Slot machine payback in Colorado
How much do slot machines really pay back in Colorado? Here's the reported return‑to‑player from the state's gaming regulator, what the house keeps, how it ranks against other states, and what an hour of play actually costs you.
Figure from the Colorado Division of Gaming, 2025. Source ↗
Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek; hold% converted to payback.
What an hour of slots costs in Colorado
At 92.1% payback, this is the long‑run expected loss for that house edge — set your bet per spin and how fast you play.
Long‑run average — any single session swings far more (that's volatility). How payback works →
Payback by market in Colorado
Payback isn't uniform across the state — locals and regional floors usually beat the tourist ones.
| Market | Payback | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Central City | 92.4% | 7.6% |
| Black Hawk | 92.1% | 7.9% |
| Cripple Creek | 92% | 8% |
How Colorado compares
Nearby states in the payback ranking:
- Mississippi (92.3%, looser)
- Delaware (92.3%, looser)
- Rhode Island (91.8%, tighter)
- Connecticut (91.8%, tighter)
← See the full payback‑by‑state ranking
Frequently asked questions
What is the average slot payback in Colorado?
Colorado slots pay back about 92.1% on average (2025, per the Colorado Division of Gaming) — a house edge of about 7.9%. Over the long run that is roughly $8 lost for every $100 you cycle through a machine.
Are slots looser in Colorado than other states?
Colorado ranks #6 of the 18 states that publish payback data — among the loosest. Remember the figures come from different reporting periods, so compare them as ballparks, not to the decimal.
Does this mean my machine in Colorado pays back 92.1%?
No. Regulators report averages across all machines in an area, not per game or per machine. Any single session swings far more than the long-run average — that is volatility, and it is usually against you.
Payback figures are a dated snapshot from official gaming reports (averages by area/denomination, not per machine) and change period to period — verify locally. 21+ where applicable. Informational only, not gambling advice. All slots are negative expected value — please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1‑800‑GAMBLER.