If you’re searching for “slot machines for sale,” then you’re likely in the market for a traditional one-armed bandit or more modern video slot. In either case, it’s wise to know the best places to look, as well as the state laws regarding such a purchase.

Slot Machine Ownership State Laws

In America, the laws governing slot machine ownership differ from state to state. In some places, a citizen can own any machine they can get their hands on. In other cases, all forms of slots are prohibited. The most common laws, however, allow members of the public to own machines of a certain age.

The following are the current slot machine ownership laws in the United States. Before you make a purchase, I suggest checking to see if there have been any changes.

All Machines Are Legal to Own – Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia

No Slot Ownership Allowed – Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee

Machines before 1984 Allowed – Colorado

Machines before 1954 Allowed – Vermont

Machines before 1952 Allowed – District of Columbia

Machines before 1950 Allowed – Georgia, Idaho, Kansas

Machines before 1941 Allowed – New Jersey, South Dakota

Machines 40 Years or Older Allowed – Indiana

Machines 30 Years or Older Allowed – Massachusetts, Missouri, New York

Machines 25 Years or Older Allowed – California, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Machines 20 Years or Older Allowed – Florida

All Class II Machines Allowed – Alabama

Types of Slot Machines

Now that you’ve determined whether or not you can legally own a slot machine in your state, it’s time to choose what kind of device you want in your den or game room. Please note that some slots may combine two or more of the types listed below (for example, a progressive video slot with bonus games).

Straight Slots – The standard type of slot. Includes a paytable, and it may also have multiple paylines, wild symbols, bonus amount, and multipliers.

Class II – This form of slot simulates a game of bingo, and players compete against one another instead of the house.

Class III – The most popular form of slot, a class III game pits the player against the house. All wins are announced automatically, and each spin is independent.

Tokenized – Machines that accept a certain denomination of casino token.

Multi-Denomination – Once the player inserts their money into this type of slot, they can choose from several different denominations.

Reel Slot – This slot contains physical reels. Prior to the creation of video slots, these were the most popular option in casinos.

Video Slot – Most modern slots fall into this category. The physical reels have been replaced by computer graphics.

Buy a Pay – The player can wager more money to be eligible for additional pay tables.

Progressive – Each time the slot is played, a certain percentage of the wager is set aside and added to progressive jackpot. This prize continues to grow until someone satisfies the winning conditions.

Bonus Game – When the right combination of symbols appear, the slot offers a bonus game this is otherwise unavailable.

Places to Buy Slots

If you’re looking to buy a slot machine, the following are some of the best places to conduct your search:

Online – This is the best option for people wanting to add one or more slots to their home décor. Auction sites such as eBay offer a variety of games from all time periods, and there are plenty of websites devoted to retailers who sell nothing but used slots. You can also peruse online classifieds such as Craigslist, which might allow you to find a seller within miles of your home.

Antique Stores – If you’re in the market for a classic slot with actual reels and a handle, make a trip to the local antique shops in your area. The prices might be steep, but these specialty shops also afford you the opportunity to find a rare item.

Newspaper Classifieds – People sell all kinds of things in the back of your local newspaper. While slot machines aren’t the most likely item to be listed, you’ll never know unless you look.

The next time you come across slot machines for sale, you’ll have a better idea of the legality in your state, as well as the various models available. Setting up one or more slots in your house can be a great way to entertain guests, and you may find that the neighbors start coming up with excuses to drop by on a regular basis.