot when you place a bet but more bettors later wager on that horse, its odds of winning decrease, and your potential payout is lower if the horse wins.
Slot machine payouts are different: Because they are based on fixed odds, the payout is always the same — a 15x payout is a 15x payout.
Watching the action vs. spinning the reels
PPG betting is most often used for live horse racing and greyhound events, so the user experience largely involves watching a race unfold in real time. Casinos and online slots, in contrast, focus on a game’s theme, with wins and bonuses presented visually on-screen.
Live event betting vs. programmed odds
PPG wagers are typically tied to live events, whereas casino and online slots are based solely on programmed odds.
Bonuses and promos: parimutuel games vs. slots
PPGs offer bonuses in the form of parlays, allowing bettors to increase their potential payoff — and generally decrease their odds — by selecting the top three finishers in a race or the winners of multiple races.
Casinos and online slots, on the other hand, offer a wide variety of bonuses, including icon sequences and bonus rounds that often award bigger payouts and free spins.
