Illegal slot machines confiscated by the Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division.
HARTFORD — The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division is warning the public about illegal gambling machines, designed to steal your money.
Electronic gaming (slot) machines are only allowed at Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino. All machines found outside of those facilities are illegal. Illegal slot machines put consumers money and information at risk, have no age-based restrictions, and offer significantly worse odds than regulated physical slot machines and legal iGaming platforms.
One machine confiscated by DCP showed the machine had collected $191,359 and paid out only 66 percent to users. By comparison, regulated slot machines and iCasino games are required to pay back at least 80 percent or more of the amount wagered over time to customers. Regulated games are continuously tested and monitored to ensure they are paying back the required amount over time. Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, and their iGaming partners DraftKings and FanDuel respectively returned more than 94.6 percent of the amount wagered on slot machines and iCasino games as winnings to customers in 2024.
Counters inside illegal machines confiscated by DCP show how much money has been collected and how much has been paid out.
DCP’s Gaming Division confiscated 6 machines, along with $900 in cash, from four locations in December. Continued enforcement activity will take place this month as the agency cracks down on illegal machines.
“If you choose to gamble, it is critical to do it on a legal, licensed platform, whether that’s at one of our state’s two casinos, or through the licensed and regulated online gaming platforms,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “These illegal machines pose a significant risk to communities, and we will be confiscating any illegal machines found by our investigators. Thank you to our team who works hard day in and day out to ensure the integrity of gaming in our state.”
“These machines might look like those available at the Tribal Casinos and online gaming operators, but are often crudely manufactured, typically return far less than the law requires of regulated machines, and pose a significant risk to consumers who have no recourse in the event of a malfunction or failure to pay out,” said DCP Gaming Director Kris Gilman. “Put simply, they are designed to take your money. Anyone with knowledge of an illegal machine is asked to make a report to the Department so that enforcement action can be taken against the operator of the illegal machine. Consumers who have placed wagers on illegal machines are not the target of this investigation.”
Consumers can report illegal gaming machines to DCP by emailing DCP.Gaming@ct.gov.
If you or someone you know is looking for resources and support for problems relating to gambling, call, or chat with the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming 24/7 confidential Problem Gambling Helpline at 1(888) 789-7777 or visit www.ccpg.org.
Information on services available in Connecticut for those who may have a problem with gambling is also available at portal.ct.gov/problemgaming. You may also learn about self-exclusion at ct.gov/selfexclusion.