Industry forums like Casino Collectors News connect fans to reputably sourced machines. Scrutinize images to identify wear, damage, or undisclosed modifications that may impact value.Īsk sellers about the machine’s full operational history and ability to provide provenance documentation. Carefully vet seller feedback and listing accuracy before purchase. These sites offer a broad selection ranging from antique machines to commercial casino trade-ins. Despite neighboring states having opposing stances, federal law does not override state policy.ĮBay, Facebook Marketplace, and niche auction platforms connect buyers and sellers nationwide. These nuanced state-level age and manufacture date thresholds intend to limit ownership to vintage slot machines for collection purposes rather than potential unauthorized gambling. Slot machines must have been produced before:

Less frequently, states restrict slot machine ownership based on manufacturing date rather than the machine’s current age. States Restricting Based on Manufacturing Date States regulating based on age include California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.įor example, Florida permits machines 20 years or older while Missouri sets the minimum age at 30 years.

The most common legal stipulation requires slot machines to be older than 25 years. Between these two extremes lie a spectrum of conditional permissions, primarily revolving around machine age. Meanwhile, other states allow broad legal ownership, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Several states fully prohibit the private ownership of slot machines, including Alabama, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Full Prohibition vs Broad Legal Ownership Given the consequences of violating gaming laws, it is the buyer’s responsibility to learn their state’s slot machine statutes inside and out prior to making a purchase. Perhaps surprisingly, federal law does not govern the ownership of slot machines – this falls under state jurisdiction.Įach state sets its own regulations regarding owning a real money slot machine, ranging from total prohibition to few-to-no restrictions.

Buying a used slot machine tips key