Many people feel like because technology is so advanced today that all slot machines are controlled by a server, and this is false. To better understand lets look at the systems of slot servers and what they do.

The legal definition of a slot machine is very clear, it must be a contained secure unit that can produce its own outcome based on internal random number generation without outside influences. Players should be aware that there are many devices out there today that look, feel, and act like slot machines but do not meet the legal definition of what a slot machine actually is. Examples of this would be Bingo based games (Class 2), Lottery Terminals (VLT), and Historic Horse Racing games (HHR). Units that are not legally defined as slot machines may use servers and have a different way to generate outcomes.

So what do modern server systems actually do? Well, they can not control the games or outcomes on class 3 slot machines. The systems that are in place do the following:

• Player Tracking Server: This is separate from the logic portion of the game and its only purpose and function is to relay data about your play such as coin in/out, free play, and points. This would be your players card. As mentioned before, this can not effect the game play nor is it connected to the logic portion of the game.

• Progressive Servers: This is a system in place that its sole purpose is to sync progressive counters and store a backup of progressive data in the event of a system outage or audit. This system can not modify game play.

• System Updates: Many new games and systems have a server in place to push required security and game updates to the unit. For this system, it can push updates but still requires someone to physically be present to accept the updates. Again, this can not control game play of a slot machine.