Are casinos cheating on their slot machines?

Many casinos are resetting slot machines after players have built up free spins or other bonus features.  We speak with Buddy Frank, a former slot director who contacted the Nevada Gaming control Board about this.  In addition we talk about some of the new things Buddy saw at the annual Global Gaming Conference.

podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/episode/are-casinos-cheating-on-slot-machines--75524394

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction of Buddy Frank, experienced slot and casino operations executive
[00:51]  Are casinos illegally resetting slot machines?
[05:57]  Evidence of Money Balls being reset
[09:34]  Checking Phoenix Link reset numbers, repeated RAM clearing
[12:53]  Lack of consequences for casino corporations that cheat players

[16:50]  G2E, facial recognition, eConnect, prediction markets

[23:00]  Lack of persistent state slot machines at G2E, new version of Sigma Derby, 

[26:45]  Roll to Win Craps

[29:53]  Marble Run by Interblock, wide area progressive slots

[32:02]  New offerings from Zitro and Light and Wonder

[33:28]  Buy a bonus features, Buffalo Power Play

[35:52]  Higher W2G limit impact on ambiance and Blueberi Gaming's jackpot speaker system

[38:42]  Self pay for W2G's, $1999 jackpot machines

[42:04]  Ainsworth Playboy theme, popular themes, and copycats

[45:00]  Licensing fees for Dragon Link versus Spooky Link

[47:20]  Skill-based slot machines

[49:32]  Recommended:  Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, Art Manteris' The Bookie

Links:

cdcgaming.com/writers/buddy-frank

willyallison.com/post/white-paper

Recommended:

Ann Patchett's Bel Canto - https://amzn.to/4yjWGDf

Art Manteris' The Bookie - https://amzn.to/4hFHObM

Gambling With an Edge - Gary Kondler

Bob and Richard sit down with Gary Kondler to talk about taxes for gamblers after the big beautiful bill.  It may not be as bad for some of us as we all thought. Spoiler alert - but some gamblers are just screwed.

podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/episode/gary-kondler-on-taxes-for-gamblers--69186322

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction of gambling tax expert Gary Kondler from Kondler & Associates

[01:36]  W2Gs under the new tax law

[05:24]  Reconciling W2s with session win/loss

[09:43]  An example of casino gambling profit and discussion of similar case law

[18:04]  Sports betting example

[20:46]  Could a day of betting across different sportsbooks be considered a single session?

[24:28]  Arbitrage bettors versus poker players 

[27:06]  What type of gambler would benefit from creating an S corp

[30:00]  Casino generated win/loss statements

[31:54]  Should clients file on time or file an extension?

[37:49]  IRS layoffs 

[40:57]  How can listeners contact Gary?

[42:45]  Brian Camp’s legal opinion

[44:55]  Kalshi and other predictive markets

[47:48]  Professional versus non-professional gambler

[51:34]  Does filing with losses affect the professional gambler classification?

Links:

Kondlercpa.com

https://www.taxnotes.com/special-reports/gains-and-losses/taxation-gambling-after-obbba/2025/08/14/7sxhn

Michael Kaplan - "Advantage Players"

 Bob and Richard are back to talk with Michael Kaplan about his new book, "Advantage Players."

podcast - https://www.spreaker.com/episode/kaplinbook--66463710

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction of Michael Kaplan, author of Advantage Players

[00:43]  Michael’s background in gambling and writing

[04:18]  Finding people to write about

[06:46]  Definition of “advantage player”

[07:21]  David Philips, the pudding guy

[09:57]  Cheating, breaking the law, and advantage play

[12:23]  Identifying interesting APs and stories

[14:02]  Bill Benter and Alan Woods

[20:59]  Phil Ivey and the benefits of humble beginnings

[25:09]  Getting backed off, betting big, staying disciplined 

[28:57]  Don Johnson’s Atlantic City play

[33:45]  Playing with James Grosjean

[36:20]  Interviewing AP royaly

[36:09]  Advantage play in adult films

[40:40]  AP skills, qualities, mindset

[43:20]  Eddie Teams

[46:40]  How to order Michael’s book, Advantage Players

Links:

https://www.advantageplayersbook.com/

Get book - https://amzn.to/4dTqk9r