IGT Slot Machines & More: 7 FAQ About Buying Indoor Entertainment Gear (From a Guy Who Makes Mistakes)

About this FAQ (and my credentials to screw it up)

I handle equipment procurement and service orders for a mid-sized venue group that runs a mix of arcades, bars with gaming, and family entertainment centers. I've been at it for about 6 years now (started in 2019). And I've made some memorable mistakes.

In my first year, I ordered 40 IGT slot machine upgrade kits without checking the model number format. Matched the cabinet, missed the board revision. Every single kit was wrong. That was a $3,200 restocking fee plus a two-week delay. (Note to self: double-checking the 12-digit product code is faster than explaining to your boss why the machines are down.)

So here's the FAQ I wish I'd had. It covers the questions I now get asked the most, plus a few I should have asked.

1. Are IGT free slot machines and IGT slot machines online the same thing? Do I need a license for each?

Short answer: Not the same, and it depends on your local laws—but assume you need a license for the online versions.

An IGT free slot machine is typically a physical machine placed in a venue (bar, casino, arcade) that operates on a free-play model—players don't wager real money. You still need to comply with local amusement device regulations.

IGT slot machines online are different. They're software-based, often linked to a central system (like IGT's CloudPlay). Even for free-play, if the software is accessible via a network, you might be operating under gaming laws, not just amusement. In my experience (Midwest US, 2024), the local gaming commission treated the online versions differently. Best guess: check with your state's gaming authority. I've never fully understood why the line is sometimes blurry, but it is.

2. Should I buy used IGT slot machines or new ones from a distributor?

For a small venue starting out, used can work—if you budget for refurbishment.

This worked for us because we had a local tech who knew the older IGT platforms (Game King, Vision series). If you're dealing with a state that requires newer compliance standards (like Colorado or Illinois after 2022 updates), the calculus might be different—a used machine might need expensive upgrades.

I bought six used IGT S2000 machines from a reseller in 2022. Paid $1,800 each. Looked fine. After testing, three had dead touchscreens and one had a coin jam issue that took weeks to source parts for. (Parts for sale on eBay, honestly, were hit-or-miss.) The total with repairs was about $2,400 each. New from IGT would have been $3,500-4,500. The used price was lower, but the total cost of ownership included downtime and frustration. (I really should have asked for a tested, warranty-included quote.)

If you have an in-house tech, used is viable. If not, factor in a service contract.

3. What about the other stuff—trampoline park equipment, speed card game tables, gym equipment? Is it all the same buying process?

Honestly? No. The buying process for each category has its own gotchas.

For trampoline park equipment: safety certification is non-negotiable. You need to verify the vendor is ASTM F2970-compliant. I almost ordered from a supplier who had a better price, but their certification was expired. (Ugh, caught it during invoice review.) For indoor fitness equipment: commercial-grade is a different price tier from residential. A $500 treadmill from a big-box store won't last six months in a hotel gym.

Here's a quick breakdown I use internally:

• Gaming/slot machines (including IGT): Licensing, power requirements, network/internet connectivity for updates. Parts and repair infrastructure matter a lot.
• Trampoline park gear: Safety compliance (ASTM), insurance requirements, foam pit maintenance. The vendor's liability history matters as much as the price.
• Board games / card games (for a social lounge): Durability of the components. Cheap card games (like the ones for $5 on Amazon) wear out fast under commercial use. Spend the extra for casino-quality cards or speed card game sets with thick plastic-coated cards.
• AV / home theater for a venue: If you're hooking up a Sony home theater system in a bar or gaming lounge, the setup is different than in a home. You need commercial-grade speakers that can handle high volume for hours.
• Fitness equipment: Warranty and service contracts. A commercial elliptical from Precor or Life Fitness is a different ball game from a home model.

4. How to play the card game BS (and why would I stock it)?

You stock it because it's cheap, popular with groups, and doesn't need an electrical outlet.

You know how some tables are just sitting there empty? Putting a deck of cards and rules for games like BS, Coup, or Spades can turn a dead table into a 45-minute activity. Drinks get ordered. It's a low-risk addition.

For the rules of how to play the card game BS: It's a bluffing game. Each player gets a hand, and players take turns placing cards face-down, claiming them to be a certain rank. If someone calls "BS" and you were lying, you pick up the pile. If you were telling the truth, the accuser picks up the pile. (Basic rules: you can find many versions online. We printed laminated rule cards for our tables—best $20 I ever spent.)

5. I need a Sony home theater system for my venue. What's the trap?

The trap: assuming a home theater receiver can handle a commercial setting.

I once ordered a Sony STR-DH790 for a sports bar's TV area. It was fine for a living room. In a bar with ambient noise and 4 TVs running, the receiver overheated within three months. The replacement cost plus installation labor (roughly $350 total, including a service call) taught me: commercial AV equipment is different. Look for units rated for continuous high-volume operation. (Source: my local AV installer's invoice, March 2023.)

6. What about parts and repair for IGT machines? Is it a pain?

It can be. Especially if you don't plan for it.

IGT has a vast spare parts network, but some components (like specific power supplies for older Game King units) are getting scarce. We've had success with IGT-authorized distributors and with specialized resellers who maintain parts inventories. (For a $200 part, we once had a 3-day production delay because we ordered from the wrong supplier. That error cost $890 in redo plus a 1-week delay overall.)

My rule now: for any new machine acquisition, I buy a spare parts kit for the most failure-prone components (power supply, monitor board, touchscreen). The kit costs $150-400 depending on the model. It has saved us at least 4 major downtimes in the past 18 months (estimate: $3,000+ in potential lost revenue).

7. One surprise: do I need different insurance for different equipment?

Yes. This was a surprise to me.

This was true 5 years ago when I assumed a general liability policy covered everything. Today, most insurers want to know specifics. Trampolines and fitness equipment have higher injury risk. Slot machines (even free-play) might be flagged under gambling liability. I didn't ask our broker about this when we added trampoline park equipment in Q1 2023. It cost us $450 in additional premium plus a policy re-endorsement fee.

Always get written confirmation from your insurer that the specific equipment is covered. (Take it from someone who learned this the expensive way.)

Pricing as of January 2025; verify current rates with suppliers. Equipment regulations vary by jurisdiction—check your local gaming and safety authorities.