For VLT players

What are the rules of play at a video lottery terminal (VLT) site?

Players should be aware that there are Rules of Play posted at every VLT site. These rules provide information on wagers, time limits, claiming a prize and retailer responsibilities.

• VLT retailers are PROHIBITED from granting credit or providing cash advances on credit cards to enable a person to play a video lottery terminal (VLT)
• No person under the age of 18 is permitted to play VLTs
• Alberta law prohibits any VLT retailer from permitting a person who is apparently intoxicated by liquor or a drug to take part in any gaming activity conducted in the licensed premises
• VLTs will not accept additional cash from players when the terminal cash balance is more than $100
• VLTs require players to select a session time limit prior to playing and will automatically cash-out after the player’s second time session expires
• Any malfunction voids all plays and pays
• If a VLT appears to be malfunctioning, play should be discontinued, and the malfunction should be reported to site staff immediately
• Game prize limits may be capped by game or may have a specified maximum prize
• When the cash balance on the terminal reaches $1,250 or more, a cash-out ticket will be generated for $1,250; any balance will remain on the terminal until played or cashed-out
• If a single spin results in a prize award greater than $1,250, a cash-out ticket will be generated for a value equal to the individual prize award; any balance will remain on the terminal until played or cashed-out
• VLT cash-out tickets must be claimed within thirty (30) days from the date of issue; players are encouraged to print their name on the back of their cash-out ticket as a means of identifying ownership of the ticket
• Cash-out tickets up to and including $1,250 can only be redeemed at the VLT retailer from where they were issued; if cashed on a day other than the day issued, identification may be requested to confirm the name printed on the back of the cash-out ticket
• If the VLT retailer location is unable to pay a cash-out ticket of a value more than $1,250 the retailer will provide the player with a list of AGLC designated cross-validation sites that can accommodate payment of the cash-out ticket
• At the cross-validation site, the ticket must be cashed by the person who has signed their name on the back of the cash-out ticket; the person cashing the ticket will be asked to provide identification that matches the name that appears on the back of the ticket

Claiming Your Prize

• Cash-out tickets up to and including $1,250 can only be redeemed at the VLT retailer from where they were issued; if cashed on a day other than the day issued, identification may be requested to confirm the name printed on the back of the cash-out ticket
• If the VLT retailer location is unable to pay a cash-out ticket of a value more than $1,250 the retailer will provide the player with a list of AGLC designated cross-validation sites that can accommodate payment of the cash-out ticket
• All VLT retailers have a listing of cross-validation sites at their cash-out counter; please ask the staff for this listing.
• All VLT prize tickets must be validated within 30 days at the location they were generated or at a cross-validation site
• If you have not been able to cash out your ticket, please complete the Expired Ticket Form
• For more information, please call AGLC Hotline: 1-800-742-7818

Odds and Payout Information

• VLT games in Alberta are programmed to pay out a cumulative average of 92 per cent of all money wagered over all of the machines in the VLT network; the payout rate of 92 per cent is averaged over millions and millions of plays, not one playing session
• The programmed game payout rates vary based on line counts, denomination, maximum bet and various other variables; for example, some games may be programmed at 92.00 per cent or 91.89 per cent
• It’s important to note that VLT games operate randomly at all times, no matter how many wins or losses have occurred in the past; altering play patterns, time of day, or position of the machine within a video lottery retail location or the result of your last game has no bearing on the result of your next game. Randomness ensures that all future outcomes are unpredictable
• Every time the “Spin” button is pressed on a VLT machine, including progressives, the outcome is determined by a computer chip called a Random Number Generator (RNG) located inside each machine. Each spin is random and is independent of the amount wagered; this means that the machine RNG picks the outcome and then evaluates it against the wager to determine the prize amount
• The random draw cannot be influenced by anything other than the RNG and there are no patterns or clues to indicate when a win could happen
• On an on-going basis, AGLC technical staff carefully monitor every VLT in Alberta for security purposes and to ensure the integrity of the games

Responsible Gambling

• AGLC asks you to remember that electronic gaming terminals are a game of chance and should be considered a form of entertainment as winning a prize is never guaranteed
• AGLC encourages all players to get to know the games they play and set limits both on the amount of time they play and money they are prepared to bet and potentially lose
• AGLC's GameSense and Self-Exclusion programss are awareness and educational resources in supporting Albertans to make informed decisions when they choose to participate in gaming activities
• For information on this program, please visit gamesenseab.ca or aglc.ca/self-exclusion